Playing Pretend

I took this video a couple weeks ago and forgot about it. It cracks me up every time.

Showing Off (I guess I'm the one showing off)

Isaac walking

Isaac's preferred choice of transportation is walking now. I got this on video last week so he is already more stable than what is shown here. I will try to get another video soon.

And more...

A sunrise last week.

Isaac was just munching away like this.

Cal's first experience on a tire swing with other people. He loved it. These kids are Molly and Josiah- more friends from church.

Baby William (unpictured)

Our friends, Tom and Mary, had a baby boy this weekend and we got to watch Lucy (20 months) all day Monday.

Here they are rocking out on the piano

Although Isaac looks happy, Lucy was not. She knows what she wants. She doesn't take any crap from anyone.

Cal is hiding in there.

I told Lucy to smile and this is what she did!

I was cracking up at Lucy's smile, so Cal yelled, "I can do it, too!"

Worst Mom of the Year Award

I was running a bath for Cal and Isaac and they were hanging out in the bathroom. I heard Isaac, "Suck, suck, swallow, suck, suck, slurp." I had set down his sippy cup in the hallway and assumed that he had that. Nope. He had pulled a piece of toilet paper out of the toilet (I probably don't need to mention there was pee in there) and was sucking on it as the wet t.p. dripped down his front.

I yelled, grabbed the toilet paper and washed my hands. I turned around to finish the bath and Isaac, in the few seconds I had my back turned, had my razor in his mouth and was chewing on it.

Please comment with your worst mom (or parent) award so that I can feel better about myself.

Total Depravity

I've been teaching Cal about Total Depravity- that all men are sinful. This is hard to teach Cal since I don't want him thinking he's a bad kid. I usually say, "No one in the whole world is good. We all do bad things. Sometimes you disobey and you have to say you are sorry, right? And sometimes I do bad things and have to say I'm sorry. The only person who hasn't done bad things is Jesus." This conversation has happened about three times over the last month or so.

Last week, I was pushing Cal and Isaac in the stroller into the mall and there were poles. Cal asked, "Are you going to hit the poles, mom?" I answered, "Nope! (as I dramatically swerved) Because I'm a good driver!" He said, "See, mom? You're not a bad person!"

Colors

We always talk about the different colors that the leaves are turning. I say, "Look at the trees, Cal! They are red and orange and yellow! It's beautiful!" Cal has not failed in responding, "And silverware.. and gold..."

Theology/Halloween Lesson

I was singing a song, "Forgiven of our sins. Baptized by the water. Filled by the Holy Ghost. Washed by the blood of the Lamb." Cal asked, "What do you mean 'lamb?'" I said, "Jesus is called the lamb of God because he sacrificed himself for us. So now we call him the Lamb of God." Cal said, "But Jesus IS God." I said, "Yes, he is God. He's not really a lamb. He's just called a lamb." Cal asked, "How will he grow white stuff on himself?" I said, "He's not really a lamb, Cal." Cal asked, "Will he dress up as a lamb on Halloween?"

And since I had that song stuck in my head, I sang it again....

Cal asked, "Did you just say 'ghost?'"

Great.

More Letter Fun

After Cal pooped, I yelled, "Look, Cal! You pooped an 'L'!" Cal ran over, grabbed the toilet seat with both hands and put his head really low. He exclaimed, "2 Ls! A capital L and a lower-case L!"

Try again- Surprise Present

Since my mom is having technical difficulties, I'm posting some of the same pictures.

Cal immediately hit his head. It was good to get it over with. (How would I make that sentence grammatically correct? "It was good to with get it over?"

Surprise Present

Eric's parents and paternal grandparents brought up this surprise for the boys. Steve designed and built this whole thing with a little help from Barb and Great Grandpa Tom. He put it together on their patio and brought it up in 6 big pieces. We were in shock but so excited. Cal wants to play on it all the time and cries when we have to drag him in for food.

Same face and same booty

I switched over to cloth diapers for Isaac and since I ran out of Cal's diapers the other day (that he only wears for naps and bed), I put Cal in one- and it fit. I thought they looked so hilarious together, so I had to take a picture. Not the best one, though, I know.

Look closely. They both have scratches right on the ridge of their noses. Why?

Grandpa Steve, Grandma Barb and Aunt Dana Visit (with Great Grandparents Tom and Pat, but I didn't get any pictures of them.... bummer)

Who is this kid?

Warning: The following image(s) may be disturbing. Review with caution.

Parent/Teacher Conference

I went to my first ever Parent/Teacher conference today. I didn't really know what to expect, but Miss Michelle was very nice and said a lot of great things about Cal. She said that Calvin loves school and is always happy there. He is a good friend to his classmates and a couple of them have told their parents about him. He loves music class and beams during group singing time.

