So, 'Ya Gonna Wear Rollers With the Jammies, Mommy?

Well, that's what the Big One could have said, because it must have been what was on his mind all day. But, he does have some manners...

So, it's sweatsuit weather. And, I love to live in my sweats during the cold wintry days...sure beats the daily suits! I have a black velour pair that are so comfy and soft.

Anyway, it was a Monday, so, I had volunteered in his class, gone to the grocery store, run errands, talked with neighbors, walked the nature trails, etc...all while wearing these sweats. Finally, it was the end of the day, and the boys were bathed, in jammies, and settling down for their bedtime stories. I was getting to read to the Big Boy, and he, oh so sweetly, said, "So, Mommy, you've been in your jammies a LONG time today, huh...?" Poor kid, missed the subtle differences between my sweats and my pjs, and thought, boy, was mom a slacker today, or what?

While You Were Sleeping

So, I was trying to get the Little One down for a nap. The goal is to try to keep the Big One fairly quiet to create a somewhat tranquil environment...or at least one that does not include crashes, screeches, and other sounds that would wake a hibernating bear from a sound sleep. Well, when I finally got him down, I was perusing my e-mail...and found one from the hubster saying, "While You Were Sleeping..." followed by a part 2-6, plus finale. Apparently the two big A's were busy...visiting the moon, riding rollercoasters, diving under sea, visiting the Eiffel Tower, etc...oh the adventures...

All I Want For Christmas...

Dave has always loved music. Must be rooted from his nightly videos with dad when he was an infant. He's loved dad's iPod ever since 2 Christmas' ago...and is always asking to listen to it and to look at all the pictures. On this afternoon last weekend, we were all in the bedroom playing, and Dave started listening to the iPod...before we knew it, he was fast asleep...even with all the commotion of mom, dad, and Drew, he was off to dreamland listenin' to his beats...and this is the boy who never naps anymore!

So, on the way to school yesterday, I asked Dave, what do you want to ask Santa for Christmas this year? Without missing a beat, as if he was anticipating that I would ask, he informed me, "An iPod, a cell phone, a new giant crane because the batteries in mine don't work, and walkie-talkies like daddy has at work." So much for just askin' for your 2 front teeth!

Hmmm...wonder if stickin' the iPod on him every afternoon would result in instant slumber...must try!!!

Gotta Love Flubber

It's been a while since we last made flubber...so, over Thanksgiving break, we made a new batch! Definitely STILL a huge hit with the Arias boys! Dave made 'nilla with chocolate cookies, pancakes with rice, cookies with ice cream on top, and chocolate sandwiches. This is the look that he always uses when he's pointing something out to "see it better." Drew just squished 'til his heart's delight. Unfortunately, the squish rolled over to last night's apple pie...he squished so hard his face turned red as a beet! Grandpa giggled, Dave said, "Oh my!" and mom and dad just rolled their eyes...

Recipe for Flubber

Solution A: 1 1/2 cups warm water, 2 cups glue, food coloring

Solution B: 4 t. Borax, 1 1/3 cups warm water

Mix solutions in separate bowls. Dissolve well. Pour solution A into solution B. Do not mix or stir. Store in airtight containers or baggies. Makes about 3 cups...just enough for 2 boys!

Apple Hill

Last week, we had a grand time visiting Apple Hill with grandparents. I LOVED the 'hot-out-of-the-fryer-made-to-order" apple cider donuts, watching the boys running through the orchards in search of apples still left clinging to the tree, and this great candid picture of gramma trying to get Dave to smile for mom!

This pumpkin was a whopping 1,153 pounds!

Gotta SPLASH in Those Puddles!

Ok, it's been unseasonably warm the past couple weeks, but at the end of October, when it rained like crazy one day, there were just WAY too many puddles beckoning the boys to "just jump on in!" I've resigned myself to the fact that my boys thrive on dirt, mud, water, mess...

So, with jackets zipped, hoods and boots on, and pants tucked in, THEY HAD A BLAST!!! Due to the jumping and splashing, puddles disappeared. The were SO soaked by the time splash-fest was over, they had to strip down on the front door step before coming in. It was worth it! And, the other day when Dave asked when it was going to rain again, Drew went RUNNING to get his boots! :)

It Just Comes Naturally When You're A Junk Food Junkie...

