The Mother of Invention by John Lee

Mama went shopping at Sam's. This worked out well for me because she bought boxes of canned food. If you stack them up and push them against the counter, you can use them like steps!

This allows you to reach all the things that have been put out of your reach, but that you still find of interest!

Fall is Here by Denny Lynn

We finally had a little time to get out the fall decorations. While John was napping, me and Mama got to work! We put up the scarecrows (they are nice scarecrows who don't scare people.)

I really like our new mat! It says "Happy Halloween". I say "Happy Halloween" everytime I step on it.

We also got these fun jack'o'lanterns. They have funny faces! I hope to get to make a real jack'o'lantern before Halloween! Everything came out super cute! I don't think I will take  it down until Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Beau by John Lee

Beau is one!! We know boy from Mama and Daddy's work and from church. We love to play with him in the nursery! We were very honored to be invited to his 1st birthday party. It was a bug party! Everyone got antennas. Here is Beau modeling his!

Ms. Denise had made these great drining cups to look like bug jars. I loved it! I love anything with a straw!

We had yummy snacks - including goldfish, grapes and hot dogs!

I really liked the goldfish - I would steal some from Beau and then take some back.

We played all over the yard! I really like the tire sandbox.

Denny tried out the swings and the big slide.

Beau got this cool playset of his birthday and he was nice enough to share it with all of us. I liked climbing it and looking through the telescope!

Ms. Denise had put out great tunnels for us to play in, too. Daddy taught Denny how to fold it, get in...

and then let go! It was a pretty cool trick. Denny and the other kids liked it, but I wanted no part of it!

Finally it was time for cake. We got all the little bugs together for a photo. Since I had antennas, I figured I should growl. i growled real good!

So good I scared Beau and made him cry! He felt better after cake, but Mama still said I needed a nap.

Ms. Denise gave me treats anyway! It was a really great party with fun food, playtime and friends! I hope Beau will come to my birthday party, too!

A Barrel of Fun for Show & Tell by Denny Lynn

Since I have become quite the rodeo bum, I decided that this week I would teach everyone to run barrels for Show and Tell. We had enough empty milk jugs to make my barrels. We practiced setting them out and doing the pattern correctly. 

 John even got into the act. He could run around the barrels..

His best thing was stealing the barrels!

That is when he would run really fast!

Daddy walked me through it several times to be sure I remembered which way to go.

Finally, I practiced on my horse. I took him along for Show and Tell, too.

I did a great job at Show and Tell! I set the barrels out all by myself and showed everyone the pattern. When Patrick couldn't remember I held his hand and walked him through, just like Daddy did for me!

A Nose is a Nose by John Lee

It was a lovely Sunday morning. We filed into church and took a pew. I am always fascinated with the hymnals and have to have one to read while we sing. I had one and then put it back. When I tried to get it back from the holder on the pew in front of us, I fell forward and my nose connected with said holder. Mama took me to the back. I cried for a long time and my nose bled. It was later that afternoon that it actually swelled below my nose. You can't see it as well in the picture, but if was abotu grape size. It still hurts to blow my nose, but I am healing quickly. Note: The bruise on my forehead is from a prior incident.

P.S. This is why Baptists don't dance in church.

Fish Biologists by Denny Lynn

We got a special treat while in Ruidoso! Uncle Shawn was stocking fish at Grindstone Lake and we got to go help. He had baby catfish to put into the lake. I told him what sound catfish make. He didn't seem to think it was funny when I said "meow, meow".  John and I both got to touch the fish and see their whiskers up close.

I helped empty the first bucket into the lake. It was exciting to see them all start swimming. I wanted to take one home, but Mama said we had nowhere to keep him. I sure would like a place to keep a catfish.

As the others were released, we made sure they made it into the water and didn't get stuck in the rocks.

I liked seeing the lake, and especially getting to work with Uncle Shawn. If anyone needs a fish biologist, I know all about it! Just give me a call!

Cowboy Symposium John Lee

We got to go to Ruidoso on Saturday for the Cowboy Symposium. We got dots as we went in so they would know we had paid. I immediately rubbed mine across my face and made a blue mustache! Very cowboy like!

We took a few minutes to pet the mules before Denny had to line up for the rodeo. I really liked the mules. They were very friendly, but no one would let me ride one!

My job was watching Grandpa. While Denny was doing the rodeo and everyone else was tied up, I tried to keep track of Daddy and Grandpa. It was quite an entertaining job.

I was much happier once I got some twisty potatoes. A nap would have been even better, but there is no time for resting at the big cowboy party.

I also go to pet the sheep and goats in the petting pen. Wade held him for me. It was a pretty fun day for me. Next year I plan to join the rodeo myself!

More Rodeo by Denny Lynn

This past weekend we went to Ruidoso for the annual Cowboy Symposium. I was excited to get to do another kids rodeo! I even got a badge when I signed up - then I got a beef badge, too! I looked very official.

I got my number and put it one as this is very important in rodeo!

It took forever! We lined up and had the grand entry, and then it was time for the barrel race. It took a while to get to my turn. I was finally issued my horse - her name was Maria, but she had a blue mane and stick, so I liked that.

When it was time to go, we had to follow one of the older girls around the barrels. I was really fast! I did the barrels in 20 seconds flat! Thanks to Ms. Tammy for these great photos! 

I was a little sad that I didn't "catch" the girl I was chasing. Mama assures me that chasing girls is not a sport! Next it was musical hay bales. When the music stopped, you had to find a seat. Anyone without a seat was out. We sat on each other some - I gave my seat to another little boy and went to see the animals in the petting pen. 

Rodeo is thirsty work! We took a break at the watering hole.

Grandma waited with me to so the keyhole race. This time I got a horse named Lucky Buck (that is a great name!)

When it was all said and done, we had been rodeoing for 2 1/2 hours. Needless to say, this was longer than anyone had intended, but I didn't want to quit! In the end we each got our own bandana to take home. I would rather have gotten a ribbon, but I had fun and that is what matters.

It was fun to go and see Grandma and Grandpa and just spend time with family! When Mama showed me the pictures, I looked and said there is me and my friends! What a fun time with lots of other kiddos!

Picasso John by John Lee

A true artist can use any medium on any canvas. So I am trying some things out. Last night while Mama was cooking dinner I tried out the dry-erase marker on the coffee table. Unfortunately, you must suffer for your art. Here I am suffering in time out for writing on the table. Note the tears.

Luckily, it was dry erase and it came off easily with a wipe. I made the mess, so I had to clean it up. Mama sees a nice clean table. I see a blank canvas.

For Ma by John Lee

Ma fell in Oklahoma and got a really big Owwie. She will have to stay in the hospital and then in rehab for nearly a month. Me and Denny colored some pictures for her to brighten her room. 

Coloring is serious business. Denny did one from his Scooby Doo book.

I found one with an owl in my Disney Bunnies coloring book. I know Ma will like it!

I hope Ma will get better soon and be ready to play!

For the Birds by Denny Lynn

Mama found these fun birdhouses that you paint yourself. They were cheap, so John and I each got one. I have been asking for days to paint mine, so finally it was time. Mama gave us each a paint shirt to protect our clothes.

Each one came with red, white and green paint. Of course, I chose green! I even used John's green. Then we got out our paint markers to finish everything off. Those little tubs of paint are not designed for little boys with big ideas!

John mostly wanted red.

I focused really hard on painting the edges and making it all look nice. Mama helped some.

It is a good thing we had paint shirts. We got a little messy. But it was fun!

I am going to take my birdhouse for Show and Tell this week, and then Daddy is going to help me hang it in a tree for the birds!