Things to work on:

I guess Sammy and Cal sit together for group time and hold hands. If the teacher is not making eye contact with them, they eventually start hugging and then roll around on the rug. They are not exclusive, but don't necessarily invite others to join them in playtime.

Also, he doesn't have a long attention span (no doubt!) and likes to run from play area to play area, not picking up what he has already brought out. So, I guess I need to work on putting the toys away at home, too.

Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?

More museum fun:

There is a huge open area in the museum where they have "move and dance" time. Curious George visited- as you can see.








Then we went to the Habitot room- a room that is only for kids 4 and under. It is very cool. That's where we spent the first year every time we went, but now that Cal is older, he likes the other rooms, too.





And the best exhibit I've seen so far at the museum- Sesame Street. It kinda blew me away. I was enraptured (did I use that word right, Lisa?) at every turn. Cal loved it, too.

And the Earth World (or something like that) room:

Child Prodigies or Children Prodigy

Isaac climbs up onto the edge of the jump-0-lene to play the piano. It's one of his favorite things to do (play the piano- not go through an obstacle course to get to it).

Calvin has gone from writing "CLA" to "CALVIN." Then he started adding more letters and said that he was writing "Rescue." I have no idea why. Does he think he's a fireman? Or does he think that you all will see this and see that he needs to be rescued?

He has been loving his letters, as you know. Sarah J. asked him the other day, "Calvin, what does the word 'blocks' start with? Ba Ba Blocks?" As I was saying that he hasn't yet learned that letter, Cal yells out "B!" I was so impressed, so on the way home, I asked him, "What does the word 'crackers' start with?" He said, "Cra, Cra... CREE!"

These are the new Vans my mom sent Cal. He really loves them and I think they are pretty dope, as well. This is Cal giving the thumbs-up sign about his rocking new shoes.

Fall Party with Playgroup

I'm in a Minneapolis playgroup and we have lots of fun. We meet every Thursday afternoon (although, I am frequently amiss (did I use that word right?)) and have a mom's night out about once every two months. And since the oldest kids all have fall birthdays, we have a birthday party (which we now call a Fall Party so the young ones don't feel left out). We reserved a room at the nature center and since it was so beautiful outside, we got to walk on the trails.

Sammy and Cal being goofballs, as usual.

It took me a few minutes to take this picture because my camera has been giving me trouble. Cal held this face the entire time. He knows how sweet he looks.

Before

After. Cal totally took him down.

Mmmm. Cake.

These are only about half of the kids who were at the party today.

Kate, Anna, Vica, Keely, Calvin, Sammy, Colin

Hiawatha All-Church Retreat

Our family went on a church retreat last weekend and it was really great. The theme was Make a Joyful Noise and we talked about how we can do that with our lives- not necessarily for others to see that we have joy in Christ, but so that we can be satisfied by God. There was childcare there for all the sessions and even late at night! Eric and I stayed up much later than usual to play games, eat s'mores by the bonfire on the beach and make out.

This was part of the nursery. I was amazed at the childcare workers. They put our kids to bed, fed them and took great care of them.

We did a low-ropes course with our small group. Eric learned that he is always taking charge of situations to be the most efficient and productive as possible. I already knew this.

During free time, we played kickball. I put Isaac in a grassy, shady area and he did alright. The team that was on the bench would help take care of him. I love my church. Not only because they take care of me.

Laura passed this picture on to me from her camera. Mado and Cal had fun one day and even went swimming in the lake (no swimsuits needed. No, they didn't skinny-dip. They just wore their clothes).

This kinda looks like he's going in for a kiss here. Hannah? Are you seeing this?

Sidewalk Chalk

Lately, Cal has been going out to the front porch and marking everything with chalk. I haven't told him he can't because... well... it keeps him occupied and chalk is washable, right? Well, today, he brings it into the car and marks the leather seat.
Me: Cal, I don't want you marking the car. Only sidewalks, rocks and leaves.
Cal: Why? (This is asked at least 222 times a day)
Me: Because it's called sidewalk chalk, not seat chalk. Ok?
Cal: OK

Once I climb into my seat, I notice that my purse has also been chalked with purple.

Me: See, Cal? You may not write on my purse with chalk.
Cal: Can I stamp it?
Me thinking that he's now going to "pretend stamp" my purse says: Do you mean stomp or stamp?
Cal: Stamp. Like stamp it.
Me: Sure. What's it called (thinking I could get a little more information)?
Cal: It's called The Purple Sidewalk Chalk Stamp.
Me: No.
Cal: Why?

Sandface, Sandbox, and more

Cal's looking awesome in his new reversible vest.

Yes, my child eats sand.

Below: Isaac's first baby sign.