These are all pretty Sam-centric. I'm not sure why, but here you go.
Katie: Share with your brother, Sam. It's nice to share with people.
Sam: I don't like to share with people because it makes me want to punch the people.
An effect of my attempts to keep the boys language clean:
Ben: Mom, Sam said "butt"!
Katie: Did he say it like, "I was going to do that, but...?"
Ben: No! He didn't!
Sam: I said, "My butts a cheesemaker!"
After Sam found the toy he though was lost
Sam: At first I was like, "what?" and then I was like, "yippee!"
Sam: I'm wasted on food. But not on drink!
Ben: Do you know why I want a cat?
Katie: Why?
Ben: So, if we have any rats or mice in our house it can chase them.
Katie: Sounds good.
Sam: You know why I want a dog?
Katie: Why?
Sam: So it can chase Ben's cat!
Sam: (yelling from the upstairs down to me) Mom! I want my crystal box!
Katie: (In a loudish voice) Okay, sweetie, be patient. And stop yelling.
Sam: What!?
Katie: Be patient and stop yelling.
Sam: What!?! I can't hear you!!!
Katie: Stop yelling.
Sam: I can't hear you, Mom!!!
Katie: (definitely yelling now) Stop yelling!!!
Sam: .... but you yelled!!!
After he got in trouble for being too wild with Ben, Sam came over and started giving me kisses all over my arms and face.
Katie: Thanks for the kisses, Sammy.
Sam: No, I'm kissing you so I won't be in trouble anymore.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Visitors and New Years 2010!
This is how you may be feeling about my shabby efforts at recording the awesomeness that is our lives.
All I can say is, "I'm sorry. But, really, you should probably calm down. There is no need for faces like that."
Now. Let's move on. A few days after Christmas Zach's family (Scott/Grandpa, Shauna/Grandma, Hannah and Emma) came for a lovely visit. It was much, much fun.
We showed them around town a bit, and saw a movie, and ate a lot of delicious food. I forgot to take pictures of these things, so you'll just have to use your imagination. And make sure to imagine them as being loads of fun, because that's what they were.
On New Years Eve we went down to Monterey to go to the Aquarium there. We've never been there and everyone was very interested in going. It did not disappoint.
This is a sea lion (or a seal? I can never tell the difference) That was just out on a rock off the aquarium.
Sam and the aquatic mammal. Sam showed just how much he appreciated seeing this amazing creature so close by using the telescope to look at the buildings behind us. It was free, so I don't mind.
Ben and Jelly Fish. He really enjoyed these.
Actually we all enjoyed these. They are very mellow when they are behind glass. Unlike when you see them at the beach and are constantly wondering if you are about to be stung. Not like that at all.
Scott/Grandpa, Sam and Ben at the touching pools. Sam tentatively touched several of the creatures and enjoyed himself thoroughly, and then went to play a game.
Ben managed to get pretty wet. He was very vigorous in his touching (and got the attention of some of the aquarium employees).
Ben and Sam under the wave window. They could have stayed there all day.
Also, while we were looking at the penguins, the electricity all went out and a barrier came down over the glass. It was pitch black. Luckily I happened to be kneeling by the boys, because they got a little freaked out. Then it all came back on and the barrier went up. All the penguins were out of the water walking towards their keepers, who had been feeding them at the time. Then later there were two penguins swimming around in the exhibit for the San Fransisco Bay. With sharks and seaweed and everything. They had no business at all being there. I think, and everyone will back me up on this, the penguins were up to something. Something mischievous.
Thanks for the visit, guys! We had tons of fun! Come back, soon!
All I can say is, "I'm sorry. But, really, you should probably calm down. There is no need for faces like that."
Now. Let's move on. A few days after Christmas Zach's family (Scott/Grandpa, Shauna/Grandma, Hannah and Emma) came for a lovely visit. It was much, much fun.
We showed them around town a bit, and saw a movie, and ate a lot of delicious food. I forgot to take pictures of these things, so you'll just have to use your imagination. And make sure to imagine them as being loads of fun, because that's what they were.
On New Years Eve we went down to Monterey to go to the Aquarium there. We've never been there and everyone was very interested in going. It did not disappoint.
This is a sea lion (or a seal? I can never tell the difference) That was just out on a rock off the aquarium.
