Now THIS is the way to build a snowman!

45 degrees today...snow is melting and PERFECT for packing. The boys tried to build a snowman with Ashley (babysitter) earlier this week during the snow days, but it just wasn't good packing snow and it was FREEZING! Happy Alex...success at last :)

Just like Santa and Cookies...

So, you leave cookies for Santa and he comes and leaves presents. You put a tooth under your pillow and the Tooth Fairy comes and leaves money.

Anyone know what it takes to get a snow day? Alex and Tanner have it down to a science. We've had snow days 3 of the last 5 schools days. We're shooting for 4 for 6 tomorrow, and here's the boys secret formula to ensure no school:

1. Sleep with a spoon under your pillow.
2. Put ice cubes in the toilet.
3. Throw a few ice cubes out a window.

Where do they come up with this stuff? Probably school. They are serious as a heart attack in their preparations. It's hysterical. :)

Oh no they didn't...

Oh yes they did! Pine Ridge Elementary School gym teacher is doing a dance section and my kids came home loving The Macarena!!!! Seriously, I thought I left that dance on spring break in South Padre Island in 1996! Something about my 6 year olds slapping their butts and shaking down in unison is highly disturbing :)

THEN...Tanner says, 'Mom, watch this one now!'. Now I'm embarrassed because I don't know what this dance is called...but I recognize it. Something about 'right foot right stomp, left foot left stomp....now cha-cha now y'all'. The "cha-cha now y'all"...again freaks me out when 6 year old yahoos are doing it!

THEN...Tanner says to Alex, "I know, we can make up a dance together and I'll sing!". Alex says excitedly, "OK Tan-uh!". Tanner doesn't skip a beat and starts singing plain as day, "I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world. Made of plastic. It's fantastic. You can brush my hair...". (to which the boys are doing karate move dancing).

Any slight bit of entertainment value the preceding portions of this impromptu dance show had are now completely gone. Who the heck teaches the Barbie song to a 6 year old boy to sing/repeat? So I ask Tanner, expecting the same gym teacher that resurrected The Macarena to be the culprit. Tanner says, "Elvis taught it to us on the playground". Big sigh. Crap they're getting old, and I'm feeling older.

Perhaps I'll request a repeat performance and post video so you can appreciate it all first hand. Second time around should be more enjoyable for me too (shock value gone).

Sleepy

Ahhh...at 6 years old the boys are still so snugly and warm, especially Alex. He asks to snuggle every night and I love it (I'm also acutely aware this likely won't last many more years)!

Jim (AKA Mr. Muscles) just extracted a sleeping Alex from our nighttime snuggle on the over sized chair/ottoman in the living room and carried him to bed. For the last several weeks, he's often fallen asleep upright on me to help with his nighttime coughing. Tonight, we had all the lights out, both of us in PJs, looking at the newly decorated house and Christmas tree! Just magical. I love Christmas lights!

Now, it's only 8pm and I need to try to wake up! Warm, snugly Alex can put me right to sleep...perhaps Bailey's and coffee to the rescue?

Got Hot Chocolate? (Tanner does!)

We saw our first snow this AM...so with that out comes the hot chocolate! The first sign of winter (bittersweet) :)

Football Sundays

Giggling our way through the afternoon...maybe they'll be tuckered out enough for a nap?

Doubtful. :)

What the @#$%*!?

Tanner (matter-of-factly): "Mom...Dad...I need a card."
Jim (puzzled): "What kind of card?"
Tanner (casually serious): "You know, a credit card or a debit card."

Jim and I look at each other like...you've got to be kidding me.

Jim: "No way dude, not until your 21."
Tanner: "Ok." (pause) "I want to drive" (said giggling with his hands at 10 and 2 on an imaginary steering wheel)
Jim: "Not till your 16 buddy"
Tanner: "Ok. I want to cook."
Jim: "A couple years"

Tanner accepted the response and went on his merry way. What the heck? I don't think he's going to drop it there. That little dude is cooking up some sort of plan in his head. Either he's planning to wear us down or take matters into his own hands. Warning-warning-warning! Put a lock down on all wallets, car keys and kitchens :)

Magic Tree House Books

Oh boy...summer reading options are off and running! Trips to the library are now every 3 days. They are reading before they go to bed at night...first thing when they wake up...any time they are bored...BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! Reminds me of Greg and I growing up. We went camping this weekend and I read them Magic Tree House Book #1 by the campfire one morning. They've decided they want to read one each day of summer break. It's a chapter book series with something like 50 books, so off we go!

