I guess he was tired after all.
Monday, June 29, 2009
But I'm not tired!
Benny was tired. His tummy was full. His diaper was clean. But when I laid him down to sleep, he cried. After a few minutes, I got him up again. Maybe he wasn't tired after all. Maybe I misjudged his cues. I put him in the swing, and he was happy. But five minutes later, this is what I saw:
I guess he was tired after all.
I guess he was tired after all.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Percy for Sale!
The boys got out Ethan's Thomas the Tank Engine stuff a while back, and have been playing with it. Although Ethan is a little big - and Alex is a little too small - to play with it the way it's intended to be used. But hey, what fun is it to play with a toy the way it's supposed to be played with, anyway?
So on this day, Ethan took four pieces of curved track and fastened them around his waist.
(Around his waist. Four pieces of track! Why do all the skinny genes go to the little boys?)
Then he put Percy the train on the track, and proceeded to hawk his wares.
"Percy for Sale!"
Alex didn't want to be left out, of course. That red thing in his hand here? That's James.
So if you're looking for a train, come on over. We can supply all your railway needs!
So on this day, Ethan took four pieces of curved track and fastened them around his waist.
(Around his waist. Four pieces of track! Why do all the skinny genes go to the little boys?)
Then he put Percy the train on the track, and proceeded to hawk his wares.
"Percy for Sale!"
Alex didn't want to be left out, of course. That red thing in his hand here? That's James.
So if you're looking for a train, come on over. We can supply all your railway needs!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Summer Fun
A couple of Sundays ago, the boys and I went outside to play for a while before naps. Luke had just filled the pool up that weekend, but it wasn't warm enough to actually swim in yet. What is it about water that draws children? The boys were immediately drawn to it. Do you know what they're doing here?
Throwing things in the water.
What things? Oh, rocks. And later, dirt and sticks. That was Alex though, not Ethan.
And Benny just sat in the shade, chewed on his toy, and watched carefully so he'd know just how to do it next summer.
Throwing things in the water.
What things? Oh, rocks. And later, dirt and sticks. That was Alex though, not Ethan.
And Benny just sat in the shade, chewed on his toy, and watched carefully so he'd know just how to do it next summer.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Happy Birthday, Alex!
Alex is two now! Yesterday we celebrated with a small party. There were presents:
Big brother Ethan was a willing helper in opening the gifts:
Grandma helped him figure out the fishing pole:
The bubble maker was a huge hit!
Ethan bought the swords for Alex (with his own money, he's quick to point out!) and got two so they could play together:
There were puppy dog cupcakes:
That boy has a sweet tooth!
Happy Birthday Alex!
Big brother Ethan was a willing helper in opening the gifts:
Grandma helped him figure out the fishing pole:
The bubble maker was a huge hit!
Ethan bought the swords for Alex (with his own money, he's quick to point out!) and got two so they could play together:
There were puppy dog cupcakes:
That boy has a sweet tooth!
Happy Birthday Alex!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
At The Parade
Waiting patiently...
...only for so long!
Our Grampa marching
In awe
The sirens are too loud!
At Gramma's - Grampa lives there too
Cousins
What a beautiful baby!
My Three Little Guys
Benny And Grampa
This is what REALLY makes me happy!
For Ginnie (and everyone else)
Alex, our real basket case!
Benny's first "real food" - other than the occasional bite of ice cream that Dad sneaks in.
Waiting for the mono-rail train to come in at the Minnesota Zoo.
Go ahead hide my stool!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Bedtime Story
Ethan asked if he could read Alex his bedtime story recently. They both seemed like they enjoyed it!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Learning to Jump
Ethan and Alex have a little step stool that they find useful in a number of situations. (Alex especially likes it. He uses it to get into all the things that have been put up out of his reach.) Alex enjoys standing up on it - it seems to make him feel very brave.
Lately Luke has been trying to get him to jump off of it.
(Why are we teaching him to jump off things? I'm not sure. Apparently my lack of understanding is directly related to the fact that I'm female.)
Anyway, Alex is a little afraid to try jumping off the stool, but he still wants the fun of doing it. This is his solution.
Lately Luke has been trying to get him to jump off of it.
(Why are we teaching him to jump off things? I'm not sure. Apparently my lack of understanding is directly related to the fact that I'm female.)
Anyway, Alex is a little afraid to try jumping off the stool, but he still wants the fun of doing it. This is his solution.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Transitions
Ethan has always called us Mama and Papa. A few years ago, he started using Mom and Dad when he talked about us to someone else. Every once in a while, he'd ask if he could call me Mom. I always told him yes, knowing the time would come when Mama was too childish for him.
He'd call me Mom a time or two, and then forget all about it. I never made a big deal out of it, but I was always secretly pleased when he'd revert to Mama.
A week or so ago, he started calling us Mom and Dad. He'd do it very self-consciously, waiting for us to say something about it. When we didn't, eventually he asked me if I'd noticed anything. I told him yes, that I'd noticed he was calling us Mom and Dad. He waited expectantly, wondering what our reaction would be. I told him that was fine, that we'd always known that someday he'd get big enough to want to call us that.
