The Things Landin Says

I think Landin has gotten to an age where he has grasped the use of language and how useful it can be in times of need. When he starts to whine and cry and we have no idea we tell him to "use his words" so that we know what is wrong. He is getting good. Today seemed to be full of funny things coming out of Landin's mouth.

1st event:
Landin picks up the baby monitor and starts acting like he is talking to his daddy. He tell his daddy that he is home in Washington. Then spits out a few more things like oh yeah, okay, what you say? The kid can pretend like nobody!

2nd event:
We are in Walmart and of course I tell him that I need to get everything on my list before we can go look at the toys and most importantly the Transformers. After a few minutes of walking up and down the aisles and dodging the extraordinary people of Walmart Landin takes my list and is studying it. I ask him what else we needed on it as if he can read. Well, not known to me there was something else on the list that we had yet to pick up. He tells me, while pointing to the list, that we still have to get the transformer. I had to laugh. This kid was good. So, we headed to the toy aisle and got a dinosaur. End of story. :)

3rd (and final) event:
I am in his room putting him to bed. I'm trying to read a story as he sits in his bed. Now, what most people don't know is that Landin HAS to go to bed with his current most favorite toys. It is a must. If there is one car that he is really loving on at the moment and it has "gone missing" than he will not go to sleep until we find it. We think its a toddler case of OCD. Who knows the kid loves his toys and usually knows EXACLY where they are are (ex. The green car behind the tv stand under the tv.) Anyways! I'm trying to read as he is playing with this toy drill thing. All I can hear is that annoying drilling sound as I'm trying to read a lovely story and get him to sleep. I ask him to please stop because it is rude about 3 times. Not working. So, I tell him I'm going to stop reading and leave. At this point he puts his tiny little hand up, practically in my face and says, "Take a rest". YES! He told me to take a rest! It's one of those things that shocks you and makes you want to laugh all at the same time. Well! My child and his mouth.

I assume its only going to get worse and I really need to start writing this little things down, so when he gets older I can pull out the box and show EVERYONE! Even better when he has a smart mouth little son I can buddy up with him. 

Oh Christmas tree!

We got our Christmas tree yesterday! I have to tell you a little story and hopefully Trev doesn't kill me. We are still very much newbies when it comes to doing "adult" stuff like getting a Christmas tree and hanging lights (that is another story for another time!). We went to good 'ol Home Depot and picked a tree based on it not being too expensive, and then by how tall it looked to be. We didn't even have the guy open it up so we could look at it, because why do that when we have a nice wall to hide any imperfections?! We get our hefty, little Christmas tree home and we start cutting off the wrapping and lugging it into the house. At this point we are like Christmas tree professionals. We place the Christmas tree into the tree stand. I hold the tree as straight as possible while Trev starts screwing those long screws into the trunk of the tree. He is grunting and pretty much hating this whole moment. He finally tightens the last one and says, "Let go of the tree". To both of our surprise and anger it immediately wants to fall to the floor! Trev wants to throw the tree out the door while I'm working on damage control. In that moment all my knowledge from Christmas pasts comes to use and we reformulate a new plan. Unscrew ALL the long screw things, adjust tree, and THIS time we make sure it is upright. At the end of this whole Christmas-memory-in-the-making we have a tree that is standing with a slight limp, but no worries it has a wall to rest against. And if you look at it straight on, no one would know!! I love our tree straight or not and it was a labor of.....love! :)

See! Can't even tell! It's a beauty.

Update on Potty Training

I am so happy to say that Landin's potty training is going fantastic! He rarely has accidents and if he does it's usually just a few drops. He started standing while peeing like a big boy. I think he is loving this new found freedom. Every once in a while he will tell me to leave or get out of bathroom, so he can have some privacy. Makes me laugh every time.

I haven't talked much about what Landin says, but he says some of the funniest things! Yesterday I pointed at his cheeks (on his face) and asked what they were. He replied with, "They my butt cheeks". I almost dies laughing. He's a little confused. Other little things he says inja for ninja, togebber for together, puter for  computer and he has told me "Momma I think I love you", "I love you all day", and "let's roll out" when we are leaving. I know there is more, but I just can't think of them as I sit here watching him play with his rescue bots! He is really into Transformers lately. I think we have watched every version of Transformers there is out there. He actually really loves the old cartoon from the 80s.

Here is a random pic from our favorite park/lake in Seattle. We go almost every weekend to feed the ducks, walk along the lake, and play at the park!

