Politics

Okay, so you know Gabe has been proud of his political knowledge. If you ask him he can tell you mommy and daddy like Barack Obama, which sounds more like a-rock Obama. So we asked him who he liked and he promptly replied, "John McCain."

Later McCain was giving a speech and Matt said, "Look, it's John McCain." Gabe ran over to look and said, "That's John McCain?" So, I think his choice had more to do with the name than the man.

Well, then Matt had on C-SPAN and Ralph Nader was on. Malachi was enthralled. He got mad if you got in the way.

It seems we have things covered. 2 for the dems, 1 for the republicans, and 1 independent. Our own slice of America. :)

Another post finally

We've been having some trouble lately with our internet, so it's been awhile since I have had time to write and been able to get online at the same time.

Both boys have stuffy noses. Gabe is considerably worse than Chi, but on the plus side, I stay home with them on Fridays anyway, so they will be able to stay home and rest. I don't expect it to turn into anything serious. One of the kids at daycare had a cold and now it's just going around as these things do.

Matt has a promising lead on a possible post-doc with NIST which I can never quite remember what it stands for but it's something like National Institute of Science and Technology, in other words, a national lab. It is located in Boulder, CO. We are okay with this. Colorado is expensive, but national labs usually pay well and offer good benefits. The only downside is that it wouldn't start until January so that causes some headaches. He's been in contact with the lab and was encouraged to apply to multiple groups, so we will see where that leads. He is still interviewing in the Netherlands, but that isn't until July and we are also waiting on Los Alamos. A friend has a connection and is passing along Matt's info with an attached recommendation. So keep your fingers crossed that something just falls into place for us.

As for me, not much is going on. I am wrapping up my job. I have a summer discussion group to lead and youth group and the summer trip, which is basically already planned. The kids are leading worship Sunday because Pastor will be out of town.

Last night we went on a walk and stopped at our neighborhood playground. While Matt and Gabe ran around, Chi explored the grass for the first time. He really liked it. He sat all by himself and looked and pulled.

Rice and Beyond!

Malachi is eating solids! Yea! So far just rice, but I can tell he's itching for more flavors. He gets annoyed with us when we eat and he can't have what we are having. But he didn't seem to handle rice in the morning too well, so we'll get that established before we add peas, probably this weekend. He eats rice cereal like a champ in the evening and did okay having it at lunchtime today. There is no need for coaxing. The spoon is held up and he opens his mouth.

I don't want to say we talk a lot of politics in our house, but Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain are recognizable names for Gabe. On the radio this morning he heard them talking about Clinton's win in W. Virginia. "Mommy, they said Hillary Clinton won." So, I replied, "Yes, she won one state yesterday, but it's not over yet." And Gabe responded, "Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama." Then I said, "Yes, that's right. Do you know who Mommy and Daddy like?" He promptly replied, "Barack Obama." It's cute. He's so proud of himself for knowing the names.

Wish on Gabe's Star

Gabe got a Star Friend stuffed animal from Aunt Amanda which meant he could go online to the international star registry and name his very own real star. First, he had to name his friend, which is a monkey. He named it Friend of Dog. Then he picked the constellation Pegasus for the location of his star and he named it The Gorilla. So, now when you gaze at the stars, The Gorilla is shining on you.

Don't brush your brother

It's funny the things you say when you have kids. I had finished Gabe's haircut and was working on Matt's and I turned around and Gabe is using the hair whisk to brush Chi, and I said, "Don't brush your brother." Then not five minutes later I turn around and say, "Where's your underwear?" He had been down to his underwear because his clothes had hair all over them, but then there he was running around, doing somersaults, naked as a jay-bird. Kids may say the darndest things, but they definitely get you to say some weird things too.

Both boys had their check-ups today; each had shots. Chi took his better, calmed down faster, but was still wanted to be held and cuddled all day long. Gabe cried and cried and cried, and said he never wanted to go to the doctors office again, but by the time he finished his hearing test which he thought was a fun game, he was fine. Not fun overall, but the doctor's office gave Gabe a book, sticker and sucker. Both boys are short, but otherwise healthy.

Our house keeps getting more and more labeled. We have words on everything so Gabe can learn how to spell/read. So our walls say wall, doors say door, etc. Each night lately Gabe adds about five or six more words. The room I'm a bit worried about is the bathroom, you know, water hazard. I suppose we could laminate them. But in any case, it seems to be working. We point out the words and ask what they say and he tells us, then later we write the word down and see if he knows. He's getting a few of them.

Almost Four

Gabe's birthday is just around the corner. For those interested, here is a birthday list.
puzzles
Ants in the Pants game
Elefun game
Don't Break the Ice game
bucket and shovel for sandbox
model magic
Legos
pool toys
and books
I can't really make a list of books. yes, he has a lot, but there are a lot he doesn't have and I am afraid if I made a list it would be too limiting. If you are concerned that he already has a book, just ask.