Little Kid is definitely a picky eater. He has his favorites, but only on the days when he wants them to be his favorites. Big Kid NEVER had this problem. He'd happily enjoy ANYTHING I made for him - and being addicted to the book Super Baby Food, he was always up for a yummy meal of brown rice porridge, kale, okra, flax seed, brewer's yeast, and tahini - all mixed together! Little Kid - well, he gives me a run for my money to make sure he gets in all his food groups.

But...give Little Kid anything with SUGAR - and he's a fiend - except, that is, when he doesn't feel like it. But, for the most part, he's always up for some processed food - probably because he rarely ever gets it - (exception - red vines from daddy's office every MWF!!!).

Today, they both did such a nice job at art class, so they got those fun size bags of mini oreos in them for dessert after lunch - yes, a whopping 5-6 mini oreos at once! Big Kid pretty much inhaled his - though, he usually savors the last one until Little Kid finishes all of his so he can show Little Kid that he STILL has one more. Anyway, there was Little Kid, taking the mini oreos and opening them up, putting the non-frosting side back in the bag, licking off the frosting (AKA lard+sugar), and putting the wet cookie back in the bag. He's never seen anyone break open an oreo for the "good part." Just figured it out on his own...thus, my assumption, it just comes naturally when you're a junk food junkie...

When the boys figure out what candy's truly about, oh boy! You know, Big Kid played with a plastic wrapped Easter egg filled with candy in the shape of an M & M guy from gramma and granpa for over a year when he was 2-3 and just believed mom that it was an action figure. They both believed the foot-long hard candy snakes from Jan and Charlie were "just to play with." I don't know how many times the snakes got scotch tape bandaids, and were never even licked. And, yes, the witches' jars filled with candy corns are "just decorations, daddy!"

btw, after popping open all the mini oreos, Little Kid did get around to eating all the cookies - wet ones and all!

Why Not T. U.?

So, when would it ever be ok to pick up someone and smell someone's butt? Animals do all the time...but definitely not an appropriate was to greet your friends. But, somehow, parents are continually lifting up their babies and toddlers to check to see if it's time to change a diaper...and not think twice about it. And, you know how kids model the behavior of their parents?

Well, Big Kid was sniffing Little Kid - and disgustedly announced, "T. U. Time to change your diapers little one."

Thanks, Big Kid, way to stay on top of things for mom. And, yes, TU - he's heard me say, "PU," but, you know how that hearing goes for kids on the move. So, why not TU?

Note to self...Oh dear...really need to enunciate and work on that phonemic awareness...

Egg in a Hole and a Cheesy Smile

At least a couple Saturday or Sunday mornings a month, the boys "belly up to the bar" and cook Egg in A Hole with Daddy. Dave is quite the expert on getting butter on the ENTIRE side of bread and works seriously to get the job done. Drew has just gotten status to use a plastic knife and gob on the butter (or lick it off), but, takes time to give a CHEESY smile! Don't know where he got this one...but lately, whenever the camera comes out, he takes it as his own personal photo op to give the cheesy grin.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

On the way home from our first Gymboree class! Drew had a BLAST! He followed along with the teacher, climbed, played with the parachute, rolled "pumpkins", caught bubbles, and danced! And on the way home...fell fast asleep!

Spoiled Rotten

Checkin' Out My Ride...Yup...Pretty Cool!

Dave couldn't resist getting in the Jelly Belly Car! Of course, he didn't want to make it go...just wanted to get in and check it out! :) In the backseat while driving to Gramma and Granpa Arias' House:

Dave: Drew, you will love gramma and granpa's house...
Drew: Looking and listening intently to his brother...
Dave: You can have dessert first, and you can color, and you can race cars, and you can watch the Cars movie, and you can play in the dirt, and you can have cookies, and you can spend the night, and you can have juice...and...
So, as soon as the car doors opened, they were off...and did just what Dave said they could do! (Minus the dirt, it was too wet and rainy...granpa would have LOVED to have them, but, mom forgot the change of clothes/shoes...maybe another time!)

Dave and Gramma at the Jelly Belly Factory. Dave loved blueberry, Gramma loved coconut, and mom loved the Chocolate Devotion!

Zooming cars with granpa while watching Cars on tv!

