Not cool, dude.

I would like spring to come, but it isn't happening.  In fact Eric and Isaac both got a snow day.

Just now I am sitting at the kitchen table and Benjamin is siting next to me.  There are cookies on the table and I may have told Benjamin "uh uh," he could not have anymore, but I was only paying half attention.  But he got my full attention and a chuckle out of me when he said, "Not cool, dude."

Benjamin found a receipt and was carrying it around.  I asked him what he had there, and our conversation went something like this:
B:  Map to find Jesus Christ.
Mom: Oh?  You are going to find Jesus?
B: Yeah.
Mom:  Where is He?
B: At da church.
Mom: Oh, he is?
B: Yeah.  He ea'din' [c]rackers.
Eric over heard our conversation and Benjamin said something to him about Friday.
Eric said: Evidently Jesus is eating crackers at the church on Friday.  We aught to go.

Maybe Eric was the instigator of the "raise your hand" game but Benjamin is the master at it.  It began something like this:
Eric:  "If you think Mom should eat her broccoli raise your hand."  Everyone raised hand.  Then it turned into, "If you like broccoli, raise your hand."  Everyone raised hand.  Isaac and Seth got right into it,  "If you like chicken raise your hand."  Everyone raised hand.  Benjamin said, "If [you] like D'neyLand, rai'e your hand."  Everyone laughed and raised hand.  He now asks that question at least once or twice at dinner and usually at random times throughout the day...and everyone raises hand.

B: "I not want a nap?"
Mom: "You dont want a nap?"
B: "No thank you."
He got one anyway.

Isaac doesn't like to go up stairs, or downstair by himself.  He usually recruits Seth to go with him.  I assume Seth was encouraging Isaac to take Benjamin with him when I heard Seth say, "Benjamin is the bravest kid I know. Come on dude.  You gotta believe me."

This morning

There was nothing special about today.  Lots of days are like this one...and I want to remember them all. How is that of all the little boys in the world, we got the cutest ones.  Three for three darlings.  What are the odds?  Whatever the odds were/are, glad they are in my favor.

My favorite quote of the morning came from Isaac, which is saying something because Seth is always  full of 'em.  Eric was ready to take Isaac to school and had already gone to the car.  Isaac always makes sure to kiss and hug me, Seth, and Benj. Afterwards he headed to the door and hollers back:.

"Have the spirit with you."

 Door starts to close, then opens back up

"And may the force be with you also."

Prior to that we had been gathering for family prayer, and Seth happened to be wearing a policeman dress up.

"Policemens have motorbikes, well sometimes they do, and I do." 

Family prayer is said

"Policemens always have motorbikes and listen to prayers."

They woke me up early today.  5:30 in the blessed a.m.  That is an hour and a half earlier than any of us should be up.  Seth informed me that a glass fell and broke.  I heard,  "MOM!  Some glass broke!  It just fell off of somewhere and broke!  Come on mom!  I'll show ya."  

Seth: "Mom, when I grow up I'm going to be a policeman."  One half of a mili-second later, "Actually, I'm gonna be a rock star."  10 seconds later, "When is Alvin gonna be real?"

"No Benj.  I dont want to hold you right now.  I dont feel good." (More like I was ornery and my sugars were running high. 

"Oh mom.  I kiss you." He walked up and kissed me...on the hip...cause that is where his lips reached.

"Thanks Benj.  You are so nice to me."

"Not a problem."

How to Throw the BEST Valentines Bash Ever

Actually, if you really want to know how to throw the BEST Valentines Bash Ever you will have to ask my friend Erin Glover, because she is the one who hosted it, sent the invites, and otherwise took on all responsibility.  She had the party at our house.  It was brilliant.  I didn't have to go anywhere or be in charge.  LOVE.

We made these cute gun Valentines for Benjamin to pass out... 

and these totally cool star wars valentines from Seth.

But my favorite one was from a little guy named Tyndale.  He made it all by himself. LOVE.

(aaaa-where is that picture)

XXX

Will add later...I hope.

The R2D2 was Benjamin's.  I would like to note that the "feet" are recycled yogart cartons.  I created this all on my own.  The Batman idea, I stole from pinterest.  Seth loved it.  In fact, today, about 1 month later, he asked if we could take it to church. 

 Benjamin is full of awesomeness, including this totally legit leg lift dance move.  He is cool.  I like the row of star wars dudes.  I love how little people love to organize toys into rows.  It always makes me smile 100% of the time.

Seth is in School

Gasp.  I didn't send Isaac to kindergarten, but I am already sending Seth to preschool.  He is doing awesome.  His teacher asked if he could stay all day, like every other kid in his class, but I pick him up at lunch.  Maybe after Easter. Maybe. 

1st Day of School.  January 24, 2013.

 When Seth coaches me on how to run fast he instructs me to bend and lean over 

and put my hands back, sorta like he is demonstrating here. It works because if you dont move your feet, you'll fall on your face.

Seth isn't a fan of the cold.  But sledding got him outside. Work it baby.

 I let my kids eat snow, and have been made to feel like a looser mom.  

You know, all the pollution in the atmosphere-a valid point.

In my defense, I do teach them to eat only white snow.

Families That Play Together, Stay Together

Benjamin's version of Qwirkle.  His towers rock....literally.

If you are lucky enough to have your best friend be born into your very same family...

you gotta count yourself blessed.  Especially if your mom says "yes" to the wii.  

I think this is Seth heaven.

I like this picture because it is Isaac at the bottom of the picture rather than me. 

This couch is the best boy couch on the planet.  Yesterday I had a folding table up and it was near the green couch, so Isaac, Seth, and friend Lucian were taking turns jumping off the table onto the couch.  When Lucian's mom came to pick him up, she said a little incredulously, "Uh, are you supposed to being jumping off of there?" I had to nudge her, and quietly nod my head.

To Kiss or Strangle

Kiss.

 

Isaac's coach mentioned him during the awards ceremony.  He thought Isaac was the youngest on the team (he was 2nd youngest), and said "He [was] the youngest but he was a real asset to the team." 

Kiss. Same little dude has game off court. 

Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.

Strangle.