Potty Trained

I am so happy to announce to everyone that Landin is potty trained! Woo hoo! We really thought it would never happen. We felt so defeated that all of our attempts were unsuccessful. That is life right?? We try to do things on our own timeline and how we think it should be done, but there is a bigger plan that He has all planned out for us. I know I am just talking about potty training, but let me tell you that I got pretty disappointed multiple times. Trevir was always there telling me that it will happen and that he not other children that were potty trained at the young ages of 2. He was his own person and he would do it on his own time (with some help from us). So, here is kind of how it happened. We were running low on pull ups and really did not want to spend the extra $20 on another package of disposables. We are really trying to save our money as much as possible. Anyway, he had on the last pull up (I had back ups hiding) and it had been peed in and needed to be thrown out, that's just what we did. I told him many times that this was his last one and we weren't going to the store to buy anymore. He took that pull up and threw it in the trash and said bye bye to them forever! We put on his big boy undies and started going pee on the potty. Looking back I don't even understand how it worked. He immediately took to the potty on his own. He would tell me he had to go then we would run to the potty together. Now, in just a short few days, he pulls down his own pants and undies and goes without my assistance. It is a blessing. We save money on pull ups and he is feeling a new kind of independence. I can't say how proud I am of him and all those worries and disappointments are forgotten. It's been great around here in the potty department. His behavior lately is something else! I think with this new sense of independence comes an "I can do anything" attitude. He has started telling me to do stuff in the meanest little attitude voice. Now Landin can be the sweetest, funniest little boy ever, but he also has a little temper. We are working on reinforcing his manners and using his "nice" voice and the magic word please. This is just a phase and it too shall pass.

Wow...that was a lot to read! Thank-you to those that made it through. :) On another note I started my first Masters class online on Monday. So far its going great and I'm really excited to get through the program. Trev is doing great at his job up here. He is seriously kicking some butt. He works so hard at what he does which makes him so successful. I am thankful for him everyday.

Now I leave you with some recent photos....

Super hero cousins

Batman!

Trip to the snow-his huge jacket!

"Momma, look at my feet prints"

Climbing on a pile of snow-beautiful scenery

Exciting Day

Well yesterday was a very exciting day for us! I was finally issued my temporary permit to teach children in Washington! It actually didn't take as long as I thought it would. I turned in my application on September 7th and was given permit on the 22nd, so 2 weeks and a couple days. Now the hard part starts; I have to apply for real jobs! I started two yesterday and will continue this entire week filling out application for all of the surrounding areas for full-time teacher and substitute. The good thing is that an average sub around here get $130/day. That is a big different compared down in Riverside where I think it was $90 or $100. We are really hopeful that a job will come along soon enough and we will be up on our feet running.

The next big task after finding a job is to find a daycare/preschool that is nice, cheap, and takes un-potty-trained kids. Landin is looking forward to playing with kids again. I think he is really missing that regular interaction with kids his age. There are a few kids around our neighborhood that he has to say HI to whenever they are outside. We did meet a little family that has a son about the same age as Landin. He talks about the kid almost everyday.

In other exciting news we got a new vacuum (I know the thrill of the year!!) and a new toy chest that matches our living room decor perfectly. My living room no longer looks like a daycare. Trev is going to be doing a lot of traveling in the next few months. His destinations are L.A., Alaska, and Canada! Very exciting for him to get to go to all these places for his job. I'm very proud of him!

New toy chest.

Landin playing with all of his toys on coffee table.

Landin getting all geared up. HAHA

Life in Washington

Hello All!

We finally got internet a couple days ago and we are still waiting for our wireless router so that I can sit freely in the living room rather than tied to Trevir's desktop. So for we are loving Washington. The weather has been exceptionally perfect since we have been here. Landin gets to play outside in his backyard everyday and we just enjoy having our windows and doors open allowing the light breeze to sweep through the house. Soon Landin will receive his BIG birthday gift that everyone helped purchase. He really has no idea its coming and we think he is going to be super stoked to ride it!

                     Landin's new toy!

We have navigated our way around town and it is a very lovely town. There are a couple YUMMY food spots that we have eaten at recently. We ate at this little Italian place that was a little pricey, but delicious. We also found this little shack of a place called "The Chicken Drive-In" that ironically serves the BEST burgers. We also ate at a place called "Papas and Beer" that says they serve authentic California style Mexican grill. Of course, I has to try that place coming from CA and a lover of Mexican food. The food was surprisingly again very good! Instead of giving us chips and salsa they gave us chips and a spicy bean dip. (The way to my heart!) Even though I do miss Del Taco there are tons of other food choices around us. We have also gone down to Seattle and experienced an Underground tour and visited the zoo.

Landin feeding giraffe

I am still in the process of getting my Washington teaching certificate, so as of right now I am a stay at home mom. We are hoping that I will get at least a temporary permit that will allow me to start applying to the surrounding districts in the next few weeks. If I don't get the permit in the next few weeks I might be going around to the local animal hospitals to find a job! I am also excited to start my Masters degree in November online. I'm very hopeful and a little nervous.

Trevir is doing great at his job so far. He got a brand new 2012 Hyundai Sonata this past weekend and attended a soccer game where he watched from a suite, ate and drank, and received free promo stuff. Needless to say he is enjoying the position so far. Its not all fun and games though; he is working hard to succeed in this new position while trying to gain the skills and knowledge to move up in the company once more. He is also working on his degree online, which is going great so far.