We haven't talked about it anymore, but the slips of calling us Mama and Papa are getting fewer and fewer. It's becoming more natural for him to say Mom and Dad, although when he forgets Luke and I exchange a smile when he's not looking.
Sometimes it seems like he's growing up so quickly. I guess time really does fly!
He'd call me Mom a time or two, and then forget all about it. I never made a big deal out of it, but I was always secretly pleased when he'd revert to Mama.
A week or so ago, he started calling us Mom and Dad. He'd do it very self-consciously, waiting for us to say something about it. When we didn't, eventually he asked me if I'd noticed anything. I told him yes, that I'd noticed he was calling us Mom and Dad. He waited expectantly, wondering what our reaction would be. I told him that was fine, that we'd always known that someday he'd get big enough to want to call us that.
We haven't talked about it anymore, but the slips of calling us Mama and Papa are getting fewer and fewer. It's becoming more natural for him to say Mom and Dad, although when he forgets Luke and I exchange a smile when he's not looking.
Sometimes it seems like he's growing up so quickly. I guess time really does fly!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Spring Celebration
We did something a little different for our Easter activities this year. After reading this blog post, I decided to try celebrating spring the way she described. So on the first day of spring, we had our first "Spring Day"!
We started the day with bunny-shaped pancakes.
Then we took a short break to play with the Striking Venom. Because, you know, nothing says "spring" like robots fighting humans with laser guns.
Next we dyed eggs. Ethan was looking forward to this!
It was Alex's first time, of course, so he wasn't anticipating quite as much.
He really enjoyed it though.
And Alex found out what happens when you drop an egg on the floor.
That was so much fun I had to take the eggs away because he started spiking them like they were footballs.
Later we had a scavenger hunt (I forgot to take pictures during that). They found candy at a couple of the clue stops, and the big prize was a Hungry Hippo Game.
Adult supervision required, of course, until Alex is a little older.
We started the day with bunny-shaped pancakes.
Then we took a short break to play with the Striking Venom. Because, you know, nothing says "spring" like robots fighting humans with laser guns.
Next we dyed eggs. Ethan was looking forward to this!
It was Alex's first time, of course, so he wasn't anticipating quite as much.
He really enjoyed it though.
And Alex found out what happens when you drop an egg on the floor.
That was so much fun I had to take the eggs away because he started spiking them like they were footballs.
Later we had a scavenger hunt (I forgot to take pictures during that). They found candy at a couple of the clue stops, and the big prize was a Hungry Hippo Game.
Adult supervision required, of course, until Alex is a little older.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Blanket Buddies
In order for it to be relatively safe for Benny to be on the floor, we have a rule: no one is allowed on his blanket. Alex is pretty good about staying off the blanket, but he immediately wants his blanket spread out for him to get on.
He then gathers up a number of toys and sits there with his toys.
Including the cash register full of penguins.
What, don't you keep your penguins in a cash register?
He then gathers up a number of toys and sits there with his toys.
Including the cash register full of penguins.
What, don't you keep your penguins in a cash register?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Little Man
This is a hand towel that Luke wrapped around Alex after his bath; doesn't he look like a little old man from a sauna?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Giant Icicle
Luke found this giant icicle back when it was still cold enough for icicles. Ethan thought it was very cool! Alex just likes being where the picture is being taken.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
How to make brownies
To make Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies:
Decide after supper to make brownies while the baby is napping, the toddler is playing with his father, and the seven-year-old is playing with Legos in his room.
Measure butter, brown sugar, and white sugar into mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on to blend those ingredients while you go pick up the baby who is now awake. Because picking the baby up causes the toddler to lose all interest in playing with his dad, pick him up as well. (Remind yourself that this jealous phase will pass.) Sit for a moment rocking both boys to calm the crying. Give the baby to your husband and take the toddler with you to let him "help" with the brownies. Get eggs and milk out of the fridge while holding the toddler. Sit him on the counter (stand directly in front of him - we don't want any falls!) and shut the mixer off. Give him the same lecture you always do when he's near you in the kitchen. "Don't touch the mixer. It's very dangerous and it can hurt you."
Crack two eggs into the mixing bowl. Measure out two tablespoons of milk and add it to the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer back on, pick up the toddler, and return the milk and egg containers to the fridge.
Avoid running into the seven-year-old who has come to show you how his Lego clean team works. Return to the mixer and shut it off. Hold the toddler because the seven-year-old is now using the counter space that the toddler was sitting on to demonstrate the forklift, truck, and crane that help him pick up Legos off the floor. (They're all driven by little Lego men wearing hard hats. Safety first!) Realize that this is why it takes him so long to pick up his Legos. Get out the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa.
