Thoughts

Facebook took over blogging and while that has provided community and near immediate feedback, it doesn't create much of a story of our lives. Looking back on this old blog reawakens memories and allows for me to have perspective; both in that time passes and that there are some many moments in each week, a wide variety of fun and slog. It's winter break, still, and while we're ready for school to start again we haven't really hit desperation. Henry and Elliot are all up in each other's business, especially in the car. They just turned 9.5...sometimes they are having fun and other times they are are crazy making (to each other and everyone else.) It can make car rides, long and short, painful. After the snow/ice storm before the break, Mike and I decided we needed a bigger car. I don't have to write much about car shopping because everyone in this family will always remember car shopping because we do it so much. However, on 12/26 we found a Pilot that worked for us. We drove home, picked up the kids and immediately embraced the DVD system. I wish we had this beast when we were driving across Tennessee recently. It's year-end so I'm off to do billing and any business wrap up, of which I'm afraid there is a lot. And then accounting. Allegedly it is going to snow on Sunday, new year's day. So we should get groceries because who knows how long Portland will be shut down this time!

A Study of Two Styles

Elliot:


Henry:

Fall Photos

We had a beautiful fall in Portland, following a pretty chilly and wet summer. I'm posting this the day after Christmas, and the winter has continued to be fairly mild. It's either been rainy or cold, but not both. I consider this to be good weather!

Henry is so into helping and doing things himself. It's so incredible to see him learning something new each day.



Elliot was napping while Henry raked the leaves for me. He came out and took right to tossing them into the air and jumping into the pile. It was great fun, and a new experience due to leaves usually being soggy in Portland.

Waiting to See Santa

Santa event number one for the year was seeing him arrive to Fremont Street via fire engine! I thought it was going to blow their minds, but both Henry and Elliot were pretty mellow about the whole thing. They like the idea of Santa, as in a guy who gives them presents, but haven't been enveloped in the whole Christmas thing.

Just Like Papa!

When I was doing laundry, Elliot found a shirt of Mike's and decided to be like papa. Henry followed suit, and by the time I got out the camera, Elliot was over it. I have to most unwilling photo subjects ever! But they're pretty cute in real life!

Elliot's First Word Document

(I also suggested he look for the letters in his name, but he wanted to explore. Regarding the slashes, "I made a big xylophone!")

Rtyy yyyyyuuu um um mu ‘’’assssssssssssssssssssssssdvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvbbnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnm,……….//////////////zxcccccccccvvvvvbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,………………………………………………………………………//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////kkkkkkkkkkkkbhh y yybbbbbbbbnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,y222222222222222222

Henry's First Word Document

(I suggested he type his name)

Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Hernnryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Elliot's Totally Made-up Story

Oddly, there have been no time-outs for hitting recently that I know of. They made these puppets at playgroup, and I didn't think to follow up the next day to see if they had made up stories there.

Interestingly, I would have known this frowny puppet was Elliot's. He is less expressive with his emotions (ie - less prone to falling on the ground crying about sprinkles on his cereal than Henry), but is very interested in bad guys, hi-ya-ing, ghosts, monsters and their ilk. If anyone's going to talk about people going to jail (not video taped), being angry or "Mama, when grow into a man, I'll have a knife. But not a knife to cut people. A knife for cutting play-dough. Or I can use my knife for making(frosting) a cake," it's going to be Elliot.

And he's just as sweet as Henry. Henry loves 'nuggles more and tends to be more clingy, but Elliot is also loving, in a clowny way. Last week I was trying to take a snooze on the swing with Henry. Elliot leaned over and kissed my lips, like in Snow White he said. Hi-Ho is a favorite movie around here, so I'm just glad he'd rather play the role of prince rather than evil witch.

The River!

I've often lamented that there are no places to swim in Oregon. The rivers are dangerous and cold, the beach is cold, dangerous and far away, and the lakes are stagnant and swampy. I grew up with lakes all around, so I'm pretty picky.

However, our new neighbors (who I adore) asked us to check out the Sandy River with them this morning. The Sandy River is the River of Death to me, with at least one drowning of an adult and a child each summer. I knew she wasn't going to sacrifice her girls to the River Gods, so I figured we'd be safe.

We had our doubts though, when saw a huge warning sign about drownings in the area. Not too reassuringly, there were lifeguards and a strong recommendation for life vests for the kids. On the upside, they also pointed out a nice, calm place to play and swim.

The end of the story is this: No one drowned, the river was calm for a nice stretch, I got to dunk and swim (!) for a few minutes and my kids went "swimming" in a natural body of water for the first time.

And we're all tuckered out!

Yay for summer, neighbors and still being alive!

Henry J quote of the Day

I just told Mike that I really want a doughnut. He actively encouraged me to walk to the store and buy some, "You can get a whole box. With some glazed ones... some powdered ones... some other ones..." Henry pipes up, "Some baking soda ones...some baking powdered ones..."

