Chatter Boxes

John and Seth are going to a Royals' game later this month.  After hearing Daddy talk about the plans, Colin became weepy.  Colin has said before that he doesn't like going to the baseball game.  After further discussion he admits that what he's really upset about is the fact that Seth and Daddy will probably eat hotdogs. 

John was trying to make him feel better and told him that maybe Mommy would do something fun with him that day.  John said, "What do you think you and mommy will do?" 

Colin moped and said, "Stay at home and eat zucchini." 

John and I chuckled under our breath.  John said, "Does Mommy have enough money to buy some hotdogs?"

"No,"  Colin said quietly.

"She doesn't?  What did she do with all her money?"

"She broke it." 

"Broke it?  Colin, Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I don't know." 

I asked Colin what he might like to do that day.  He gave me three options...laser tag, going to the movie theater (Theater is said with emphasis on every sound like he's British.  That's how the boys say that word, always.  I love it and will be sad when they realize that's not how other people say it.), or going out for pizza and renting a movie.  You might notice, as I did, that none of these options include eating hotdogs.

This was on another mommy and Colin date a while back.  Look how much fun he's having.  Yet, Starbucks with Mommy didn't make the list.  Shocking!

Colin goes to afternoon preschool four days a week, which means he gets to spend his mornings at home with mommy. 

Lately he's enjoyed being a helper, loading the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher (he beams with pride when he tells me he's all done). 

Last night while Seth was getting his lunch ready for the next day, Colin decided he wanted to pack his lunch too.  Colin eats lunch at home before school but he didn't let that stop him.  He pulled it out of the fridge today, beaming with pride once again.  It wasn't neatly packed like mommy would do it...but all the necessary elements were there. 


A few days ago, he drew this picture to cheer me up after I hurt myself bringing fire wood into the house. 


"It's Mommy and Colin" he said.  It did make me feel better.  I love his curly hair and that his hands are over his eyes for some reason. 

And this morning while I was getting ready for the day, he kept walking in and out of my closet, flipping the light on and off and saying hi to himself in the full-length mirror.  I finally asked what he was doing.  "Looking at how pretty I am," he replied.  Oh, of course. 

This kid makes me smile. 

We spent Thanksgiving with John's family in Oklahoma.  The boys had fun helping Grandpa feed cows and fix fences.  They were also able to play with cousins when John's brother and family came up for the day. 

The boys decided to build their own beaver dam.  There are a couple beavers who call this pond home so the boys wanted to build one on this side of the pond too.

Colin is testing out the integrity of their new structure.

Uncle John helped cousin Sophie fish.  He would cast out the line, and she would reel it in...over and over and over again.  Every time the bait came up to the surface of the water she'd say, "I got one."

And here's a bonus "funny thing the boys have said":  Colin overheard me talking on the phone to my parents about our plans to return home after Thanksgiving.  I said that we planned on leaving after church on Sunday and grabbing some lunch on the road.  Colin quickly turned to me and said, "Mommy, eating on the road is not a good idea.  It is very dangerous."  Uh, yes...Colin.  Yes it is.  We indeed did stop to eat some lunch on our way home and Colin was relieved that we could eat inside the restaurant and not in the middle of the road. 

During family movie night last week we were watching The Shakiest Gun in the West with Don Knotts. 

Don Knotts' character is a dentist who moves west to start a dental practice.  As you can imagine he runs into some trouble along the way.  At one point he's sitting in his hotel room a bit forlorn.  He's polishing a giant replica of teeth and gums and gets his hand stuck in between the teeth.  Then there's a knock at the door.  He gets up, dragging the giant fake teeth with him.  When he opens the door, there's a tall beautiful woman, dressed in a green velvet dress.  She tilts her head and gives him a crooked grin. 

Colin says quietly, "Well, now he has two problems?"

I joined the boys at school this morning for Muffins with Mom.  Colin doesn't have school on Fridays but we all participated.



After a lovely breakfast, Colin and I dropped Seth off at his class and made our way back to the car.  Colin noticed that there were a lot of moms walking back to their cars alone.

Colin:  Mommy, those moms are leaving their kids at school.
Mommy:  Yes, there are some families where all the kids are old enough to go to school.
Colin:  They look soooo happy.
Mommy:  Yes...yes, they do.