Try to pay attention to the Lego demonstration while accurately measuring flour, baking powder and salt into the mixing bowl. (Remember you're still holding the toddler. Don't drop him or let him grab the ingredients.) Mix until blended. Realize seven-year-old is done demonstrating and intends to play with the Legos right there next to you. Ask him to move to the other side so you can set the toddler down on the counter again.
Divide half the batter into another bowl. Pick toddler up and get peanut butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Return to mixing area.
Measure cocoa into the batter left in the mixing bowl. Blend. Raise mixer head and reach for a spatula to stir in chocolate chips. Freak out as toddler turns the mixer on. Simultaneously holler, "No, no! That's naughty!", turn off the mixer, and check for injuries. Breathe a prayer of thanks that there are none.
Realize what a mess your kitchen now is. Wash the toddler. Realize seven-year-old has had the sense to vacate the kitchen. Put the toddler down amid much crying as he realizes he's not going to be able to watch anymore. Get down on his level and explain that he was naughty and now he has to stay down. Harden your heart against his pitiful cries.
Shoo the dog out of the kitchen and wash the batter off the floor.
Overhear seven-year-old telling his father (with great delight) that he got brownie batter in his hair but he washed it out. Realize he's coming back into the kitchen to play. Right next to you. Tell him he has to take his toys elsewhere for now as you wash chocolate batter off the counters, cabinets, and your sweatshirt.
Realize there is chocolate being smeared back on the counters. Where is that coming from? Oh, there - you missed a whole big bunch on your sleeve.
Stir in chocolate chips into the batter. Ignore the crying and tugging on your pant leg. Measure out peanut butter into batter in second bowl; mix well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop batter in small mounds into the pan, alternating flavors. Put into the oven. Give one child a spatula to lick. Give the other the beater bar from the mixer.
Enjoy the quiet as they enjoy their chocolate.
Decide after supper to make brownies while the baby is napping, the toddler is playing with his father, and the seven-year-old is playing with Legos in his room.
Measure butter, brown sugar, and white sugar into mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on to blend those ingredients while you go pick up the baby who is now awake. Because picking the baby up causes the toddler to lose all interest in playing with his dad, pick him up as well. (Remind yourself that this jealous phase will pass.) Sit for a moment rocking both boys to calm the crying. Give the baby to your husband and take the toddler with you to let him "help" with the brownies. Get eggs and milk out of the fridge while holding the toddler. Sit him on the counter (stand directly in front of him - we don't want any falls!) and shut the mixer off. Give him the same lecture you always do when he's near you in the kitchen. "Don't touch the mixer. It's very dangerous and it can hurt you."
Crack two eggs into the mixing bowl. Measure out two tablespoons of milk and add it to the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer back on, pick up the toddler, and return the milk and egg containers to the fridge.
Avoid running into the seven-year-old who has come to show you how his Lego clean team works. Return to the mixer and shut it off. Hold the toddler because the seven-year-old is now using the counter space that the toddler was sitting on to demonstrate the forklift, truck, and crane that help him pick up Legos off the floor. (They're all driven by little Lego men wearing hard hats. Safety first!) Realize that this is why it takes him so long to pick up his Legos. Get out the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa.
Try to pay attention to the Lego demonstration while accurately measuring flour, baking powder and salt into the mixing bowl. (Remember you're still holding the toddler. Don't drop him or let him grab the ingredients.) Mix until blended. Realize seven-year-old is done demonstrating and intends to play with the Legos right there next to you. Ask him to move to the other side so you can set the toddler down on the counter again.
Divide half the batter into another bowl. Pick toddler up and get peanut butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Return to mixing area.
Measure cocoa into the batter left in the mixing bowl. Blend. Raise mixer head and reach for a spatula to stir in chocolate chips. Freak out as toddler turns the mixer on. Simultaneously holler, "No, no! That's naughty!", turn off the mixer, and check for injuries. Breathe a prayer of thanks that there are none.
Realize what a mess your kitchen now is. Wash the toddler. Realize seven-year-old has had the sense to vacate the kitchen. Put the toddler down amid much crying as he realizes he's not going to be able to watch anymore. Get down on his level and explain that he was naughty and now he has to stay down. Harden your heart against his pitiful cries.
Shoo the dog out of the kitchen and wash the batter off the floor.
Overhear seven-year-old telling his father (with great delight) that he got brownie batter in his hair but he washed it out. Realize he's coming back into the kitchen to play. Right next to you. Tell him he has to take his toys elsewhere for now as you wash chocolate batter off the counters, cabinets, and your sweatshirt.
Realize there is chocolate being smeared back on the counters. Where is that coming from? Oh, there - you missed a whole big bunch on your sleeve.
Stir in chocolate chips into the batter. Ignore the crying and tugging on your pant leg. Measure out peanut butter into batter in second bowl; mix well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop batter in small mounds into the pan, alternating flavors. Put into the oven. Give one child a spatula to lick. Give the other the beater bar from the mixer.
Enjoy the quiet as they enjoy their chocolate.
Monday, February 16, 2009
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