The week that was ...

Another week has come and gone. This past week was an interesting one. I stayed home from school for a day because my head hurt and I had a fever, we had company, I tried the new room at school (and didn't like it) and made another trip to the fair.

Here I am getting walked to the car by Katie and Uncle Chris on Wednesday. It was fun to have them around!



Thursday Uncle Matt and Grandma Maggy came over while Mom and Dad were gone. I got to show them both my Mighty Machines video and they were really impressed!

Next came the weekend! I've been building my equipment inventory to help better run my operation and have found that I just don't have a tractor with enough horsepower to pull the disk. Thankfully my scooter has been available ...

After I finished disking the basement Mom, Dad and I headed to the Iowa State Fair. Our first stop was the Blue Ribbon Foundation area where we talked to Emily Putney and caught up a bit.

Next was the Hall of Law. "Wholly Crap!" There is a fire engine behind me ... I'd better pull over!

The garbage truck at the Fair was fun to watch but Mom said it wasn't a "real" exhibition.

Lunch was at the Pork Producers tent. Yum!

Our next stop was the baby animal building. Wow ... it was really, really cool!

I had a good time telling all the other kids about the animals.

Next came what we hope will be an annual trip to the spin art exhibit ...

... wait for it ...

... and for the finale!

That night Kiersten and Zach came over while Mom and Dad went out. I showed them my Mighty Machines video and they were impressed. (To a person, everyone I show the DVD to comments on how odd Canadians are.)

Sunday Mom helped to host a baby shower for our good friend Michelle Barker so Dad and I hung out for awhile. We washed the car, hit the grocery store, etc. Good times. (The only bad thing about going to the grocery store is putting things away. I'm getting old enough now that I'm expected to help. Crap.)

After getting that done I finally got to relax on the couch with my new Kimochi Huggtopus. Uncle Chris and Katie gave it to me and I'm having a lot of fun with it. It's a nice cuddle partner as I watch Mighty Machines ... AGAIN.

Have a great week!

Pierce

Boys Only

This week was kind of sad because Grandma Kathy fell and got an owie on her leg. Mama had to go bye-bye with Papa to help so Dad and I hung out on our own from Tuesday-Saturday.

We did okay but Dad was glad the cleaning lady came Friday and that night we both worked hard to tidy up the place. Here I am working on the back door ...

... and watering the plants.

Saturday morning Uncle Chris, Katie and Grandma Maggy came over. We piled into Dad's car and headed off to the Iowa State Fair for a few hours.

Our first stop was the show arena to watch some of the dairy cattle being judged. I kept reminding everyone what we were seeing "COW!" "COW!" "COW!" but they seemed to already understand that.

The next stop was the butter cow. While Grandma got ready for her band concert Uncle Chris, Katie, Dad and I waited in line to see this national treasure. (They were really impressed.)

While Uncle Chris and Katie were at Grandma's concert I took Dad to see some tractors. Here I am in a very nice Case IH Magnum 335 with optional red leather "luxury" seat. (Papa, you need one of these in your next tractor ... it was comfy!)

After giving the cab a thorough examination I checked out the wheels and tires. Everything looked good.

To be fair I did go check out some John Deere equipment too ... this tractor would be great for a "hobby" farmer, but that just isn't me.

By this time I was pretty tired and grumpy so Grandma, Dad and I made a hasty retreat from the Fair leaving Uncle Chris and Katie behind to explore. I slept on the way home them wanted lunch. Dad was very nice and made me a PB&J which I got to eat on the couch since Mama wasn't home yet.

Mom got home before I woke up from my nap and I was REALLY glad to see her! Here I am with Dad showing her my Play-Doh ...

... and modeling the AC shirt Grandma and Grandpa got me.

I also got to model the big boy school backpack that came in the mail! I'll use this when I go to school as a butterfly in a few days!

Mom seemed to be really glad to be home but got really serious when we answered the question ... "So, what did you boys do while I was gone?".

So, there you go ... another week behind us. Time sure flies.

Later!

Pierce.

Hot enough for ya?!

Howdy, y'all!

Welcome to another edition of Life 'O Pierce. I'm your host, Pierce, and I'd like to update you on another fun week.

Things were pretty mellow early this week. I'm prepping for my big debut as a "Butterfly" so I'm working on wardrobe, my cool kid attitude and drinking from a regular cup. Mom has ordered me a backpack, a pillow and a blanket and I'm feeling good about things. I'll start my "transition" on Aug. 16.

This past Thursday Mom and Dad went to an Iowa Cubs game with friends from MidAmerican Energy Company so Grandma Maggy came over. She brought a book from Great Grandpa Jack about old farm tractors and I made her read it to me right away.

We also visited the park and had a lot of fun together.

Friday was a long day at school so after ordering pizza Mom and I crashed on the couch for a bit of Thomas the Tank Engine fun.

Saturday was a busy day. I was lucky enough to accompany Grandma Maggy to a party celebrating Rohan's second birthday. It was at Backyard Adventures ... I'll be back!

