Blue Eyes and Freckles

This is a sweet song by Chris LeDeux. People are always telling us they can't tell the boys apart, so I thought I'd put you to the test ;-)

A
B

Is that you behind those Foster Grants?
	A Harry B Jack
	A Jack B Harry
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ETA: I can't make the comments option work on the post but noticed the comments on the poll itself...and here I tried to make it tricky ;-) The correct answer was known by most of you!

Chris LeDoux

I never drive my car past the speed limit

While that's not true, seeing as I got a ticket a few months ago, I am a lot more aware of it now that I have precious cargo with me. Harry has developed a great fascination with speed limit and other road signs, so I have a constant reminder! Jack spent the first month after I got my ticket asking me how fast I was going .... nothing slips past them.

Let's All Go To The Lobby

We went to see WALL-E yesterday, it's the new animated kids movie about a robot trash-collector left on Earth when all the humans get on a giant cruise-ship style spaceship. I'm not a real sci-fi person, so it was just ok for me. The boys laughed their heads off, so it was all good.

I'm not sure what's sweeter than sleepy boys and the things they say - last nite, Jack was taking his midnite potty break and leans over to me with his sleepy voice and says "Mommy, I'm thankful I appreciate you helping me. I love you." Me too, sweet boy, me too!

This morning, we both sneezed on cue (did I mention that I'm a two-at-a-time sneezer and Jack did the same thing right after he was born?) He says: Excuse me, Mommy, WHAT'S UP with you and me and the bless you's?!" He calls sneezes bless you's - another one I need to add to the earlier post about sweet things they say.

These pix were taken today

(and yes, Dean and Jackie, this was about 10 minutes after the big melt)

The Restroom Report, by Harry. Well, Harry has become our family restroom reporter - he can tell you the size, toilet to sink ratio, colors, cleanliness (and probably a few things I've forgotten) about every restroom in town. It used to make me cringe when he was critiquing our home ones, but now I just offer to let him clean them ;-)

Practice Makes Perfect

Somehow we got into a discussion about ambulances and Jack decided he wasn't saying it 'right.'

Jack: I'm just not ready to give up on that yet.
Me: What?
Jack: I have to practice my words so I can say them right and people can understand me.

He does tend to be a perfectionist....I was trying to remember the cute things they said along the way, most of which they've moved beyond and some of which I really miss ~

Jack's ong ong = orange
Harry's pretty butter = peanut butter
Harry's Untel Les = Uncle Les
Jack: You know what I need right now? A hug! You know what I really love? YOU! You are the bomb, the best bomb of bombs!
Harry: Can you kiss me in the (where ever we were going)? You know what..... That's my FAVORITE EVER.

Rock of Ages

They've been determining ages for things for a while now, and I thought I better write them down before I forget....some just are, others are self-imposed

When I'm 4, I can go to preschool.
When I'm 5, I can ride the bus to school when I'm in kindergarten.
When I'm 12, I can ride a skateboard.
When I'm 16, I can drive a car.
When I'm 18, I can go to college.
When I'm 19, I can DRIVE a school bus.
When I'm 20, I can drive a motorcycle.

And as every good lawyer knows, you never ask a question if you don't know the answer, but I was not paying attention tonite when I asked Jack....'when can you love mommy?' He said 'for two more years' "WHAT?!" ' then I will be 6; then when I'm 7 I can start to love you again' :sniff
sniff:

Telephone M(e)n

Yikes, this one was as raunchy as I remembered - I was only 11 when this song came out in 1977 (egad, I'm old!) - Meri Wilson

I was driving down the road yesterday and this is what I hear:

Jack: Excuxe me, Mommy, please be quiet so we can talk on the phone. It will be about 10 minutes, then we can play with you again.

Followed by both of them talking on the 'car phones' Aunt Jackie got them a few years ago - it was a sweet conversation....tho not quite 10 minutes - they are boys, after all ;-)

School Days

Up in the morning and out to school (yeah, it's AC/DC!)They're crazy for the school bus and anything related to it, including this bench near the corner where they will catch the bus in only ONE more year! I hope it lives up to the hype ;-)
The Old Schoolyard

Several boys took most of the toys from the playground up to this little fort, something one of the other moms says they do a lot for some reason. Well, today they were having a birthday party. It was sweet to hear all these little boy voices directing the activities, when to eat the cake, play the games, open the presents, etc.

