Domination.

Giggles, I can't help myself. Who would have thought that I would become a board game geek?! I have a philosophy about any competitive games, "Play for Fun. But if you win, celebrate." I feel I can rub it in to my husband's family noses just because they are SUPER COMPETITORS. Bless their hearts. I do agree that it has helped build strong family bonds but at the same time has brought disputes and contention. Remember friends and family, its all for fun and its only a game.
Playing games  is what I look forward during Christmas time at my in-laws. Playing games is what I look forward when Levi goes to bed. Playing games is something I know I will lose at, more than 50% of the time but that's o.k with me.

Tonight, I celebrate. Another sweet victory against the "Trader of all traders"= Ben and Carolyn the Genius builder, at Traders and Barbarians of Catan. 

So what's new? Levi and I have been sick for the thrid time with a cold. It seems to happen every time we're around little ones. Oh well, we are building stronger immune systems. I do have to say that I do have a headache from blowing my nose so many times. Besides that, Levi has been recuperating well and cheery like always. He helped the other day by cleaning the kitchen floor. He was happy to be part of it all.

Despite all of this we have been going to the park almost every day. Here's Levi in his new summer hat. One of these days, it was so hot I could feel the sweat off my chest. I was amazed at the heat because I had the chills from my cold. Levi was protected from the sun, I did use sunscreen. He did not mind and now has a tan.

I am so grateful to be a mom, its the best and you can only understand once you have a baby. I get it now Mami! We are soon going to visit my parents and brother. They have not seen Levi since he started to walk. He can converse and sing, walk backwards, eat on his own, make more animal sounds, follow simple instructions, give kisses and hugs, make puzzles, play with hotwheels on tracks. He is one amazing little guy. 

As for daddy, he is still in denial about cutting his hair. He says he feels like Samson, his hair is his strenght. He is just been silly. We have notice that he does have his mom's hair, blond and curly with ringlets. It is gorgeous hair , its just too much of it. Summer's heat will convince him to get it cut.  He started this week summer school. He is working hard and we are grateful for him. He makes us happy, laugh, provides shelter and food for us and love. I know he has lots of responsibilities, and must feel so much pressure. I am doing my part, to make his load lighter. I know he appreciates me, and he does show me. Families are awesome, and eternal founded upon the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Cookie Monster to the rescue.

Fifteen month anniversary Levi! This month is important for my little boy. It was time again for him to receive his immunization shots. I have been bringing  him to his every appointment. I am grateful for modern medicine but not for his cries and tears after his injections. He was pricked with 2 needles on each arm at the the same time. I had him sitting on my lap and holding his little hands. He was trying to let loose as soon as he felt the needles go in. As you know, flexing your muscles makes the pain worsen. He had crocodile tears running down but I changed him right away and sang the Cookie Monster song. The one that goes " C is for cookie, its good enough for me...cookie, cookie, cookie, starts with C" His frown turned into a smile right away. Of course, I did have cookies to reward him for his bravery. He honestly only cried for a minute. I don't think it was my horrible singing that made him smile but the message of the song. Cookie does start with C and Levi loves cookies.
The nurse said he was a happy boy , brave, and he apparently looks like Keanu Reeves.

Other good news, Ben received his final marks for this semester and has done wonderfully. He has an A average in University. Woohoo! We are so proud of him. That's my man.

Cheese Please!

Rumors.
Rumors have been spreading about Levi. He has been accused of stealing other kids' snacks in nursery. Gramma Cole has been taking him to nursery because he is getting more difficult to have him sitting down for class. Cannot blame him, our services are 3 hours long and he does not understand yet what is going on. His agenda is to explore, talk to everyone, play, eat and sleep. The funny part in this is, that he is the first one to finish his snack and will steal cheese from the other kids. Cheese monster.

Independence.
Feeding Levi is a NO. Only because he wants to eat by himself. We have a shirt bib to help with the mess. Today's menu was Red River Cereal and a cup of milk for breakfast, followed by an egg salad sandwich, yogourt, banana and cheese for lunch and finished with Grammy's spaghetti with meat sauce and strawberries. He did eat all of those meals by himself. He is no more a baby but a little boy. I have to say that I had to bathe him after breakfast. His cereal was all over him and in his nose. He also took a bath after his lunch. I'm glad that he loves getting baths.

Victory.
Board games is part of my husband's family traditions. I was initiated, I was willing. I admit , I have not won many games but have tried to. I need to be reminded at times, that  they all have been playing games since they were little children. Once in a while, luck shines on me. Last night, we played Traders and Barbarians, part of the Settlers of Catan board game. Interesting game, it had a new twist on things. Besides collecting resources from the earth, you can also be fishermen and collect fish. Fishes gives you certain privileges. Its awesome. What is more awesome is that I won against the unbeatable Carolyn and Ben the game expert. Woohoo! I was giggling the majority of time because I could not believe I was actually winning. Of course when it got close to the end, I was picked on. Oh well, victory was mine.