Monster TRuck Rally

 The other day, while Josie napped, Jack talked me into racing Monster TRucks in our driveway. It was a Monster TRuck Rally, if you will...

 Jack got the BIG Monster TRuck...

And, as you can see, I got the small Monster TRuck. Can you guess who assigned trucks? FYI - my little truck held it's own just fine - I'll have you know...

And then Jack got gansta. When someone asks, "When did Jack Becker get so gansta?" Just show them this picture. He's like a mini-Kid Rock or something. Detroit. It's in the blood.

{Sidenote: The hat Jack is wearing was one of my cousin Chad's hats. Jack picked it out when we were visiting my Aunt & Uncle. It says Big Johnson Guns. He likes it because it's orange camo and because it would look damn good at a REAL Monster TRuck Rally!}

Clevenger Halloween/Christmas

We were back in Indiana for the weekend and we got a chance to catch up with some friends & family. Saturday morning we stopped by the Maile's - to see Katie (Beehler) and Max. Their little guy, Benjamin, was so sweet about sharing with Jack & Josie. We had fun!

Then, after naps, it was off to Plymouth for Clevenger Halloween/Christmas.

 Josie and I teamed up for a girlie pumpkin - complete with eyelashes and a kiss-face. (see it below)

Jack was SO excited about playing with Elliott and Owen - I barely got any pictures of him. Meanwhile, Josie was chumming with everyone and, therefore, is in A LOT of pictures.

She managed to eat bubbles. Not sure what that was about. And she became BFFs with Ada. My grandma made a traditional "Christmas dinner" and it was DELICIOUS! Jack and Josie chowed down...{and so did Kady & Tyson.}

Jack & his "boys" took a break from wrestling/football/being boys - to pose for a picture. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to be around my cousin's kids...a welcome reminder that Jack is ALL boy and perfectly normal.

Josie tried on Grandpa Gigi's glasses and I think they looked great on her! What do you think?

Last week was Fire Safety week! Make sure you hop over to Mumbling Mommy to see my post on how to talk to your kids about Fire Safety!! {See! I still have some Insurance Agent in me.}

Reflections of an Artist

The tools needed for an Almost-Two Artist:

Crayons - CHECK.

Paper (optional) - CHECK.

Water Bottle - CHECK.

Granola Bar - CHECK.

Cheesy Smile - CHECK.

Second Child Alert

First of all - before you look at the pictures below you need to promise not to judge. My pantry is a mess. It's on the list of "Things-I-Should-Do-When-I-Have-A-Free-Hour." Also - I feed my family Velveeta Mac & Cheese. It's easy and good. Oh, and you can see the Oreos. They're a staple.

Second Child Alert. Standing on a chair in the pantry, so you can play with the light switch while I cook dinner? Sure. Go for it.

Josie is {still} happiest while raiding the pantry...or playing in it.

Happy Friday! Looking forward to some Clevenger Family time!

How about those Tigers?!?!

It's Game 5, people!

We are sporting our Detroit Tigers gear today and hoping it isn't the last time we wear it for a while. Our Tigers are in Game 5 of the ALDS vs the Oakland A's. Come on, Cubs/Reds/Indians/White Sox fans - show us some love! Cubs fans are especially welcome on the Bandwagon...you need a reason to cheer.

Also - one more thing - BEST.TEACHER.GIFT. EVER!

That's a Wine "sippy cup." And it's brilliant. It rarely gets used. Okay, that's a lie. Add one to your Christmas/Hanukkah list...you won't regret it.

GO TIGERS!

Field Trip to the Orchard

Jack's class had a field trip to the Apple Orchard yesterday and I got to tag along! We picked some apples, found a couple pumpkins, and ate cider donuts {I know someone in Iowa who is jealous right now}.

 Jack posed as a black cat...

 And braved a picture with some scary monsters!

Then he flashed a toddler "gang sign" {or ASL for "love"} and we headed home to relieve Josie's babysitter. Much to my surprise, Josie didn't shed one tear! She's such a clingy girl these days…I was shocked. And happy. And I think I'll get this sitter again REALLY soon.

Down on the Farm {Part 2}

Saturday morning we woke up to find that one of the cows was having a baby...in the field...by herself. {apparently this is common for cows} I couldn't help it, my mommy instincts made me feel for this mama cow. Uncle Larry reported that the feet were out. No big deal. He sat down and ate some breakfast. By the time we got out to the field, the baby was standing up and her mama was giving her a "cow tongue bath." Talk about amazing. We left the mama and her baby - and headed off to North Vernon for the Farmer's Market.

The afternoon brought rain and a tractor ride for Jack. He was in heaven. We also "helped out" with feeding and Jack rode on the four-wheeler...again, in heaven. Uncle Larry was his new best friend.

 Oh look - I got in a couple pictures! {Thanks, mom!}

Jack may not look excited about riding the tractor & the four wheeler - don't be fooled. He talked about it the whole way back to Michigan. He also asked when he could go back to The Farm...

My answer: "When Aunt Debbie, Uncle Larry, and Grandpa Walker recover from our visit...it may take a while."

Down on the Farm {Part1}

When I was little, I always got SO excited to take a trip down to Southern Indiana to see my family on their farm. This past weekend, I took Jack and Josie down to The Farm and they had a blast! My mom came along for some {much needed} support.

Josie met a real cow - face to face. Her name was Sissy and it was love at first sight. Jack collected the chicken eggs from the hen house. His first attempt at "placing" an egg in the bucket was a failure. He learned quickly that he couldn't slam dunk them.

This was Josie's second time meeting my grandpa...and she thought he was pretty great. I think the feeling was mutual.

Our first day on the farm included: ride on the mule (not a donkey), visits with cows, feeding the horses, collecting eggs, peeing outside {Jack}, playing with Chad's old tractors, eating pizza, and a good night's sleep.

My kids were still in everyone's {mainly my own} good graces...and yes, peeing outside on The Farm is perfectly acceptable, as long as he doesn't carry this over to peeing in our front yard {like he did a few weeks ago}.

More from The Farm coming tomorrow...

We're heading South

The kids and I are heading south today. We have some people to visit…we may visit some cows, pigs, and horses, too…but mainly people. Pretty important people - who my kids don't see enough. So if you're looking for us this weekend make your way to Commiskey. We'll be on the farm.

Josie did some light reading to study up on farm animals. She's kind of obsessed with them.

If you have a second - stop by Mumbling Mommy today to see my post on Educated Birth! I promise I don't get too graphic (but I will, if you want me to).

In Daddy's Shoes

Josie found Tyson's shoes the other day...which wasn't hard, since they were on the stairs. What WAS hard was walking around with them on. She clomped around the kitchen, scared the dogs, and asked, "Momma? Daddy home?" She thinks she'd like a pair in pink.