Yesterday afternoon, I piled the boys into the car and headed off to Osage park to meet some friends. We were listening to the radio and as I pulled the car into the parking lot a reporter announced that there was a mountain lion sighting behind the park earlier in the day. I called our friends and arranged to meet elsewhere. Following is as close to the actual conversation that M and I proceeded to have as I can recall.
Me: "Boys, we have to go to a different park.
M: "Why?"
Me: "Uhhhhh. There was a big animal near the park so we have to go to a different park."
M: "A scary animal?"
Me: "Yes, it was a scary animal?"
M: "An elephant, Mommy?"
Me: "No, it wasn't an elephant, M. We only see elephants at the zoo."
M: "Oh. What animal, Mommy?"
Me: "It was a mountain lion."
M: "We go back and see lion mountain, Mommy?"
Me: "No. We are not going back to see the MOUNTAIN LION, M. We are going to a different park."
M: "I tell grandpa that we saw lion mountain. We go and see grandpa safta, Mommy? Can you set it up?"
Apparently, I have been relegated to the role of secretary. Can you set it up? Can you believe it? It's moments until he he'll be heading business meetings...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Bike Riding
On Saturday, Papa Bear and I took the boys on a bike ride to the park. P.B.'s bike was hooked up to a trailer that holds the boys and any other stuff that we may need along the way and at the park. I'm guessing that this adds another hundred or so pounds to P.B's load which is especially important to note since our route was fairly hilly.
We struggled our way up the hills and were relieved to feel the breeze on the infrequent down slopes. The fact that it was a super hot day didn't help the fact that we had to work our rear ends off to get up a few of those hills...especially P.B. carrying those behemoths we call our children. Anyway, M and B were yelling, "Wheeeeeeee." while we were going down the hills, clearly having the time of their lives. (Apparently we don't need to take them on amusement park rides; we've just been wasting our money.) We had just finished riding down an especially steep hill and were struggling up an awful hill when M said, "Baba! Go faster!" That little boy is lucky that P.B. didn't stop the bike and dump him off on the side of the road.
We struggled our way up the hills and were relieved to feel the breeze on the infrequent down slopes. The fact that it was a super hot day didn't help the fact that we had to work our rear ends off to get up a few of those hills...especially P.B. carrying those behemoths we call our children. Anyway, M and B were yelling, "Wheeeeeeee." while we were going down the hills, clearly having the time of their lives. (Apparently we don't need to take them on amusement park rides; we've just been wasting our money.) We had just finished riding down an especially steep hill and were struggling up an awful hill when M said, "Baba! Go faster!" That little boy is lucky that P.B. didn't stop the bike and dump him off on the side of the road.
Movin' On Up
B has officially made it to the 75th percentile. He had his 18 month well check appointment today and weighed in at 27 lbs. 4 oz. and was measured at 33 inches long. (I wonder if he can now fight in the heavyweight category. I couldn't be more proud.) The boy who used to be squarely in the 50th percentile at every appointment has finally begun to display characteristics from his father's gene pool. However, B still has another 15 percentage points to hit before he reaches his brother's category.
True to form, B was fully aware of what a doctor's appointment entails and began SCREAMING as soon as the nurse entered the patient room with us. She made several comments along the lines of worrying that others might think she was pulling out his finger nails one by one and that she was just warming B up for the doctor. Apparently, most kids don't scream/carry-on/become drama-queens like this until they are at least 2 years old. Well, B is not one to dilly-dally when it comes to letting others know about his displeasure and this was no exception. Fortunately, the doctor is AWESOME and B didn't cry even once after he came into the room. He has a real knack at making the little ones feel comfortable...he even gave B a train book to take home with him...bet you didn't know that Kaiser now pays you to bring your kids to appointments:)
Next appointment in 6 months. Do you think he'll remember the injections?
True to form, B was fully aware of what a doctor's appointment entails and began SCREAMING as soon as the nurse entered the patient room with us. She made several comments along the lines of worrying that others might think she was pulling out his finger nails one by one and that she was just warming B up for the doctor. Apparently, most kids don't scream/carry-on/become drama-queens like this until they are at least 2 years old. Well, B is not one to dilly-dally when it comes to letting others know about his displeasure and this was no exception. Fortunately, the doctor is AWESOME and B didn't cry even once after he came into the room. He has a real knack at making the little ones feel comfortable...he even gave B a train book to take home with him...bet you didn't know that Kaiser now pays you to bring your kids to appointments:)
Next appointment in 6 months. Do you think he'll remember the injections?
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Ketchup
Last weekend we went to L.A. to visit Grandpa and Safta and go to Disneyland. One of the nights Papa Bear and I took the boys out for fast food...we are such big spenders. B tried to feed me a french fry by shoving it into my mouth. I kindly declined. B wouldn't take no for an answer and continued trying to force feed me the fry. Was this worth a fight?
Finally giving in to the inevitable, I realized that I was not going to win this battle of the wills over a stupid french fry. However, if I was going to eat this french fry, I wanted some ketchup so I asked B for some ketchup. He stopped. He squinted his eyes as if thinking. He put the french fry down on the paper covered tray. He put his fingers into the ketchup and tried to give me a fist full of ketchup...no french fry included.
I guess my instructions could use some clarity. Sometimes it takes a toddler to point out the logistical errors with your speech.
Finally giving in to the inevitable, I realized that I was not going to win this battle of the wills over a stupid french fry. However, if I was going to eat this french fry, I wanted some ketchup so I asked B for some ketchup. He stopped. He squinted his eyes as if thinking. He put the french fry down on the paper covered tray. He put his fingers into the ketchup and tried to give me a fist full of ketchup...no french fry included.
I guess my instructions could use some clarity. Sometimes it takes a toddler to point out the logistical errors with your speech.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Andy's 34th Birthday!
Includes the infamous, "I love you, Uncle Ephan!" Spontaneous outburst picture from M when he saw the cake.
