Week in Review

I sent Stephen to look for Andrew at lunchtime the other day. He wandered in and I asked what he had been doing. "Reading the Bible," he replied. "Revelation has some really strange things in it."

We had a special movie night on Friday which involved eating homemade pizza while viewing The Fox and the Hound. The boys found it quite inspiring: Andrew took up the role of the hound dog Copper while Stephen preferred Tod (though he constantly referred to him as a wolf).

Matthew provided the soundtrack to our lives: a constant whine that only changed in volume. I'm not sure what the nature of the problem was, but thankfully he took some long afternoon naps. I guess he does have some reason for complaint, however; another round of skin testing showed allergies to orange, raspberry, tomato, and sesame seed. This was on top of a respiratory reaction to strawberry the previous week. I think this is everything:

• wheat
• oat
• egg
• milk
• soy and white bean (we avoid all legumes)
• pecan, almond, walnut, peanut (we avoid all nuts)
• fish (we avoid shellfish, too)
• tomato, avocado
• banana, orange, raspberry, strawberry
• sesame seed (I'm suspicious of sunflower seed, too)
  

Jonathan continues to be jolly. His newest trick is pushing himself up onto his forearms to look around. It's really cute...except at 3 o'clock in the morning.

Bumbo

"The Bumbo Seat is a new concept in infant chairs. It is comfortable, hygienic, and portable,"


and can double as a helmet if you have older brothers.

Budding Artists

The boys have become very fond of drawing lately and have thankfully reached an age where they can be left unsupervised with coloring instruments.

People with Black Birds, Vehicles on a Dirt Road, and a River with Ripples

Stephen, age 4

Chick Hicks Hauler

Andrew, age 6

In Luv(s)

I've been desperate to resolve a certain problem with youngest. Since birth, we've dealt with "rear-end blowouts" on a daily basis (sometimes more often). It's gross. It's messy. It creates more laundry.

Something had to be done.

I have no brand loyalties when it comes to diapers (though I dislike the smell of Pampers); I do refuse to pay upwards of $.20 for a single diaper that will just be thrown away. I look for coupon + sale deals (and think I still have some bargain boxes purchased in January '09) but generally am equally happy with store brands.

Andrew required double-diapering for the first month to control leaks. White Cloud (which seem to have disappeared) and Target cheapos worked great with my first two; Huggies fit Matthew better. Jonathan has worn and leaked from nearly everything.

Frustrated and annoyed I pulled out a bargain package of Luv's last weekend, and I am happy to report that there's been nary a blowout (even after a long night).

How can I not be in love with something that makes my life easier?!

Mr. Sun

Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Please shine down on me.

Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Hiding behind the trees.


These little children are asking you


To please come out so we can play with you


Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Please shine down on,

Please shine down on,

Please shine down on me.

Good, Clean Fun

Frustrated at my own inability to get anything done, I did what any good leader does: delegate.

The big boys each got a chore chart with three tasks apiece (including cleaning their bathroom since I'm not the one who pees all over the floor).

Stephen energetically tackled his assignment, declaring, "I love doing chores!" and then proceeded to ask for additional work. I immediately pulled out the vacuum and he set to work.

Andrew worked cheerfully as well and then proceeded to conduct a scientific experiment with the power of suction.

Hmmm, do you think they can take over the laundry?

Right On, Obama

I firmly believe that TV and tired children are two of the main plagues of nation's schools. In a recent magazine article Obama remarked,

"There's no doubt that Michelle and I have more resources and privileges
compared with a lot of parents. We understand that but I don't care how
poor you are - you can turn off the television set during the week."

Instead of allowing their children to dull their minds with the garbage on the tube, the girls do their homework and then are allowed to read until a reasonable bedtime (9:00 for an 11-year old and 8:30 for the 8-year old).

A simple solution to the widespread problem.

Four Months

I just can't get enough of these chubby cheeks (and numerous chins).



I think his outfit says it all.

Valentine's Day

Way back we when we first started dating, the thought occurred to me that Valentine's Day is somehow unfair to men. Doug was the one who always treated me to dinner anyway (or maybe I should be thanking his parents) so it seemed I should be the one to foot the bill at least one night a year.