Sam and the aquatic mammal. Sam showed just how much he appreciated seeing this amazing creature so close by using the telescope to look at the buildings behind us. It was free, so I don't mind.
Ben and Jelly Fish. He really enjoyed these.
Actually we all enjoyed these. They are very mellow when they are behind glass. Unlike when you see them at the beach and are constantly wondering if you are about to be stung. Not like that at all.
Scott/Grandpa, Sam and Ben at the touching pools. Sam tentatively touched several of the creatures and enjoyed himself thoroughly, and then went to play a game.
Ben managed to get pretty wet. He was very vigorous in his touching (and got the attention of some of the aquarium employees).
Ben and Sam under the wave window. They could have stayed there all day.
Also, while we were looking at the penguins, the electricity all went out and a barrier came down over the glass. It was pitch black. Luckily I happened to be kneeling by the boys, because they got a little freaked out. Then it all came back on and the barrier went up. All the penguins were out of the water walking towards their keepers, who had been feeding them at the time. Then later there were two penguins swimming around in the exhibit for the San Fransisco Bay. With sharks and seaweed and everything. They had no business at all being there. I think, and everyone will back me up on this, the penguins were up to something. Something mischievous.
Thanks for the visit, guys! We had tons of fun! Come back, soon!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Christmas 2010
Oh, ya! Christmas! You may have been wondering about that. Well, in a word, wonderfulness. We all really enjoyed the whole season and celebration.
The Tree
On Christmas Eve we had a dinner of ham, potatoes, carrots, green beans, rolls, and several bottles of sparkling cider. I love that stuff.
We also finally used the Christmas crackers that Mom gave me forever ago. That's why we're all wearing those paper crowns. Zach seemed kinda confused by the tradition, but they boys thought they were awesome.
King Sam
King Ben (with green bean fangs)
We let the boys open a couple of presents on Christmas Eve. Mostly those that we knew were books. And one I thought was a book, but was actually a puzzle. Usually the tradition is to open one present, but between the two grandparents the boys cup's overflowed with presents.
And they were extremely grateful for the surplus. (Thanks Grandparents, all!)
The boys actually went to bed fairly well on Christmas Eve and slept very well. Zach and I, on the other hand, woke up constantly, wondering if it was time to wake up yet. And when I was asleep, I kept having nightmares in which all of the boys toy presents had turned into church clothes and they were crying all day. I'm completely serious.
When the boys finally woke up we opened up all the stockings on our bed and then headed downstairs, having each already consumed enough sugar to keep us going through the present opening.
The boys as they came down the stairs (Ben likes to get dressed first thing in the morning. He is not one to linger in his pajamas, even on Christmas.)
Present opening
A few weeks before Christmas I asked the boys if they wanted to get Daddy a present for Christmas. These are the presents they made completely on their own.
According to Ben this is a rocket car. It's a regular car with a piece of the blinds from their room taped onto the top, which serves as a rocket booster. Utterly awesome.
This is a Sam's Christmas tree. It is made out of Legos. And it is fabulous.
Zach and the boys putting together their robot play ground from Grandma and Grandpa.
Zach loves this part of Christmas, by the way, the putting things together part. Especially if he can manage it without instructions.
Sam, laying in a heap of wrapping paper and empty boxes after the presents were all opened.
It was so much fun. We loved it. The boys are still talking about Christmas and pretending Christmas stories and today they toasted the holiday season with their glasses of milk. And baby Jesus is a regular figure in their play games. So, all in all, it was wonderful.
The Tree
On Christmas Eve we had a dinner of ham, potatoes, carrots, green beans, rolls, and several bottles of sparkling cider. I love that stuff.
We also finally used the Christmas crackers that Mom gave me forever ago. That's why we're all wearing those paper crowns. Zach seemed kinda confused by the tradition, but they boys thought they were awesome.
King Sam
King Ben (with green bean fangs)
We let the boys open a couple of presents on Christmas Eve. Mostly those that we knew were books. And one I thought was a book, but was actually a puzzle. Usually the tradition is to open one present, but between the two grandparents the boys cup's overflowed with presents.
And they were extremely grateful for the surplus. (Thanks Grandparents, all!)
