Unconventional School Poses

...but so adorable!

Baa-nah nuuuhh SLUG SLUG SLUG SLUG

Baa-nah nuuuhh SLUG SLUG SLUG SLUG!!!!

Ba-nana slug, banana-nana-nana
Ba-nana slug, banana-nana-nana
Ba-nana slug, banana-nana-nana

If kissing a banana slug brings good luck, what does licking do? Don't worry, we didn't find out.

Green Eggs and Salami

Chase and his Grammy read and read and read. This morning, they read a daring tale about the adventure of a chicken named Louise. They also read Green Eggs and Ham which prompted Chase to request the same for breakfast. Now, Chase's requests are less like requests and more like desperate yearnings for an immediate response. I sighed looked in the fridge and said, "What about green eggs and salami?" Luckily, salami sufficed. And after a few drops of green food coloring we were in business. But when he said, "Try some, Mamma." I knew my line, "I do not like green eggs and ham." He countered with, "Try them, Try them, and you may." So, gulp, I tried them and can honestly say that eating green eggs do taste different. And I don't like them in a boat, or in a coat, or with a rhino or with anything else silly that can rhyme. But Chase did, and that makes me happy.

I know, they do NOT look good! Would you try them? I personally don't know how I feel about that green-egg-pusher Sam. Enough already, he doesn't want it.

Happy New Year; Looking Ahead

Artichokes

This morning at Borrones, Chase made a declaration. "I love these artichoke waffles."

You see, Chase's favorite food as late is the artichoke. But, truth be told, it is the butter he is dipping them in. He tried crab a few weeks back and said, "I like this, it tastes like artichokes." But it isn't the artichoke, it is the butter. So when asked his favorite food, his answer elicits an ahh--what a great eater. But my ears hear the truth: My favorite food is butter.

April Fool

Last night, I quietly emptied all of the cereal. I filled the Chex box with Legos, the Raisin Bran with marbles, and the Crispix with dried pasta. This morning when I poured the boys their cereal Chase got the giggles and couldn't stop. James just kept staring, confused; he even tasted the dried pasta. But, then I yelled, "April Fool's!" and welcomed the day that is sure to be filled with teasing and tricks.

Notes on a Disney Die-Hard

I wouldn't call myself a die hard. But, when the rain came and we stayed I felt like the Disneyland elite. I want to go on the record and say: a wet Disney is still a magic Disney.

James keeps saying, "It seems so long ago...it was like a dream." He walked around with his mouth open the first three hours. Every ride was the best. But by the end of the day, he had proclaimed Space Mountain as his favorite. He loves speed and feeling weightless (I think my stomach is falling out, but he loves the drops).

Chase, on the other hand, liked the pool at the hotel the most. But, that hasn't stopped him from talking about the Matterhorn and the Yetti non-stop. "You go on a bobsled, and the Yetti ate so many strawberries in his body that his eyes turned red."

Cheerio.

Wind Therapy

When you are speeding along in a boat the wind seems to come so quickly you become apart of it; your face feels rejuvenated, the wind literally blowing life into you, your hair wearing the proof of the adventure. The wind really is a force of nature....

and apparently it's a well know fact. Leo and Kate learned all about the wind on the prow of Titanic (you know this was a great moment the first time you watched - too bad it got teased to death)...

Bob even knew the therapeutic nature of the wind -- he's sailing, he's sailing...

but these little ones are just learning about the mighty wind. How awesome are their (Lilly, Chase, & Caden) wind-blown locks?!

Thank you, thank you, Mindy, for a wonderful afternoon at the Delta!

Isn't this just the cutest. He has his life vest and his life saver (aka Blankey Blue). A sailor is always prepared!

Salad Days

Chase doesn't like tomatoes, turkey, spaghetti, tortillas, ketchup, chicken mcnuggets, fish, hamburger, cooked vegetables, and he can't eat normal cheese, milk, yogurt, ranch dressing and anything else with lactose in it (which feels like everything). And if he loves kiwi today - he will loathe it tomorrow. So, we just keep trying and trying. Last night the winning combination was - salad - that's right. Greens up to his eyeballs. I let him heap his plate high. And here he is - as happy as can be.

By the by, the phrase salad days isn't used very often but it describes the period of youth and inexperience coined by William Shakespeare in his play Antony and Cleopatra...Cleopatra quoth, "My salad days, When I was green in judgment." My goal is to now work this phrase into my vocabulary this week (it always seems easier to use strange jargon while I'm writing).

