Are you a pirate?

So little AJ (this nickname is getting some traction with Mom) walks up to a man wearing an eye patch at the library and asks, "Are you a pirate?". The man responds a bit gruffly "No - I have brain cancer.". Embarrassing and funny all at the same time. Alex is unphased by the response of course and goes on his merry way singing to himself per usual. Jim only got the funny emotion out of the story...he literally ran to to kitchen to lose it laughing when I told him tonight.

Mommy's little AJ - I love that little dude.

One Man Band

Yes - that's 4 instruments (recorder, xylophone, shaker and tamborine) being play simultaneously while listening to the Ralph's World CD. Serious amount of focus and concentration let me tell you!

Time for me to run...short post. Jimbo has the little fellas golfing out back...and I hear thunder. Hello!!! Metal golf clubs flying high with a storm blowing in...what is it with Dads? At least Alex has an umbrella...hardly comforting!

Geography Whiz?

Add geography to Tanner's growing list of advanced interests. I've become somewhat accustomed to the fact that he reads EVERYTHING, and rather quickly/fluently. I'm not so sure how easily I'm going to get used the fact that he's trying to master geography now. It started with a US map where he memorized where all the states were. So, I got him a puzzle that includes capitols and cute picture references to something about each state (i.e. corn in Iowa, saxophone in Louisiana, alligator in FL, etc). Loads of fun.

Now, with the Olympics in full swing, he was curious about all the countries. So, we went to the toy store and bought him a globe. Who takes their 5 year old to the toy store and comes out with a globe? His favorite countries to proudly show off are China (of course, since this is where the Olympics are), Mexico (he wants to go on vacation there like mom and dad did after their wedding) and Niger. Niger...I know...why Niger?



Hello!!!??!! It rhymes with Tiger, didn't you know?

Berries

Berries...they love them...any color, any shape, any size. We went to the Farmers Market yesterday AM and included in our haul were blueberries and blackberries. Let's just say they've had more than few this AM...some straight from the fridge...some in pancakes. Tongues are a dark blue (the picture doesn't do it justice)...and the boys think this is so cool!

Yummy Morning Salad

I was downstairs Wed 8AM and Tanner calls down 'Mommy - we're making a yummy salad!'. Hmm...interesting...but I figure that vegetables for a morning snack isn't a bad way to start the day. Then he goes on to exclaim 'Mommy - this is SO great!'.

"Okay," I think to myself..."something is off here...too much excitement for vegetables." So, I head up stairs to see what's cooking. I find two fired up little dudes standing in front of the pantry

and their salad ingredients spread across the kitchen island.

In response to my sigh, Tanner explains happily 'See Mommy, me and Alex are making a yummy salad with all of these great things!'. They're so stinkin' excited I decide to play along.

I ask what they want to use to mix their salad in, to which they respond a 'large bowl'. I choose a cereal bowl, but they request the Kitchen Aid mixing bowl with a handle (very large). We compromise on a medium measuring bowl with handle and the creation begins.

Short of Alex's banana, none of the 'salad' ingredients are truly acceptable morning foods, but I just can't rain on their parade. Afterall, I did at least put my foot down to their request for the addition of finger jello and apple juice to the mixture. So, I end up letting the fellas eat garbage far too early in the day...but you should have seen them beam...which makes it all worthwhile.

Home Again

Just returned from an awesome vacation 'up north'. Between getting ready to leave and being gone...I haven't posted in forever! Am hoping to do so tomorrow and get some vacation pics out there. Boys had a blast...first week long vacation in 4 years...and we've already booked it again for next year! Bye-bye toddlerhood...these big boys are ready for travel!