After the party Dad and I got to visit Mom's office. It was really cool and seeing her building and talking to her co-workers was fun! (She'll probably have some "issues" with her computer when she gets back to the office, I was able to do quite a bit of typing when she wasn't looking.)

Today may have been the hottest day ever! I couldn't even go outside after lunch so Mom and I tried to pack in as much as we could this morning.

We filled up the pool and drug the slide into the yard. I've been working out a lot and, while I don't want to brag, look at my abs! (I really should go outside without a shirt more often so the neighbors can admire the view!)

Remember earlier when I mentioned that I'm practicing to be a "Butterfly"? Well, this is my "paying attention and really concentrating face". Thoughts? Input?

This week should be another fun one! Look for another update soon ...

Much love to all.

Pierce

Two big boy things ...

Hello, everyone!

I did two big boy things this week. For starters I went "cold turkey" and quit using my pacifier! I'm proud to report that I'm on day six of being completely pacifier free. (Now I just have to figure out how to get off the patch.)

The second big boy thing I did was get my first pair of shoes with laces! Mom took me shopping Tuesday and I wore them to school Wednesday. They are really comfy and stay on my feet all day long.

Wednesday after school I got to show them off at Grant's house! Mom, Dad and I took some food down and hung out with the babies (here I am with Nolan) ...


... then Grant and I ran and ran and ran around the house.

This weekend was special because I got to see lots of people. Grandma and Grandpa Houston came up! (It turned out to be a good thing that we didn't go to friend Chelsea's wedding after all.)

We played for awhile ...

... then I had Grandpa show me the new tractor books he brought!

Then another visitor arrived ... Carol Alton! (She's an awesome lady and I really enjoy spending time with her.) After we had lunch, she, Grandma and Mom went to HomeShowExpo 2010 while Grandpa, Dad and I hung out at home.

While the ladies were gone, Grandpa and I played tractors in the basement and had a lot of fun!

We also watched my Baby Einstein video about farming and tractors first thing this morning ...

... before I had Grandma Kathy read a tractor book.

After all of the discussions about tractors we decided to go to the park for awhile. Grandma and Grandpa helped me on the slide ...

... then Mom worked on her artistic photography.

Finally, before heading home I gave Grandpa a tour of the school grounds. Perkins Elementary is where I may go in a few years!

We got home and Grandma Maggy stopped by with her friend Linda. They were going to Chariton today.

I took a bit of a snooze then Mom had a great idea ... the wading pool!

I really enjoyed it. Thanks, Mom!

The day ended perfectly with ice cream from Snookies.

In the words of the great philosopher Porky Pig ... "That's all folks!"

Much love ...

Pierce

Another busy week ...

Sometimes it feels like I'm awfully busy for a guy my age. Oh well, I get to meet new people, do fun things and generally have the run of the place so I shouldn't complain.

Wednesday I got to spend time with my new friends Kiersten and Zach Maertens. Kiersten works with Dad at Flynn Wright and Zach is an elementary school teacher. Mom and Dad went out to dinner and I showed these two the ropes. (Hopefully they had as much fun as I did.)

Friday after school the rain once again interrupted my playtime. Mother nature must be mad at me ... everytime I want to outside it is either raining or too hot.

Saturday we packed up and headed to Chariton to help Uncle Chris and Katie work on Grandpa Mike's house. Grandma came along and brought Millie! It was fun to ride in the car with her ...

After a long morning of hard work we had lunch at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house. I've often heard Dad, Uncle Chris and Uncle Matt talk about Grandma's "magic bed" and never understood ... uh ... wait ... I'm so sleepy ... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ... oh, okay, now I get it. What a great place for a nap!

I didn't realize that the first tractor on the farm was purchased after Great Grandpa was out of high school (a brand new Farmall B). All of us learned a lot this trip thanks to some great story telling.

After the tractor talk I felt the urge to spend some time on the 4020 then Dad gave me a ride on the lawnmower. It was pretty cool but I don't think you could plow or move hay with it.

Saturday night Uncle Chris and Katie spent the night with us. The next morning we hung out and I was able to show Katie my AC hat. (She liked it.)

Yesterday afternoon Dad unloaded the car and I got to play with his wooden train set from way back in the early 1970s. (That was a long, long, long time ago.) Mom helped me put it together and we enjoyed ourselves!

Given Grandpa Mike's interest in photography it is no wonder that I too like to have a camera in hand. This is the first picture I've ever taken on my own! (I call it "Daddy Blur". Prints are available for sale through my agent and gallery.)

Mom also took a photo and had a steadier hand than me.

After a long afternoon of playing Dad was getting sleepy and started rubbing his eyes. That made me tired and the two of us rubbed our eyes together. I then noticed that he needed help so I jumped right in. (He was appreciative.)

To wrap up the weekend we went to a bar-b-que at friend Mary Day's house. The Dillons were there and I played with Maguire in the yard.

Until next time, my friends ...

Much love to all.

Pierce.