All Things Sousaphone

Anyone that has spent more than 1 minute with Thomas probably knows that he has a 'mild obsession' with the sousaphone. As Thomas likes to tell people, "You know, the tuba that goes around your back like the band members wear...the one that has the bell that faces forward???" Anyway, I cannot NOT write about this because honestly, it consumes SO much of our lives these days. Here are just a few short stories about our friend the sousaphone.

This is how it all started-Thomas was like 2 1/2 when I caught him turning our rainbow vacuum cleaner into a 'tuba.'

Age 4-still lovin' that tuba & insisted he have a 'band member' birthday cake..tada!

Last week, they announced that one of the prizes was Gideon TUBA Warrior movie...I 'in shock' told my table they HAD to pull my name...2 seconds later, they called my name. I normally get embarrassed when they call my name for winning something but this time, I jumped up, cheered, almost started crying, & may or may not have almost wet my pants...you know, the type of things people do on the Price is Right when they win a car...yep, all for the TUBA!

I don't know how I can ever top this! I posted this as my profile pict on facebook because of how HUGE this was. Thomas seriously sits & stares at the tuba section for the entire game. One of the directors offered to let Thomas 'hold' the sousaphone...INSANE!!!! Thomas acted 'weird' to say the least but none-the-less, HE got to hold the sousaphone & hasn't stopped talking about it!

We have to look at this picture everyday...and we have to watch tuba beatboxing on youtube...and we have to read adult non-fiction about sousaphones...and I may have placed an add on craigslist a while back looking for an old beat up sousaphone for his 4th bday...and I am waiting to see the FDHS band uniforms so I can make his Halloween costume...yep...he is going to be a band member...do you get my point...this was the best day of his life :)

When I asked him if he wanted to take Karate lessons, or play tee-ball or soccer, Thomas response was this, "Mom, I think I want to take band member lessons." We are looking into lessons :)

*A special thanks goes to who Thomas refers to as his favorite band member for putting up with us staring at him, posting his pictures to facebook without asking, & for taking the time out to make a 4 year old the happiest kid on earth! Sorry we have been so obsessive & stalkerish-please forgive us*

Siblings

Ellison asked Thomas to hold him...and he did :)


4th of July

Watching a movie..

If you are a 'friend' on facebook, I try to entertain you with the realities of life with toddlers. :)

However, the truth is, the majority of the time, our life is really good...low key crazy...organized...smoothe running. But to me, that is boring...not noteworthy unless you are trying to make people think you are perfect all the time...maybe that is just me. But the truth is my kids get along really well 90% of the time...the other 10% is what, to me, is entertaining but for a moment, I will share the 'good' stuff.

Their love for each other is evident. Thomas does NOT like anyone doing anything remotely 'mean' to Ellison. He doesn't like them playing with her toys & don't EVEN think about pushing her or he will tattle like he has never tattled before :)

Everynight, Thomas goes into Ellison's room and kisses her through the rails of her crib and says, "Good night my sweet baby girl, I will see you in the morning." Melts my heart!

I just LOVE watching them make up games such as 'knock, knock' (inspired by Pappy)...one acts like they are sleeping, the other runs up and hits the one sleeping while saying knock knock...the one sleeping jumps up and says, "who did that who did that?" And then they swap places.

I get tickled with Thomas asks Ellison to do something, "Hey Ellison, can you open these pickles for me." Seriously Thomas? She loves to pick at him & tries to lure him into games of chase.

The majority of our meltdowns have nothing to do with the 2 not getting along...for Ellison, it is that she wants food...for Thomas, it is that he wants what Ellison has...that is what 90% of our meltdowns are over.

Anyway, just had to share a few of the good stories. News worthy developments: Ellison's big girl mattress is coming on Tuesday. Potty training is slow. Her new phrase is "boo yow." Thomas is LOVING learning with Mommy. He likes to show off what he is learning but DO NOT try to correct how he writes his letters because he "KNOWS" how to do it (very hard for a phonics person to accept...doesn't he know that the way you write your letters corresponds with connections in the brain?) Anyway, I hope he doesn't get TOO use to it because I will NOT eat my words & end up homeschooling him through elementary school :)