Super Huge Ones

Jonathan (3 years, 3 months)

This morning Jonathan was sitting next to me on the couch while I nursed Elizabeth and he looked at me and said, "Mama, why do you have super huge ones of those? (and then he lifted up his shirt and pointed to his "boobies" and said,) "Cause mine are tiny."

And for the record, my "super huge ones" are a whopping B cup AND, I am trying to wean the child but she is not interested...it has been a slow process but we are making progress!

My owboy

Jonathan (3 years, 3 months)

Jonathan: "Mommy, my 'owboy' is itchy."

Me: "Your what?"

Jonathan: "My owboy!"

Me: "Your elbow?"
Jonathan: "No, my OWBOY!" (as he scratches his eyebrow)

Why?

Jonathan (3 years, 3 months)

The kids love the Richard Scarry "Busytown Mysteries" cartoon. It's all about the characters solving little mysteries by retracing the events and asking questions like "Who?" "What?" "When?" "Where?" "Why?" and "How?" In fact, there is a little song that they sing whenever they stumble upon a mystery that goes like this,

"Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

Huckle Cat you and me.

Let's come together

And solve another mystery."

Anyway, clearly the whole show is built on asking important questions about the events, etc.

This morning the kids were watching one of them and at one point in the episode Huckle Cat asks, "Why?" and right away I hear Jonathan say, "He said 'Why?' He needs a spanking."

I was cracking up!

Recently the boys have gotten in trouble for asking "Why?" when we ask them to do something.

For example,

Me: "Aden, you need to go into the playroom and clean up your cars."

Aden: "Why?" (in a whiny or disrespectful tone)

They are learning (some days more slowly than others) that our expectation is that they will obey without questioning or arguing. Apparently I need to have a little chat with Jonathan to explain that asking "why?" isn't in and of itself a bad thing.

Car Window

Jonathan (3 years, 3 months)

Aden almost always prefers to have the car windows down when we're driving. Jonathan almost always prefers to have them rolled up. The other day on our way to the beach Aden started rolling his window down just as we were getting on the highway and immediately Jonathan squawked, "NO ADEN! It will 'bwow' off my 'sunscween'!" And yes, he was serious.

Fuss Butt and Nonsense

Aden (4 years, 9 months)

Jonathan (3 years, 3 months)

A conversation/exchange in the car tonight:

Aden: "Mama, can I have the window down?"

Jonathan: "No! It will 'bwow' me!"

Aden: "Don't be a fuss butt!"

Jonathan: "Don't call me a fuss butt!"

(At this point, I start laughing because I know there is only one place they've learned the term "fuss butt"...from their mother.)

Aden: (laughs)

Jonathan: "Stop 'waffing'!"

Aden: (laughs)

Jonathan: "Aden, stop 'waffing'!"

Aden: (laughs)

Jonathan: "Mommy, Aden won't stop 'waffing'!"

Me: "Honey, he keeps laughing because you keep saying 'stop laughing'. If you stop saying that, he'll stop laughing."

Jonathan: "That's nonsense!"

(And then I start laughing again because I know exactly where he picked up the expression, "That's nonsense!"...from his father.)

Dreams

Jonathan (3 years, 2 months)

The past few mornings Jonathan has said this when he's woken up:

"Mommy, wast (last) night dere were twains in my eyes when I was sweeping (sleeping)."

and

"Mommy, wast (last) night I saw pictures in my eyes when I was sweeping (sleeping)."

and then

Aden (4 years)

This is how Aden has described dreams in the past year or so:

"Last night I watched movies when I was a asweep" or "I didn't watch any movies last night when I was sweeping."

Seeing (or hearing about) their perception of things and their attempt to make sense of all the new experiences that happen to them is a pretty cool part of parenting, I must say. It makes me wonder when I first had and remembered a dream and what I thought of it all!

It's Like Cheese

Jonathan (3 years, 3 months)

Last night we had a thunder and lightning storm. Aden asked if the lightning was yellow. I told him it was sort of white and yellow.

There was a pause and then Jonathan said, "Yeah, it's wike cheese...cheese is white and yewwow."

