New Stuff

How do you like House of Karrs' new look? I've been having fun with different backgrounds and decided to give this one a try. It's called "Go Organic" which I think is very funny b/c I've never even been to a Whole Foods Market...
Here are some things we at HOK have been up to:
Last weekend I got to go on a girls' weekend at the coast with six precious friends. We were so excited that our friend, Allison, who has moved to Oklahoma (and who we miss terribly) flew down to surprise us! It was so nice just to visit and catch up with everyone. Thanks, Laura, for inviting us. I'm using my memory of floating in the pool in my new sunhat as my "happy place" when things get crazy! Speaking of crazy, while I was at the coast, Aaron called to inform me that "he was potty-training my son". Apparantly, when I left Aidan decided it was time to use the potty. Sooooo...I got armed with potty training advice, and headed home to the front lines. We are on day 2, and it's going ok, aside from the fact that I still have no clue what I'm doing and have never felt this out of control in my life!

Here are some things I've learned about potty training so far:

1. I will be doing at least 1 load of laundry a day.
2. When there is actual tee-tee or whatever IN or NEAR the potty, its a cause of great rejoicing.
3. I'm not above using bribery for #2 above to take place.
4. Little boys must be reminded to point "things" downward.
5. Little boys can pee across the bathroom if Mommy forgets #4.
6. A small child who has never seen his own poop before, might be alarmed the first time he does..."Mama, what IS it?!"
7. An Aqua-doodle flipped over makes an excellent under the potty mat. (Not sure if it will ever be used for actual art again...)
8. Clorox clean-up wipes are my new best friend.

That's about it this week. Any and all potty training advice is welcome!
~Brooke :)

Oh...BATS!!!

Aidan watching the bats emerge

Bat Scouts

At the mouth of the cave.

On Saturday we had the special treat of visiting the largest bat colony in Texas with our friends: Todd, Laura, Chase, and Colton Thetford. Bracken Cave is home to 20 MILLION bats, and at sunset, they all fly out in a huge whirlwind to eat their weight in insects! Imagine how many more bugs there would be if these bats weren't there! The kids all loved watching the huge clouds of bats circle into the sky.

Here are some things we learned:

~Bats are our friends and need to be protected and respected.

~Bats are essential for keeping down flying insects, and protecting crops worldwide.

~Bats are mammals and 50% of the species in America are endangered or declining.

~Bats are not blind, do NOT attack humans, and seldom transmit diseases to other animals or humans. Less than 1/2 of 1 percent of bats contract rabies.

~Loss of bats increases the demand for chemical pesticides that can jeopardize whole ecosytems.

~Never touch a grounded bat.

We had a fun time and learned a lot about these amazing animals. Thank you, Thetfords, for inviting us!

~Aaron, Brooke, & Aidan

* To learn more about bat conservation, please visit: www.batcon.org.

10 Years!!!

Aaron & Brooke Karr June 27, 1998

Aaron & Brooke Karr June 27, 2008

I look at the picture of Aaron and me on our wedding day and can't believe that was 10 years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago when we returned from our honeymoon, moved into our little 3rd floor apartment with paper-thin walls during one of the hottest summers in history, and lived on hamburger helper (still do sometimes...) and rice-a-roni.

We've been talking about our 10th anniversary for a few years, and wanted to make it really special, so we celebrated with a trip to Napa and San Francisco. We had a wonderful time laughing, going on dates, and visiting the wine country, Alcatraz, Stinson Beach, Fisherman's Warf, China Town, eating at bistros, etc! It was so nice to relax, reflect on our years together, and give thanks for how God has blessed us. The break was great, but we couldn't wait to get back to our boy! Thank you, Nana, Dad-Dad, Mimi, Aunt K, and Pop for taking such good care of Aidan while we were away. Aidan got to swim, play chase, go to the children's museum, visit cousin Gary's fire station, chase goats, and meet Aunt K's horse, "Ace", so he had a little vacation of his own!

Aaron Karr, I'm so thankful to belong to you! You are my best friend and love of my life. I thank God for creating someone so perfect for me in every way and for bringing us together at the perfect time. Thank you for loving me even when I'm not acting very lovable! Thank you for choosing me. I love you, Baby!

~B

God Said...

Aidan was having a hard time sharing his toys with a little friend who came to play today. We have been trying to help him have a more generous heart, and create an alternative for the"MINE!!!" that we hear often. I told him that his toys belong to God and since God had blessed him with the toys, he needed to share them with his friend. He replied with: "Mama, God says it Aidan's turn."

Dear Daddy...

Dear Daddy,

I LOVE you because:

you give the best hugs

you are my favorite wrestling buddy

you play choo- choos with me

you let me ride my big tractor in high gear

you found my night-night

you let me splash (a lot) in the tub

you take me to Home Depot

you let me eat powdered sugar donuts in my church clothes

you let me feed corn to the deer

you play outside with me, Harley, and Griffin

you're patiently teaching me to hit a baseball even though I'm trying to use the bat as a golf club

you don't care if I get dirty

you make me waffles on Saturday mornings

you work with BIIIIG TRUUUUCKS

you don't care if we're noisy

you love my mommy

you pray with me

you work hard for our family

you make me laugh

you help me hide

you're my best buddy

and you love me!

Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Aidan

Classic...

Not long after we'd put Aidan to bed on the night of my last post, Aaron heard the sounds of toy pots and pans softly clanging in the playroom. He went up and found Aidan very busy with his toys. Aaron told him that he needed to get back in bed and go to sleep. Aidan's reply was, "Not now, Daddy. I cooking!"

Oh dear.

Big Boy/Happy Heart

Well, it's happened. Aidan is officially in his Big Boy Bed. We actually bought the headboard a few months ago when Pottery Barn Outlet had a 70% off furniture sale, but as of last night, we set it up, and Aidan slept in it for the first time in his own room. We had been waiting to move him to it because he sometimes still fights bedtime, and for safety, we didn't want him roaming around the house in the middle of the night if he woke up. This past week he'd been waking up around midnight asking for his "Big Bed", which was the bed in the guest room where we sleep when he's sick. We figured that a crib mattress wasn't made for a 42 lb. 2 year old, and he was probably waking up because he wasn't comfortable. So...last night was the trial run, and it went pretty well except for the first few minutes. Here's the dialogue that took place:

Aidan: (as he opens the door and walks to the stairs) I have a happy heart, Mommy!

Me: I'm glad you have a happy heart, but you're not in time-out. You need to stay in your bed and go night-night.

Aidan: Oh, OK!

Now it's naptime, and so far so good. I still have his crib up just in case! I'm giving up my control in baby steps!

Aidan Michael, its a bittersweet thing for me to see you all snuggled up in your Big Boy Bed with truck sheets. I love that you're so happy and sleeping well, but then I look at your crib and achingly realize that you won't be sleeping there anymore, the bed you've slept in since you were a tiny baby. I'm so proud of the big boy you are becoming, but looking at your baby bed, reminds me of how quickly two and a half years has gone by, and how I need to savor every minute. I love you, big boy, and I love being your Mommy. Don't grow up too fast!

Love,

Mommy :)