busy week

so we've had a busy week here at the Franks' house. Michael has been plowing through his classes and doing an awesome job with them! Caden and I took some friends to the zoo with us on Friday. It was an all-day event and we all had a blast.

Saturday, Caden and I went to a birthday party for Luke (the kid in the pic with Caden above, at the zoo). That was a blast. If Caden had his way, we would have brought home what we got Luke for his birthday... though, as it included ambulance and police sirens, I think it best to leave it at Luke's to play with when we go over... lol... if his mom ever wants us back after giving her son those noisy toys!

Sunday, after a wonderful morning at church, we went out to the pumpkin patch with some other Army friends. Last year, Jen and I took the kids (you might remember) to this same pumpkin patch and never made it through the corn maze. After wondering for what felt like hours, we gave up and found our way out the entrance. This year, with our men in tow, decided to take on the challenge again. Success! Caden actually led the assault with pretty good results. Ok, in fairness, last year the maze was 12 acres... this year it was only 4 acres. We also managed to pick some cotton, play with a cricket, climb up on someones tractor... lol.

just a few pics

cute even when mad!

He's such a little man... ;) He can't wait to see his daddy again...

the big 3

It's hard to believe that our little monkey is 3 now...

shy

Ok, let's see if I put them in the correct order today... here is a series from this morning. It's super rainy out this morning, so we are getting a slow start. I told Caden I wanted to take a picture of him and he very clearly said "no!"... then proceeded to run across the room and wrap himself up in the curtains over and over again. Such a silly little boy.

being shy

a quick ride on the carosel

one day i will learn to load these things in the right order!

some toe lickin' fun

you can hear Caden saying Hi to the cow over and over. He was thrilled to have it so close... and licking! ha!

cousin daniel

he was all bundled up looking at giraffes. (poor kid got sick the next day) we have a new baby giraffe at the zoo. she's cute! and HUGE. it's amazing how BIG giraffe babies are. will try and get a pic next time we are there

some of my favs

zoo with friends

Here are the shots from the zoo. You will note that the mass majority of zoo pics that I end up taking are all from the "farm" section of the zoo. Don't know what that's all about... but hey, whatever.

pictures

Here are some much anticipated pictures. Caden dressed for the last snow. Caden playing with someone elses phone. Caden and friends at the zoo... Here goes.

when i grow up

Caden has recently been downright obsessed with all things to do with soldiers. The other day we were at one of our local sew shops picking some stuff up and Caden came running up to me and this is what he had to say...

"Mommy, when I get bigger I will be a soldier like Daddy. I will wear soldier clothes and I will have a gun. And I will shoot bad guys. Daddy is a soldier and he has a gun and he shoots bad guys. When I am big, I will have a gun."

These statements, and ones of a similar nature, have been stated many times in the past few weeks. I don't know where he heard that you carry a gun and kill bad guys (cause it certainly wasn't from me)... he thinks this is a very good idea and he wants to do it. So there ya go...

I do have some pics from our recent zoo trip. Will try and get them up after my physical therapy appt this afternoon.

Warm Days!

I have a really hard time every January. I really can't stand cold weather. I can't stand being stuck in the house. I can't stand dreary gray days when you never really see the sun. Yup, I love places like the pacific northwest, but I just can't take it. It's all I can do to handle January each year. However... today was a good day! Michael sent me some beautiful lilies that have brightened up the house. And today we topped out around 57 degrees... and SUNNY! Packed up the boy after lunch and headed to the Nashville Zoo to meet up with Aunt Katie and Cousin Daniel. 'Twas a much needed time outdoors... didn't even need a jacket, just a long sleeved shirt! The boys needed it too! Nothing to cheer up the mood than a whole bunch of flamingos ruffling their feathers all up, lynxes doing some sort of barking/growling thing, and snow leopards walking up right in front of you! Not to mention chickens and cows and goats... I think the farm area of the zoo is my favorite. Odd, I know. It was a good afternoon!

roll reversal

Ok, so I don't have pictures to go along with this... but couldn't forget to tell the story.

Just as we were finishing dinner, Caden got out of his seat and climbed into my lap. Looked up at me and said "You're the baby and I'm the mommy."

Of course, I immediately start "crying" to which he responds, "It's okay, it's okay!"

Then I switch course... "Mommy, May I have some juice please? Apple juice, please."

Caden looked at me and said, "How do you ask?" (*I had said please, but of course I had to repeat myself.)

He looked at my glass and said, "Since you asked so nicely, as soon as you finish your orange juice, you may have some apple juice."

I almost fell out of my seat laughing. Guess you just had to be there...

It only got better when he walked away into the living room, picked up his big red bat and took a swing. Then said, "Watch the ball, and step into the swing." Which was followed by several more swings and repeating himself.

He was in rare form this evening... :)