Eccentricity

ec·cen·tric·i·ty (ĕk'sĕn-trĭs'ĭ-tē) n., pl. -ties. Deviation from the normal, expected, or established.

What a wonderfully funny moment. If only eccentricity were a consumer product that could be bottled- Chase would be all over that market. I have always wanted to grow up to be eccentric one day - but perhaps I have to grow young instead. But then again, can you become eccentric - or is it something you are? Either way, I love Chase and the backward boots.

Smells of Summer

I walked down the path towards the pool and was overtaken by the smell of the pool - I won't say chlorine, because its somehow more than that. But, as I put sunscreen on the boys, I couldn't help but smile. The smells somehow take me back to summers I lived by the pool. I can even remember the smell of the wet and warm concrete as you would lie down to warm up. Anyhow, my fish loved the adventure - as did I.

Double Dare

Today Chase cheerfully put the silverware away - as you can clearly see he did it a very different way. The first time he did this, I quickly "fixed" it, returning spoons to their proper places. The second time, I shut the drawer, thinking I would fix it later, but I promptly forgot about it. When the drawer was opened - people had very interesting comments - I now know that the silverware home is sacred to many - its hard to see it in such disarray. But it was funny to me! And truth be told, it was all back to normal after about a day - we use silverware a lot.

So, here's where the dare comes in - I dare you, no, I double dare you to try putting your silverware away after the manner of the Chase...did you get funny looks - what did other's say - and could you even stand it?! Its a funny thing to realize that I can stuff pajamas in a drawer - but not silverware!

Lime Thyme

Have you ever heard of lime thyme before? I have heard of lemon thyme and of course plain old thyme - but never lime thyme! Anyhow, my mom bought some for her garden - I can't even think of what I can cook with it - but now my mind is racing. Here are some pictures of James and Grammy Kate gardening. Chase was busily preparing the soil - he is great at adding the soil supplements. Actually, before the new greens were planted Chase had seen the empty dirt and said, "Soil!" If that doesn't define a gardener...I actually just finished my resume and wrote "aspiring gardener" down at the bottom - so its official; James, Chase, and I are aspiring gardeners. The boys like the dirt part, and I like the learning names of different plants part. Thanks to our tutor, we may even have a chance of becoming gardeners - thanks, Grammy!

PS - the last three blog titles have rhymed - what is that all about?!

Chase's Phrases

For some reason, a baby's first word is one of the most anticipated moments. But, with Chase, I have been having a lot of fun with the next stage - his linking two words together.

Phrases he uses:

Baby Hannah (A family friend and most adorable baby)

Black Jersey (James is very into his own jersey and it is not a surprise that Chase has finally caught on)

Long Spoon (Again, James has a longer one and Chase's short one was not doing the trick)

Chase Turn

GaaGaa Melon (He still thinks GaaGaa is the word for water, so today I heard it applied to a watermelon)

the runner up is...Out Kitchen (A variation on "get out of my kitchen" and its said with a silly smile - I teased him once with this phrase and he laughs and repeats it now!)

and the best...Stupify Stupify (James takes a wand around and uses various Harry Potter spells on us all and Chase follows yelling this freezing spell - stupifying us all)

The Swing

The Swing

by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

My mom used to recite this poem to us over and over; it now comes to mind whenever I push my children on the swings. And I do agree that it is the "pleasantest thing" a child or grown-up can do. Aren't Emily and Josh the luckiest - to have these swings in their front yard!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Ok, more like Tractors, Boats, Kayaks, and ATV's...


We went to Utah, and my boys had the "time of their dreams" (to use my favorite Jamesism). The both love vehicles, only being crunched inside a garbage truck could top this.

Here they are, watch out, they don't have licenses...they called the lawn mower a tractor - and I think even Bompa Roy had the "time of his dreams!"

Ok, Emily does have a license, but still, no hands is quite impressive!

I am afraid I insulted Sun Ten Lake by skiing with two skis, but I did get up my first try - that's something. Anyhow, I've always loved visiting Jay and Sarah at their lake. They have the cutest family and there is always a lot of laughter. Now, how is it that I buy a lake again?!

Chase carefully watched James, and then decided this was a must. He walked over to Brandon with determination - oh, and I love the hood ornament!

Thanks for the great time!

My Painted Peacocks

I am a sucker for a bowtie.

James danced the night away; flower girls make great dancing partners!

I am afraid Chase may have had a little too much limeade by the end of the night.

Emily looked so beautiful - she just glowed!

3, 2, 1 Blastoff

I love the beach, and I love this sand covered face.

Alex brought the rocket and James was thrilled!

Ridi almost made it, and Ben did make it across!