VBS has been a wonderful experience so far - they've learned about sharing, giving, and growing, all set against the theme of rainforests. Jack did an adorable little 'play' about being a seed and getting the water and sun he needed to grow into a tall flower. So far, "Share every good thing you have" is the one lesson that has stuck thru the week - it's a good one, to be sure!

My Brother, My Brother

We went for a walk to get the paper on Sunday morning and they were visiting with the cows and running wild ;-)

Aaron Neville sang "Seems like only yesterday, we were running wild and free"

Hot Fun In The Summertime

Sly and the Family Stone

So, it wasn't really hot, but it was fun! Yesterday was a gorgeous day - we went with Dean's mom and stepdad to his brother's community lake and playground. Remember these old playground toys? Thankfully, they haven't all been banned because the boys loved it!

Jack taking a little siesta
famI thought Harry looked sort of like Godzilla in this one LOL

I love those Tall, Tall Trees shots

It was a really lovely afternoon - thanx for sharing it, Uncle Les! Sorry you had to work :-(

Hot Water

The kids have been back into the spelling game and amaze me with what they are able to remember, sound out, etc. Harry's decided to put his own spin on it by intentionally misspelling things to get a reaction (I am in some big trouble here, it's true!).

Last nite they were eating ABC's and 123's (yes my June Cleaver images were crushed a long time ago ;-)) ....anyway, they were picking out letters and Harry found the "H" and worked his way to the H is for Hot, C is for Cold idea. When I asked him how he spelled hot, he looks at me deadpan and says H-A-R-R-Y LOL

I was humming that silly Doncha song all nite, but realized that was probably an inppropriate title for this post, so then I've been thinkiing about all the ways they get in hot water, and decided to foget it and just go with the JB and think only happy thoughts today - wish me luck!

Happy Tuesday!

There were green alligators....and some chimpanzees

Today was the first day of VBS - the theme this week is Rainforest Adventures, and they had a great time. Jack said he learned some new songs and all about the animals that live in the rainforest. The only tough part was explaining to Harry that it wasn't time for COLLEGE - we always tell them about the years of school then college. He knew he had finished school for the day and was ready to roll on to college LOL He's sure he'll be ready WAY before he's 18 ;-)

Waiting to go to school this morning - they insisted on wearing matching clothes
Jack's best impression of a monkey from the rainforest

Their big green alligators

Happy week!

Funny You Should Say That

This morning:

Jack (from the other room): Mommy, I need to show you something.
Me (utoh): What is it, sweetie?
Jack, walking into the room and pointing to his nose: It looks like a waterfall, but it's snot, HAHAHA

He was right and his Dad would be proud

Harry asks permission to come into the office (I'm really proud of both of them, since there are dangerous mountains of paper everywhere and they've been really good about asking most times before entering). I say yes. Harry: I'm waiting for you to say 'yes you may' :-)

Yesterday:

Harry: Jack, you have two choices. You can play here or you can play in the field. What's your choice? (it's like looking {listening to} a mirror sometimes, luckily this one was nice!)

Jack: It must have been those green beans that made me so strong to push this (Yippee! Now, if it just translates to dinner tonite {G})

The other day, seeds beginning to germinate I guess:

Jack: U have to eat all kinds of stuff you don't like so you can learn to like it and it'll make you strong.

If You're Happy And You Know It..

Dean's parents are visiting this week, and they came over from the L Hotel (Les's house) for dinner. Les is a fabulous cook and brought over some delish pork ribs and macaroni salad ...yum! After dinner, we headed out to the backyard for some fun. Both boys practiced their studly looks in the race car....


...then Jack took the 'party' atmosphere a little too far - Just about the time I considered having the Don't Drink and Drive conversation....

