At least once a day during our conversations he'll say something that he has never said before and usually it makes me laugh. I wonder where he hears the things he says, and also how he knows just the perfect time to say them - here is a perfect example, although, with this one, I know exactly where he learned the saying - me! So we were playing in the basement the other day and he asks, "Mom, can you get me that toy" (a toy that was literally 3 feet from him). Me, being the wonderful mom I am, say to him, "what, are your legs broke?" He just looks at me with that look that says what does that mean. I explain to him that is was a joke and that it means his legs work so he can go get the toy himself. He gets the toy, the day ends, onto another day. So two days later, he is laying in my bedroom and wants something to drink so he yells to me, "Mom, I'm thirsty" and before I can reply, he adds, "my legs are broke so I can't get up." After a good laugh, I get is drink and he settles in for a nap. That was a couple of days ago, and now all I ever hear is that his legs are broke when he . . . is too tired to ride his bike all the way back from the park, doesn't want to pick up toys, or can't walk to the bathroom because one of his favorite cartoons is on - what was I thinking when I taught him that? I just hope he doesn't break it out when he is in school and the teacher asks him to help pick up. Can you imagine the look on the teacher's face if Ryan says he can' help because he legs are broke? I'd probably have an early parent/teacher conference.
Other days, it is his imagination (which I have mentioned before) that amazes me. For instance, he has been really into dressing up lately and pretending he is Bob the Builder, a doctor, a cowboy, a football player, or a sheriff to name a few, and he just runs with it. All he usually needs is a prop or two and he can play and make up stuff to keep himself (or others) busy for a while - it is fun to watch. I usually get to be one of his sidekicks like Wendy (Bob's lady friend), a cowboy grill (that is what he calls a cowgirl), or Doctor Mom - what is not to like about those jobs! And finally, I just like to see how much Ryan is learning and understanding all the time. Last night we were reading "Peef and the baby sister." The book is about how a big brother gives his teddy bear (Peef) to his baby sister when she is sad. Sometimes when we read books, I swear Ryan isn't even listening (this was the case last night), but when the book was done, Ryan says to me, "I can give Lauren my Henry (his stuffed Hippo) to make her feel all fine." I was first surprised that he was actually listening close enough to pick up on what the book was about, and second, surprised that he could relate it back to himself - simple enough, but still amazing when it is your own kid. So I tell him that would be nice and ask if we should go put Henry in bed with Lauren. He says, "no, tomorrow when she gets up." In my head I'm thinking it was all just talk to stall having to go to bed so we wrap up our conversation, I tuck him in, and out I walk thinking Henry will still be in bed tomorrow with Ryan when he wakes up. Well, the night turns out to be a long one with Ryan waking up twice; once because he was scared, and once because he wanted some water, this was then followed by Lauren waking up screaming at 4:30 in the morning - a quick diaper change, a bottle, and back to bed - needless to say I wasn't hurrying out of bed this morning so Trav took the early morning breakfast duties while I caught up on a little extra sleep. So anyway, the morning comes and goes, I finally crawl out of bed as Trav is leaving for work (trust me, this is very unusual for me to be in bed this late - 7:45am) and soon enough, 9:30am rolls around and Lauren is ready for her nap. I get her bottle made, get ready to sit down in the glider and rock her to sleep when I catch a glimpse of something in her crib. I take a look, and there tucked in the corner is Ryan's Henry - he brought it to her after all, just like he said he would - I have the biggest smile on my face as I give Lauren her bottle telling her what a lucky little girl she is to have a brother like Ryan. After Lauren is asleep, I find Ryan (playing Bob the Builder) and ask him about Henry. He told me Lauren was crying this morning when he got up so he went in and gave her Henry to make her fine all fine (he always says this instead of to make her feel better) - he gets a big hug for that! Anyway, enough about my kid, here are some pictures of Ryan as Bob and a sheriff/hunting guy.
It is amazing what changing out a hard hat for a cowboy hat and adding a bandanna can do for an outfit - builder to cowboy in thirty seconds, and no, that is not a real gun, we only let him play with real guns outside (I'm just kidding). Big day tomorrow - first day of school! Can't wait to hear Ryan's stories and play them back for everyone.
During our free time this weekend we also got a chance to put on some more tattoos. Ryan is obsessed with having a tattoo on at all times and hates it when one finally washes off. Luckily, the book of tattoos we bought him has 500 so we shouldn't be running out for a while. His latest one (even though his guitar is still intact) is what he calls a "muscle band." Daddy told him it helps show his big muscles when he flexes so that is what he has been doing lately, flexing his muscles. Here he is flexing for the camera - you don't want to mess with this kid - look at those arms!
Sure it is a little wavy and not all the same color, but he doesn't care and neither do I - he just loves that his name is on my arm - now that is true love.
After the maze, we went to the learning center (tip from the members) and checked out all the neat things they have for kids do do. There were a lot of interactive areas so Ryan was very busy. Our final stop of the natural play area outside where everything is made out of sticks, trees - things from nature. As we walked in, we saw the same group as before so Ryan picked yo where he left off and started playing with the girls while Lauren and I sat to chat for a while. By the time we left, it was close to 2:00pm - way past lunch and nap time. I gave the kids some snacks to hold them over on the ride home until I could give them a proper lunch, but by the time we were home, they were both already sleeping so I put them in their beds and called it good enough. When they finally woke, I had a very late lunch/early supper ready to go. They were both starving so it was a race who could get the food in their mouth quicker - this is where the problem started. Lauren seemed to have put too much in her mouth, coupled with the fact that she was drinking water out of a sippy cup which seemed to go down the wrong tube - before I know it, she is gagging and within seconds, the food starts coming up. No big deal, she has done it before, but Ryan was sitting right next to her taking it all in and sure enough, he starts gagging. I tell him to turn the other direction, but he can't take his eyes off her. Pretty soon his eyes get watery and I can tell something is coming up so over to the garbage can we go so he can do his business. This back and forth gagging goes on for a couple of minutes - at one point, I think I'm going to lose it just because it is constant, but I hold it together and they both finally stop - what a waste of a meal! After the little episode, they are both still starving so I fix up something else and everyone is happy again - where is daddy during these times, he always misses out on the fun!
After swimming, we headed home, put the kids down for naps, and got ready to have some friends over for the evening. John (Trav's high school buddy) and his wife Kate, and their son, Jaymon came down for the night. We haven't seen them for over a year so it was great to catch up and introduce them to Lauren for the first time. On Monday morning, our guests left, and Trav and I took the kids to Perkins for our end of the summer breakfast - at least that is what we called it. Everyone enjoyed the meal, and then it was back home to spend the rest of the day lounging around - the perfect ending to a long weekend. 
