Jasper!

Here's the newest little boy to join our family!

He's an apricot miniature Daschund, and we named him Jasper.

Jacks and Cody adore him and are doing such a good job helping out with him. They feed him and go outside with him to encourage him to potty out there instead of on our rug. They love on him and let him chase them around and try to chew on their toes. He's a lucky pup, that's for sure.


Luke, on the other hand, isn't a big fan of something smaller than he is attempting to usurp his position as baby of the family. He seems a little confused by the furry little thing that keeps jumping up on him and licking him.

But I have a feeling that before long, they're going to be partners in crime. See below for just a glimpse of what's to come.....yes, that's Luke *IN* the dishwasher. And check out his little furry accomplice!

As if it weren't already chaotic enough around here....

Num-Num!

One of the boys' weekly activities with Daddy is the Sunday morning expedition to Krispy Kreme. Even Luke has developed an intense passion for donuts. His favorite is the sugar ones.

This afternoon, we stopped by Starbucks for an after-school snack, and Jackson and Cody both got a chocolate donut. As soon as they started eating, Luke began smacking his lips and saying, "Num-num....num-num." Apparently, they weren't sharing quickly enough for his taste, and he began fussing. He was immediately mollified when Jacks handed him a chunk of his donut.

I think I'm going to have to start getting 3 donuts at snacktime.

"Num-num" has a funny history in our family, harking back to a day or two after Jackson's 2nd birthday party. We had put leftover cake in a big tupperware container for Anthony to take to work. Jacks, resourceful little stinker that he was even then, somehow got it open and went to town on the cake with...wait, for it....a SOUP LADLE. Not a spoon, not a fork, but a ladle. I guess it was the first utensil he found in the drawer. Anyway, when Anthony found him, instead of looking guilty, he just looked up with frosting all over his face and said, "Num-num."

Apparently, it runs in the family. :)

Deep Thoughts, Cody Edition

1) What was a lollipop before it was a lollipop?

2) What happens when you don't have any more legs?

3) Can I be a green mustang when I grow up?

Cody asks the most interesting questions lately. There's some serious thinking going on in that big 'ole noggin of his. Now if I only had good answers...

Afternoon in the Pool

We decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunny day after school, and we pulled out the bathing suits. The last time I had all 3 in the pool, if you'll remember, Luke was having nothing of it and was, in fact, quite cranky that his brothers were being so wild and raucous. Well, today, he could not get enough of the splish-splash. Much fun was had by all!

Cody's First Day of Preschool

Cody started at a new school yesterday. He'll be going just T/Th, and he is so excited about it.

After visiting the classroom for "Meet the Teacher" and seeing their play kitchen, he just couldn't wait for school to officially start. And he had a wonderful day! He couldn't stop talking about all the things he did! Bubble painting, playing on the playground (driving a pretend car), music class (singing a song with clapping hands and they played bells and did a silly dance), and reading pirate books.

It was SUCH a difference from the pulling-teeth scenario we often get with Jacks ("How was your day? Fine. What did you do? Nothing. Who did you see? No one."), and an amazing difference from Cody's first day last year. I really hope his enthusiasm for school continues!

He said he wanted to go back tomorrow and wanted to know how many minutes until Thursday. :)

Cody-bration Pics

You'd be surprised how long it takes an intelligent person to spell out a 4-letter name in M&M's.
Cody sure did enjoy that cake.Luke enjoyed bopping Mama on the head with the party blowers.If you're going to take part in a Cody-bration, you've got to wear a silly hat. It's the rules.Cody provided us with a musical interlude.Until Jackson cast a spell on him and turned him into a rabbit."I'm a fabulous Grandma, daaaaaahhhhhling."Aunt Tina was the only normal one at the party, it seems. Look at her rocking that wizard hat! Smashing, baby!Grandad the Barbarian. Arr.His name is Cuban Pete...he's the king of the rhumba beat...boom chicka chicka boom boom.Daddy always helps Cody stand tall and reach for the stars.And Mama just can't get enough of Cody hugs on Cody day. Here's to another healthy year!

Our 2nd Annual "Cody-bration"

Two years ago today, the doctors at Children's Medical Center found a tumor the size of a baseball in Cody's brain. The tumor was causing his brain to swell inside his skull, and his inter-cranial pressure was through the roof...which was why we had noticed his limbs shaking uncontrollably and him unable to maintain his balance that day.

He had 2 surgeries to resect the tumor and has since had regular MRI's (we're now down to only 2 a year...he had a clean one in April and has another at the end of September). He has a 4-5 inch scar on the back of his neck. And he is more familiar with terms like "IV" and "MRI" than any 3-year-old should be.

But he is also the heart of our family. He can be a little black rain-cloud at times, but his cherubic smile can bring sunshine back into the darkest day. He's stubborn and uncompromising (he's a Penrose-Miller AND he's 3...are you surprised? ) but he is also sensitive and compassionate, wanting everyone around him to be happy. He can be very shy, but then will give a poor, unsuspecting stranger a run-down of every single thing he did that day, and maybe the whole last week as well, just for kicks. And did I mention he's an awesome break-dancer?

Life wouldn't be the same without him, and we give thanks every day that we have the privilege of watching him grow, learn and love.

We're having a small party tonight (our "Cody-bration") and I'll add more pictures here later.
But in the meantime, a very happy "Cody-day" to you all!