Happy on Halloween

Beanie,

My little man, you had so much fun this Halloween. You were all for dressing up just like brother. When we went to the stores to go trick or treating, each time someone put a piece of candy in your bag, you would yell "Wooo Hooo!!!" so loud that it could be heard two stores away. Everyone smiled and I thought to myself, "I have the most charismatic kid!"

Halloween Creativity

So, for the last three years, Adam, you have been a train; Thomas to be specific and Beanie you have been James. When I asked you what you wanted to be for this Halloween, you had the same answer. I put my foot down and declared Halloween as a holiday that deserved creativity. Your response was if you couldn't be a train then you wanted to be train tracks! It was my first attempt at home made costumes.

Connecting

It's official...Bub and Beanie are social beings. Bub, you've started school and Beanie, you've started daycare with Maggie. Your Baba isn't taking it too well. He's quite upset that you would rather go play at Maggies than hang out with him. It's hard to not be the center of your world. We know it's right and my heart sings when I see you run and laugh with other kids, but it hurts just a little.
Bub, Savannah is crushing on you a bit...I'll have to keep an eye on her, she a bit too old for you.

Guess what?!? I love you.

Guess what??? I love you!

I've been playing a little game with you both, where I say "Guess what?" and you reply "what?" and then I say "I love you!" You now both play the game with me by saying "Guess what?" and then saying "I love you". It almost makes me cry. But most of all it proves the power of learning you are doing just by watching and listening to everything around you......I've got to stop cussing.....

Bub, Beanie and the Beach

There is something so wonderful about the simple pleasures of the beach. And there are no better teachers than toddlers. After weeks of stupid stress created by work and school, you boys gave me pure joy and re-ignited my energy, just by being you. I had forgotten how much fun sand and water and pails with shovels can be. Looking for shells became a treasure hunt and turkey sandwiches tasted like a gourmet feast. I hope someone finds the 8 dinosaurs, 4 lizards and 2 shovels you buried and we couldn't find. :)

Water + Dirt = Mud

Need I say more?

School Days

Bub, I've never seen you smile for so long. The smile crept onto your face on Sunday evening when I told you the next day was Kindergarten Academy and didn't leave your face until Thursday evening when I told you that you had to wait a month to start school again. When I picked you up, I overheard one of the teachers say that they thought someone had painted the smile on.

Each day you brought home projects that amazed me with your talent.

Beanie, you poor thing, were so sad. You cried and cried for your brother. Daddy kept taking pictures of you, which wasn't very nice, but it's good to have a photo history. :) Every 5 minutes you asked if it was time to pick up Adam and when you went to the school, you ran into the classroom. I think Bub was a little put off by your affection, but I thought is was so sweet to see how much you love your big brother.

Boys & Birds and Time

I was gone for four days this last week, which to most people doesn't seem like a lot of time. To me though, it seemed like months had gone by. When I got home everything had grown; the grass had grown, the garden had grown, the chickens had grown and you boys had grown. Not just in size, but in vocabulary, humor and mannerisms. I didn't realize having children would put me in a time warp where everything happens faster.
We also have new additions to the family. There are birds building a nest in the birdhouse Uncle Imad built. There will be new babies in the Spring.

Happy Mother's Day

I know, I know, it's June 12th and Mother's Day was weeks ago, but the best gifts I get don't happen on holidays. This evening, Beanie took it upon himself to pick a beautiful dandelion and present it to me with a sweet 'Happy Muuuuuther's Day, Momma'.

Mud Magnets

So, I had heard of this phenomenon where little boys are mysteriously pulled toward mud. There is no cure; I guess it's not quite a disease.

My Mom had spoke of my brother having this awful infliction. Now Beanie has it. After weeks of torrential rain and lake-like puddles, the sun has finally dried up most of the backyard. But tonight I watched in amazement as Beanie ran through the grass only to be magnetically forced to change course and run through the 6 inch by 12 inch patch of mud. Once he had done it, the magnetic force got stronger and he had to push his foot down deep. Then the curse really took hold and Beanie couldn't help but stomp repeatedly with both feet.

I wasn't too worried about it; I thought as he got older, he would get stronger and be able to fight the force, but I talked with my brother later in the evening and when I asked him what he was up to, he replied, "..just working in the mud."

Toddler Time

You boys have this amazing sense of time. A day is longer than month and a month is longer than a year.

Bub, you start kindergarten in 3 months but you've told everyone that will listen that you're going to school in one year, which is not tomorrow, but the next one.

You also believe that 'two 5 minutes' is too long to give Momma a break from all the WHY questions.

Amazing Little Brains

Dear Bub and Beanie,

For the third night in a row, I've read "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" to you. I'm amazed at your love for stories and words and how smart you are. We have officially reached the WHY stage. I can see where some people might find it frustrating, but all I can think about is how with every 'why', you are learning something.

On our walk after dinner, I showed you road signs to help you remember the name of our street. You talked me into going to the park and checking out the new playground equipment. I think I'm as excited as you for the grand opening.