We Ride!

Finally, Gabe rides a bike. He resisted all summer, and we only got him to try a couple times. Although he protested, we made him try again tonight and success! 

He finally got going and really felt the joy of riding.

That was all he needed. He got his friend to ride with him. And he didn't want to come in when it was bedtime. They have made plans to ride tomorrow morning. :)

Of course, Chi wanted in on the action.

Here's what's happening...

Well, there is basically nothing going on in our lives other than the patio project. It's great that we got a ton of bricks for free, but it limits exactly what we can do. And digging takes forever. Ugh. I don't even really want to talk about it at this point. When it's done, I'll post the play by play at Domesticated Nomad. 

Oh, I guess I'm lying. I am officially going to grad school -- next week, gulp! All registered, and hopefully not biting off more than I can chew. I hope to complete my masters in history within the next two years. Things are falling into place. I've lined up babysitting for Chi (at no cost! Trading some sitting time with a friend), and we seem to be ready to go. I need to buy my books still.

Gabe's train table functions. All wired and running now. No decoration yet, but I think I mentioned that all we've been doing right now is the patio. Gabe's been thrilled that it runs, as you can imagine.

Malachi keeps leaving things in weird places. One day I opened the fridge and found:

Darth Vadar. Just hanging out in the butter tray.

And here's the goofballs gulping water in the shower.

Squalberries, Blananas, and Playing Church

Yesterday Chi had me sit on the deck facing him, and he stood with his hands like a book and then mumbled something and said, "You say Amen now." Okay. "Amen," I dutifully replied. More mumbling, but then I swear I heard something about the Republic of Naboo in there. "Say Amen." "Amen," I replied. "Okay. Good job, Mommy. Your turn!" Only I didn't really know what I was supposed to say. He told me to tell a story, so I started telling Noah and the Ark. He was satisfied, but apparently I wasn't asking him to say Amen enough. He kept interrupting to say Amen. What? Are we Baptists now? :)

Today for lunch he wanted to be sure he got enough strawberries and bananas. "Can I have more squalberries and blananas?" Awesome. Some words are just more enjoyable when they are mispronounced by a three year old.