Playing together

I think one of the neatest things over the past couple of months is seeing the short moments where the boys have started to play together. Sometimes, it's wrestling with dad at night, sometimes Joe tackling Simeon or vice versa, sometimes it's just the boys playing side by side in their room with their music makers. This was one of those moments that we got to get on camera...

Let me show you how strong I am brother.

Okay brother, maybe I'm not that strong.

Whoa Simeon....let's do that again!

Okay...maybe a little too fast.

Dressing up for Halloween

We had a great time again at a Halloween party with the boys. We had the animals from Noah's Ark appear in our family...a monkey, and a frog.

Halloween

We finally got to make the family trip to the pumpkin patch this year! Simeon had a ball between climbing in and out of an old model-T car, riding in the lawnmower train, and picking out pumpkins. Of course, he remained interested in the carving part for only about two minutes. But once we got to light up the pumpkins, the fun began! Joe used the pumpkin as a tether.

Our Daily Conversation

Now that Simeon is talking more, I have found that he has the ability to tell me his preference. Our morning consists of this daily conversation:

Simeon comes and wakes his parents at about a quarter to 6AM.
"Mom, I'm awake." (He usually repeats this sentence with several variations, and expressions.)
"I know Simeon, thanks for letting me know."
"Eggs Mom. Mom, cook eggs. Please?"
"No kidding eggs again? I couldn't have guessed."
"Sure Mommy, eggs. Mom, me help cook eggs?"

He must have seen Mom pull the covers off of Dad a couple times, as he eagerly is trying to me out of bed, starting with pulling off my covers. After adjusting to the chill of morning, and leaving my nice comfy and warm bed, we head for the kitchen to start breakfast.

"Mom, Joe Joe awake?"
"Nope, he's still sleeping Simeon. And if you wake him, you will have a consequence."
"Oh. Okay mommy. Cook eggs?"-with a big smile on his face.

Simeon goes right to the fridge and counts out the eggs that I request. He then scales the counter to get his cup, requests a vitamin, and helps me make daddy's coffee; putting the coffee grinds in all by himself. Occasionally, daddy has to endure coffee with presents in it.

We are now starting to warm up the pans. Simeon is starting to really gear up for the day and begins to request all of his favorite things.

"Mom, I want to watch mooooovie-a?"
"No Simeon, you don't get a movie today."
"Mom, I want to go by."
"Okay, how about after breakfast. We could go to Church and see Jesus."
"Yeah Church! Go see Jesus-and Daddy."
"Okay Simeon, we can do that."
"And then Choo-choo park (sounding his whistle impression). Please?"

Long Term Absence

No we haven't disappeared off the map, left the country, or broke our computer. Actually, we just broke our camera. Hence the long term absence! But were back, thanks to an early Christmas present from an eager set of grandparents! So get ready...I am going to try and catch you up on what the Cassidy Family has been up to!

Almost full again...Fort Peck Lake

1996 was the last time Fort Peck Lake was full. After another long year of snow, and lots of spring showers, the lake is 16 ft. from being full pool. And man is it a beautiful sight! We have been having lots of fun playing in the sun, water, four wheelers, and more!

Sprinklers

The joy of playing in the water pretty much tops the charts in the life of the Cassidys boys. And just when we thought it couldn't get any better, we had the new experience of playing in the sprinklers.

The giggles that came out of Simeon couldn't be repeated if you tried. At first he just watched the water, but once he got wet, it was all over. Soon he learned that if he picked up the sprinklers he had the power. Just look and see...

Fourth of July

The fourth of the July was always one of my favorite family holidays. There's just something about good food, friends, lawn games, more good food, beer, and fireworks. We got to spend this fourth of July with some family friends in Helena. I have never seen so many fireworks set of in my life. We were out in the valley, and could see a 360 degree radius of red, white and blue going off all around.

Simeon loved pop-its and sparklers. Every time a boom went off Simeon would express "Whooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaa," and then go running for the garage for another firework. :) Joe stayed in either Momma's or Daddy's lap, but was just as excited. For a little bit, we thought he was going to squirm right out of our arms to go light his own firecracker.

Wow Mom, that is so cool.
Are you sure it won't burn me?
Hey Dad, can I have some to drink?
Farmer Simeon.

Cool colors.

Happy Fourth of July!

Old Tin Can Phone Anyone?

Is it possible to get in touch with us? No, I might say...except email for now. We in the course of a week have lost a phone my phone (and to no avail have not found it, St. Anthony pray for us!) and possibly toasted Jeremy's as he jumped into the pool today with it in his pocket. :)

The happy side to this story is that we were actually looking at new phones as our contract is up with Sprint. We will have new numbers soon and will let you know when we can get in touch with the rest of the world. Maybe try those old tin can phones.

And they call him Hillbilly

I told myself I wanted a boys. Well so far, that is what God has blessed our family with. If it's not jumping off of something, it's climbing on something (really high), or wrestling with Dad, or laughing at farts, or spitting of the balcony, ect. I'm not complaining...I want him to be a true boy, and typical he is! The first time I saw Simeon walk off a 5ft. playtoy at the park (into his Daddy's arms of course) and shriek with delight, I knew we would have medical bills someday with that child. Well that day has come.

This weekend we were doing a MP event (Mission Partners for FOCUS), and Simeon went with 6 other kids to the park with great excitement of course. We got a call in the middle of the presentation saying that they were on the way home, and that Simeon had had an accident at the park. Our babysitter assured us that he was okay, but that he might have chipped his tooth.

He got home, and acted fine, and of course first thing wanted food. This is good I thought, he isn't too traumatized from his fall at the park. Well, I decided to hoist him up and take a look for myself...there had been blood after all. Yup, his tooth is newly chipped (originally chipped a long time ago), and I think I see a crack but I am not sure. Jeremy takes a quick glance and tries to reassure me that it's not cracked, just chipped.

Well over the next couple of days, Simeon comments that he has ouchies in his mouth, but then acts fine, and continues on with his typical boy activities. After doing some research, we decide to take him to a pediatric dentist who gives discounts to St. Mary's staff that came from a recommendation of a friend.

The dentist takes a quick look at his tooth, and lets us know that Simeon has done "quite a number on his front tooth." Then proceeds to let us know that we have two options:

1. A root canal with a crown, that could land him in the hospital if it doesn't go well. It also isn't highly successful, becuase his nerve is exposed, and in the end he could still lose his tooth.
2. We could pull the tooth out...it is after all just a baby tooth.

Looking at each other, and thinking about our little boy, I inform the doctor, "He will just have to be our little hillbilly till age 7!"

The front left tooth is the one that was removed today. If you look closely you can see where he cracked it. Pictures to come. He did really well, but knows that something is different, becuase he is keeping his mouth closed, feeling his new whole in his mouth with his tongue.

Changes in Joe

apologize that it has been so long. I guess the time has just gotten away from us. But to give you an update, there has been lots of changes. Especially with Joe. He is now 7 1/2 months, and is:

1. Eating solids! I went to work one day and came home to my babysitter informing me that he drank 18 ounces of milk. To say the least we started solids the next day! :) He has taken to then really well, and especially loves bananas
2. Is trying to crawl, and trying to stand up
3. Is just so content. He will play on the floor for hours especially if Dad has new magazines that he can tear the pages out of.
4. Has a new smile...say cheese!
5. Has cut his four top teeth
   
6. I will let the pictures tell the rest...