Everyone Loves Baby Cousin!

IMG_2179
Originally uploaded by sixtyeightgearinches

On Sunday the boys and I packed up and rushed up to Seattle to assist my dear sister in the labor and delivery process.

H&E didn't do much assisting, of course, but were able to visit Baby Rowan less than 24 hours after birth. Elliot LOVES babies and was enamored; Henry don't much notice babies and was not very interested in his new cousin (despite appearing more engaged in this photo).

Uncle Seth has video of Elliot holding Rowan, I'm sure it's pretty cute. I can't wait to get back up there and see the newest little perfect person in the world!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABIES!!!

Elliot

Henry

Last Friday Elliot and Henry turned three! The day was great. Finally sunny, we ran to a garage sale and picked up a little bike for Elliot. It was $5 really, really well spent! Both Henry and Elliot are nuts about riding their bikes.

We also made birthday crowns, took the bicycles for a walk (as Elliot puts it) with Grandpa Adair, and Papa came home early from work and we went to see Toy Story 3! It was H&E's first theater experience, and it was 3D to boot. About 40 minutes in they were both restless, but we managed to stay for the whole show.

Thanks for all the support over the last three years, friends!

Growing Up

Last week a propos to nothing, Henry said, "Mama, when you grow down you'll be the baby and I'll be a mama." He knew he was being silly and it was cute.

Today I was petting the dogs in the yard. I grabbed Elliot and asked if he were a dog and needed to be pet as well. He said, "No, I just grew up last weekend." He was being truthful, these almost-three-year-olds have grown in the last few weeks!

waffle window = fun!

waffle window = fun!
Originally uploaded by crankyisgood

that's my boy! Elliot in his element.

OMG!

Yesterday I took Henry to pick up pizza, just the two of us. We were chatting in the car and I remembered that I saw his playgroup nanny working with the kids on spelling their names.

I asked him, "Can you spell your name?"
No response.

I revised the question, "What are the letters in your name?"
His answer: "H.e.n.r.y."

Holy cow, I was floored. I asked him two more times and he refused, so I laid off. We got home and Mike and I interrupted each other, both eager to speak.

He said, "Elliot can read." I said, "Henry can spell his name!"

Apparently while H and I were gone, Mike pulled something up on the computer that said "Winnie-the-Pooh" and Elliot recognized it. Per Mike, there were no pictures or other ways to identify the phrase.

I think we have geniuses on our hands!

(no one break my heart and tell me all 2.5 year-olds should be able to spell their names. :) )

Henry Sings Christmas Songs

Merry Christmas!

Henry and Elliot had a wonderful Christmas, with lots and lots of presents to open. Here is a little sample of their different opening styles. Henry tears with the sole goal of uncovering the gift; Elliot tears little pieces of paper off, bit by bit. Henry's is cleaner; Elliot's takes longer and prolongs the enjoyment. Both are such fun to watch!





Auntie Daphne, Uncle Seth, Uncle Alex, Grandma Judi and Grandpa Don all came over for dinner and more gifts. This Boxing Day has been all about sugar, wildness and not-listening-or-sitting-for-dinner. The boys were off to bed at 7:28 and nary a peep has been heard from their room. Phew!

Pre-Christmas "Festivities"

Merry Almost Christmas!

Henry and Elliot Love:

Christmas!
Frosty the Snowman, as of today. The 50 times prior they didn't give a rip.
Jingle Bells, especially Elliot
X-mas lights, of course.
"The Christmas Tree Song," which is my made up rendition of Oh Christmas Tree.
Presents, books specifically. I think the book part has to do with thus far they have each only opened one present. Guess what they were?
Wooden Spoons
mini whisks
"warm chocolate", as opposed to hot chocolate, of course.
Yo Gabba Gabba
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Cement Mixers (Henry)
Diggers and all other construction equipment(Elliot).
The color blue (Henry)
Buzz Lightyear (Henry)
drawing with crayons or markers (Elliot)
Reading books (Henry more so)
wall*e (Elliot)
Mama's Bracelet (Elliot, past 24 hours only)
"Going to work. Going to meetings" (both)
climbing
jumping
making mischief (both, oh lord)

What's really interesting is that Henry is the ringleader for deciding whose is whose. He laid claim to the blue cups, assigning Elliot the green. It took Elliot about 6 weeks to go along with, and insist upon using the green cups. Henry fell in love with a "Mixer Puzzle" and deemed all others inferior (and therefore Elliot's). For the most part Elliot is easy going and flows right along with whatever. However, this past week they are obsessed with wooden spoons. Gone are the days when they would share or trade; we are in full battle mode over these spoons. Some replacements are acceptable occasionally. Occasionally mama removes all spoons from sight!

DIGGER!

Auntie Daphne knitted this awesome digger sweater for Elliot. He has been so excited about it. Here is a video of the first time he put it on!