(we currently have Colby Jack in the fridge)

Ho-wee Mowee

Aden (4 years, 8 months)

We were out on a bike ride when we passed a row of Norfolk Pines. Aden shouted, "Whoa! Ho-wee Mowee! That's a HUGE twee!"

I'd never heard him say "Holy Moly" before (and I'm not sure where he picked it up!) and I just had to laugh at his pronunciation and the expression in his voice.

I love you so so so so much...

Aden (4 years, 9 months)

Every night after the boys get their teeth brushed they come and give me goodnight hugs and kisses (aka "snuggles"). Tonight Aden said, "Mommy, I love you so so so so much I'm gonna give you extra snuggles tonight!"

I had just spent much of our family dinner time marveling at how grown up and mature he is getting so his "little boy" declaration of love for his mama was all the more special.

A Little Leaven

Aden (4 years, 9 months)

Lat night during Bible time Daniel was reading 1 Corinthians 5 with the kids. When he got to verse 6, "...Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" he asked the boys if they knew what "leaven" was. Aden nodded his head "yes". Daniel said, "You do not." Aden said, "Yeah I do!" So Daniel said, "OK then, what's leaven?" and Aden replied, "It's a number Daddy."

Children really are precious!

Breakfast Conversation

Aden (4 years, 8 months) and Jonathan (3 years, 1 month)

This morning the boys were sitting down eating breakfast. Aden had a bowl of Cheerios and Jonathan had a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds. While eating Jonathan held up an almond and said, "Mommy, what's this?"

Aden replied, "A nut."

Jonathan asked again, "Mommy, what's this?"

I said, "It's an almond."

Jonathan said, "See Aden, it's not a nut, it's an almond."

Aden: "Ohhhh! (as if he's had an epiphany) like at the end of O Worship the King they say 'almond'."

Too funny! I suppose "almond" and "amen" do sound a bit alike...

Raisin Bran

Jonathan (3 years)

The other day I asked Jonathan what he wanted for breakfast.

He replied, "I want some raisin bran....without the bran...just with the raisins."

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Aden (4 years, 7 months)

Last week we made "Happy Grandparent's Day!" cards for all the grandparents. We got out the paint (all 12 bright and colorful colors!), stickers, sequins, glitter, markers, and more and set to work at making beautiful cards for "Grandpa" and "Grandma who belongs to Uncle Lucas", "Grandpa Jesse" and "Grandma who belongs to Grandpa Jesse", and "Grandpoo" and "Grammy". This was Aden's painting for "Grandpa" (I think). When he said he was finished I said, "Aden honey, don't you want to add a little more color?" he said (with conviction), "No, I like it this way. It's perfect!" He wasn't being stubborn or a quitter or anything...he just genuinely liked the way his "masterpiece" looked. Yes, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder!

His "Ice Cweam"

Jonathan (3 years)

This 97 cent Matchbox Ice Cream Truck is one of Jonathan's most favorite toys. He plays with it all the time, takes it with us wherever we go and gets quite concerned when its whereabouts are unknown. He calls it his "Ice Cweam" such as, "Mommy, I can't find my Ice Cweam." or "I'm going to pway wif my Ice Cweam." Who knew when we tossed this into our K-Mart cart last year that it would become such a prized possession?

He Notices

Aden (4 years, 7 months)

Tonight I put a new floral table cloth on the kitchen table and within 5 minutes my sweet boy noticed and said, "Mama the table looks pretty!"

Bless his heart, he notices. He notices things and has the thoughtfulness to comment on them. He'll notice a small vase of flowers on the windowsill, fresh towels on the towel rack, a new blouse that I have on, clean sheets on his bed, a nicely ironed shirt, a freshly swept porch, a carefully planned meal, etc. He notices and he lets me know...usually with a sweet smile or a giggle of excitement or an expression of gratitude. What a blessing and encouragement that is to me! There's nothing quite like hearing his sweet little voice say, "Wow Mama, you did a good job!" or "That looks nice!" after having worked hard on something! In such a good way this little boy encourages me to develop more and more discipline when it comes to housekeeping. What a dear child he is!