********************

Bonus Colinism:  The boys made cards for their teachers as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.  Colin grabbed his crayon and seemed to be writing a long letter on his card.  He was obviously writing letters but nothing was legible to me.  He finished writing and said, "Mommy read it."  Umm?

I asked if he wanted me to write out what it said so his teacher would know for sure what he was saying.  "Yes," he said.

"Okay Colin what does it say?" I asked.

"It says, 'I hope you like Aliens.  From Colin'," he says with a smile. 

1.  John was watching a recorded version of the first Vice Presidential Debate one morning while the boys were eating breakfast.  After finishing their cereal they joined Dad in the living room.  John realized that out of all the things the boys have ever seen us watch on television (which is not a lot...most of our TV viewing happens after the boys go to bed) this has to be the most boring thing they've ever seen.  John thought he'd use it as a teaching moment and explained that we would choose one of these two men to help lead our country.  Seth turned up his lip and wrinkled his forehead and said, "Ugh, Why?"  Touche my young man.  Touche.

2.  I took Colin with me to vote on Tuesday.  We vote in a tiny Baptist Church down the road from where we live.  There was a bit of a line but nothing terrible.  I came armed with books for Colin to read if necessary but he did great.  He was very curious about what was happening so I explained to him what we were voting for and why.  At one point I explained that you could also write in someone's name if you felt like they would do a good job.  That's when Colin decided that I should write in Miss Jenny's name for President.  I took the opportunity to keep him occupied and we discussed further why Jenny would make a good President.  The gist was that she was pretty and nice and she won a medal (remember the marathon?).  Apparently the man in line behind us thought those were valid qualifications because he turned to Colin as we moved to the booth and said, "Hey kid, I think I'll vote for Miss Jenny too."  Which is probably more an indication of how he felt with his current options but nonetheless...Colin may have campaigning his future. 

3.  Seth had a mock election at school on Tuesday.  The students were voting for which book would get added to the school library.  Each student was given a voter registration card with their picture on it.  Each book was assigned a color and the students voted by wearing the corresponding color to school on Tuesday.  They even got "I voted" stickers to wear for the rest of the day.  I was happy to see them participating in some way.  Seth had some lessons to learn though.  He had made up his mind about which book he wanted, but then after talking with his friends on the bus, he decided to go with the book they wanted.  We talked about the ability to make your own choice, which doesn't have to be the same as everyone else.  He stuck with his original choice, which didn't win (have we mentioned the fact the Seth hates to lose?).  He's worked through it now but Seth, like millions around the country, is feeling some sadness with the results.

This picture has nothing to do with the post.  It's so cute and I don't have anywhere else to put it.  My mom took it while they were visiting this summer.

Usually I wait to post funny things the boys have said until I have a few built up, but I just couldn't wait to share.

This is the latest installment of funny things I want to look back and remember someday.  For previous installments see here and here.

We've been watching a lot of the Olympics at our house.  We cheer loudly when Ethiopia wins.  We used to cheer loudly when USA won but I think the novelty has worn off a bit.  Here are a few funny moments straight from our living room.

1.  During the men's diving competition the commentators announced the Chinese diver.  Seth turned to Colin and said, "Colin, China is really good at diving.  They always win."  Colin gasps and walks over to me.  In his best tattle-tale-tone he says, "Mommeeee,  Seth said China!"  "Yes he did,"  I say.  "Mommeeee, we can't say China it's a private word."  After some explanation from me, he settled back down to watch the competition.  But every time the commentator said China, Colin quietly giggled to himself.

2.  The boys have both enjoyed watching Usain Bolt from Jamaica.  They laugh at his antics before he gets ready to race and at his dancing when he wins.  Here's a picture of Seth "bolting".  After one particular race the boys were waiting for some dancing and Usain did not disappoint.  They laughed and laughed and laughed.  Seth let out a big sigh, doubled over and said, "Oh that guy, he cracks up my heart!"



3.  We caught a bit of the rhythmic gymnastics competition this morning.  The boys were watching from the playroom (that looks down over the living room).  Rightfully so, the boys had a lot of questions about why they were dancing with balls and hoops.  Seth, who tends to think he knows everything, told Colin that it was a contest for princesses.  "These princesses dance around and get a score from the judge."  Colin says, "Like Mommy?  Mommy's a princess!"  Seth responds, "Yea, but Daddy's the queen!"

Oh Man...these boys make me laugh.

A few funny things the boys have said lately...

