The boys made a snowman, doing most of it themselves.
And they made giant snow balls for bird feeders.
And just so Chi can try to break it with a bat.
As I post they are attempting a sort of snowball-henge.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Snow Day!
Well, we finally have some good packing snow. All the boys (including Matt) got the day off from school. Nothing like Mother Nature waiting until the end.
The boys made a snowman, doing most of it themselves.
And they made giant snow balls for bird feeders.
And just so Chi can try to break it with a bat.
As I post they are attempting a sort of snowball-henge.
The boys made a snowman, doing most of it themselves.
And they made giant snow balls for bird feeders.
And just so Chi can try to break it with a bat.
As I post they are attempting a sort of snowball-henge.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
DS'es and Monkey Pants
I'll fill you in on our questionable parenting. Malachi broke Gabe's DS. Not on purpose and not in one go. He just kept mishandling it, partly because he kept trying to get away with having it when he wasn't supposed to.
He wanted his own so badly because he was always getting left out. The neighbor boys all have them and many cousins. Gabe could play and Chi could not. He kept asking for one and I told him to save his money. He's four. How much money is he likely to save without allowance? Apparently $100.
Y'all kept giving him money and he saved it like a champ. Gabe would blow his money as fast as he got it, but not Chi. He wouldn't even throw a fit in the toy department when we left without anything. I would just have to say, "Do you want this toy or do you want to save for a DS?" Without another glance back, he would leave.
So, Chi saved enough money, and we went ahead and replaced Gabe's and let Chi buy his own. He would probably want me to tell you that Gabe's is blue and Chi's is red. This is a very important part to them. I know what you are thinking. Didn't he just break one of these? And, isn't four a little young for a DS?
Yes and yes. That's the questionable part. The teaching savings part was spot on. :) Yeah, we are a bit worried, but we've reviewed with Chi how to handle it, i.e., not dropping it or smearing food on it. And we told him that if he breaks it, we will not replace it. And, I don't like the fact that at four he is capable of playing games on it, but he is. Actually, just drawing on it is his favorite part. We just have to limit the amount of time he can have it. I just wish Nintendo would make more educational games for it for the younger set.
As part of the set up, you have to enter your name, so when you chat with someone, it shows your name, and if you and a friend have the same color, your name tells them apart. I stared to enter "Gabe" and Gabe said, "Wait, you don't have to just use your regular name. I want something cool." I looked at him and said, "Like what? Joe Coolio Monkey Pants?" Very seriously Gabe responded, "No. That's too long; it won't fit."
Ah, my child. His only problem with Joe Coolio Monkey Pants was that it wouldn't fit. Not sure whether to laugh or sigh.
He wanted his own so badly because he was always getting left out. The neighbor boys all have them and many cousins. Gabe could play and Chi could not. He kept asking for one and I told him to save his money. He's four. How much money is he likely to save without allowance? Apparently $100.
Y'all kept giving him money and he saved it like a champ. Gabe would blow his money as fast as he got it, but not Chi. He wouldn't even throw a fit in the toy department when we left without anything. I would just have to say, "Do you want this toy or do you want to save for a DS?" Without another glance back, he would leave.
So, Chi saved enough money, and we went ahead and replaced Gabe's and let Chi buy his own. He would probably want me to tell you that Gabe's is blue and Chi's is red. This is a very important part to them. I know what you are thinking. Didn't he just break one of these? And, isn't four a little young for a DS?
Yes and yes. That's the questionable part. The teaching savings part was spot on. :) Yeah, we are a bit worried, but we've reviewed with Chi how to handle it, i.e., not dropping it or smearing food on it. And we told him that if he breaks it, we will not replace it. And, I don't like the fact that at four he is capable of playing games on it, but he is. Actually, just drawing on it is his favorite part. We just have to limit the amount of time he can have it. I just wish Nintendo would make more educational games for it for the younger set.
As part of the set up, you have to enter your name, so when you chat with someone, it shows your name, and if you and a friend have the same color, your name tells them apart. I stared to enter "Gabe" and Gabe said, "Wait, you don't have to just use your regular name. I want something cool." I looked at him and said, "Like what? Joe Coolio Monkey Pants?" Very seriously Gabe responded, "No. That's too long; it won't fit."
Ah, my child. His only problem with Joe Coolio Monkey Pants was that it wouldn't fit. Not sure whether to laugh or sigh.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Hola
I am barely getting school work done, let alone finding time to blog about anything. So sorry these posts are few and far between.
Malachi wanted a "Robin Cake" for his birthday. Not the bird. And not Batman. Just Robin. So that was interesting. I had to ponder that one for awhile. I finally decided to just make a round cake and have it look like Robin's face.
He was happy with it.
We also had a "milk bar" where everyone got a choice of chocolate milk, pink milk, or white milk. That was a big hit with both boys.