The boys actually went to bed fairly well on Christmas Eve and slept very well. Zach and I, on the other hand, woke up constantly, wondering if it was time to wake up yet. And when I was asleep, I kept having nightmares in which all of the boys toy presents had turned into church clothes and they were crying all day. I'm completely serious.
When the boys finally woke up we opened up all the stockings on our bed and then headed downstairs, having each already consumed enough sugar to keep us going through the present opening.
The boys as they came down the stairs (Ben likes to get dressed first thing in the morning. He is not one to linger in his pajamas, even on Christmas.)
Present opening
A few weeks before Christmas I asked the boys if they wanted to get Daddy a present for Christmas. These are the presents they made completely on their own.
According to Ben this is a rocket car. It's a regular car with a piece of the blinds from their room taped onto the top, which serves as a rocket booster. Utterly awesome.
This is a Sam's Christmas tree. It is made out of Legos. And it is fabulous.
Zach and the boys putting together their robot play ground from Grandma and Grandpa.
Zach loves this part of Christmas, by the way, the putting things together part. Especially if he can manage it without instructions.
Sam, laying in a heap of wrapping paper and empty boxes after the presents were all opened.
It was so much fun. We loved it. The boys are still talking about Christmas and pretending Christmas stories and today they toasted the holiday season with their glasses of milk. And baby Jesus is a regular figure in their play games. So, all in all, it was wonderful.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
O Tannebaum!
This will be the first year since Zach and I have been married that we haven't gone to one of our parents houses to celebrate. It is both exciting and a little sad. Because we have always been away from home for Christmas, we've never bought a Christmas tree before. And that, my friends, was definitely due for a change.
I love Christmas. It is by far my favorite holiday (following distantly by Independence Day, because I love America and fireworks and I love being allowed to hold sparkley fire on a stick) and one of the best traditions of Christmas is the Christmas tree. It's magical.
They were selling Christmas trees close to our house, so we decided to walk down there and pick one up. We had promised the boys we would go that day, otherwise the rain probably would have kept Zach and I at home for fairer weather. I guess that's Christmas is the Bay Area for you.
The Boys ran all over the place looking for the perfect tree.
Sam, being silly.
We were pretty quick in deciding, since there were only so many trees in our price range and the boys were running around yelling about which trees they wanted (all of them!) and it was raining after all. So we went ahead and picked out our tree and the very nice man let the boys help out with the tree dolly.
Two very helpful 4-year-olds.
This was a great little lot, though they didn't have one of those tree shaker things that gets rid of all the dead needles stuck in the tree (which even freshly cut trees have), so I ended up raking them all out with my fingers and sucking them up with the vacuum (and then getting the vacuum clogged and having to suck them all up again after I cleaned out the vacuum. *Note-wet fir needles clump like the dickens.) Other than that, they were stellar.
We paid and the man asked where our car was so he could tie our beautiful tree to the top. Zach told him that we had walked and that we were going to use the stroller to take the tree home. He just stared at Zach for a moment and then said, "really?!?" Yep. So we strapped it to the stroller, which held it remarkably well, and the man asked if he could take a picture because no one had ever done that before.
As Zach said later, "Doing crazy things is how you make memories!"
Zach and the boys with our Christmas bounty.
We let the boys play in the mud puddles on the way home, which they loved immensely and showed their appreciation by getting completely wet and muddy.
Holly, Jolly Mud Puddle hopping.
We got the tree home safe and sound and put it up in the stand. After some consideration, we decided to wait until morning to decorate the tree since stringing electric lights on a wet tree had visions of fire hazards dancing in my head. And it was much drier in the morning, so good decision.
The boys attacked decorating the Christmas tree with much fervor and gusto.
This is Sam's Santa Claus costume by the way; a santa hat, his big, red shirt and no pants. He often includes a pillowcase filled with toys as well.
Ben and Sam getting presents to put under the tree. Also, for those interested, a belly shot (31 weeks). Lovely.
As you can see, the idea of spreading the different colors of ornaments throughout the tree is something that the boys have yet to really grasp. There are some who go their who lives without really having a grasp on this concept, but I'm hoping I can still instill it in the boys. I've been moving some of the ornaments around, for both practical and aesthetic reasons since we put it up, but the boys keep moving them again afterwards, so it is something of an exercise in futility.
