Caden Loves Jelly Beans!

Caden loves his jelly beans.




He loves to eat jelly beans.



He loves to share jelly beans.

He loves to organize jelly beans.



He also loves to spill the beans!

Caden says

The other day I was looking up a recipe online and Caden was trying to get my attention. Finally he said, "Honey? Honey! I need you."

And he calls Chad by name. "Chad? Where are you?" "Chad-come here." "Chad, I need help."

The other day Caden was supposed to be taking a nap while I was gone. He kept calling Chad-saying he was coughing so he couldn't sleep. Finally Chad let him come downstairs where they watched football together.
This afternoon, Caden wouldn't lay down for a nap. I went in to him and after a fake cough he said, "Dad say if I cough I can watch football game."

I couldn't find our portable heater and Caden and I wanted it while we ate breakfast. I told him I'd call Chad to ask where it was and he said, "Wait! Stop! I know where it is." He took my hand and led me to the corner of the garage where it was stored.

He's also so good at finding my phone. If it rings, he finds it and brings it to me. Or if it rings while I'm in the shower, he tells me so as soon as I get out. Considering I don't keep track of anything, it's nice to have him around!

Whenever he talks on the phone to his grandparents, cousins, or especially Chad, when it's time to say good-bye he kisses the screen. He thinks you can see things through the screen. For example, when he was telling Morgan about his foot the other day, he kept putting the phone on his foot trying to show her.

Don't Eat Pete

Caden's new favorite game is "Don't Eat Pete."

But he can't stand the surprise! As soon as Chad or I come back in to the room, he has to show us which one to pick. No matter what we tell him, he can't keep it in.

I think we need to annunciate a little better, though. Later that night, Caden told Chad, "Don't eat Pete...and don't eat Pooh Poohs!"

Pumpkin Patch

All the kids comparing their stamps.



These pictures were too cute not to post. Even if it did happen last October.




Caden kept spinning and spinning on this ride. Sean wasn't too excited about it. That night when I asked Caden, "Did you have fun at Pumpkin Patch today?"

His first response was, "Sean was crying."

"Oh, no...why was he crying?"

"I go too fast and not stop spinning."

Sorry, Sean! We understand if you want to ride in another bucket next year.

Audrey and Sammy

When we very first moved in, Caden and I found ourselves having some lonely days unpacking in a big empty house. One afternoon, we heard someone playing and went outside to meet some neighbors.

And then we met Sammy.

And Caden was in love.

Until he met her big sister Audrey.

And then he realized that he could love two darling girls at the same time.

I explained it to Chad like this: If Caden was watching Little Einsteins, eating a Spiderman popsicle, playing with his train set, and doing a paint project and Sammy or Audrey were outside...he'd drop everything and run to see them.

Just yesterday we heard them outside and Caden went running with no shoes or pants on to see them. They always have something for him: a bouncy ball, fruit snacks, a silly band...

Audrey was the one who rescued us when Caden tipped over a jar that had a black widow in it that shattered all over our porch.

Everything is about Sammy and Audrey. If I tell Caden, "I have a surprise for you." He'll ask me, "Sammy, Audrey coming?" The other day he was pounding his hammer. I asked him what he was making and he said, "A house for Sammy/Audrey."

And I couldn't be happier. Sammy and Audrey are polite, responsible, fun and SO kind to Caden. As soon as I tell Caden it's time for dinner, they pick up all his toys and bring him home. Chad tried to break the news to me the other day, "You know...Audrey might get older and not want to be such good friends with you and Caden." I'm not sure we could face that day!

They have a little brother Mitchell who is a year younger than Caden and I think as he gets older, he and Caden will become buddies. Sammy and Audrey's parents are the kind of neighbors who invite us over for Sunday BBQs or an afternoon dessert when they have extra.