The Art of Tickling

Chad and I are teaching Anderson the fine art of tickling. I know it might seem odd that we would do such a thing; but, it is out of desperation and self-preservation. Those parents out there who have had little fingers rammed forcefully into their armpits or sharp fingernails scrapped across their sides know what I mean. With the proper training that we are now providing, Anderson is getting quite good at tickling. This evening, Anderson tickled Chad behind the knees and exclaimed, "Dad is ticklish in his leg-pits!"

Back By Popular Demand

Thank you to all of you who commented (both by computer and in person) on the before and after photos I posted a while back. Here are some more I think you will enjoy: the bathroom. The bathroom was completed in spurts over a period of 5 years. Chad tore out the floor and toilet the day Anderson was born. Our first night home from the hospital was spent with friends because we had no toilet in our house. It has come a long way. Behold....

'Before' -July 2004

'After' - July 2009

Sweet Tooth

Anderson loves homemade lemonade: lemon juice + water + sugar. I let Anderson make his own yesterday while I was busy making Caleb's birthday cake. I guess I was more distracted than I realized because this is what he made while I wasn't paying attention:

Sugar, anyone?

Happy Birthday Caleb

Caleb- 1 day old

Caleb will be 3 years old tomorrow. Caleb is an outstanding little boy. He is very easy going... I often find him playing quietly on his own. He will do pretty much anything for you if you ask him nicely. He is always trying to make us laugh... last night at dinner, he made us laugh so hard that Chad snorted peas up his nose. More laughing ensued. Caleb is my cuddly boy: every hour, or so, he'll come and hug my leg or put his head in my lap. I am so glad that Caleb is part of our family. He and Anderson are great buddies and always have been. Happy Birthday Caleb!

The Birthday Zone

Caution: You are entering the birthday zone!

Chad and I thought it would be wise to have our babies during the summer. This way, Chad is out of school and able to help out. I still think this is a good plan, but it has created what I call the 'birthday zone.' The birthday zone starts with mine on June 26th, carries us through Caleb's (July 2nd), and ends with Anderson's on July 22nd. And, it is only bound to get worse (no, I am not making any announcements). What this means is a lot of parties. Poor Chad.... when is his birthday? It is shoved into that week filled with Christmas, our anniversary, and New Years. I try to make it special, but we are usually traveling that day, or just worn out from the holidays. Perhaps I will choose a new day for his birthday.... September seems nice and uneventful.

Chad always makes my birthday special. This is despite the fact that I 'deprive' him of the opportunity of buying me a gift. If we are going to spend money, I might as well make sure it gets spent on something I really want; so, I buy myself something a couple of weeks before hand. Chad always complains.... something about "birthday gifts should be a surprise," or other such nonsense. He just doesn't realize that I am saving him a trip to Walmart at 11 PM the night before my birthday. It is better this way....really.

This birthday, I was arriving home from a week-long class I had been taking in Salem. As I pulled into the driveway, I could hear giggling, shrieking, and running occurring inside. I entered the house and Anderson and Caleb swarmed me... balloons in hand and party hats on their heads. They had decorated their room (the party room) with streamers. Chad, Anderson, and I played pin the tail on the donkey while Caleb used 50 pieces of tape to plaster his donkey tail to his bed (it's still there). Then we ate gluten-free brownies and ice cream. I thought the brownies tasted incredible, but Chad told me that they really weren't that great; my standards of taste must be straying from reality.

For the curious out there: I am 30. I am happy to claim 30. I feel that '30' gives me credibility. Perhaps I wouldn't feel this way if I looked older. In my grungy clothes and a baseball hat, I can still pass for 15. That wouldn't be too bad, except that I have two little boys with me everywhere I go. So, I just get dirty looks. Now, I will at least look like a 16 year old with two little boys. Yep, I am movin' up in the world!

Am I Feeding Them Enough?

I stumbled across this the other day. It made me chuckle. I feed my children.... I really do. This is what I tell my pediatrician every time Anderson goes in for a check up. He's in the 2nd percentile for weight and height, which is odd considering that Chad and I are both such massive people. Anyway.... back to the banana: how nice to have capable, independent children. This is the proof that if they are starving, it is not really my fault! Anderson has a check up in two days... I'm bringing the photo as evidence.

Just Kickin' Around

School is coming to an end for Chad. Yahoo! It's amazing how much relief I feel.... I'm not even the one teaching!

We were on our way home from the library yesterday when Anderson says in a very matter-of-fact tone, "Mom, you need to think of more exciting activities for us to do on days that are not holidays." Yep. That's coming from the 4 year old. He also informed me a while ago that I was "messing up his life." I didn't expect to hear that for a few more years.

Caleb continues to entertain us. He is a clown. Even when he is disobedient, he does it in such a carefree, funny way.... I can't help but crack up.

I love both of my boys so much. I am thankful for all our moments together... the funny, the hectic, the sentimental, and the silly.




By the way, check out http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ if you want a good laugh. Thanks to Emily for the recommendation.