Ben and Sam after triumphantly decorating their first Christmas tree. How lovely are thy branches indeed, Tannebaum!
I love Christmas. It is by far my favorite holiday (following distantly by Independence Day, because I love America and fireworks and I love being allowed to hold sparkley fire on a stick) and one of the best traditions of Christmas is the Christmas tree. It's magical.
They were selling Christmas trees close to our house, so we decided to walk down there and pick one up. We had promised the boys we would go that day, otherwise the rain probably would have kept Zach and I at home for fairer weather. I guess that's Christmas is the Bay Area for you.
The Boys ran all over the place looking for the perfect tree.
Sam, being silly.
We were pretty quick in deciding, since there were only so many trees in our price range and the boys were running around yelling about which trees they wanted (all of them!) and it was raining after all. So we went ahead and picked out our tree and the very nice man let the boys help out with the tree dolly.
Two very helpful 4-year-olds.
This was a great little lot, though they didn't have one of those tree shaker things that gets rid of all the dead needles stuck in the tree (which even freshly cut trees have), so I ended up raking them all out with my fingers and sucking them up with the vacuum (and then getting the vacuum clogged and having to suck them all up again after I cleaned out the vacuum. *Note-wet fir needles clump like the dickens.) Other than that, they were stellar.
We paid and the man asked where our car was so he could tie our beautiful tree to the top. Zach told him that we had walked and that we were going to use the stroller to take the tree home. He just stared at Zach for a moment and then said, "really?!?" Yep. So we strapped it to the stroller, which held it remarkably well, and the man asked if he could take a picture because no one had ever done that before.
As Zach said later, "Doing crazy things is how you make memories!"
Zach and the boys with our Christmas bounty.
We let the boys play in the mud puddles on the way home, which they loved immensely and showed their appreciation by getting completely wet and muddy.
Holly, Jolly Mud Puddle hopping.
We got the tree home safe and sound and put it up in the stand. After some consideration, we decided to wait until morning to decorate the tree since stringing electric lights on a wet tree had visions of fire hazards dancing in my head. And it was much drier in the morning, so good decision.
The boys attacked decorating the Christmas tree with much fervor and gusto.
This is Sam's Santa Claus costume by the way; a santa hat, his big, red shirt and no pants. He often includes a pillowcase filled with toys as well.
Ben and Sam getting presents to put under the tree. Also, for those interested, a belly shot (31 weeks). Lovely.
As you can see, the idea of spreading the different colors of ornaments throughout the tree is something that the boys have yet to really grasp. There are some who go their who lives without really having a grasp on this concept, but I'm hoping I can still instill it in the boys. I've been moving some of the ornaments around, for both practical and aesthetic reasons since we put it up, but the boys keep moving them again afterwards, so it is something of an exercise in futility.
Ben and Sam after triumphantly decorating their first Christmas tree. How lovely are thy branches indeed, Tannebaum!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Boy Talk
Sam: I'm being Santa, so you need to be an elf.
Ben: But my ears aren't pointy.
Sam: Just pretend they're pointy!
Ben: (making up this song in bed) God is true and he's never gonna not be true!!! He will save me all day loooong!!
Sam: (Talking to himself in the bathroom) Uno! Dos! Tres!
Katie: Sam, are you done?
Sam: No, amigo!
Sam: Mom, do you know where my calendar is?
Ben: Maybe you lost it.
Sam: Don't talk to me about losing!!
Ben: (Singing over and over) Mr. Golden sun won't you shine down on me! Mr. Golden sun won't you shine on me!
Ben: But my ears aren't pointy.
Sam: Just pretend they're pointy!
Ben: (making up this song in bed) God is true and he's never gonna not be true!!! He will save me all day loooong!!
Sam: (Talking to himself in the bathroom) Uno! Dos! Tres!
Katie: Sam, are you done?
Sam: No, amigo!
Sam: Mom, do you know where my calendar is?
Ben: Maybe you lost it.
Sam: Don't talk to me about losing!!
