A Visit To St. Nick

Saturday Mommy and Daddy took me and Claire to see Santa Claus. He was at our church. They had cookies to decorate and crafts to make. There was a really long line, so Daddy and I made a snowman (that Mommy hung on the fridge) while Mommy and Claire stood in line to see Santa. I was pretty excited--every time I've seen Santa on tv I know exactly who he is. So, you may be wondering why I'm not in the picture. Well, this is how I responded when I actually saw the guy up close:
I wasn't exactly excited. So Mommy and Daddy tried to make it up to me by taking me to The Bloodworth House to see their holiday displays. Well who do you suppose I ran into in the library!? Yep. Santa. Good one, Mom and Dad. They did have good snacks, though. Here's Mommy and Claire posing in front of one of the numerous trees and me and Daddy going for a sleigh ride:


And because Mommy says I have to, here's a cute one of Claire in front of the tree:

Parties and PJs

Last week our playgroup had a Christmas party for all of the kids. We had crafts, food, games, and a gift exchange. I made several ornaments, ate a big cupcake, played "Freeze Dance" and came away with a book about kisses. This is me and my friend Alexander:
This is me playing "Freeze Dance":
And this is Claire being a wallflower:
Also last week, Mommy got me and Claire matching Christmas pajamas. I really like the snowmen, reindeer, and Santa's on them, but I'm not so sure about the feet. Mommy tried to take a picture of both of us, but this is the best she could do. She says it's awfully hard to get us both smiling and looking at the camera at the same time.

The Christmas Parade

Last Friday night Mommy and Daddy took us downtown to watch the lighted Christmas parade. It was a lot of fun. I stood on the sidewalk and yelled "Merry Kickus" to everyone in the parade. Here's a picture of me, Mommy, and Claire getting ready to go. Unfortunately, this is the only picture we got. Daddy locked our keys in the car and spent most of the time trying to figure out how to get them out.


I almost forgot to mention that Claire was dedicated on November 30th. I wanted to run around and kept squirming in Daddy's arms. When the ceremony was over, the congregation clapped and I yelled, "Yay! We did it!" That's what I yell after I potty in the big potty.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

At least in our house, anyway! This past weekend Mommy realized that there were only 35 days until Christmas, so she put up the Christmas tree (even though she promised Daddy she'd save that until after Thanksgiving). She did it while I was taking my afternoon nap, so I woke up to a wonderful surprise. I really like looking at the "Kickus tree" and all of the pretty ornaments on it. There's one of Blue from "Blue's Clues" that I especially like. And there's another that I keep insisting is grandma's house. I've managed to restrain myself and not tear any of them off...yet. Here's a few more pics of me and Claire under the tree:

Claire Is 6 Months Old!

Today we went to Dr. Fernando's office for Claire's 6 month checkup (and shots). Dr. Fernando gave me a sucker and drew a snake on my hand (although I asked for a dinosaur). And I sat patiently in the chair as he went over Claire's development with Mommy. He said that she can start drinking juice and eating stage 2 baby food now since she has two bottom teeth and can sit up by herself. She weighed 20lbs. 4oz. and is 27.5 inches long. And he said her head was the size of a 27-month-old! She ended up getting four shots and the oral rotavirus vaccine, which luckily she didn't puke up all over the nurse this time. It was a good visit!

Fall Is In The Air

This is the first fall that I've really noticed the leaves changing colors. I love to take rides in the car and tell Mommy or Daddy all of the pretty colors that I see. And now that most of the leaves are on the ground, I've had the chance to do some raking.

Now that the weather is cooler, Mommy has dragged out my sweaters. She put one on me Sunday and thought I looked so cute that she tried to take my picture ("tried" being the operative word).
In other news, I had a playdate with an out-of-town friend this week. We went to a museum that had lots of models of boats and Indians. They also had lots of buttons to push and we had lots of fun with that. This is me and my friend Gus pushing buttons (and maybe learning some history?). Can you tell which one is Gus and which one is me?

