SuperWHAT?

PBS kids has a show called "SuperWHY" that solves problems and teaches letters/reading by finding ways to "change a story."

Example: Change the big BAD wolf to the big GOOD wolf

Wyatt is the main character. He has some sort of magic pen that he points at the words on the screen.

Although we are not a "clean your plate" family, we do insist that Weston try what is on his plate for dinner and also eat a reasonable amount. (Especially if it seems like he's only saying that he's full so he can get down and play.)

In the midst of our casserole-eating-showdown last night.

He says:

I have to stop eating. It says so in my story.

(points fork at imaginary words in the air)

(reads imaginary words)

Weston gets down from the table and doesn't eat any more casserole.

Mommy and daddy were pretty impressed, but eventually won the casserole eating showdown anyway.

Welcome to Awesometown!

I'm the incumbent mayor. Happy Christmas!

When we were pondering what gifts a little boy might enjoy receiving for Christmas, there were lots of options. iPad. Mutual funds. Firearms. Led Zepplin box set. Johnny Switchblade Adventure Punk. But we really wanted to get Weston something awesome, something worthy of Weston Vicker's awesomeness.

Ultimately we decided on a play kitchen.

When it comes to kiddie kitchens, the options are endless. We considered going with the limited edition Gordon Ramsay Calphalon Zagat rated play kitchen complete with natural gas operating Paula Dean easy bake oven, but we passed. Why? Because we're not that kind of crazy, and we're not wealthy enough to buy our kid's love.

No. We're a different kind of crazy. Case in point: one evening Stefanie calls me into the home office and shows me so instructions she found on the internet on how to make your own play kitchen. Make your own play kitchen. Make your own.

A few things you should understand about what I'm telling you:

You can get anything on the internet. Anything. You want instructions on how to make your own play kitchen out of cardboard and contact paper? 'Cause the interwebs can get you some of that. (http://www.etsy.com/listing/9147055/build-a-cardboard-play-kitchen)

As it also turns out, our family has its share of shame. A few skeletons in the closet. And by skeletons, I mean cardboard boxes. And by closet, I mean garage. Lots of "skeletons" in our "closet." And our hopes that the Skeleton Fairy would pay us a visit and leave behind some Pier One merch, never came to fruition. In fact, I'm fairly certain that some of the cardboard boxes were getting a little amorous. And when two cardboard boxes--er, skeletons--love each other really, really a lot something akin to a sports metaphor happens, and the result is I need to clean out the garage.

Lastly, Stefanie and I really like to celebrate our marriage in interesting ways. Second honeymoon to Aruba? BO.Ring. Expensive gift giving? Again, we ain't got the funds to buy love. No, we like to take it to the next level: building a play kitchen out of cardboard, craft glue and contact paper from instructions we got on the internet.

Behold our handiwork in the following slide show:

Halloween

Weston told his teachers at school that he was going to be a "digger and a dump truck" for Halloween. Although I would not normally consider "making" a Halloween costume, we have a large Megablocks dump truck/riding toy that has a detachable back. So, add a couple "straps" (= ribbons) and a construction hat and VOILA:

Halloween costume 2011.

Belated birthday post

This fall was super crazy... in addition to my first semester teaching at UT, Rob's 2nd year at St. Andrews, having some upgrading done on our kitchen, in the midst of all this our little boy turned 3!!

For Weston's birthday, we had a special afternoon going to a local park to ride the miniature train, going out to dinner on the patio of a local restaurant the "Hula Hut," and then having ice cream.

Weston's new soccer goal
(although it doesn't look like it here, he kicks left-footed)

somehow Weston AND daddy managed to fit in his new lightning mcqueen tent

And here's our birthday interview: