Thought I'd add...

a couple of MY pictures! Let's begin at my parent's house. Here is the gigantic turkey...it was delicious!
My dad, carving the turkey.
Mom, busy making the squash...mmmmmm!
My 76 year old Memmere and Devin. This came out so precious.
Now let's head over to Erick's Tia Tonia's house. Here is a nice photo of Uncle Brian and Devin.
Abuela, Grandpa, Uncle Brian, Aunt Courtney, and Devin all got together for a rare group shot. Came out great too!
By 7 pm the little ones were all snug as a bug in a rug watching tv....
We had an awesome Thanksgiving and were able to see both sides of our family. For that we are thankful. We are also thankful for our good health, love, support of one another, our home, jobs, and family and friends. <3

Thanksgiving Day through Devin's Lens

Papa carving the turkey.

Marie
Daddy testing out the turkey.
Tia Tonia's house. Devin caught Aunt Courtney in eating action.
Daddy and Mommy ('s 14 chins!)
Grandpa with his eyes closed.
There's Loca Tia ToniaYep. All in all I'd have to say Devin is proficient at taking pictures at the most inopportune time/angle. HA!

2%

Good thing I held back that 2%.

The ENT said the ears are clear. (I was in complete shock!) We go back in 6 weeks to check on the tube that's falling out of Devin's right ear. He agreed with me that it came out so quickly because of his rapid growth.

What's causing Devin's obnoxious behavior the past couple of days, you ask? Just being a typical 3 year old boy. That's what my Mom said anyway.

Shh, don't tell!!!

Recently, Devin and I started listening to Christmas music in the car. I know its a little early, but I might be just as excited as he is for the upcoming holidays. Its something about experiencing the holidays through the eyes of a child that is exhilarating.

Anyway, after "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" we proceeded to have a conversation around this topic. I reminded him that he needed to be a good boy all the time or Santa wouldn't bring him any presents- I know...so mean! (He has been having a couple of particularly challenging days and I am 98% sure its another ear infection- we'll know later today.)

He told me, "Don't tell Santa, okay Momma?"

This darn kid is too smart for his own good!

Oh and Santa, if you are reading this, Devin REALLY wants a "toy" Buzz Lightyear and Woody for Christmas. Not the real ones, the toys. (LOL)

Academic Progress

Devin's academic progress has really been impressing us lately! He has taken a liking to letters and sounds and is really catching on quickly. Just tonight during his bath as he was playing with his foam letters I was asking him loads of questions.

Mom: Devin what sound does 'bear' begin with?

Devin: B like Boden! (*we did several more beginning sound examples at this time)

Mom: And what does 'duck' begin with?

Devin: dddd D like Devin!

Mom: Very good! How do you spell Devin? What comes first?

Devin: D

Mom: Yup. And then what?

Devin: e-v-i-n.

Mom: Great job Devin! Now how do you spell 'bus' ?

Devin: Bbbbuuuussss. B-u-s. Bus.

Mom: Yes! Okay and how do you spell 'Hi' ?

Devin: Hi. H-i. Hi. *Devin can also write Hi (his first written word).

Erick and I are so proud of our boy, whose brain is like a little sponge just absorbing everything around him! I write this, though, not to brag, but to preserve these memories and milestones.

Taking Measurements

During "I" week at school Devin and his class made Inchworm Rulers. I had read on the activity board that they used their rulers to "measure" things around the classroom, so I was not at all surprised when Devin came home and began to measure things around the house with his new ruler.

The surprise came when I was standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes and Devin came up behind me and said, "I am going to measure your butt, Mommy. 8, 9, 10, 11. Wow! That's big!"

Umm...thanks? At least my big butt is good for measuring...

Busy Week-end

Friday night we did a test run of the pie we are going to make for Thanksgiving...Maple Walnut Pie ~ YUM! It was a big hit around here!

