Christmas, Bulls & Crowns

Sam has learned a lot of new things at preschool this year -- often this new knowledge pops up at random times. Yesterday he was sharing the months of the year with Matthew. It went something like this... January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and Christmas.

We all love the month of Christmas! He's almost got it!

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On the way to preschool we drive by a pasture that has dozens of bulls grazing. We have talked about the difference between cows and bulls many times. For those of you wondering about the difference, cows give milk and bulls have horns. That's what Sam will often quote to you as we drive by the field. You can tell he has been thinking about it because yesterday he asked, "How can they blow their horns?" An excellent question!

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We were sitting on the floor talking before bed time tonight and he looked at me and stuck his tongue in his cheek to make a big bulge and then said, "That's my crown." (He's apparently asked that question after looking in someone's mouth). Then he said, "It's green". I'm pretty sure the crown he saw in someone's mouth was not green!

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Here are a couple of pictures -- because what's the point if we don't include pictures?

Sam thinks he's funny when he wears his Dad's socks.

Zak just thinks he's funny!

Sunshine Day

This morning we had some great friends join us for church and then they came over to hang out for the day. Sam loves to play with their two boys and the kids had a fun time together. It was a gorgeous, sunny day so most of our time was spent playing games in the backyard and over at the park. The backyard was filled with sports paraphernalia -- basketball hoop, baseball, golf, ring-toss -- and of course the stomp rockets. The dads made a couple trips over the fence to pick up errant balls and rockets.

It was a perfect day!

Sam, Zak, Andrew & Benjamin

Zak loves to swing!

More fun on the swings.

Zak was tuckered out from his time at the park.

The boys enjoying their ice cream and sprinkles!

Head Over Heels

Hard to believe, but Sam has acquired yet another new skill. And yes, it is another skill that we did not teach him -- he learned it all by himself -- he just didn't know what it was called. I know what you're thinking...what a gifted child. It's true!

Sock It To 'Em

Because sometimes your hands get cold when you sleep...

Where Is Jesus? Deep Thoughts From a Three-Year-Old

Happy Easter to all!

We've talked a lot about Jesus at our house today. Sam's at the age where he has some understanding of the Easter story. We've also had a few laughs during the telling of the Easter story that we hadn't anticipated. I guess that can happen when there's a three-year-old involved.

Last week he was laying down his fire truck bath towel on the ground telling us that it was a coat and Jesus was riding his donkey over it. Now we know what they talked about in Sunday School on Palm Sunday!

This morning he was getting his little bag of change ready to take to Sunday School. He tried to get it in his pocket, but it wouldn't fit. His Dad said that he would put it in his pocket and then give it to Sam when we got to church and then Sam could take it to Sunday School to give to Jesus. Sam just looked at his Dad and said, "You mean Jesus is going to be in my class today?" Well...

Sam had a little Easter Egg hunt in the house after church today. It was an assortment of eggs with candy and eggs that tell a story (Resurrection Eggs from Family Life). The eggs with candy (and a couple of Matchbox cars) were a big hit. The eggs that told the Easter Story were going to be used after his quiet time. He was excited to find out what was inside the eggs.

Matthew had Sam open up each of the eggs, which contained a donkey, a cross, a crown of thorns, a piece of linen -- you get the idea. After he finished going through all twelve eggs to tell the Easter story, Sam started playing with the various pieces. He picked up the small cross made of nails and asked, "Is Jesus going to die on a cross in this egg?"

Starting to put things away, Sam says, "We are going to leave Jesus in there (the egg) and when He comes out He will be in our house."

We spent a little time talking about how all these things are symbols and we use them to remember the story of Easter, but Jesus isn't actually in the eggs, Jesus is in Heaven. We think he gets it. We think.

Sam dyeing Easter Eggs.

The final results.

The brothers on Easter morning.

A more realistic picture of the boys on Easter morning.

Sam loved to find eggs hiding in funny places.

Listening to Dad tell the Easter story.

Sam's New Skill

You better believe it -- Sam has a new skill that he has been sharing with us lately. It's one he discovered all by himself. Let me just tell you -- it makes me laugh so hard that I cry. He did it the other night at dinner and it just went on and on. The more I laughed, the more he did it.

Enjoy!

Weekend with Poppy & Grammie

Poppy and Grammie came for a visit this weekend and the boys had a great time having new adventures and visiting some favorite haunts.

On Saturday we went to visit Fort Vancouver and had a fun time seeing all the historic sites. Then it was on to lunch at Red Robin (one of Sam's favorite restaurants -- he loves to take home a balloon). We concluded the day at the park, which is always a "must" on a sunny day.

Sam loved checking out the "two-holer" outhouse!

Zak taking a break in the cradle in the wood shop.

Sam getting ready to climb the watch tower.

Sunday dawned sunny and warm. After church we went out for breakfast at Elmers (Sam's other favorite -- where he also got to take home another balloon) and then it was off for a ride on the Merry-Go-Round and the train. The afternoon was spent outside enjoying the sunshine.

Sam in action during our ring-toss game.

Zak enjoying the great outdoors.

A fun time was had by all!

Time Will Tell & The Eyes Have It

We have two kids who really like to get up early...I mean really early. It's not unusual for Sam to wake up around 5:00AM and then proceed to wake us up to ask if he can get up now. Umm. No. Go back to bed.

Now you must realize that Sam has been the perfect child when it comes to staying in bed. Up until a couple of months ago he never would have ventured out of his bed until we came in the next morning to tell him he could get up. It never would have occurred to him to come up with some excuse to get out of bed at night. All that has changed. So even though he is a little young to start telling time, we had to do something to keep him from waking us up at the crack of dawn.

So we bought this...



And then I made him this...


This handy little chart spans the morning hours between 5:00AM and 7:00AM. We told him that if the numbers on his clock are the red numbers on his chart he has to "Stop" and stay and bed. If the numbers are green, then he can get up. Sounds like a a great plan. He was very excited about it. Last night did not go so well. Here's what our evening and morning looked like.

7:00PM Bed time

7:20PM Trip #1
Sam: Mom, I brought you these books for your birthday.
Mom: Thank you. Go back to bed and get under the covers.

7:30PM Trip #2
Sam: Mom, I can snap my fingers (demonstrated "silent" snapping).
Mom: That's great, Sam. Go back to bed and get under the covers.

7:35PM Trip #3
Sam: Mom, the clock says 7:35 -- I can get up now!

Mom: Sam, I forgot to show you something very special on your clock. This little light in the corner means it's nighttime. The numbers have to be the green numbers AND this little light has to be gone. That means it's morning.

7:45PM Trip #4
Sam: Mom, this is taking too long.
Mom: Sam, you have to go to sleep first -- then you can get up.

4:30AM Trip #5
Sam: Mom, can I get up now? (Mom was not awake at this point).
Mom: No, it's way too early. Let's go back to bed.

5:00AM Trip #6
Sam: Mom, now is it time to get up? (Mom had just fallen back asleep).
Mom: No. I want you to stay in bed until I come and get you.

Obviously the clock and the chart have not had the desired effect yet -- but we'll give it a little more time!

Shifting gears....we just scheduled Sam's first eye appointment for next week. In anticipation of this exciting event, the boys tried a new look to give us a glimpse of what they might look like if they have to wear glasses. I'm thinking contacts might be a better option.

A Splishin' and A Splashin'

Zak is a true water baby. He just loves to be in the bathtub and is in constant motion the entire time. Sam was exactly the same way when he was a baby -- and continues to love to be in water to this day. What a fun summer they will have in their little pool in the backyard!



The following picture has absolutely nothing to do with bath time -- but what a cute mug!