He, of course enjoyed opening his presents.
Those pictures just cracks me up.
In other news, the boys are both in swimming lessons right now and will be through March. They are doing really well and they like it.
Matt has been busy at work because he is chairing the search committee for a new professor to replace someone who is retiring. We are both hoping that the process is almost over, but it's hard to get people in that department to agree on anything.
My semester is already busy. Each professor is assigning about 300 pages of reading a week and I have three classes. Then I have to also find time to get my research going, which isn't going anywhere fast, unfortunately.
At Gabe's school, they have Spirit Days sprinkled throughout the year rather than a whole week. So last Friday was Dress Like a Rock Star Day. I thought he was quite handsome. :)
And then here are pictures of Christmas:
Gabe was a Star Boy for St. Lucia at church. The Star Boys help St. Lucia pass out treats and also offer everyone a star for Jesus (representing his light).
It was cute, good food and Gabe had a huge crush on our Lucia. :)
Malachi wanted a "Robin Cake" for his birthday. Not the bird. And not Batman. Just Robin. So that was interesting. I had to ponder that one for awhile. I finally decided to just make a round cake and have it look like Robin's face.
He was happy with it.
We also had a "milk bar" where everyone got a choice of chocolate milk, pink milk, or white milk. That was a big hit with both boys.
He, of course enjoyed opening his presents.
Those pictures just cracks me up.
In other news, the boys are both in swimming lessons right now and will be through March. They are doing really well and they like it.
Matt has been busy at work because he is chairing the search committee for a new professor to replace someone who is retiring. We are both hoping that the process is almost over, but it's hard to get people in that department to agree on anything.
My semester is already busy. Each professor is assigning about 300 pages of reading a week and I have three classes. Then I have to also find time to get my research going, which isn't going anywhere fast, unfortunately.
At Gabe's school, they have Spirit Days sprinkled throughout the year rather than a whole week. So last Friday was Dress Like a Rock Star Day. I thought he was quite handsome. :)
And then here are pictures of Christmas:
Gabe was a Star Boy for St. Lucia at church. The Star Boys help St. Lucia pass out treats and also offer everyone a star for Jesus (representing his light).
It was cute, good food and Gabe had a huge crush on our Lucia. :)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Season's Greetings!
Sorry the Christmas greetings and letter are coming via the internet. I do enjoy sending cards through the mail, but time just got away from me this year. I made the newsletter and was sure to include lots of photos of the boys, but then I realized it was impossible to get them mailed in time!
If you want a full size document, click here for access in GoogleDocs.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Excited Exclamations
Matt sometimes says, "Holy Mackerel," or "Holy Majolie." So now, when Chi is excited he exclaims, "Holy Mackerolie!" Just needed to share that.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Time for the BIG Talk
No, not that one. The one about "is Santa real?" I have to admit, I'm surprised it lasted this long considering how observant Gabe is. I suspect he just didn't want to give it up. And it's not just that he suspects maybe. He knows Santa and I have the same handwriting. The jig is up. He knows. I know some people get sad about this moment. One only needs to troll the internet to see the amazing contortions people go through to keep convincing their children to believe in Santa. But, I'm not sad. I'm glad that Gabe gets to be in on the secret.
A few months ago, I saw this post about when the time comes to explain Santa. It was really good, so I am "borrowing" it. Meaning ripping it off mostly with just a few tweaks.
Dear Gabe,
You wanted to know, “Are you Santa?”
I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom and dad did for me, and the same way their moms and dads did for them.
I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.
This won’t make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch. He teaches us all about generosity and love.
It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Of course, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy. We all get to learn about the great joy that is giving, and we realize that Christmas always was about giving and not the getting.
With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mom
A few months ago, I saw this post about when the time comes to explain Santa. It was really good, so I am "borrowing" it. Meaning ripping it off mostly with just a few tweaks.
Dear Gabe,
You wanted to know, “Are you Santa?”
I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom and dad did for me, and the same way their moms and dads did for them.
I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.
This won’t make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch. He teaches us all about generosity and love.
It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Of course, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy. We all get to learn about the great joy that is giving, and we realize that Christmas always was about giving and not the getting.
With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mom
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Halloween
Ugh. I've been so busy, I haven't posted much. Sorry. For Halloween Gabe went as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Chi went as Darth Maul. They had fun. Thankfully, it was beautiful weather and so we didn't have to bundle up.
Matt and I are rushing through our end of semester work. It's going to go by way too fast. Matt also has a conference the weekend before Thanksgiving, so we are just going to be done with things before we know it. I guess I am saying, don't expect a lot of updates right now. :)
Matt and I are rushing through our end of semester work. It's going to go by way too fast. Matt also has a conference the weekend before Thanksgiving, so we are just going to be done with things before we know it. I guess I am saying, don't expect a lot of updates right now. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)