Thunder in Your Eyes

Jonathan (3 years)

This afternoon, while reading a story to the boys, Jonathan stopped me and said, "Mommy, you have thunder in your eyes!" When I asked for some clarification he drew lightning bolts in the air with his fingers. So I said, "Oh, you mean the streaks of blue and green?" and he said, "No Mommy, it's 'wed' (red) thunder...in the white part!"

HA! Yes, that observant little chap was noticing his mother's bloodshot eyes! I didn't sleep well last night and then the garbage man woke the whole house up at 5:30 so in case my little yawns at the end of each paragraph (or sentence!) didn't tip him off to the fact that I was pretty tired, it's good to know that the "thunder" in my eyes might have!

Seeing Baby Pictures

Jonathan (3 years)

Whenever Jonathan sees a picture of himself as a baby he says, "That was when I turned into Elizabeth." =)

Auto Seal

Jonathan (2 years, 11 months)

The boys have been obsessed with letters and letter sounds lately...thanks to Leap Frog's Letter Factory DVD and homeschool reading and phonics lessons. Whenever they see letters written on anything they say the letters and the sounds and if it is a word they try to sound it out. Anyway, the boys have some "Contigo" sippy cups (from Costco) and on the lid it says, "Auto Seal". Last night at dinner the boys were asking what the C-O-N-T-I-G-O spelled and what the A-U-T-O-S-E-A-L spelled. We told them and then moved on with conversation. A little while later I was giving Jonathan a quick bath in the kitchen sink when he saw the bottle of Dawn dish soap on the counter. He pointed to it and said, "Is this an Auto Seal?" I started laughing and told Daniel what he'd asked and the we both laughed some more. Meanwhile Jonathan just stared at me and then said, "Is it? Is it an Auto Seal, Mommy?"

So cute!

UPDATE: A few days ago (about a MONTH after I posted this) Jonathan was laying on his tummy and flopping around and he said, "Aden, look, I'm an auto seal!" HA! He STILL doesn't get it!

Tennis Shoes

Aden (4 years, 5 months)

I wear tennis shoes nearly everyday because of my plantar fasciitis. Otherwise I would probably wear sandals or flip flips (a.k.a slippahs) 365 days a year. The boys wear flip flops or Crocs (or go barefoot!) and neither of them even own a pair of tennis shoes much less worn a pair of tennis shoes since we moved here. Well, lately Aden has mentioned that he would like a pair of tennis shoes. This morning he mentioned it again so Daniel asked him why he wanted a pair and Aden (in seriouness) said, "To wear to my tennis games!"

Ha! WHAT tennis games? I don't think he's ever even seen a tennis match....unless, of course, the Wii counts!

Wed Potatoes

Aden (4 years 5 months)

Today I was pushing Aden in the swing in our backyard and he said, "Mommy wook! Dere's wots of potatoes and dere wipe. I know cause Dem are wed!"

Translation: "Mommy look! There's lots of TOMATOES and they're ripe. I know because they are red!"

He's so sweet!

That Guy, No one

Jonathan (2 years, 4 months)

As I've mentioned before, the boys both have a hard time with the "L" sound so when we were in California Jonathan called his cousin Nolan, "Nowan" (which sounded just like "no one".) It was pretty funny because he'd say things like, "I want no one to sweep here." or, "Is no one going swimming wif us?" It always took me a second to realize what he was saying.

Also, whenever he forgets someone's name (whether male or female) he refers to them as "dat guy." While in California we stayed a night with Mike and Beth Gillis. If you've ever seen Beth you'd know that she is quite feminine and very pretty. It was hilarious because Jonathan was asking about her and said, "Mommy, where's dat udder guy?"

Pronoun Problems

Aden (4 years, 5 months)

Aden is still figuring out the whole pronoun thing...

"Where are them?"

"Them are coming over today!"

"Her is going to get it!"

"Is her going to sit in her carseat?"

The cute thing/bummer is that Jonathan initially said these correctly but after listening to his brother say them incorrectly all the time he now says them incorrectly as well!

R's and L's

Aden (4 years, 4 months)

Aden uses the "w" sound for nearly all "r" and "l" sounds. This quote is from him commenting on the view he saw from the motor-home window on our camping trip to Union Valley Reservoir in Northern California.

"Mommy, I see da wake, a wog, a wock, and da bafwoom."

