Green Eggs and Ham

Alex is still in love with Dr. Seuss...still...after all these years. I started reading these books to him in NICU, and apparently created a life-long fan. Green Eggs and Ham is the latest obsession (it seems to rotate).

• So, tonight we made green eggs and ham for dinner which was a huge hit (and I failed to take pictures...sorry!). He was shocked to discover it tasted just like yellow eggs and pink ham :)


• He got a Green Eggs and Ham animated video for his birthday from Aidan which I'm embarrassed to admit I've let him watch far too many times.


• He chose a 4-in-1 Green Eggs and Ham puzzle at Barnes & Noble with a birthday gift card from Aunt Heather and Uncle Jack. It also in includes themed activity ideas for Mom (should I choose to perpetuate the fascination).


• He from time to time will recite the book or movie while he's playing or eating.


• What's even funnier is when he finds an appropriate moment in the day to insert a line from the book. For example, I'll say "Alex, would you please get into the car". And he'll comply while retorting "Would you could you in the car, eat them eat them here they are!".

But alas...with the same gift card from Aunt Heather and Uncle Jack, he picked out a new Dr. Seuss book on CD - Fox in Socks. I couldn't be happier as I hate reading that book out loud. It's a terrible tongue twister!

Cya Sam. I think you're about to be bounced out of the rotation. :)

P.S. My Seuss lover LOVED celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday at school in March. He got to make a Cat in the Hat hat and wore his construction paper masterpiece proudly!

Dad! Mom's Right!

I think it was the bad weather...but can't say for sure. However, Jim and I couldn't see eye to eye on anything yesterday. Let me be clear - we weren't fighting. But we just couldn't agree on anything either.

Silly stuff...I thawed pork chops for dinner...Jim didn't want them. I think BMWs are pretentious...Jim thinks they're not. Jim thinks 30 minutes is long enough in Barnes & Noble, I say let's just stay until the dudes are ready to go. Just stupid stuff like that ALL DAY LONG.

But here's the silver lining...whenever Tanner heard us disagreeing...he'd pipe in with a solid, "D-a-a-a-a-d, Mom's right". The little cutie took my side every time...further agitating Jim.

I figure it's just the tables turning after hearing over 2 years of Brian siding with Jim (most of the time). My turn for a little back-up (probably not as articulate...but also not someone you can really argue with!). Thanks little Tanner Bananer! I love you more and more every day :)

Back to the Doctor - 2nd Day in a Row

Yep...another call. This one from Staci (our sitter) from Gymanstics. Tanner is screaming in the background. This time he dislocated his elbow :( It's the first time since he got the cast off in November, but still disappointing. I was hoping to never hear that cry again.

Back to the same doctor's office. Same nurse (who thinks Tanners is just so stinkin' cute). Doctor asks "What happened?". Tanner says angrily in tears 'Can't you see, I dislocated my elbow again!". Silly doctor!

And oh the drama. As we're waiting for the doctor to come in, Tanner blubbers/whines:

'I can only stand. I can't sit because it hurts my arm'
'I think I'm going to have to stand for 59 years!'
'And you're going to have to do everything for me. I won't be able to sleep. I won't be able to eat. I won't be able to do anything!'
'I never dislocated my elbow when I was 6 years old, only 5 years old and 4 years old and 3 years old and 2 years old and 1 years old!'
'I'm never going to have a birthday again because that will mean that my elbow will be dislocated'

It was so pitiful I had to laugh and comfort him at the same time. Poor little dude. Tough week. I wonder what tomorrow will bring...maybe a day of peace?

Proud Parent

We received our first call today from the secretary at school. I answered the cell phone, not recognizing the phone number, and you might imagine my terror when the caller says 'Hello, this is Ellen from Meadow Brook Elementary'.

My mind immediately raced to - Tanner dislocated his elbow. Or, Alex was in the Principal's office for bolting across the street. Or Alex had a seizure. Or either had knocked out a tooth on the playground. Completely terrifying thoughts race through a parents head.

So, Ellen goes on to say that Tanner got a pencil eraser stuck up his nose and they couldn't see it/get it out. I laughed out loud. Perhaps not an appropriate response? But seriously, an eraser stuck up his nose!

I was en route to GR from South Haven, so I called Jim to take care of it (he was closer to the school than I). I was riding with Kim Trent, who independently comes to the same conclusion as I - these boys are certainly Daddy's little guys!

I may not have raised Jimbo, but I've heard enough stories and can draw enough reasonably accurate conclusions to know that this little stunt was likely right up his alley as a child. Tanner reports matter-of-factly to the pediatrician (with Daddy in tow) that he thought it would be funny. The doctor suggested maybe it wasn't a good idea, and Tanner reluctantly concurred.

So, for those of you wondering how to fix such an ailment - here's the scoop. Hold one nostril closed and blow in your childs mouth strongly (as if doing CPR). The lodged object will launch from the clear nostril.

So, crisis averted. Jim handles the Tan-man's predicament...further evidence that the apple likely didn't fall far from the tree. :)

Totally Newsworthy

Alex came to me in the kitchen tonite and for the first time ever and completely unprompted asked sweetly if he could please take out the trash. Melted my heart - I smiled and said of course - and thank you! I'm just completely shocked...and will savor the moment as I'm guessing I'll be the one begging in years to come.

Then, when Tanner saw Alex taking out the trash, he pleaded to do the same! So, I sent Tanner out with a bag of recycling.

They were so proud of themselves! Too cute.