Ben: (Singing over and over) Mr. Golden sun won't you shine down on me! Mr. Golden sun won't you shine on me!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thanksgiving Review
Because my brain is not completely working these days (at least half my physical and mental energy is building a small human cell by cell as we speak) I forgot to bring our camera with us on our trip to Washington. But, trust me, it was awesome. The boys had been praying for snow for a while now, and we had told them that there was a tiny chance that it might snow while we were in Washington for Thanksgiving, so they latched onto that. And prayed with all the faith and fervor a four-year-old could muster.
And it came to pass that the wind changed and brought down some freakin' cold weather from Alaska and totally threw the poor residents for a loop (since they are used to pretty mild winters and not that early anyway). Driving was hard, since they didn't have enough salt for the roads yet, but the boys were absolutely delighted and spent a lot of time outside getting frozen.
We got to spend a lot of time with Zach's family, snuggled up in their house with a fire going and hot chocolate and dogs that like to snuggle under blankets with you (until they are jumped on by playful little boys). And we got to see some movies (Megamind and Tangled). I think the boys will begin to associate the movie theater experience with grandparents, since that's the only time we actually go to the movies. And we ate a huge, scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner at Zach's grandfather's house in the Washington countryside. It was lovely!
So, I'm thankful for snow and prayer and family. And hot chocolate. And fire places. And crossing back over into California, where we didn't need jackets anymore.
And it came to pass that the wind changed and brought down some freakin' cold weather from Alaska and totally threw the poor residents for a loop (since they are used to pretty mild winters and not that early anyway). Driving was hard, since they didn't have enough salt for the roads yet, but the boys were absolutely delighted and spent a lot of time outside getting frozen.
We got to spend a lot of time with Zach's family, snuggled up in their house with a fire going and hot chocolate and dogs that like to snuggle under blankets with you (until they are jumped on by playful little boys). And we got to see some movies (Megamind and Tangled). I think the boys will begin to associate the movie theater experience with grandparents, since that's the only time we actually go to the movies. And we ate a huge, scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner at Zach's grandfather's house in the Washington countryside. It was lovely!
So, I'm thankful for snow and prayer and family. And hot chocolate. And fire places. And crossing back over into California, where we didn't need jackets anymore.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Project Girlification - Part 1
We have a lot of baby clothes. I would even say that we have a plethora of baby clothes. After the boys were born I was convinced that we were going to have another set of twins and would rue the day we got rid of any of our doubles of baby things. The number of onsies is pretty ridiculous.
But as you can see from this lovely picture of our little one, my preparations were for naught.
So, we haven't bought too many clothes for this baby girl, because we do have so, so many. I separated out the gender neutral things and now I'm trying to girly up some of the other things. We started by dyeing a batch of blue clothes purple.
Before: Blue Clothes
After: Very purple clothes
I wish I hadn't left them in for so long, but my experience with dyeing in the past has always been to leave them in longer for better color. But, sadly, not this time. I still like the deep purple, it's just a little intense.
I did a second batch, and these spent much less time in the dye. I prefer these. Especially the striped purple onsie on the right. It's awesome.
Below is one of the boy's little jumper. The color is neutral enough, but the blue airplane seemed pretty boyish.
So, I covered it up with a red felt heart. I really, really like it, despite my less than stellar ability to sew straight lines.
The boys have requested that we do a pink batch next. I'm also going to make some little skirts to go over onsies. Dressing girls is a lot of fun, by the way.
But as you can see from this lovely picture of our little one, my preparations were for naught.
So, we haven't bought too many clothes for this baby girl, because we do have so, so many. I separated out the gender neutral things and now I'm trying to girly up some of the other things. We started by dyeing a batch of blue clothes purple.
Before: Blue Clothes
After: Very purple clothes
I wish I hadn't left them in for so long, but my experience with dyeing in the past has always been to leave them in longer for better color. But, sadly, not this time. I still like the deep purple, it's just a little intense.
I did a second batch, and these spent much less time in the dye. I prefer these. Especially the striped purple onsie on the right. It's awesome.
Below is one of the boy's little jumper. The color is neutral enough, but the blue airplane seemed pretty boyish.
So, I covered it up with a red felt heart. I really, really like it, despite my less than stellar ability to sew straight lines.
The boys have requested that we do a pink batch next. I'm also going to make some little skirts to go over onsies. Dressing girls is a lot of fun, by the way.
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