Yeah, the "th" sound is a tough one too!

Push Ups and Band Aids

Aden (4 years, 3 months) and Jonathan (2 years, 9 months)

Yesterday afternoon Daniel and the boys were playing around and Daniel asked Aden if he could do a push up. When he stared blankly at Daniel, Daniel said, "Do you know what a push up is?" Aden promptly replied, "Yes, it's ice cweam that is on a stwaw and then you push it up to eat it." (Ha! Thank you to his grandparents for that one!) Anyway, Daniel proceeded to attempt to teach Aden how to do a push up...it was quite comical! Aden couldn't figure out how to bend his arms to lower himself down. We kept saying, "Bend your elbows Aden. No, your ELBOWS. Aden, where are your elbows honey? Bend them!" All the while Jonathan is sitting on the couch just watching the scene and all of a sudden in his deep, little voice Jonathan says, "Elbows are for Band-Aids." I'm not sure if you've ever noticed but I rarely end Jonathan's quotes with exclamation points because his comments are always stated so matter of factly. He is the funniest kid! And OF COURSE, what else would elbows be for?! Jonathan LOVES Band-Aids and stickers and asks for one (or two or three or four) everyday. If I give him a sticker in the morning he will wear it on his hand ALL day and even go to bed with it. And yes, a missing sticker (one that falls off without him realizing it) has more than once been the cause of a major meltdown and I have been known to scour the yard/house/car/stroller/etc. in search of THE missing sticker even though I have a box of a bajillion brand new stickers in the house. And for the record, a sticker doesn't last more than 2 minutes with Aden. It ends up ripped in half, crumpled up into a ball, stuck to the floor or a piece of furniture, or gifted to Jonathan. Two such sweet but different boys we have!

"Spicy" Green Ball

Mystery solved. As you recall from a couple of posts ago Jonathan was referring to his green ball as the "spicy green" ball and we couldn't figure out why. We get it now. "Spicy", "Spikey"...it's all the same, right?!

Proper Grammar

Aden (4 years, 2 months) and Jonathan (2 years, 8 months)

Trying to teach your children proper grammar can be quite a task. We have been working with Aden on the proper way to ask for something and the poor child gets so confused. He usually ends up saying, "May you please get me some juice?" (a combo between "May I have..." and "Will you please...")

And we are working with Jonathan on independence and resourcefulness. He has made significant progress in this department but still needs assistance in the clothing department...getting dressed and undressed is very difficult for this boy! Anyway, we'll say, "OK Boozie, put on your shorts." and he'll wander around with his shorts in hand saying, "I can't how to." (Clearly a combination of "I can't!" and "I don't know how to!"

One day (a bittersweet one, no doubt) these babes will master English grammar...

Adjectives

Jonathan (2 years, 8 months)

Jonathan has learned a few commonly paired adjectives and now applies them generally...much to our amusement. For example, "big and heavy" go together as do "juicy and orange" and "spicy and green".

Some of our favorite quotes:

1) "I got an owie on my big, heavy toe." (Instead of just a big toe, it is a big, heavy toe!...I guess from all the talk of construction trucks moving big, heavy boulders and steel beams)

2) "Aden has a juicy orange bwanket." (He must have heard us describing the fruit on the kitchen counter!)

3) "I'm going to pway wif da spicy green ball!" (Yeah, not sure where this came from?)

You get the idea...

What a goose!

Talking to My Cup!

Jonathan (2 years, 8 months)

A couple of days ago Jonathan was sitting at the kitchen table drinking some juice and talking to himself. My mom walked in and playfully said, "Jon Jon, are you talking to yourself?" With a tone of "duh Grandma" he said,"NO, I'm talking to my CUP."

Hilarious!

Early Morning Eyes

Aden (4 years, 2 months)

This morning (really early morning...the garbage trucks came at 5:15!) Aden and "Grandma" were snuggling on the couch. Aden looked at her and (simply making a statement about her eye color) said, "Grwamma, your eyes are bwue...and wed!"

Poor tired Grandma! Bless her heart...she let me go back to bed!

