New Skills

First off, I'm sorry about the lack of photos. I can only load pics on to our big computer that's up in the loft (not the laptop that I use downstairs). I can't really go up there while the kids are awake and after they are in bed, I'm too tired to climb up there just to load pictures. So, you'll just have to read another little story about the kids.

Today Kai showed me a new trick he learned. He has been peeing standing up more and more lately and discovered that when he stands up to pee in the potty he doesn't actually have to use his hands. He has good aim and doesn't make a mess. He joyfully told me, that because he doesn't touch anything, he doesn't have to wash his hands after he goes potty! He watched me expectantly, after he pointed out his logic, to see if I could poke holes in it and still make him wash his hands. He got me! I guess if you don't touch anything (except the the handle to flush the toilet...I didn't point that out to him b/c I figured he'd start using his foot to flush like he's seen me do in public restrooms) you don't have to wash your hands. It rankles me though! Just doesn't seem right! I guess I could just make him wash his hands no matter what...I don't want him to turn into one of those guys who doesn't wash after going poop and then pumps gas at the pump just before I get there...I saw that Dateline (or whatever) showing all the nasties on the gas pump handle!!! But, for now, kudos to Kai, for stumping Mama and getting out of washing his hands!

Juicy

Zeze has learned a new adjective: Juicy

He usually uses it in joyful exclamation about how something is SO yummy and juicy...I'm not sure if he thinks that juicy=yummy though. Examples include:

"Thank you for the banana, Mama!! It's SO juicy!" (hmmm on the instructions for my juicer it explicitly says not to try juicing 2 things: bananas and dried fruit)

"Mmmmmm Mmmmmm! This carrot is so juicy!"

"Thank you for the juice, Mama! It's so cold and juicy!!!" (I guess he's getting closer!)

He makes me laugh! :)

Both

I asked the kids this morning if they wanted eggs, oatmeal or both. Zeze excitedly exclaimed, "Both! I want both!! Both!!!" Immediately a frenzied panic ensued with all 3 boys shouting that they wanted both. I knew that Zeze was crazy hungry and him excitedly yelling about anything he's going to get often triggers this response from the boys, like herd of deer startling and none of them are sure why.

I bring out oatmeal and eggs to jittery repetitive mumblings of, "Both. I want both. Kai do you have both? Zeze did you get both yet? I want both too. both. both. both." Zeze sees what I've brought and starts wailing that he doesn't want oatmeal or eggs. He wants a 'both'. "BOTH!!! Waaaaaaaa!!!" Oh good grief! It's too early for this! I spend 5 minutes explaining the word both and finally got some very disappointed boys to understand that I only had eggs and oatmeal to offer them. (Can you all picture a 'both'? It's probably dripping with frosting and oozing chocolate out of the middle!)

On the way to school as we're praying for our day, Zeze prays, "Thank you for this day. Thank you for the eggs and oatmeal. And thank you for the 'both'!" I guess he got a 'both' when I wasn't looking. :)

Little Red Riding Kai

Kai is very excited lately to point out to us how he's growing so big. He is so happy to have himself measured and has such an innocent joy to think that he's growing and might be as tall as his mama or daddy some day. It is really cute. That is why I try to take what he says with a few grains of salt! Here is a collection of observations from Kai....

"Mama, I am such a big boy! I am growing so big! Look, my nose is small now, but it growing so big just like yours!"

"Mama, look at my teeth they are growing so big! They're almost so big as yours! Can you show me your big teeth again?"

"Mama, do you see my feet. I have small feet but soon they will be so big just like your feet!"

I guess I'm the big bad wolf.

He also said he loved me because I am soft. :) I will try to take these things as compliments, from my dear 4 year old that says these things without a spec of criticism and is purely delighted to become like me, instead of picturing myself as described.....a big puffy soft mama with huge teeth, nose and feet. From the mouths of babes....

Tonight at dinner he ate a lot of food and lifted up his shirt and said, "Mama, look at my belly! It is growing so big! (I'm thinking, "Here it comes...") Soon it will grow so big just like Daddy's!" Phew! Dodged that one! Chad and I have both eaten a LOT of chocolate this winter!! Just keeping it real, folks! :)

Oh, a truly sweet thing Kai said the other day: I bought some potted tulips and daffodils and put them in the window. Kai inhaled their fragrance and said with all earnestness and amazement, "They smell like the sun, Mama!"