Talking to Dogs

Yesterday after Joshua, Alma and James watched me play in a rugby 7's match, we walked over to pet a beautiful golden retriever who was at the tournament.  In typical fashion, James was cooing and ooing to the dog about how she was so soft and a "red dog" while Alma held back with Joshua enjoying the dog from a distance.  When James seemed to think that no one was listening, he leaned over to the dog and whispered "My mom plays rugby."

Four and a half

Michael Jackson

This morning as we were driving in to his daycare, a Michael Jackson song came on the radio.

 [In the rear view mirror, I see James’s face become confused]

James: What’s this? (meaning: Who is this?)

Me: Michael Jackson

James: Oh!  He’s so cute!

Me: Yeah sure, I guess he’s cute.

James: I’m going to marry Michael Jackson!

Obviously the talk from Alma’s classroom about who is pairing off for future marital bliss is being picked up by James.  Ha!

4 years ago

A little throw back action: Alma at my parent's house in Carlisle in June 2010 when she was 6 months old.

May Happenings

May has been another busy, fun month. 

One thing that certainly added to the chaos was my starting to play rugby for the Lehigh Valley Hooligans women's team.  I've played in two matches (as a winger) and held my own, which has been fun. 

The kids have been enjoying bathing suit weather any time the temperature is above 70 degrees.  [Please note that Alma is still wearing the swim suit I bought her when she was a baby.  Really!  Look at this post from her first time swimming: June 2010.  It has stretched perfectly through the years.]

 

Photos below: A new favorite pastime in the house is picking up the cat (I think she might like the attention), I got to enjoy Mother's Day in Alma's classroom, James has gotten two ear infections in a row (poor kiddo, but at least he is learning to like the doctor's office), Alma dressed up for Easter, Joshua has introduced the kids to campfires in the backyard in something left over from previous owners (I think it is an iron pig feeder; Joshua disagrees), the kids and I went to the zoo for the first visit of the season, during daily walks we have been visiting the empty lot down the street from our house (Alma pretends she lives there and we occasionally have picnics there), and lastly, we had a real cookout with Brian and Bridgette's crew for Memorial Day weekend/Brian's birthday. 

Ballet

 

 Alma enjoyed the last session of her ballet class.  She is really getting the hang of it!



Loves

These two cannot get enough of each other these days.  The playing is endless and awesome.  From made-up games (baseit! a new game that is surprisingly similar to kickball, which they have never heard of), endlessly singing songs full of nonsense words, nursing each other back to health (James got a dishwasher door kicked into his head this evening - an honest mistake by an enthusiastic Alma - and then she spent the next 30 minutes sitting beside him on the couch holding an ice pack and reading him the recent books of pictures she made in school while he basked in the attention) and tons of combined, loud cheering for anything and everything that is even slightly exciting (oatmeal for breakfast (again) -- hooray!).  It is a really fun time in our household.

Happy 1st Mother's Day

James's Auntie Kate ("Aunt Cake" according to James) and Baby Timothy were visiting Lancaster last weekend so James and I got in an afternoon visit.  It was great to see Mrs. Yoder, get time with my bestie and see the happiest baby in the world.  Timothy didn't fuss for even a second.  That's what you get from a super confident, capable, life-loving momma (and Neal too!).  What a lucky kiddo. 

James loves babies so he was fascinated to see one up close.  When I held Timothy at dinner, James immediately asked when it was his turn to sit on my lap or if Timothy could share (like Alma and James do at home).  James was happy to tell Timothy what was happening outside the window of the restaurant in an exaggerated "mommy voice" (slow with lots of smiling).  I happened to mention that Timothy didn't have teeth and that fact blew James's mind.  I love knowing that the next generation of sweeties is being prepped to hang out together. 

Happy 1st Mother's Day to Kate!  And happy Mother's Day to all the other fabulous women in our lives!