Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa Ritzman's

After a wonderful Christmas morning at home we went to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Ritzman. We enjoyed great company, yummy food and many more gifts. Munchkin and his cousin, Destiny, were glued at the hip all day.


Munchkin was kind enough to recreate his "Jingle Bells" performance that he learned from pre-school...over and over and over.

Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas morning

My parents joined us for Christmas morning at our house. After opening presents and trying out Munchkin's new scooter, we had a delicious breakfast of Jeremy's famous quiche and cinnamon rolls. What a great way to start a great day.

Christmas Morning at Home

Munchkin was happy to see that Santa had visited and left all the toys and goodies he asked for. At the top of his wish-list this year was a scooter and dinosaurs. He had been such a good boy that Santa had an easy time fulfilling that request. What an angel! Merry Christmas, Munchkin. You make us so happy.

Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells from Taylor Hadfield on Vimeo.

Cousins

Munchkin and Markie are so cute together. After posing for the camera they ran laps through the house saying "I love you" and "I love you, too" to one another.

Pre-School

Munchkin was so excited to start pre-school. He was motivated to buckle down and start using the potty 100% of the time because he knew that this was something required of him to begin pre-school. He has been consistent with his use of the potty so after about a month of no accidents, day or night, we enrolled him in a highly recommended pre-school program.
On his first day his spirits were high and Dada was able to drop him off without any tears or hesitation on Munchkins part. I really wasn't sure how he would react to being left alone with other children and teachers, but he surprised me delightfully.
Dada went to pick up Munchkin after his school session. The teacher said that he had done a great job until the last couple of minutes when he was waiting for Dada to pick him up and became anxious and sad.
That night while sleeping he wet the bed. The next day he had two accidents in his pants, both of which were caught by Munchkin and stopped immediately. I know that these accidents were completely subconcious. None the less, the fact that this change was causing stress worthy of potty-training remission disturbed us all... Munchkin included.
The next day while heading back to pre-school Munckin displayed such sorrow over returning, crying that he didn't want to go. Dada later told me that he sincerely hoped this behavior would resolve itself quickly, otherwise he might die of a broken heart. My sentiment exactly.
Finally after a long day of anticipating what might be happening to Munchkin at pre-school it was time to pick him up. Dada said that Munchkin came out with happiness in his eyes. Munckin claims that he "be'd happy" all day. This was like music to our ears, beautiful, appreciated music. He had only one accident later that day and that completed his potty-training remission. He has been consistent with the potty ever since then. Dada claims that we have crossed a hurdle and that everything will be all right from here on out. The true test will be how he responds to the drop-off next week. Here's hoping for the best. I was surprised at how distraught and stressed I felt all day knowing that he was in such protest when Dada took him to school. It is really emotional to see your child so greatly impacted by an event. I truly hope that we have nothing but rainbows and sunshine from here on out.

Mannerisms

While playing outside in the snow on a cold afternoon this conversation took place:

Grandpa: "What would you like to drink"?
Munchkin: "Coffee, in my sippy"
Grandpa: After a moment of hesitation "OK"
Munchkin: "I love you".

What three year-old requests coffee? He is very mature for his age.
Although his request was strange, Grandpa just can't say no to the boy. Our cooperation is often rewarded with affection that makes it all worth while.

Happy Halloween

Munchkin knew months in advance that he would be a skeleton-pirate for Halloween this year. His girlfriend, Amanda, brought him a special pirate telescope all the way from Universal Studios in Florida to supplement his costume. Thanks Girlfriend!

Play time with Grandpa before heading out for a night of trick-or-treating

Markie was a clone-trooper and Emily was a medieval princess.

Lagoon

We had a great season at Lagoon. Our last day there was spent in cool temperatures and without the hassle of mid-summer crowds. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Ritzman for the season passes! We really enjoyed our time.

Basketball

In this video a typical summer morning with Dada is captured. This summer Munchkin developed strong skills in dribbling and shooting a basketball. He's a natural!

Basketball from Taylor Hadfield on Vimeo.

Mannerisms

"Get me a drink. Snap, snap" said Munchkin to his adoring parents.

