Visiting Cousins: Vegas

We packed up and took a long weekend visit to Darci and Frank's family. It was a lot of fun! We filled our time with: eating at restaurants we never get to go to, playing at parks, lots of cousin time, enjoying their new house, and staying up very late. It was a great visit!

Crew loves his cousins and was instantly playing the minute we walked in the door.

Sawyer, Lyric, Crew, Aurora, Franklin

After taking a few pictures we broke out the giant gumballs. 

Aurora is Crew's favorite cousin. He talks about her all the time and pretends to call her often. She is so sweet to play with him even though she is older than him.

Lyric is such a sweet, kind, and loving girl. She also adds some mischievousness to Crew's life. 

Franklin, Darci

This is how Sawyer felt about not getting his nap and having his picture taken instead.

Sawyer: Haircut

It's about time that I gave Sawyer a haircut! He was in desperate need of one and I was getting a few too many comments on the length of his hair near his neck. I had plans to cut it several months ago but it was always getting delayed until "tomorrow." Then we had several sicknesses and why add more misery!?

Last night I finally bit the bullet while Abe and Crew were running some errands. He did great, looks adorable, and I wondered why I waited so long! It is a much greater look!

Sawyer did very will. I will give credit to the distraction of a sucker and a show!

This morning he was a goof ball. (little Abe!!) While I was taking pictures he kept on growling at me like a  lion or bear and then would follow it up with a fit of giggles.

I thought this was funny because his banana gives the impression of a tooth. Sadly those teeth are just moving slower than a snail and have yet to break through.

Crew

While we were playing outside yesterday Abe had two guys come for hay. The younger of the two was decked out in full cowboy attire. Crew turned to me and said, "Mom. He's a farmer, Mom. He farms horses." I then asked if that is called a cowboy and he said, "yes."

Today while putting away laundry Crew was standing in my doorway and said, "Hey Mom! There are two Crews!" I asked him where the other Crew was at and he pointed to the empty space next to him. When I asked what the color of the other Crew's eyes were he responded with, "He is a Shark Crew."

I just asked him again where the other Crew was and he told me was all gone. But then he followed it by saying he was in his bed looking for Crew's frog.

Tractor Ride

Nap Time Activity: Birdhouse

I got a birdhouse kit for Crew to put together during Sawyer's nap time. Crew loved it and did so well! He did everything by himself except gluing together the house. I was so impressed with his painting skills and how particular he was about the certain look he was going for!

Sanding

Painting

After the paint dried I glued it together while he instructed. We then let the birdhouse sit in the sun for an hour before he put all of the stickers on. He was so proud of his work!

Smashed finger

The boys were playing so well together and I took that moment to hurry and take care of a 30 second task. I heard a door shut and then Sawyer start to whimper. It quickly escalated to a terrifying scream. I rounded the corner and saw Crew open the door back up and Sawyers finger release from the door jam (hinge side). It was already purple and it was bloody. (His finger got smashed side to side)
I quickly grabbed Sawyer, ran into the kitchen, got a cloth wet with cold water, and wrapped it around his finger. This was to keep blood from going everywhere, help keep swelling down, and to keep Sawyer from grabbing at it. He was screaming and I was worried that part of his finger might need stitches.
I tried to call Abe while holding a thrashing child and and applying a cold compress on a little finger. Basically I was only able to yell over his screams "Abe come inside now!" After a couple minutes I didn't see Abe. In another attempt to get Abe inside for help I was able to get his attention enough for him to realize something was wrong. (Abe said that initially he thought the kids dialed him and were just yelling into the phone)
Abe then quickly came in and was able to help sooth Sawyer some and I was able to peak at his finger. We decided that things looked mostly intact and that we should just get his finger wrapped up and try to prevent as much swelling as possible.
Sawyer was so tired after screaming for 30 minutes and it was nap time. In his sleep he pulled off his bandaging and got blood all over his bed, stuffed cow, and blanket.
His finger oozed for 2 days. Gauze and medical tape were the only thing we could use to keep it covered and Sawyer couldn't get off.

Day 3 I was able to snap some quick pictures with my ipod after he ripped off some bandaging.

Crew is very particular about having doors shut. I was trying to break him of the habit since Sawyer could crawl and follow him around. After Crew had to sit and watch his brother's screams of agony it taught him a very important lesson. Crew still wants to shut doors but he makes sure he asks for permission first. 

After 2 weeks a big blood blister scab has fallen off, his skin is peeling, and the nail seems to be dead and hardening. I think his nail will just slowly lift off and I will have to keep clipping it down. I am amazed at his quick recovery!

Accidental Nap

Crew doesn't like to take naps anymore but on occasion he will get a little nap in. I do like that he goes to bed so easily at night an hour and a half earlier!