Building King

Ollie got a lot of things to build with during Christmas. The tinker toys and Lego's both came with books on how to make things. So far, we've made a car and motorcycle from the tinker toys. Then Ollie adds his own 'embellishments' with the left over pieces. The Lego's have been different. Anything in the book is game to be made. Including pictures that have no instruction guide to them. So, we've created several houses and cars just from a picture. Luckily Ollie hasn't been too picky about them being the exact color or size. I'd be in trouble if he was picky.

He's also created his own houses and has even created animals from his Lego's without any help from his parents. He's a fairly creative kid and comes up with lots of stories, jokes, games and creations that he tells us all about. For instance, every time he paints, he always paints Lightening McQueen from the movie Cars. He also paints the other characters and creates a story about them. His artistic skills are decent for a 4 year old. He even created a picture of himself and his Mama that each had a head, arms and legs instead of a blob with eyes. I have a feeling he'll be doing something creative in life, until then, we'll be making things out of his toys.

Together Again

Tomorrow Huts and I are leaving for Kansas City. The kids, meanwhile, are going to their great-grandparents. We will all be together again that night. I can't wait to give them a big hug and find out what they got from Santa this past week. Huts and I are bringing them another car load of presents for them to open on Christmas Day. I hope they're as happy to see us as we are them.

So Boring

That's what Ollie thinks of housecleaning. Whenever we clean house, like we did this past weekend, he opts out. "Don't you wanna help," Ollie? we ask. "No!" he shouts. "Cleaning is so boring." What a fight we are going to have on our hands later when he finally has to pitch in and help. Right now he is off the hook, but that won't be for long.

Missing Us

Ollie called home last night. He is having fun but says he needs to be with his family. We miss him too. I need to hear some of his stories. Just three more days and we will all be together again in Kansas City. Ollie is sure to come in with tales of the Santa parties on Friday and Saturday (last year Uncle Sam played Santa). Meanwhile, we've been getting the house ready for all of the stuff we are sure to bring back with us.

Gone

He didn't really want to, but Ollie got into Grandpa's car and went to Kansas City. He figured out halfway there where they were going and got upset, but all if fine now. No doubt he saw the Christmas tree and wall of presents. It also helped that uncle T.J. came and Ollie could fill him with all sorts of information about Transformers. Anyway, I am sure he will have a great time.

Big Brother Again!

We're finally pregnant. Ollie kind of gets it. He says that he wants a baby girl named Abby, like Hunter has. He asked his dad last night what the pregnancy test stick was. Huts told him, but I think he is going to need a few months to see it for himself. He does understand that the baby will be smaller than Abby at the sitter's (as small as he was).

Doesn't matter whether it's a girl or a boy, Ollie is bound and determined to call the new baby Abby. It does not matter what we actually name the child, Ollie is set on the name Abby and that's what he insists the name be. I don't have a problem with Abby, but I think a little boy might, and I don't see Huts going for the name Abner.

Cranky

Scene: Ollie is being cranky.

Tresa: Ollie, if you don't cut it out, I am going to scoop you up and put you into bed.
Ollie: How are you gonna do that, Mom, without a crane?

Smarty pants!

Not Going, Uh-Uh

That what Ollie says when we asked him about going to Grandma's for a visit this weekend. He refuses to hear of it. "You are my family," he says. He just cannot get his skull wrapped around the fact that there are immediate family and extended family. He tells us all of the time that he is never going to leave us, yeah right. "Sorry, Mom and Dad, but one day we will grow up and Tori will leave home. Don't worry, I will stay. I am going to live with you forever!" I hope he changes his mind when he sees Grand and Grandpa. If he doesn't go, I have no idea if Tori will. She seems daring enough to go it alone.

Festival of Lights

That's where Ollie headed tomorrow night. He saw the commercial on TV and hasn't stopped talking about it since. He is ready to see the red dragon that moves. We are getting them dinner from McDonalds afterwards. It should be a fun night after a fun day at home with Mom (furnace check). He can't wait to sleep in and play in his pajamas all day!

Jammy Fu Fighting

Nightly, after his bath, Ollie has one request. He wants to JAMMY FIGHT! This involves him and his sister wrestling with their Dad while he tickles them so much it makes Tickle Me Elmo look like a wimp. It always has to be in Tori's room as per Ollie's instructions. I think he likes it because I can toss him on the top bunk and shove him under the bed without much of a problem. It seems to make it more fun for him. His sister likes me to pretend to sleep and have me do the same while Ollie tries to jump on me from all angles.

Most of the time the Jammy fight ends within 30 minutes or when it changes to hide and seek. It ends when it changes to hide and seek because Ollie doesn't like to be scared when I jump out at them, so his brave sister is left to find me alone. She finds it fun.

There have been a few instances of injury. Ollie bumping his head on the bed frame, me dropping him on his head while flipping him around, but there have been no trips to the hospital and I hope to keep it that way. Especially since he insists we do this every night. I've had to say not a few nights like last night where he threw up a little bit of his dinner and then wanted to fight. I didn't want to be covered in vomit, so I told him he had to wait until tonight. Saturday night I begged off due to my back already being sore from lifting the toilet to replace the gasket and bolts. I'm getting old and sore from simple things, but the Jammy Fight must continue according to Master Ollie.