Photo Debacle

There has been a little bit of a mishap with the photos that were stored on our "fabulous" new computer. All of them were deleted. Permanently. Thankfully, all of the photos up until six months ago were backed up. The last six months are missing, but I have this lovely blog to help that cause. One more reason I think the blogging world has made my life better :+)

Choice Conversations

My boys both like to make noise: Jonathan by talking (a lot if he knows you well), Caleb by yelling. Here are some of the latest tidbits:

Future Employment:

Jonathan: I don't want to do to school, Mommy. I'm going to be a construction worker and drive a digger instead.

Mommy: That's a great idea. But school is still important, and you can be a construction worker after you finish school.

Jonathan: But I don't want to go to the big school. I'll just stay with you or go to a little school.

Caleb's take:

Backs up like a truck until he plops down in my lap (or any other unsuspecting occupants of the floor), book in hand.

"Tummm Bummm" Tumble Bumble

Mommy: Should we read Tumble Bumble?

Caleb nods. Up and moving after half of the book.

Jonathan loved storytime with Miss Ike at the local library. Miss Ike is amazing. She dresses up for the theme, has great stories, rhymes, and crafts. She even taught them the word "oviporous". Storytime has ended for the year, but Jonathan still talks about Miss Ike a lot. He even sang a song for her. He told me he was going to do it, but I was understandably skeptical. The child barely speaks in large groups, and JUST started talking to people at preschool in recent weeks.

As I sat near the back I heard the group of children get quiet and then I heard his little voice singing, "spring is coming, spring is coming...". He sang the whole song for her and the rest of the group. That action alone indicates how much he likes storytime.

Grammie and Grampie just came for a visit, so pictures will be posted soon :+)

Guess which outfit was selected by Mommy?

We fight many battles in this house, but clothing choices on non-event days are not battles I fight. As long as Jonathan is dressed warmly enough for the outdoor conditions, he has freedom to choose his attire and is encouraged to dress himself. Caleb still has to wear what I put on his little body.

Oh, so cute!!

Oh, not quite as cute... it was cold, but he wanted to wear shorts and the outfit you see is the result. Add to that a bright blue fleece for the outdoors, and he was quite a sight for the patrons of the grocery store that morning.

I will revel in the cuteness of the outfits I select for this little munchkin for as long as time allows :+) By the way, this is what he does when I say, "smile!"

Gorillas

Jamie took an impromptu day off (much needed!!) since he hasn't had a vacation day since January. We headed to the zoo. The gorillas were being crazy!! They were loud, chasing each other, and were quite entertaining. It was the highlight of the trip.

A ride on the zoo carousel

The most "frightened" I've seen Caleb. He was absolutely terrified the minute we put him on the animal even though Jamie was holding on to his little body tightly and Jonathan was right next to him. Jamie took him off and Caleb held onto Jamie's neck for dear life as the ride started.

Painting

We like to paint. Thanks to Grammie for the paint shirts - we remain relatively paint-free on the clothing.

Yes - there is paint on his mouth. He, of course, had to sample the paint for tastiness.

This picture was for Grandpa - we decided against mailing this drippy, paint creation.

Tough work Being Mommy and Daddy

I love to eat out. We try to limit the frequency of this event to promote healthy eating and saving money. Saturdays are usually the day we eat out. Kids eat free at Denny's on Saturdays (and Tuesdays) so we often go there because it's close to our house, it's kid friendly, and the boys love the bacon and syrup bonanza that ensues on their plates.

We headed to Denny's on Saturday night after a busy day of playing outside and planting new bushes in the backyard. Immediately upon arriving at the restaurant a power struggle began. Jonathan didn't like where he was sitting, and started whining about it very loudly. Jamie removed him from the table, took him to the lobby, and discussed appropriate ways to ask for things and not always getting his way, etc. As soon as they arrived back at the table, Jonathan began crying and whining about his seat. And, we left.

And, ate at home. This made me unhappy. This made Jamie unhappy. This made Jonathan unhappy. Caleb was quite oblivious and didn't care where we ate as long as food came his way. Parenting isn't for the faint-hearted. Or those who really want to eat out on any given night.

From the land of teaching a preschooler...

Reading to the Boys

What mother wouldn't love to sit the rocking chair, two little people she calls 'son' in her lap, reading stories? It is certainly not an opportunity that I let pass by very easily.

Jonathan loves to read stories. All kinds of stories. We just finished reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to him. He really liked it, despite the lack of pictures. He loves Curious George books, truck books of any kind, books about fire houses and fire engines, reptile books, and books about the human body.

Caleb likes to hold the books, turn the pages himself and walk around with the books. He likes to sit and read them only when he wants Jonathan's place on my lap or he has his blankie and is ready for bed.
Jonathan also loves to "race". Any kind of race. He gets irritated when he doesn't win, however, so he prefers to race his friends on his bike. Most of his friends are older and taller than he so it is difficult for him to win a foot race. The bike is another story. He is a kamakazee on that thing.

Caleb is a fast mover these days... I would probably classify his motion as running because it involves quick motion on my part to keep him from escaping. When we go to the park I follow, climb, jump... the whole time! When we're outside, I'm always standing. On guard for a quick motion that would put him in the street. Jonathan tested the limits of the street so quickly and so stubbornly that I was able to teach him not to go there after sticking with it for a couple of weeks. Caleb doesn't really try to go in the street so I have less chances to teach him not to do so. Does that make sense? It seems like the boundaries are easier to teach when they test them.

All this to say: life is pretty much status quo around here. In the sameness there is blessing so I am thankful.