Daddy's Post Office

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

Our church meets on the campus of Kauai Christian Academy and uses the bathrooms in the school building (which happen to be right next to Daniel's office.) When we were loading the kids into the car on Sunday I said, "Jonathan, did you go potty at church?" He said, "No, I went potty at Daddy's post office."

I'm sure when I said "at church" he took that to mean the place where we sit and listen to the sermon. Thankfully he didn't go potty there. =) But what I actually thought was cute was him referring to Daniel's office as "Daddy's post office."

Office...Post Office...it's all the same, right?!

Marshmallows and Mushrooms

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

Jonathan uses the words marshmallow (well, marsh-a-mewwo) and mushroom interchangeably. And he even calls his "Martial Law" Monster Truck his "Marsh-a-mewwo" Monster Truck. A couple of my favorite related quotes are:

1) "Daddy, I went poo poo on da big boy toy-wet and Mommy gave me mushrooms for my tweat!"

and

2) "Aden, my pizza has marsh-a-mewwos on it!"

Cold Tub

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

Yesterday we went swimming at Hanalei Bay Resort's pool. On our way there, Dave asked Jonathan if he liked the hot tub. Jonathan replied, "Yeah, and I like the cold tub."

We're pretty sure he was referring to the pool. =)

Yellow Doesn't Work!

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

Today Jonathan was drawing on a piece of yellow construction paper. He was using markers and colored pencils and would pick up a color, make a few scribbles, set it down, and then pick up another color. When he picked up the yellow colored pencil and scribbled with it he held it up, inspected it, and casually said, "Da yewwow doesn't work." and then set it down and moved on to another color. It was SO funny! It "didn't work" because it was yellow on yellow! I love that kid!

So Particular

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

My little boy is so particular! A few things that he has said to me lately...

Me: "Jonathan, get out of the street baby, a car is coming!"

He stops pedaling (in the middle of the road!), looks up and says:

"It's not a car. It's a twuck." (and then moseys off to the side of the road)

Me: "Boozie, do you need help putting your sunglasses on your face?"

Jonathan: "Not on my face! On my eyes!"

Me: "Jonathan, where are your pants?"

Jonathan: "Dere not pants, Mommy. Dere shorts."

Aden: "Look at that red bird Jonathan!"

Jonathan: "Dat's not a bird. It's a pawwot." (parrot...and he was right!)

There are SO many more but they have escaped me. I will add them as they come to me...

And in case you're wondering the first one is my favorite!

"hirsty"

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

"Mommy, I'm 'hirsty'. I have some-ting to dwink?"

Getting Eaten

Aden (3 years, 9 months)

Last fall a Gardener Spider had made our back porch his home. He spun a huge web in the corner of the porch and just sat there week after week. Those who know me well know that I don't mind most bugs and I actually like spiders. This particular spider wasn't hurting anyone (they're harmless anyway) and they are pretty spectacular to look at, so I let him be. Poor Jonathan was not pleased. He DID NOT like the spider and would hesitate to walk out on the porch because of it. (In his defense, I will say that the spider was huge!) Well one day I set up lunch on the back porch and when I called the boys to the table Jonathan stopped at the slider and hesitated. He didn't want to come outside because of the spider. Aden, being the sweet big brother that he is said, "It's OK Boozie, spiders in Kauai won't eat you. Only the spiders in California will eat you. In Kauai only centipedes will eat you." (Of course he meant "bite" and he was referring to Black Widows) But the best part is that Jonathan didn't even bat an eye at the mention of getting "eaten". All he said was, "Yeah." and then be proceeded to the table to eat his lunch.

And for the record, shortly after that incident I had Daniel relocate the spider and Jonathan has been happy and carefree on the back porch since!

Oatmeal

Aden (2 1/2 years 'til now and still going strong)

We love oatmeal and we eat it regularly. Aden has always called is "eatmeal" and despite being corrected nearly every time he says it ("It's OATmeal honey."), he has persisted. Well, just last week he showed some progress. He now calls it "oitmeal".

Not sure why it is such a hard word for him! Jonathan says it just fine...and always has.

Cheerios

My boys love to eat cereal for breakfast and they request it nearly every weekday morning. (Daddy takes requests on Saturdays and Sundays....pancakes, eggs and bacon, waffles, french toast, etc...and makes us all breakfast. What a great daddy and hubby he is!)

