O-K-C

104 degrees is really really really hot. Yes, Minnesota gets cold, but at least I can put on another layer. Here in Oklahoma, I can't take off my skin... much as I might want to. 

More when I am back in the MN saddle again.

Robes

I truly believe the best part of parenthood is when you see the world through your kids eyes... and it totally cracks you up. The things that they say, that when you really break it down, DO make sense, while at the same time don't make sense. 

The latest giggle around here is Max's "robes." In the process of unpacking, I am finding things that never really had "a place" at the old house, but now do. There is so much more room here that I can actually place a tired old kids bath-robe that used to just kick around aimlessly between the laundry room and a random hook on the wall (or wadded up in a ball in the corner) on a hanger in the kids room that is at their level. 

Now, I never would have purchased such a thing normally, but since the kids swim every week at the JCC, they had asked us to have one for Max to walk to the pool and back. Max never wore it, as far as I can tell, and it has always been one clean-sweep away from the Goodwill box.

Until now

Apparently, in Max's mind's eye, all the children at Hogwart's dress like Hugh Heffner. When Harry Potter puts on his "robes," Max's mental picture is apparently something akin to Omar emerging from the bathroom on a Saturday morning on his way to stir up some pancakes. 

So now, he walks around the house in his furry, dark blue, cinched at the waist "robes." He knows he is supposed to share things that are cool, so he has made a chart detailing on which days which kid gets to sport "the robes." Yes, there is only one "robes." When Cal or Spence turn down their golden opportunities (with a look of "I have no idea why I am supposed to be excited about the prospect), he whips it on and looks like he is just one good pipe away from british nobility. It even has pockets for him to rest his hands in as he surveys the property. "Look mom... I look like Ron Weasley" he says. 

Love it.

While I'm away...

This is apparently what the weekends look like around here while I'm at work....

4 years ago today...

... two little boys came into this world to join this crazy family.

And they haven't stopped moving yet! So, to my sons, I say this:

Calvin, you are a wry and funny little man. You love to streak through our kitchen each morning simply because you know it will get a laugh. You repeat anything we find funny a few times over because you love being the comedian. You study the ways of your big brother, Max, trying with all your might to be a 6 1/2 year-old instead of a 4 year-old. You even try to hang with Max when he is hanging with Clyde and Sam (as me tries to be an 8 year-old instead of a 6 1/2 year-old!). You have come by your momma-given stubbornness honestly... and man can you work it! Once those little feet are in the sand, you mean business. I've never known what is better - have my will win because I am the momma (and give you a REAL show in stubbornness), or give in a bit, as an example... 

You love to study things intently, and you will not be swayed if you are really interested in something. Breakfast can just take a flying-leap as long as you are waiting to see Stink Brothers (a garbage truck) on a Friday morning. You are our night owl, and already you can sleep in more than anyone. I can already see the Saturday mornings of our future with you in bed 'till noon. You are very polite, really showing your ability to give a spontaneous compliment or say "Mom, look at those beauuuutiful flowers..." Your dad and I love you so very much. Happy Birthday my little man.

Spencer, you are my sweet, sensitive, watermelon lovin guy. If you could move back into my body, I am quite certain you would. You love to be a complete goofus, saying silly words or the opposite of what everyone else is saying. You and your blanket are rarely apart, and the 4 year old rule of "blankets stay in your bed" may be a toughy for the next few weeks. That, or we just won't be seeing much of you! It appears your main motivation in life right now is to NOT be just like your brothers. You like to mix it up, do it differently, even if that does mean wearing your underwear backwards and your shirt inside out. It's the Spencer way. How boring it would be around here if you were all the same.

You are my artist, though I hope you soon pick up on the fact that markers without caps don't last too long... You were so very excited this morning to be the birthday boy that I thought your little head was going to pop. You kept hugging me in my bed, then you would pop up, grin super excitedly in my face, and then drop down again to hug me. Your dad and I love you so very much. Happy Birthday little man.

Kids are funny

Two of the latest comments that made me giggle....

Omar: How are you guys liking your new room at camp (read: daycare)?

Spencer: Good, but the computer's broken. It froze.

Cal: Yeah... someone put ice on it....

this morning after slicing open a cantaloupe

Spencer: Ew gross! I can see the cantaloupe's brain!

Saturday morning

Good morning Calvin

Each child has his own way of starting the day. For Mr. First Born, it's crawling into our bed, patiently awaiting some semblance of alertness, then accompanying us downstairs for breakfast.

For Spence, it usually is very similar to Max, but usually he lags behind by about ~15 minutes.

Leo is happily awaiting us in his crib, smiling and snuggling with is blankets.

Calvin has a new gig in the new house. He is absent for the early morning nuzzling. He is absent for the gathering of bowls and cereal boxes. He is absent has Leo starts his morning gruel in the highchair. 

Our new house has a circular floor plan with the kitchen in the middle, facing the family dining area. The more formal (read: vastly empty) living area is on the other side of the kitchen, shielded from my piles of dishes by a wall. It also shields a hiding Calvin's from view.

We now know the day can officially begin when Calvin, kindly enough to also be fully dressed, streaks across the kitchen yelling "Yeee-aaaaaawwwww." He has a huge grin on his face, then disappears behind the wall, circles around and streaks again. 4 or 5 times usually do the trick. It makes Omar and I laugh every time.... he may just keep this up 'till he's 16...