Pumpkin Carving 101

We bought a pumpkin carving kit, found the perfect design (a bat jack-o-lantern face), carved off the lid, and began the scooping...

Dave put one finger in and decided, "I don't like this game," watched for a bit, then put on his bike helmet to go for a ride.

Drew, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of the goopy pulp and seeds. And, just like dad does when he works, wiped it all off on the front of his shirt.

Boogey Bopper

Drew has been pretty congested the past few days, so when I announced that I was going to find the nasal syringe to clean out his nose, Dave went RUNNING to him to tell him, "Drewby, mommy's getting the boogey bopper!" I have no idea where he gets the names for these things...silly kid!

Btw, on the nose note, I asked Dave to tell daddy all about his trip to the heart doctor. I was curious what he would tell him about his experience getting his ultrasound. He told Vince, "First I had to take off my shirt. Then, I laid down, then they put 3 buttons on me, then they put snot on me, then they took a stick and put it on the snot to see my heart." I laughed so hard, the gel did look (and probably felt) a lot like snot! :)

Cheap Fun

Dave has always been fixated by flashlights. And, he's gone through a few...
When I saw these in the Halloween bins at the store, I couldn't resist picking them up for both of them. We got home, loaded them with batteries, and they were off to discover EVERY dark place they could shine on in the house...closets, bathrooms, under beds, under couches, and because it was overcast, it was pretty dark in the house anyway. They shrieked as they found their spotlights EVERYWHERE. Unfortunately, Dave brought his to bed last night and fell asleep with his on, so his light is very dim today, but Drew's is still bright!

A Long 10 Days!

Yea, Grandpa's Home!

Grandpa had a great visit with Kim and Larry at their new home in Pearland, TX for 10 days! Dave and Drew were VERY excited to go and pick grandpa up at the airport and bring him home!!!

A Year Later...

Last year at 7 months of age, Drew just sat, looked up in admiration of his big brother and let Dave pile and throw the leaves all over and around him. Dave cracked up and thought it was pretty cool! Dad joined in on the fun and they had an incredible leaf fight. I think Dave won!

This year, when I announced that it was picture time with the leaves that had fallen in front of the house, Dave JUMPED up and down with GLEE! Of course, he remembered the fun he had last year. Drew was a good sport and let his brother throw and pile leaves all around and over him again. Though, he thought it was much more fun to throw and pile leaves all over mom.

What do you think will happen in next year's pictures??

My Analytical Thinker

So...I bought two 50" spiders and placed them in the kitchen - one over the light fixture and one on the hutch - while Dave was at preschool. When he came home, I let him walk into the kitchen first to surprise him and let him "discover" them. Well...he walked in...and just stared at this one over the kitchen table.

Finally, I said, "Well, Dave, what do you think?"
And his response..."So, mommy, did you climb on the table to put them up there?"
I said, "No, Dave, I think they walked in the front door and climbed up there when you were at school."
Dave, "No, mommy, you bought them from the grocery store."

Oh well, at least Drewby enjoyed carrying them on his lap at the grocery store.

Though, after lunch, I think Drew was even showing Dave how I climbed on the chairs to put them up...

10 Seconds Ago...

...there was a nice, neat, big leaf pile that I raked up. And now, there's more of Dave's infamous "alphabet soup." "But mom, leaves are so much fun...you can crunch them, you can put them in your dump truck, you can spread them out, you can do all the work later..."

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...what a beautiful Fall day!

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True...

Yup...you know the saying...I was making the bed and tidying up a bit and thought, "Gee, it sure is quiet outside. Those cute boys are playing together so nicely. What a perfect fall day!" Then, I had to go outside...

Dirt + Water...I forgot to check/dump out the wagons and toys before letting them go outside. Sprinkler water made TOO tempting mud in their dump trucks and wagons. The instigator said, we are making "alphabet soup" and "cleaning our trucks with a mud bath, mom...boy, are we dirty!"

Noticeably missing from these pictures...the instigator...

Tootsie Pop - Where Have You Been All My Life?

So, brother, how 'bout a lick?

NO WAY!

Oh, ok, maybe just one...you are my brother...and it looks like I don't really have a choice...