The Fall of Mobile-Dentistry

As an assignment in my last semester of school, I was supposed to perform a "Nacho's Grande" sized community service effort. Two of my closest friends and I coordinated efforts with a local dentist and offered dental care to residents of long-term care facilities. Things went so well that the dentist involved in this project offered us employment as hygienists who would practice mobile dentistry.
It took a lot of hard work, but he kept speaking of a pay rate that would make our efforts well worth our time. We performed many in-services for the staff at various care facilities and spread the word of our new practice on our free time. Things were growing slowly, but surely. The practice was finally to the point where a hygienist could work a day treating patients and make pay similar to what is usually seen in a full weeks time. Then, the plug on mobile dentistry was pulled!
After our biggest day the dentist sent out an e-mail simply stating that he was financially broke and needed the income that the hygiene portion of the practice was producing.
A month later I was still waiting for payment regarding services already rendered. He then told me that our practice was bankrupt and he would have to revert to an "average hygiene salary" for my time. I didn't accept his low-ball deal and held all of his equipment hostage until he could muster up my full payment. It took a couple of weeks, but I won. I finally received full payment for my time with Mobile-Dentistry. What a head-ache that was!
Floor and I took all of his equipment to his home late last night and ditched it on his front porch. Smell ya later, Mobile-Dentistry.

Spoiler Alert...

We had our ultrasound this morning. Jeremy thought it was a girl, I thought it was a boy. Jeremy and I bet on it, now I owe him dinner.
We are extremely excited. There were tears (of joy) and laughter when the sex was announced. This girl is going to be a princess, I just have a feeling. Now we have to choose a name, decorate a nursery and buy girl clothes. Oh, my gosh. It's like starting from scratch.
We are so happy about this news. Munchkin is already talking about the lessons he will teach her. This morning he said that he would tell her not to walk out into the street without looking both ways. What a great big-brother he will be.

Marmalade Sky

The Men of the Evening

My wonderful nephew, Jon, had a Lamb's Canyon wedding this week. He found a spectacular young lady named Whitney who makes him very happy. Jon and Whitney look amazing together and Whitney is a natural with Jon's little boy, P.J., who also loves her incredibly. We wish you all the happiness in the world and thank you for sharing your special wedding with us.

P.J. in his super spiffy duds.

P.J. and Munchkin sharing a moment of silliness before the wedding.

I asked Jon to smile and look happy. He replied by saying "that will be easy today".

The Ceremony

P.J., the best man, walked the beautiful bride to her destination.

Whitney, you look amazing!

The first kiss as husband and wife. Congratulations to the happy couple.

The Reception

The newlyweds were quite a sight in all their bliss.

A beautiful sunset provided a glorious back-drop to the event.

Congratulations to Jon and Whitney. You make a lovely couple.

Mohawk

Munchkin, you are adorable!

Lagoon-A-Beach

Munchkin enjoying a hot afternoon in the kiddie-pool at Lagoon-A-Beach.


Mama sporting a nice "baby-bump".

2008 Olympics

Michael Phelps was Munchkin's favorite part of the Olympics. He recognizes him and calls him by name whenever he appears on the screen.

Yowie

Each time Munchkin gets hurt he says he has a "yowie". This yowie came from running down hill. Thank goodness he didn't break a tooth.

Grandpa's Nap

Munchkin loves his Grandpa very much.

Canna Lily

Gladiolus

Each Gladiolus that has bloomed in my garden this year has been unique and impressive. I'm very happy with them.

Hot fuschia with white center:

Purple with butter-yellow center:

Deep violet:

Lagoon

Munchkin decided that he was ready to go on rides this time at Lagoon. Previously, he has been reluctant to ride on anything other than the Merry-Go-Round. What a big boy. Once he had one ride under his belt, Mama and Dada were being run ragged following him from ride to ride.

On the Ferris Wheel. Look how high up we are.

The beloved Choo-Choo Train.

Summer Fun

Munchkin passes his time by riding his bike in the evenings. He thinks he is ready to take off the training wheels.

The always popular John Deere gets a lot of use in our back yard.

Gladiolus

Christian the Lion