And before I sign off, I have to wish my friend Zachary a very happy 2nd birthday tomorrow. The two's are great! At least I think so...

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet...

This past week I had a fun-filled Halloween. Tuesday night Mommy and Daddy took me to the Parents As Teachers Fall Festival. I wore my costume, but Claire spit up all over herself right before the party, so she didn't dress up. There were lots of games to play and the local newspaper photographer was there. I made the front page! Here I am at the crafts table:
Mommy took us to visit Nana and Happy for the weekend, so we got our Poplar Bluff trick or treating in Thursday night. It gave me good practice for the big night. MaMa and PaPa Funke gave me a pumpkin car and Claire really wanted it.
In case you can't tell from the pictures, I'm dressed as Max from the book "Where The Wild Things Are." Claire is a wild thing. Mommy made my costume all by herself. And I got to wear it on three different nights. On Halloween night, we were at Nana and Happy's house, so we went trick or treating over there. I only went to two houses, but I got a huge haul. I really liked the yellow Starbursts and I kept saying, "Yay! More candy!". Everyone thought I was pretty funny. I was really tired at the end of the night, but it was a super fun Halloween. I can't wait 'til next year!

Pancake Saturday

I think you've seen before how I like to help in the kitchen. Well, now I get some regular time to practice my culinary skills with "Pancake Saturday." I know it's Saturday when Daddy is still in bed when I get up, so on those days I've started reminding him that I like his Mickey Mouse pancakes. And he always seems to make them for me when I ask. He's even started letting me help. I know it looks like I'm about to dump bbq seasoning into the pancake mix, but Daddy stopped me before I had a chance to do it.

After this last Pancake Saturday, Mommy and Daddy went shopping for a new carseat for me. Claire is about to outgrow her baby seat, so she's going to inherit my old seat and I'm getting a new one. My favorite part of the new carseat? The box!

A Fantastic Five Months

Claire turned 5-months-old over the weekend. She's really good at rolling over now and has discovered her feet. She's able to prop herself up into a sitting position and can sit by herself for a little while sometimes. Mommy and Daddy gave her a quick bath with me the other night and now I always ask for "baby sister" to be in the bath with me. She thinks I'm really funny and I certainly like to have an audience.


My final set of molars are finally in, but Claire is still trying to get her first tooth. Mommy thinks it will be soon, though, because Claire is chewing on everything. She's even chewing on her blankets--just like me! Daddy thinks there's something wrong because both of his kids like to chew on fabric.


And for good measure, here's one more:

Pumpkin Patch Pals

Me, Mommy, and Claire went to the pumpkin patch with our playgroup friends this week. There was a hayride, corn maze, fish pond, and petting zoo. I really liked the hayride (once Mommy was able to convince me to get on) and I also liked playing in the corn.

This is me checking out all of the really big pumpkins. They let us choose a pumpkin to take home and I chose the absolute smallest pumpkin I could. Daddy said it's a gourd.

This is Claire next to the huge pumpkin haybale. I refused to stand still long enough for both of us to be in the picture.

This might have been my favorite part--pumping water!

This is me trying to feed the goats some hay. They didn't like it.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Voila! A Materpiece!

Mommy and Daddy took us to the annual Arts Festival downtown this morning. There was a live band, lots of local artists, and lots of fun stuff for kids to do. They had a pottery wheel, fingerpainting, and crafts. I made a picture with fingerpaints and then I decorated a hat.

I tried to draw on another kid's hat and when I wouldn't stop, Mommy said we had to leave. That made me mad!

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh My!

Sunday, Mommy and Daddy loaded us in the car and took us to the St. Louis Zoo for the day. We had lots of fun and saw lots of animals. I liked the penguins the best because I could get really close to them. At the end of the day, we rode the train around the zoo (which I really loved) and Daddy bought me a little stuffed penguin to remember the day with.

Me and Daddy and the elephants:


Riding the choo-choo:

Firestation Fun

Today my playgroup took a fieldtrip to the firestation. I got to see all of the firetrucks up close. The two big firetrucks were outside and I couldn't wait to go see them.