1.  My parents celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary shortly after Christmas.  We had lunch together and gave them some cards.  Seth thought Grandpa and Grandma should "get married again" and he wanted to be the preacher.  Grandpa and Grandma did impromptu vows while Seth stood in front of them and handed them rings.  He then turned to me and whispered, "Now what am I suppose to say?"

I whispered in his ear, "You may now kiss the bride."  Seth turned to Grandpa and Grandma and said, "You may now kiss the surprise!"

I then whispered, "Now say, I now pronounce you husband and wife."  Seth turned and said, "I now pronounce you husband and knife!


2.  Grandma is still in town and as of last night, is staying with us.  The boys are very excited to have her here.  While Grandma was in the bathroom this morning, getting ready for the day, Colin sat on a chair in the playroom waiting for her to come out.  When asked what he was doing he said, "I want to give Grandma a message from the Lord."  I had thought I would redirect him to another activity, but who am I to interfere with the Lord's work.  Grandma finished drying her hair and came out of the bathroom.  I told her what Colin had said and we both eagerly awaiting the message. 

Colin sat for a moment and then said, "horse mustard".  We're not sure what it means but Grandma says she'll ponder it in her heart.

I read lots of blogs (I'm a much better reader than poster) and every mom blog I read has at last one post of funny things their kids have said. Almost always I read it thinking, that probably would have been funny if I was there or I knew the personalities of their kids better (I'm weird - I read mom blogs of people I don't know). 

But here's the deal.  Kids are funny.  My kids are funny.  I end up repeating funny things they've said to people that are close to us, so why not document them here for posterity and for the grandparents. 

There have been several so this comes to you in the form of a list: 

1.  All four of us were driving home from dinner with friends.  We were on the highway and Seth, from the backseat says, "Daddy, kiss mommy on the lips."  We remind him that we're driving on "the fast road" and can't do it now because it's not safe.  When we pulled up the off-ramp and stopped at the stop sign, Seth made his request again.  I leaned over to John with my lips pursed.  John leans in and as soon as our lips make contact Seth yells, "Now, stay on it!"

2.  The boys and I were having lunch with my parents.  Colin was getting inpatient with how long it was taking everyone to load their plates with food.  I told Colin, "hold your horses".  He got this look of concern on his face and after a while said, "Mommy, what I 'sposed to do wit da horses?"

3.  The four of us were playing at a nearby park.  Colin fell asleep in the car on the way so he was a bit out of sorts when we arrived.  Seth was taking Colin's disinterest as a sure indication that Colin didn't love him.  As I rocked Colin, I informed Seth that Colin is at an age where his actions may not match how he actually feels about us.  I said, "Colin loves us all very much but he's at that age when he can be a little bit testy with us."  Colin nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah Seth, I'm testy."  After we had played for a bit, it was time to head home.  Colin ran over from the slide and said, "Mommy can you carry me to the car, I'm testy."  I carried him.

4.  Colin and I were playing in the play room yesterday and he leaned over and said "Mommy, you're the best mommy but only in town."  I hope he meant "your the best mommy in town" but I'll take it.

5.  Several months ago on a Sunday morning, I went upstairs to help get the boys ready for church.  I was dressed and ready.  Usually I get everyone else ready first so they aren't used to seeing me "done up" at that point in the getting-ready process.  I got to the top of the stairs and Colin said, "Mommy you look...married!"  Again, I hope he meant "pretty" because the other way makes it sound like I've let myself go now that I'm snagged a man.

6.  With my parents upcoming move (oh yeah - by the way - my parents are moving to Idaho), we've inherited a lot of the toys and videos (yes, on actual video tape).  We watched The Lion King but had to fastforward through the scary parts (there are more than I remember).  The next day Colin wanted to watch it again but I said no.  He said, "but mommy, the lions are not scared of me".  I think he meant he wasn't scared of the lions but it wouldn't be funny if he said it correctly.

7.  Colin has figured out that we often say no to the requests that he makes (we try to say yes as much as possible but his requests are lofty).  He recently came in my room and said, "Mommy, I wanna talk to you...don't say no...can I go to a ferris wheel?"

We visited our local children's museum and the boys pretended to be doctors (aren't those costumes adorable?) I'm not dead.  They told me to be "sick and go to sleep".  That's what I look like when I am sick and I go to bed

These pictures have nothing to do with this post but I don't like posting without pictures.

So there you have it...the post for posterity and my parents.