Today at breakfast Max looked at Shane with a scrutinizing eye and said, "Dad, you look old."
I tried to stifle a laugh, while Mason explained what Max must have really meant by saying in his most nurturing only slightly patronizing voice, "He means not old like an OLD person, but old like we love you."

Ok that clears everything up. Glad to know the kids still love there old folks.

A letter to my son on the worst day of his life...

Oh Max, my dear one, today on the way home from school you just had to use some of my chapstick.  Your lips were so dry you were sure you were near death. Unfortunately for you, you also got some chapstick in your mouth. Now you were convinced that you were one step closer to tragedy with the inevitable chap stick poisoning.  Finally in desperation you pronounced, "This is the worst chap stick day of my life." I tried to show sympathy, but I have to say that the worst day of your life happens quite regularly.

You my wild boy have always lived in terms of extremes. If we are having a hard day and I proclaim a boundary like no TV or no friends, your response will always be with despair, "FOREVER!?!" In your world there is no "a little bit" or "just a while." There is no moderation. Although it does give your dad and I a good laugh these days I do hope that as you grow you will learn that there is a middle ground, and that its ok to meet there once in awhile.

I do really love it though when the worst day of your life starts to show improvement and you pronounce that it has miraculously changed into the best day day of your life. I truly hope your best days will always outnumber your worst days.

Game Night

We started a tradition in our house, last winter that we've continued doing this year that my kids just love. Every Sunday night we have game night. We rotate who gets to choose the game and everyone looks forward to it. Tonight it was Max's turn so we played a raucous round of Mousetrap. The highlights were when I couldn't find my game piece and had to use a foil covered chocolate instead and the laughter that ensued when my piece finally made its way to Shane's side of the board and mysteriously became an empty piece of foil devoid of chocolate; and then when Max's mouse was on the cheese wheel and Shane landed on the turn crank space, Max couldn't stand the anticipation of watching the trap move its way towards his mouse and finally stood on the chair and shouted an anguished, "NOOO!" and then laughed and laughed when his mouse was caught. I know that the kids won't always be interested in hanging out with the folks, but for now its one of our favorite things.

Max's lyrics

The yesterday this song came on the radio. I wasn't really listening until Max said to me, "You know that song about cleaning?"

To which I replied, "huh?"

"That song on the radio, it says (singing along) cleaning makes you stronger, grow a little taller."

And then he wanted to know if cleaning really does make you taller... well, I think it probably does.

A weekend visitor

About two weeks ago we had a special weekend visitor. My sweet nephew Ethan came to stay with us. Now its been awhile since we've had a toddler in the house and I was nervous I might have forgotten all things pertaining to having such a person around, but I'm happy to say it is a little like riding a bike. Ethan fit right in with our crazy crowd. The kids just love him... I mean love him. I was nervous about Max especially getting a little jealous of my attention being diverted, but it wasn't even an issue. The boys couldn't get enough of him. Mason really was a great helper and loved doing things for Ethan. In this picture Mason is taking him for a ride in the laundry basket, an activity they both thought was hilarious.

We had such a wonderful time. I forgot how much extra joy having a little guy brings to your house. About an hour before Michelle and Kendon got back, Max asked in all seriousness, "Can we keep him?" I had to tell him I thought his mom just might really want him back, but we were sure lucky to have him visit.

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Halloween

This year the kids rejected my suggestion of going as Harry and Ron for Halloween, and decided they wanted to be ninjas... (well first Max wanted to be Batman, but then changed his mind to being a ninja like Mason, thankfully Mason didn't mind). I have to admit I was a little bummed, as you know I get really into making the boys costumes every year. But I accepted their desire to be ninjas and instead of starting a huge sewing/hot gluing project we took a trip to Target and got outfitted for Halloween. They still looked cute and really had fun. I love Halloween, its so much fun.

 

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First Snow

He had to gather the whole yard's worth of snow to make the season's first snow man.

 

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