We've had some fabulous meals: Skoby's and the absolute best Creme Brulee I've ever had; The Starving Artist and an amazing steak; Regas and a most-overpriced "special."

Our days of romantic restaurant dinners are put on hold for the time being, but I can cook and planned a wonderful post-boy-bedtime dinner.

The Menu: Ginger-Glazed Tilapia with herbed couscous and Tiramisu

As is often the case, things didn't go as planned. Unfortunately I didn't look at the Tiramisu recipe before going to the grocery store (relying on my faulty memory) and left out a key ingredient. The boys were in bed early but then I was starving and had to pump and the fish needed to marinate and then the baby had to be fed. So Doug graciously got a pizza to go and served it on Christmas plates.

But, it was okay. To me it was much more enjoyable than eating overpriced food in a stuffy atmosphere.

Not Safe

Should any safety expert view the below, they would instantly pick out a number of no-nos.


While I put away some of Jonathan's outgrown clothing, Matthew scaled the side of the crib.



I don't know what was more fascinating: the mobile, the outdoors, or the content of his nose.

Jonathan was just happy for the company...brothers are always the best entertainment.

Sugar on the Brain

For some unknown reason I was singing, "Pump up the jam, pump of the jam, pump up the jam, pump it up" earlier and the following conversation took place:

Stephen: What does that song mean?

Julie: I don't really know. It's just a silly song.

Andrew: Well, actually you can pump jelly into doughnuts.

Freebie

Simplicity & freebies - a perfect combination: Simple Homeschool.

House of Perpetual Celebration

No sooner had we recovered from the onslaught of Christmas/birthday/New Year's, we were hit with another round of birthdays. And the fact that there's a 10 day difference between the brothers' celebrations only adds to the heightened anticipation.

But to recap, Matthew celebrated his second birthday during a snowstorm.

Thankfully he had two older brothers on standby should he require assistance with his presents. (For the record, I think he managed it by himself).

We then spent the next ten days or so in perpetual study of time, dates, and calendars so as to be sure not to miss February 9th.

We had a joint birthday party with both sets of grandparents in town for the weekend. (Doug pointed out the similarity to the old folktale "Things Could Always be Worse" - by Sunday evening our house felt so much larger). There were games, balloons, and streamers (or "ghostly garlands of Spanish moss" according to Andrew) and some psychedelic flowers.

We finally indulged Andrew's obsession with battery-operated vehicles, and since Doug has gone back to work, Andrew has had a chance to play with it himself.

Andrew enjoyed a birthday scavenger hunt that led to a bike helmet

(I just realized he's never actually made use of it) and a trip to the store for a bike, too.

Matthew's riding toy - a tractor and wagon - did not arrive until Monday whereupon I attempted to assemble the contraption while a certain 2 year old kept stealing my screwdriver. And, not surprising, our trip outdoors was as follows: Stephen rode the tractor, Matthew wanted on the bicycle but was forced to settle for a tricycle, and Andrew read a book.

Cake? Cake? There must be cake if there is to be a birthday. Sadly this is what I was reduced to: a plastic toy and some vehicles stuck on top with enough gel left in a previously-used tube to squeeze out a "6." Nothing fancy, but I did make the ice cream cake and somehow it was all eaten and Andrew looks pleased enough.

Matthew was thrilled with his two bone-shaped Rice Krispie treats.

And since Tuesday was his actual birthday, we required a fresh round of cupcakes.

It' a good thing we don't have birthdays every week. I don't think I can take anymore.

Andrew is Six

When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly Me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

A.A. Milne

Happy Birthday to our favorite bookworm. We love you.

Failure to Communicate

Julie to Andrew at lunch: For your fruit/vegetable choice, you can have carrots, oranges, or pineapple.

Andrew: I think I will have celery.

Julie: Um, that's not an option. You can have carrots, oranges or pineapple.

Andrew: Okay, I'll have the other one.

Julie (puzzled): Which "other one"? Carrots? Oranges? Pineapple.

Andrew: I think I will just not have any.

Julie: That's fine, but you won't get anything else before supper.

Andrew: Oh, well, in that case, I think I will have carrots.

Smiles Guaranteed

If the hair doesn't make you smile, his chuckle will.

See? I told you so.