On Saturday it was pouring "cats and dogs" all day from the remnants of storm Ida. It was a Nor'Easter, thankfully not cold enough for snow yet! Devin and I stayed home in the morning doing housework and watching morning cartoons. In the afternoon we went to a birthday party and then to my parents' house. Devin spent the night there so that Erick and could have a "date night."

On Sunday after we picked up Devin we stopped by Erin and Shaun's house for a visit. Devin ran around like crazy playing with Maggie the dog and and then went to see Erick's parents and brother.

When we got there we realized something:
Ha! They were triplets! Here they are acting like silly tough guys. Its slightly blurry but I love this picture and had to show it anyway!
We stayed there for an early dinner before coming home to get ready for another week. I can't believe its almost Monday already!

Devin's New Hobby

Lately my little boy, excuse me, my BIG boy has been enjoying some computer time. He loves to use the Disney website, particularly Agent Oso. The Disney website is great for pre-schoolers because it is so easy to navigate. Devin can go from one activity to another as well as one character/show to another with little trouble. Sometimes he will take a little break and watch an episode online. It's amazing that children are learning to be so technically savvy at such a young age. I guess in this day and age they need to be!

Back to Square One

Remember in February when Devin had surgery to have ear tubes put in to ease all of his ear infections? Well, apparently his right tube has already fallen out of place! I blame it on his rapid pace of growth. The pediatrician told me that it is not unheard of for the tube(s) to come out this soon, but I really hoped/expected them to last through one full winter (they typically last about a year or more).

Ugh, so anyway, we are right back at square one already...with an EAR INFECTION!

Devin started with a nasty, mucus sounding cough on Saturday and it has just been sitting there with him all week. We have been attached to the Nebulizer, doing treatments 2-3 times a day. Last night he woke up with a high fever and vomiting. We were up half the night. Poor Devin was so sick! First thing this morning we were off to the doctor. I was not surprised when she said he had an ear infection. I was relieved when she said his chest sounded clear and I was surprised when his Pulse Ox was only 95 with all of the Neb meds we have been doing!

Hopefully Devin will get better quickly now that he is on antibiotics!

Say What?!?

Last week we went out to dinner at T-Bones. When Devin finished he said to Erick and I, "I'm all done. I'm gonna go wait outside."

Ummm...WHAT???? No, I don't think so! You are not 15, despite whatever you think!!! LOL

Reunion from the Good Old Days

Miss Kristen, Miss Jamie, and Miss Karla

Last week I was able to visit with some friends/old co-workers. The 3 of us used to work at Kristen's pre-school ~Child Guidance (well, Kristen is still there since she owns it!). I have moved on teaching in the public elementary school and Jamie now lives in San Diego, but was in town for a visit with her family and friends.

Kristen arranged for some of our old students to come and visit too. They are now teens through early twenties- we had them in their pre-school and single digit years!!! Wow have they grown up!

It was so nice to see everyone, reminisce, and chat about the "Good Old Days" for a little bit!

Devin also made a new buddy in the youngest sibling of a family that I had all 3 of the older siblings and babysat for about 8 years! Here are Devin and Ryan having a blast!

Trick or Treat (part 2)

Last night was Halloween night! We had a good time. The weather was surprisingly mild for the last day of October! We lit our jack-o-lantern, put out some candy for the few trick-or-treaters we get in our development and headed out with Lexi, her Grammy, and her Auntie.

I couldn't get these 2 to pose for me! Devin the skunk and Lexi, Alice in Wonderland

Getting some treats!
It didn't take us long to visit the neighbors in our small development, so when we were done we drove over to surprise my friend Nancy from work for a quick visit. Even the drive over to Nancy's house was fun because we passed by several haunted yards- we rolled down our windows and went really slow to enjoy! Devin got a little spooked by this!

By 8:00pm the skunk was pooped out, so we came home and he quickly went to sleep in his "den." HAPPY HALLOWEEN!