Anyway, Cheerios are a staple in our pantry and in our house they have become to cereal what "Kleenex" is to tissue. So, in our pantry we have seen:

"The New Cheerios" (Honey Nut Cheerios)

"The other New Cheerios" (anything new and unfamiliar)

"Ball Cheerios" (Kix)

"Fruit Cheerios" (Fruit Loops)

"St. Patrick's Day Cheerios" (Lucky Charms)

and my favorite, "Rooster Cheerios" (Corn Flakes)

Somehow, however, Frosted Mini Wheats have managed to dodge the "Cheerios" label and are affectionately called, "Frosta Minnow-Weets."

I know. You're thinking, "She lets her kids eat Fruit Loops and Lucky Charms for breakfast!" (gasp!) Well, it's written right on the front of the box that they now come with fiber! Fiber makes everything better, right?! But, no, not normally. The Lucky Charms were for St. Patrick's Day and the Fruit Loops belong to Daddy!

Tsunami Sirens

Aden (4 years, 1 months)

This morning the monthly tsunami warning siren went off and Aden stopped what he was doing and said, "That noise means that a 'salami' is coming!" and then as if he knew that that wasn't quite right said, "it means a 'samommy' is coming."

Too cute!

Shoes and Feet

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

Today the boys went with Daddy and Grandpa to the recycling center to drop off our cans and bottles. (They get to keep the $ for their piggy banks.) When they got there they realized that Jonathan didn't have any shoes on (he's our absentminded one!) and because there was broken glass on the ground it wasn't safe to walk barefoot. So Daniel said, "Boozie, Daddy has to carry you because you don't have any shoes." and Jonathan replied, "Yeah, I don't have any shoes, I only have feet."

It makes me just want to squeeze him!

Waiting and Waiting and Waiting

Aden (4 years, 1 month)

Yesterday Daniel went to "Great Grandma's" house to mow her lawn. Aden normally goes along and helps out (which is one of the highlights of his week!) but yesterday he had to stay home because he was recovering from strep throat. Daniel had been gone for a couple of hours when Aden said, "I'm just waiting and waiting and waiting for Daddy to get home. When he gets home I'm going to give him a hug and a kiss and tell him that I missed him."

It was sweet! He sure loves his Daddy!

And then tonight Aden, Jonathan and Daniel were out on the back porch "looking at the dark" with their new flashlights. Out of nowhere Aden said, "Daddy, I'm just waiting and waiting to go to Disneyland, Grandma and Grandpa Jesse's house, and my old house."

He really does miss California! He's been asking to "go to 'Conifornia'" since about week 2 of living here...back in July!

"Smatches"

Jonathan (2 years, 7 months)

Jonathan is big into comparing things these days. He likes to point out similarities between things by telling me that the two things "smatch" (match). His green shirt "smatches" the grass, his dump truck sticker "smatches" the picture of the dump truck in his favorite book, the bow in Sissy's hair "smatches" the bow in her doll's hair, etc. Yesterday while watching me give Elizabeth a bath he excitedly announced that her walrus bath toy "smatched" his new monster truck. And then he ran off to get it. When he returned he said, "Dis one has 'teef' (pointing to the walrus' tusks) and dis one has teef (pointing to El Toro Loco's horns)." Teeth, tusks, horns...they're all the same, right?! Anyway, I just love how he says "smatches"! It is so cute I don't plan on ever correcting him! =)

Straight Juice

Aden (3 years, 10 months)

Aden: "Mommy, may I have some apple juice? And I don't want any water in it this time."

Mommy: "Oh, you want straight juice?"

Aden: "No Mommy! I want APPLE juice!"

Ha! So cute!

Well, I guess the days of secretly diluting their juice are over. They're on to me!

I'm So Lucky!

Jonathan (2 years, 5 months)

The neighbors have a Chihuahua named Lucky.

A couple of months ago we were sitting at the dinner table and Jonathan was being his cute, lovable self. He was saying "Thank you Mommy for my dinner!" over and over again in the sweetest, most sincere voice and it made me realize how blessed I am to be his Mommy...he is so precious and I get to spend this time with him, loving on him, caring for him, and watching him grow and learn. I get to, day in and day out, experience the joy he brings to our family, etc....so I said, "Jonathan, I am so lucky!" to which he promptly responded, "And I am so kitty!'