While we were listening to the firemen talk, some big dump trucks drove by and I got really excited.

Finally they let us crawl up in the trucks!

I sat in the cab for a long time and didn't want to leave. The Fire Chief had to haul me out!

They gave us stickers, suckers, and a big red fire hat to take home. I had so much fun!

Now I Get Scarlet Fever...

Well after being sick for over a week, I'm finally feeling better. Mommy took me to the doctor's office last week and they said I had strep throat/scarlet fever. I had a really bad rash ALL over me. I looked like a lizard! Now my skin is all flakey and I still look a little sick, but I'm feeling good. Here's a pic of me last week, followed by one of me this week. See how much better I'm feeling? Good enough to do a few home improvement projects.


Claire turned four-months-old last week, so we celebrated by taking her to see Dr. Fernando for shots. Yes, we were at the doc's office twice in one week. Not unusual in our family. Claire weighs 16lbs. 13oz. and is 26inches long. She's off the charts!


Dr. Fernando said to start feeding her cereal and baby food, too. So this morning she had rice cereal and this afternoon she had squash. She wasn't very neat about it, either.

Gotta go--Blue's Clues is coming on!

Our Pictures Are In!

In June, Mommy took me and Claire to Pretty As A Picture to have our portraits done. We have the proofs in and are happy to share:

http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/PrettyAsAPicture/Funke (the password is jackclaire)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today was Daddy's birthday. He's 32 and not ashamed of it. Yesterday I helped Mommy make a cake for him. I love to help in the kitchen! Here I am all ready to start baking:

Here I am stirring the batter:

Mommy let me lick the bowl. Yum!:

The finished product (I picked out the icing colors):

We didn't do much today, mostly because I'm sick again. Snotty nose, cough, fever, the works. Mommy stripped the wallpaper off the dining room walls and I helped her do that while Daddy mowed the lawn. Not a very exciting day, but Daddy does get to go to the Cardinals' game tomorrow. I sure hope I get to go to one of those next summer. Goodnite everybody!

Here fishy, fishy!

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged, but I got a cold and gave it to Claire (Mommy and Daddy think I got it at Sesame Street Presents), so we spent a week sick and then had a busy week getting ready for this weekend. Mommy and Daddy decided they needed a restful weekend away, so they decided to go to Eureka Springs. Luckily, Nana and Happy said they'd keep me and Claire. I can't believe Mommy and Daddy needed to get away. This last week, I decided I could get out of bed on my own in the mornings, and Mommy and Daddy always look so well rested when I go wake them up around 6am. Oh well.

Mommy and Daddy said they had a really good time. They stayed in a bed and breakfast. Sounds kinda boring to me, but I think they really liked it. They got to eat a big breakfast on the deck every morning (which to me sounds like they didn't get to watch cartoons while they ate) and they had dessert in their room every night. That part sounds okay. I think they did a lot of walking around town and "relaxing." I'm not sure what that is.

Claire and I had a really good time, too. Uncle Colin came home from college to entertain me. I was really excited! He let me play with his XBox. He taught me how to play football.


Saturday Nana and Happy took me to the creek. I'd never been there and I thought we were just going to the swimming pool, so I threw a fit when Nana tried to put my swimsuit on me. I'm a little scared of the swimming pool right now. Mommy hopes I'll outgrow it. So they left my regular clothes on me. Haha! I tricked them! I saw that the water wasn't deep and just decided to have a sit.

Nana walked me up and down the creek:

And I even got to touch a real fish!:

We got home really late Sunday night. Mommy and Daddy were baffled at me because I wouldn't go to sleep. I was just waiting to get into my own bed and I wanted to potty in my own potty, too. So at 11:30pm, I pottied and finally went to sleep. Needless to say, I took a really long nap today. Oh, Claire wants me to put some pictures of her on here. And she wants me to mention how much she likes to talk to people and how she's rolled over once now. I think that was an accident.

That's all folks!