It's so funny to see/listen to them read. The teachers are always quick to point out that they read 'with comprehension'. I guess some kids just read but don't follow the story? Their recent IEP had the typical array of people...current teachers/therapists who are trying to relay all the boys ins and outs to the new set of teachers/therapists for the next school year. The reading subject is always funny to watch them hammer out. It usually goes something like this... the current teacher will state Alex/Tanner can read...new teacher sort of dismisses it. Current teacher repeats - 'No, they can read CHAPTER books.'. New staff look up slightly. Current teacher says - 'They read CHAPTER books WITH comprehension'. Then they all set down their pens and talk about it. Something about the 'comprehension' seems to be the kicker. \

Anyhow...so in Magic Tree House #1 we found a few new and interesting words. Medallion was one. Impossible was another (for which they dreamed up all sorts of things that are impossible). Fern was another. They didn't know what a fern was or looked like. So, we went on a hike in the woods in north Muskegon...and found TONS of ferns.

So, this pic represents not only our camping trip this weekend, but also our new book series!

Magic Tree House books #2 is about knights, #3 is about mummies and #4 is about pirates. Should be fun!

Gymanstics Year End Show

Let me start by saying...help parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles...anyone! How the heck do you take decent pictures in gynasium lighting??? I must figure this out ASAP.

But, as with all firsts, this event must be documented despite the lacking picture quality - so here's a few shots from the boys first gynastics show! They have a 1 hour class called 'Boys Will Be Boys' every Thursday 9AM. They've been going for a little over a year and love it. And...let me just say the teachers are true saints for even hosting such a class...knowing full well what kind of kids are going to enroll! :)

Here's the rowdy bunch lined up waiting for their turn to perform. With something like 15-20 gynastics classes to take the stage, the wait was long and they were all cracked up!

Of course, my guys are the only ones who take the extra time to start performing unapproved stunts while waiting in line :) I think the kid next to them is sure these two are in trouble!

This next pic is their first gymnastics move - leapfrog! Yeah...that's pretty tame for my monkeys but they are happy as can be to start the routine. (oh yes..."routine"...used in a sports/performance sense...yet oh so soothing to little AJ who love to perform it on demand...the set order is music to his ears!). But beware - he will ask you to join!

Next comes the somersaults. They look so easy. Until Alex asks YOU to join the routine. When's the last time you did a somersault? I'm honestly scared to do one with him (sad that I have to admit that). I told Jim I think I'll try practicing outside going down hill. The livingroom floor is hard, flat and frightenting!

Now the bridge. Look at those super bendy boys!

Now the kart-wheels (yes, that's what that is supposed to be). Tanner's working on this still (as are most of the boys in the class). Wish I could have got a pic of Alex...he's actually really good at them!

And after a few more little stunts, the grand finale pyramid where the Wooden boys serve at the base.

Then they are presented their Gold Medal and Certificate of Excellence...and we're off for ice cream to celebrate! Nice work fellas!

Who Am I?

I am a happy boy, obviously. I'm a Wooden boy, obviously. I have great eyelashes which my mom is jealous of, obviously.

Now, if you don't know exactly who I am, perhaps these little clues will help now, and in the future:

1. I have a scar over my right eye going right through my eyebrow. I hit my head on the slide at the park when I was 2 years old and got stitches at the ER.

2. I have dimples when I smile. The dimple on the right side of my face is much more prominent. My brother does not have any dimples.

3. The enamel on my teeth is shot due to prematurity. My left front tooth is chipped right in half, but the dentist said the prematurity shouldn't affect my adult teeth though!

4. I have a thin scar line across my chin where I fell into the fireplace at our old house when I was less than a year old.

5. My right eye is a little lazy when I'm sleepy or late in the day (drifts toward the center). Mom thinks if I try to drink or do worse as a teenager the lazy eye will be a dead give away that I've been getting into trouble.

Who Am I?

A Conversation with Trooper

I've NEVER seen Alex talk to Trooper. Laugh at him - yes. Terrorize him - yes. Play golf with him - yes. Have a conversation? Nope.

Jim and I were tickled this weekend when we watched Alex crouch down next to Trooper and tell him all about how he hit his head on the table and got a bump on his head. He just went on and on...heck...long enough for me to grab a camera! If you know Alex, you know that conversations are a bit short and fleeting. Except this one. Trooper just looked at him and listened patiently. Then, Alex leaned over and said 'Trooper, will you lick it so it will feel better?'.



WHAT!!! Back up the wagon here. I was done being impressed with this interaction. No requests for kisses from MOM? Man, my ratings are slumping big time it seems!

36 Hours...

and I'm still Elasti-Girl. Oh how I miss being Mom.

24 Hours and Counting...

The boys are fascinated with 'The Incredibles'. Tanner chose the movie for the drive to Grandma's on Saturday. Alex chose the same for a Sunday night movie. Now, we've been living in character for 24 hours.

Mom = Elasti-Girl
Dad = Mr. Incredible
Tanner = Baby Incredible
Alex = Dash (and boy is he having fun remaining in character - running every where!)

