A Bit Too Early

Amelia's teacher explained to Meggan today that she's had to have some talks with Amelia and a friend of hers (he will remain nameless) regarding their marriage. Yes, that's right. I said marriage. She had to explain to Amelia and her friend that in the history of the world, no kindergartners have ever gotten married. Last week or so, Amelia told me he was her boyfriend. I brushed it off as no big deal. In all fairness to me, I didn't know they were going to elope.  While I know they really just mean they are good friends and they really like each other, I am very, very pleased her teacher has annulled their nuptials.  We even try to discourage terms like "best friend" because we don't like her to section off with one or two people at the exclusion of others. So, despite these cute little possible wedding cake toppers she brought home, there will be no husbands for 20 years or so....

Break

I'm back home after a four day break from being responsible for any humans other than myself. As always, it was a bittersweet trip. It's so great to see friends I've known for nearly two decades. At the same time, I miss my family when I'm away.  Luckily, this time grandma and grandpa came up to see the kids, so I doubt they missed me at all. After all, daddy is pretty fun, but grandpa brought a sno cone machine.

Friends

There are very few things that make a dad feel better than watching his daughter tuck her little brother in on the couch and then show him how to use one of her favorite toys...

Lesson Learned

This is the face of a man who thought it was a good idea to climb into his dad's chair and eat his dinner while he wasn't looking. Unfortunately for him, his dad was having veggie lasagna instead of something more traditionally kid friendly...disappointment is one of life's greatest teachers. As a side note, all food was spit out onto my plate shortly after this photo....

Gentleman

Like any true gentleman, Everett carries his sister's books for her...

Reading

To all the dads I've talked to who feel your only teaching obligation to your children is to show them how to throw a spiral, hit a curve ball, or shoot a jumper....in Amelia's reading log, of the 18 nights since Kindergarten started, 15 of them say "Amelia read with Dad" (some of those are mom and dad). You aren't just your child's coach, you also play an integral role in your child being a well rounded person. In other words, instead of working on your kid's golf game, try stepping up your dad game.

Tractor

There's been a lot of growing going on since the last time Everett tried to take on this tractor...


 Baby Everett....

Full grown Everett....

Pumpkin Patch

To celebrate fall coming soon, we took a quick trip to the pumpkin patch. The weather was great and the food was delicious. You can't ask for much more.


The kids found a pumpkin they wanted...too bad they couldn't figure out a way to pick it up...

Ev tried his hardest, but just couldn't keep up with the girls...

100

After two nights of praying for the "bandits" who broke into our car, Amelia turned her attention to an even trickier parenting subject - death. She prayed that she would live to 100, her mom and dad would live to 100, and all her friends and family would live to 100. I was pretty much on board with this.  Then, she said "Dear Jesus, since I don't want to be dead, I bet nobody wants to be dead. So, can you please make everyone who died living again?"...and there you have it, If a zombie apocalypse happens, it's because Amelia prayed for it to come. Blame her.

Stolen

To the lovely humans who broke into our car last night and stole a laptop, diapers, baby wipes, and trashed everything else, I'd like to thank you for teaching us a few things...1) never leave anything in our cars 2) never assume things like this won't happen because you live in a nice neighborhood, and 3) never underestimate your children - Tonight, Amelia prayed that the next time the bad people were going to steal something, God would make them realize it's not a nice thing to do and they should just turn around and go back to their houses. So, while I had a few less than positive thoughts about the thieves, my daughter simply prayed for them....which reinforces the fact that children are just far, far better people than adults.

Mums with Mom

Everett was a big help to Meggan this weekend as they filled all of our planters with mums. Fall is almost here and we are ready...

Tent?

Much like all kids, Amelia and Everett love playing in tents, under the covers, or just about inside anything. So, out of boredom, we turned some foam mats into this little play cube today....and they basically didn't play anywhere else until bedtime.....

All Dressed Up

Now that Everett is starting to get a few costumes to dress up in, Sophie didn't want to be left out....

Hero in a Half Shell

My household no longer has to worry about bad guys...we now have our own ninja turtle...

Hiding

In honor of Sophie hiding in the clothes last night, we played a little game of Hide and Seek tonight. Here is Everett's best attempt at hiding. In case you can't find him, he's the one who kept saying "Everett's under here"...

Missing

If Sophie ever goes missing, you can always check the pile of clean laundry...and she doesn't even offer to help fold it....

Size 3?

When do you know the "size 3" in the new Woody costume you bought for your 2 and a half year old is muuuch bigger than you planned? When the costume nearly fits his 5 and a half year old sister....

Dressed

Everett is finally starting to collect enough costumes that he doesn't have to steal his sister's dresses and shoes anymore...

Orderly

As has been seen on here before, Everett loves to have everything stacked and in order.  Usually this applies to blocks, trains, and other various toys. However, he really stepped up his game the other day. As walked into a restaurant, he stopped dead in his tracks, turned around, and went back to replace a brick that someone had knocked out of line....

A Way With Words

Amelia is always good for a laugh. Tonight was no exception. First, she said the following while trying to broker a deal with me...

Amelia: "Daddy, can we watch Ninja Turtles"

Me: "Uhhhh, I don't know. It's getting close to bath time."

Amelia: "Pleeeeease. If you let me watch Ninja Turtles, I'll be really really good for 10 hundred nights."

Me: "Hmmmm"

Amelia: "Actually, I mean 18 nights."

Me: "18?!? What happened to 10 hundred?"

Amelia: "Come on. You know I can't be good for 10 hundred nights."

============

And she said the following during her prayers...

Amelia (praying): "....and God, PLEASE help me understand why people have to die"

Then, I said my prayers and hoped she'd forget her question

Amelia (after my prayers): "Dear Jesus, it's me again. Nevermind about people dying. I figured it out....people die because you when you get old, you just get old and you used up all your time and you just have to go. Amen."

One of Those Nights

If your son didn't spill his dinner on the floor and then eat yours, you had a better night than me. If your son didn't come to you walking like a cowboy who rode his horse three days too long because he filled his pants, you had a better night than me. If you didn't realize your son not only filled his pants, but also pooped down his leg and on your floor, you had a better night than me.  If you didn't have to disinfect the sink like a hazmat unit because you had to wash your sons shorts in it, you had a better night than me. If your daughter didn't find you scrubbing poo from everything you could find hilarious, you had a better night than me. I think it's safe to say you had a better night than me.

Freedom

Someone was very happy to be released on bail from doggie prison today....

10 Hundred Days

Amelia did her very standard breakdown after leaving our vacation today. She loves her family and can't stand the thought of saying goodbye. Tonight, she said she had one wish in her life.... that her whole family could come together for a feast for 10 hundred days. Yes, come together for a feast for 10 hundred days. So, apparently, not only does she love her family, but she also makes her wishes in old-timey speak.