We were all momentarily confused by his comment and then all at once my mom and I burst out laughing. His line of thinking: "Well, Lucky is a doggy. If silly Mommy wants to say she's a doggy then I'll be silly too and say that I am a kitty!"

It may be one of those "you had to be there" moments but it was hilarious! We laughed so hard we cried!

Guitars

Aden (3 years, 10 months)

Aden was looking at all of the Christmas photo cards that we had received this year and most of them were from friends in California. He saw the cards from the Dempseys and the Bates and started commenting on the instruments that Rick and Brenden played in the Cornerstone Worship band. He knew Rick played the keyboard but he pointed to Brenden and said, "What kind of 'katar' did he play, the bass 'katar' or the...the..." and I said, "Acoustic guitar. He played the acoustic guitar."

Later that day I overheard him say to Jonathan as they looked at the pictures, "And this is Uncle Bwrenden. He pways the "pooh stick" guitar.

So cute!

Bye Bye Dinosaur!

Jonathan (2 years, 2 months)

Great Grandma (Mary Jane) was leaving our house one afternoon and she said, "See ya later alligator!" The boys had never heard that expression before and certainly didn't know to respond with, "In a while crocodile!" So, Great Grandma explained it to them and then again said, "See ya later alligator!" Aden understood that it was just a fun way to say "goodbye" and promptly replied, "In a while crocodile!" Jonathan, who clearly did not "get it", shouted, "Bye Bye dinosaur!"

We all got a kick out of Jonathan's choice of creature given that Great Grandma is 85! Grandma was a good sport though and responded with something cute like, "Well, isn't that the truth!"

He's My Friend

Aden (4 years, 1 month)

Today Aden woke up from his nap before Jonathan did. He came out and sat quietly on the family room floor with a couple of books. After a while he turned to me and said, "Mommy, I want Jonathan to wake up frwom his nap. He's my frwend. I want to pway wif him."

They really are each other's best friend and constant companion. I'm so thankful for the bond they share.

So Literal!

Jonathan (2 years, 6 months)

We're in the process of potty training Jonathan and the other day Aden said, "Mommy, Jonathan went poo poo in his pants!" I let out a sigh and said, "Jonathan, did you go poo poo in your pants?" He said, "No Mommy, I didn't go poo poo in my pants!" (at which time I breathed a sigh of relief), and then he said, "I went poo poo in my UNDERpants!"

Kids are so literal!

F-F-Phonics

Aden (4 years, 1 month) and Jonathan (2 years, 6 months)

Today we focused on the letter "T" in our phonics lessons. I'd hold up an object or show a picture and the boys would say, "t-t-tape, t-t-tiger, t-t-toe, etc." but when I showed them a picture of a truck (which happened to be a dump truck) they both said, "t-t-dump truck" and then when I showed them a picture of a train they both said, "t-t-choo choo train". Clearly, we have some work to do!

Sweet Spirit

Jonathan Asher (2 years, 6 months)

The other night at dinner Jonathan was being his pleasant, joyful self and Daniel said, "Boozie, you have such a sweet spirit!" and I said, "Daddy's right, you do have a sweet spirit Boozie!" to which he replied, "Yeah, (pause) and I have monster trucks."

Spoken like a true car/truck fanatic!

Bird Song

Aden Thomas (4 years, 1 month)

Yesterday I sent Aden downstairs to pick up the mess of toys that he left scattered about the yard and a few minutes later I heard, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" in a frantic voice. I thought surely he'd come across a centipede or something so I rushed down the stairs ready to grab the shovel (to kill the centipede with.) But when I got down there he led me to a dead bird that he found (the work of the neighbor's naughty cat, no doubt.) I grabbed the shovel, scooped up the bird and tossed it into the vacant field next to our house. Aden looked at me with tears in his eyes and said,

"It's just so sad that that birdie died. It's so sad because we'll never get to hear its song again."

His words were spoken with such sweet sincerity that I nearly cried with him!