Just a Quick Post...Turned into a LONG Post :)

Landin is going to turn 3 yrs old in 2 weeks. The past month with him at home has been some of the funnest and hardest times. He pushes me to my absolute limits. He also knows how to butter me up. For example he still escapes out of the doggie door and down the steps to the backyard every once in a while. The other day I caught up to him once he was already halfway down the stairs. When he sees me he puts on the sad face curled lip and all, sticks out his arms, and with the most pathetic, cute. sad voice says, "Mommmmmma". I want to yell at him to get his booty back into the house, but instead I pick him up and simply say, "Its okay baby, I forgive you. You know mommy loves you." Right there he won and he knows it. Its sad but true that he is a little con artist and very manipulative at times. My FAVORITE example is when he stayed at my mom's house. He is still yet to be potty trained (Ah! I know my almost 3 yr old still poops in his pants. *gasp*). Anyways, when my mom is trying to get him to sleep after reading several books and prepping him to sleep with no success he whips out one "last chance" card. He tells her he has to go POTTY! Yeah right! Of course, my mom is a sucker so she lets him get up and go potty in the bathroom. Yes, I'm sure he pushed out a little pee just to put on a show, but did he REALLY have to pee?? NO! Just one of his ways to manipulate.

Although he can be such a pain in the butt sometimes I love him to death. When he tells me, "Momma, you're here! with a big hug and kiss or "I have the pick ups (hiccups)" or simply "Momma, I love you". I used to dream about the day Landin would say I love you all on his own. It is the sweetest thing in the world. I guess it makes up for all the times I wish I could kick his little booty.

Watching All Dogs Go to Heaven with his new
tiger ear phones for plane ride to WA.

On top of all that we have less than a week in our house in Perris. We have almost everything set and ready to pack when our PODS get dropped off on Wednesday the 3rd and picked back up on Friday. The only down side is that we don't know what time they are going to be dropped off or picked up, so basically we are filling them all on Thursday with the help of our strong family men. Once those are all packed up we will be living with my mom until Trev drives up to Washington and Landin and I fly up on September 3rd. It still doesn't seem real!!

Our Big Move to Washington!

We are moving to Washington! We are very excited and it is a very new adventure for us. Everything is coming together nicely. Our family is being very supportive, but we are going to miss them greatly. I am going to get my Washington certificate to teach in the state. It is basically an application, a test, and fingerprints then I will be good to go! There are multiple job openings for elementary school teachers, so I shouldn't have a hard time getting a job. Trevir also has better job opportunities up in Washington with Subway. This is the perfect time for us to go. I will hopefully be posting on here more often to keep family that doesn't have Facebook updated on our life.

Here we go again!!!

Scenic Pic of Washington

Lake Stevens where we are looking at a house to rent.

Location of Lake Stevens in Washington.

Summer

Life has slowed down a lot around here. I graduated on June 18th which was great! My family makes everything so great. I don't have many pictures from the day, so I'll have to get those from my parents. The graduation was a couple hours so of course Landin couldn't sit through the whole thing. Daddy to the rescue! They went outside and played with Cara, Patrick, Samantha, and Olivia. The whole day was really great and I'm just so happy to finally be done!

Landin is not in school right now because I'm home everyday now. It has actually been really fun. I'm trying to potty train him, but with his stubbornness and my lack of effort it may take a while. He will pretty much pee on the toilet 8 out of 10 times, but still not mention the need to pee before it happens. Sometimes I'll grab him to go and I'm literally a few minutes late. Sometimes I take him 2-3 times in a row and nothing; the pull up is dry. I just don't know. I'm no expert when it comes to this. Other than that we are playing a lot of cars and watching movies.

Official grad pic

Playing cars on the kitchen table

Running action shot w/ Mater tattoo on belly

Taking a rest from running

I survived the credential program....ALMOST!

I haven't done a post since January! It has been forever, but these past few months have flown by. I have been student teaching the past 5 months. I have gained some fantastic experience in the classrooms. I really had a great time even though I have always tired or sick. Speaking of sick...I got sick so much! I can't imagine how I am going to survive when I actually become a teacher. All the kids are so cute and germy!

My plans for this summer are to enjoy my time at home. I want to spend as much time as possible with family especially Landin. I miss that kid! I would go days without seeing him for more than 20 min. It was so hard and terrible. In Fall I will be hopefully working on my Masters and probably subbing.

Life is moving fast and I'm just trying to take it all in.

Oh Christmas tree...

Christmas with the Woolweavers (A.k.a. my family) took place on Christmas day where we started by opening present at my parents house with my brother, Cara, Sam, and Olivia. The kids got so much and they were excited about all of their new stuff. We ate a large breakfast made by my parents and then went home, so the kids could take naps before we went to my Damma's house for dinner. At my Damma's we were able to visit with ALL of my family. It's so fun to see everyone and get together.

Christmas with the Cooks (A.k.a. Trev's family) took place at our house this past Tuesday. Paige, Caleb, and Nolan came over to play while we waited for Nana, Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa to get here. The kids had so much fun playing together and with the dogs. (Emmi was in heaven with all the little ones!) When everyone finally got here we visited and opened presents! Once again the kids got so much great stuff! Landin is really good at opening presents this year. After present we ate dinner and dessert while visiting some more. Just like my family its great to get everyone together. Landin has so much fun with his cousins! (Who needs siblings! ;))

These two are HAMS

Papa blowing up balloons