Jack sat it out and gave Harry the "don't do as I do, do as I say" chat ;-)

It was a nice nite, but the main reason for this title is that the boys pulled out a favorite book from Aunt Jackie and everyone got into the act of the song "If You're Happy And You Know It"

Reading with Uncle Les

If you're happy and you know it, go Kiss Kiss (what a great excuse to love on Grandma!)

If you're happy and you know it, flap your arms!

If you're happy and you know it, ROAR out loud!

...and what a great Uncle to take one for the team ;-)

Enjoying a Cars story with Grandma and Papa Bob <3

Happy weekend, everyone!

Yes, I think to myself what a wonderful world....oh, yeah!

Harry is quite a vocal mimic, he loves to make up silly voices and imitate cool voices he hears. He woke up missing Daddy tonite, so I went in and snuggled him a bit. When I whispered "I see...." he broke out the Louis Armstrong pipes and we sang it thru. I felt very blessed and very proud and very ready for Dean to be home. I'll admit to a little weepiness when Harry lifted his tired hand to do 'big hands' with the '....oh, yeah' at the end of the song. Man, they are gonna be heartbreakers one day!

Typing that reminded me that Jack was singing the MenMenMenMenManlyMenMenMen song from Two and A Half Men the other day, including the lengthy meeeennnnnn at the end - that's one of Dean's favorite shows, and the three of them are pretty cute singing it.

Hope the songs are happy where you are!

Put Me In Coach, I'm Ready to Play Today (again!)

Tonite they had their first t-ball game, following a rain-out on Monday. I got a few good pix but thought I'd post them all since there were a lot of firsts and we have some baseball fans on the lookout for action shots (there's not much action, to be honest, based on the setup of games but it's still pretty cute). They play two innings, each child gets to bat and run the bases, no outs.

Taking the field

And in a moment of boredom Jack and an opponent decided to build sand, er dirt, castles

Harry getting ready to bat

and makes his first hit!

Jack takes his turn

Here's Harry heading for home

Jack did a great job on 3rd base, really encouraging the runners and tagging the bag each time

I know there is some poetry about the smell of the dirt and the grass, but it escapes me at the moment....Harry seemed to 'get it', tho

And congratulating the other team on a good game

The Ants Go Marching

Today was the first of their preschool's summer picnics, and it was a big hit - how far wrong can you go with a big ole playground, old and new friends, hotdogs and watermelon?!?

Their first t-ball game got rained out on Monday, so tonite's the first big game - stay tuned for pix!

06/18/08 Harry: Maybe I can help you? Jack: Mommy, this is the best hug I've EVER had! :wub:

You're Missing

The boys are missing Daddy something fierce, so I've found them in his boots a few times this week


Our Parks & Rec department is wonderfully supportive of little kids, running a program weekly that lets them play in the gymnasium with all sorts of equipment. Recently, they hired an art teacher who comes weekly to let the kids do projects - yesterday was just a free-for-all day. She had a few sets of craft scissors with cool designs that the boys enjoyed. They just cut up a few sheets of paper .... minimalism at its best, I guess!

They have summer camps in the main gym, so we're off in a side-room, but all the fun stuff is still available. I think we're pretty lucky to have such great programs through our P&R.

Happy week, and we miss you babe!

Bruce Springsteen

Puppet on a String

Our library advertised a "Puppet Show" yesterday, and I expected it to be at least a step above the little wood stage and curtain....well, it was amazing! The kids loved it, and we all learned a lot about the legend of Anansy, an African spider, and the need for planning and the joy of story-telling!

Harry and his friend Darius thought it was really funny!

A new friend, Jack and Harry chillin' out

Harry, Jack and Darius chillin', horizontally

The elephant and Anansy
Anansy meets the Sun God

Teaching the kids about sharing stories

Teaching them about single-rod puppets

and traditional hand puppets

demonstrating the double-rod trigger for the frog's legs

this one has a slinky in the middle

this double-rod cheetah could really pounce

this three-rod style could do all sorts of amazing tricks

They really dug the discussion portion and only hogged the answer portion a little ;-)