Alex will not respond to anything but Dash and won't call anyone by their real names. Poor Staci came in this morning unknowingly being called 'Violet' and was thoroughly confused. Brian - you are Syndrome. For all of you who have no idea what I'm talking about - watch the movie :)

This morning, he crawled in bed with me and whispered groggily 'Good morning Elasti-Girl'. Can't wait to see if mommy's little AJ is still in his imaginary world tomorrow AM!

And as for Mr. Incredible, it's his dreams coming true to have kids that love superheros! My little Jimmie's...

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.

"Mom! We look like twins!"

No, really? They shout and I always get a chuckle.

The past week, they've been announcing it when they wear the same clothes. Actually, the same PJs. It's this cool new game to wear matching PJs. It only took them a few years to figure how fun that could be I guess :)

I've never pushed or even suggested matching clothes. In fact, I won't even buy them identical clothes (always coordinating - same shirt, different color).

PJs on the other hand...there are only some many choices out there. Since comfort certainly outweighs looks when it comes to good pjs, I buy 2 if I find good ones.

Oh...I guess there is another exception to my 'no matching' rule. Coats, shoes and backpacks must be identical. I just don't have the patience on the way out the door for the brawls over one vs. another. In fact, though they had matching coats this winter one was labeled 'Alex' and one 'Tanner' for school purposes. They were fighting over which named coat they got to wear, so we wrote boldly 'Wooden' over the first names to make that fights go away.

Anyhow...yes fellas...you look like twins when - and only when - you wear your matching pjs :)

Bedtime Piano

We just found clip-on lights for the boys beds...and Alex is happy as can be playing his little piano book in bed. He plays away (having memorized nearly the whole book of songs) while Tanner reads out loud next to him. Not exactly quiet up there...but calming for each in their own way.

The Potty Dance

No, I'm not referring to the traditional shuffle and leg crossing you expect from a kindergartener. I'm talking about MY potty dance...which is performed while waiting outside the mens restroom...waiting for 2 little 5 years olds to emerge from their duties. MY nervous shuffle knowing that the curious little dudes are in there all alone - because they refuse to go in "womans" because they are "mens".

I can hear them...I can imagine the trouble they are getting into...but I can't control it! Perhaps it's God testing me...I can't control all aspects of my life...I know...they are my daily reminder!!!

Tonight at the library a 50 year old professionally dressed gentleman stepped out briskly, steps ahead of the little dudes. Alex says 'I'm following this man!' and starts chasing after him. I quickly grab his hood (thank God for hoods!) and keep him back. So I begin to wonder and groan...why so fascinated with this man? (Which prompts me to find a book about strangers...we'll see if the Berenstein Bears can get through on that front). I have this terrible suspicion that they probably peeked at him under the stall door and chased him away from his private time.

Why oh why? Why boys? Why curious boys? Why fearless and social boys? Why 2 of them? Help me Lord...or help all those looking for some peace in quiet in a public restroom when the Wooden boys stop in for a visit.

And on a sweeter note...

Alex is upstairs sitting on the kitchen floor with his guitar in hand (neck to the right) strumming away and belting out 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond. Perhaps Neil can retire soon and his young protege can keep his tunes alive :)

Throw Down Time!

When I find the movie or CD or video game or TV show that has corrupted my sweet little kid I'm going to destroy it! Tanner's new response to adult direction is a forlorn 'Whatever'. He's compliant - but he's throwing a 'Whatever' at me and he's only 5!!! Time to wipe that word from the vocabularly!

"Isn't He Talkative!"

Every time I hear it I beam. Words you thought you'd never hear.

Most recently it was the hair stylist cutting Tanner's hair last night. They covered names, ages, city/state where you live, a recap of the days field trip to the Planetarium, the fact that Mommy "wants me to stay little forever, but I just can't stop growing!', on and on and on. The whole salon was laughing (especially about Mommy's wish) and mesmerized by the conversation (still working on that inside voice).

Every where we go (i.e. Home Depot, D&W, restaurant, gym) he looks for the persons name tag, than proceeds with 'Hi Dave, I'm Tanner. Did you know...'. People in this world are kind to kids, no matter how mean we can be to each other as adults. I don't think he's ever been snubbed. There is usually a bit of shock by being called by name, and then complete engagement in conversation. I think it's safe to say that stranger anxiety is a non-issue.

I thought I better start talking to him about strangers...and did. So then he announces to the nurse at the doctors office (of course calling her by name after reading a name tag). "You are stranger and you are an adult and that means you could hurt me. Do you know any kids I can talk too? Kids aren't strangers." And then the nurse smiles/chuckles, the cast removal goes on hiatus (tools set down...she's just captivated by the chatty kid).

And to think they never thought he would talk...the power of early intervention (and HUNDREDS of hours of therapy).