We're Back

Awesome trips of weddings, camping, and really, really dirty boys to follow soon.

Talk

A picture Ben took of Sam

This was after the Zach had put the boys back into bed at night.
Sam: Daddy ruined my life!

Sam: Mommy, now can you get me some cereal?
Katie: Sure. Ask Daddy.
Sam: No, you.
Katie: Why me?
Sam: Because you get cereal very well.

While I was putting on liquid blush in the bathroom
Ben: What's in there?
Katie: Blush. It makes me look cute. Does this look cute?
Ben: I think you need more.
(After rubbing it in)
Katie: There, does that look cute?
Ben: Ummmmmmmm... It looks familiar, but not cute.

Sam's Primary teacher told us this story. Apparently they were in the middle of class when Sam put his hands up and said:
Sam: Everybody stop! I need to sing a song!
He then proceeded to sing the Veggie Tales song from "The Big Wall" movie.

After Sam got to the top of the stairs first
Sam: I won!
Ben: Oh, come on, Sam! This really isn't a race.

Ben: Girl, I mean Lady, my name is Spiderman and that guy down there (Sam) is Venom.
Katie: I see. Did you finish your pizza?
Ben: Ya, but Spidermans don't like the crusts. That's why it's still on the plate.

While going through their play food
Ben: What's this?
Katie: It's a head of lettuce.
Ben: (holding up toy celery) Is this an arm of lettuce?

Sam: Can I eat this apple now?
Katie: That's a really big apple. Why don't you split it with Ben. Ask him if he wants half.
Sam: Ben, do you want... a plum!?
Ben: Ya, I do!
Sam: Ben wants a plum, Mom.

After Sam wouldn't let Ben have the toy he was playing with
Ben: Mom, why can't you ever get what you want?!!

Easy Peasy Numbers

I've been feeling the urge to "finish" our house. It is sometimes like we're in limbo between undergrad-dom and being real people when it comes to our home. And maturity levels.

On an obscurely related note, the boys have been very interested in letters and numbers lately. I hung those name banners over their beds and now they can both (very slowly) spell out their names.

So, I came up with this idea to put some numbers into their room. The whole project took about two hours from start to finish with several interruptions. And this was the result.



The frame was from the As-Is department at Ikea for $2.50. The numbers are all freehanded out of pages torn from magazines and the like. The background is the piece of paper that comes with the frame turned around to the white side. Wicked simple.



The white frames next to it are also originally from As-is, but a long time ago. I'm thinking of painting them, but we'll see when/if that happens. It definitely makes the room look like we didn't move in by accident.




The boys love it. Especially the popcorn bag 8.

Carnival Time

It's that time of year again, folks. That's right, time for our neighborhood carnival.

We started with the pony rides, because you have to wait in line forever, no matter what. Ben and Sam managed to not go completely insane with a strange brew of boredom and anticipation. Then when we got up there Ben got upset because he wanted to ride the pony that Sam was riding. So, he sat out a turn and rode him after Sam got off.


Sam had this look on his face the whole time. The volunteer thought he was hilarious.



Ben (finally) on his white steed.

We actually didn't make it to a lot of the other events at the carnival because once the boys had these snow cones (pictured below), that's really all they cared about.


Sam with Blue Raspberry and Ben with Grape.

At one point we were in line for face painting, but Sam said he would rather just go and wait in the cotton candy line. So, we went.


Zach and the boys loving the magic that is cotton candy.

They did go and watch the little show the guy puts on, but I (very sadly) had to serve snow cones rather than watch it. Domage. But, all in all, it was a great day. Just a little freezing. What's the deal with this spring, California. Get with the program!

Sorry, small outburst there. The carnival was fun.

Father/Son Camp Out

Zach and the boys went on their first ever father/son camp out this past weekend. They had a good time. Ben and Sam said that their favorite part was building the fire and smores.


(Sam and Ben are being Buzz Lightyears and saying "to infinity and beyond!" Sam did not wear the baby Mikey ears to the campout, but he had been wearing them around all day.)



Sam and Ben Smiles



In the morning (apparently they were all freezing)


I celebrated the event by working on a sewing project, watching a movie on Netflix that I knew Zach didn't want to see, and booby trapping the doors before going to sleep.

keep talking

While attempting to convince Sam that it was time to send the Netflix movie he loved so much back
Sam: No! Don't send it back. Then the mailman will say, "oh, yay, I don't have to take any mail today!" and then'll he'll jump up and down.

Ben: Daddy, why do dogs have names?

Playing with two toy frogs they got out of a pinata
Ben: This is a girl frog and this is a boy frog.
Sam: Are they gonna drop in love?
Ben: Of course!

Me: What do you want for your birthday?
Ben: Brown chocolate and white chocolate.
Me: Nothing else? No books or toys or things?
Ben: Nope. Just a bag full of chocolates.

While looking for the coat that Ben requested to wear outside
Me: Why do you boys have so many coats and jackets?!
Ben: For snow and rain, of course!

(By the way, "of course!" is one of Ben's favorite phrases. Loves it)

if I were a rich (wo)man

...Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum...

Or not even rich, but financially sound enough that I felt comfortable saving up for something fairly extravagant. Or buying something slightly luxurious on a regular basis. Like Irish butter.

There are lots of good, healthy, stout, English feeling things that are good about being... not rich. Like learning to budget things out, being creative with your meager funds, and some other third thing.

But there are times when I just float away thinking of luxury. The following is a result of such flotations. Enjoy.

A really glorious bicycle



I love biking so much. (Not cycling, mind you. I hear there is a difference between my slow meandering and what they do). And there are so many beautiful bikes out there. One of my dreams is to live in the pseudo-country and bike into town to do my errands. I love it.

Rieme Sparkling Limonade



Have you tried this? It's amazing. It's sweet and tart, but in a subtle, hinting, very French kind of way. It's too expensive for us to get on anything like a regular basis, but we've tried it on sale. I want a special mini-refrigerator designated to these some day.

Flowers




Having cut flowers around the house is one of my favorite things. I makes me want to elevate an ordinary day into something magical.

This Chair



Or more likely something like it. I want to have a library someday where I can send Zach and all his books. And this chair would be perfect there. In my imaginary library, that is. Zach would probably rather have a recliner though.

Frye Shoes



This one is a little strange. I've never even tried on a pair of these shoes. And I don't even like half of their designs. But the other half... I can't really explain it, but I have developed a slightly unhealthy obsession with these shoes. And boots. Let's not forget them. Someday... sigh...



I'll wrap this up before Zach's prediction about a super long post about "things I can't afford" comes to pass.