We went to the Racquet Club's Kid's Halloween Party on Saturday night. The kids had a great time playing games, decorating a pumpkin with foam stickers, eating sugar snacks, and winning prizes! Drew won a tootsie pop, and while Vince was holding him, unbeknownst to Vince, he chewed through the wrapper and discovered, his new best friend! He smacked his lips and licked, and sucked until he got to the middle...and YUM, ate the tootsie pop. This took him at least a half-hour of intense concentration. Oh my! My kid, the sugar-fiend...this is a special friend, only second to red vines...and marshmallows...and gummy bears...and...

5 Star Lasagne

Does anyone recognize this lasagne thief? Caught him trying to sneak away...he must have eaten at least 5 servings...

Well, I guess tonight's lasagne was a big hit. EVERYONE ate it and Dave and Drew even asked for seconds (ok, so Drew's was minus the middle, but, this is big news for him to ask for seconds of anything!). It was supposed to be enough for 15 servings, though, we'll be lucky to have enough for 2 nights. I can't count how many servings the lasagne thief ate...it is his favorite. Everytime I looked up to the kitchen counter, I saw his fork getting one more bite...this was even after the 3+ servings at the table.

Conversation:
After dinner in our bedroom while playing with cars as dad irons for the week...
Mom: "So, did you love the lasagne tonight Dave?"
Dave: "Oh Yes!!!"
Mom: "Which do you love more...mommy or lasagne?"
Dave: "Sagne"
Dad snickers in the background.
Mom: "What do you think Drew loves more, mom or lasagne?"
Dave: "Sagne"
More snickering...
Mom: "What do you think Dad loves more, mom or lasagne?"
Dave: "Sagne!!!"
More snickering...am I a gluten for punishment or what?
Mom: "Then, who loves mom the most?"
Dave: "Oh, Mimi does! She loves you the most!"
In the morning at breakfast...
Mom: "So Dave, you really loved that lasagne last night, didn't you?"
Dave: "Right!"
Mom: "So, which do you love more, lasagne or mommy?"
Dave: "Mommy!"
Too bad the snickerer had already left for work!
Mom: "What does Drewby love more?"
Dave: "Mommy!"
Mom: "What does daddy love more?"
Dave: "Sagne!!!"
Yeah, I know, truth hurts...and the lasagne thief wasn't even around to coach him for this response!

Recipe:
Melt 1/4 cup butter. When it foams, add and brown chopped carrots, onions, celery, and eggplant (had it in the fridge from grandpa's garden!). Brown meat (I used ground turkey this time). Add 1 cup white wine. When evaporated, add tomatoes (again, from gpa's garden...used 6 BIG ones!), salt and pepper. Simmer for at least 2 hours. Mix ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, 2 eggs, 2 cups mozarella, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Layer sauce, pasta, ricotta mix, sauce 4 times. Top with mozarella. Cover with foil and bake 375 for an hour.

Pizza Snob

Friday Night is Pizza Night in our household...it has been for quite a while. Though, now, instead of buying our pizza, I've been making it. Homemade dough and sauce...though not the pepperonis.

This shows Dave's disapproval for the first trial. Too much wheat flour, I surmise. First time he's left pizza to go off to play. Pizzas have gotten much better, Dave actually asked for seconds tonight...though not to Drew's standards yet...whatever those may be...depending on the given day...

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yikes! Not sure what happened to this post from October 2! Highlights...it was the first time I've heard Dave sing Happy Birthday aloud and Drew GIGGLED with delight during the singing! Also, we had to light the candles on the double-decker chocolate cake twice...so BOTH boys could blow out the candles for Grandma!

Happy Birthday Gramma Sue! We'll have to celebrate when you get back from camping!

Hung Out To Dry - All Ears!

I just had to take a picture of this...all Drew's crib friends were bathed (went through the laundry!) and hung by their ears to dry. When he went outside, he immediately saw his friends and laughed at the sight! I made jokes about "all ears," "hung out to dry," "growing on the laundry line instead of shrinking in the dryer" all day, noone laughed except for me. It's ok, it was worth it! :)

Nachos from Afar

Tickled Pink! :)

Yes...this picture was taken by me from INSIDE the house, on the couch, while munching on a plate of nachos - glorified chips and processed cheese - but, nonetheless, eaten while SITTING down, without anyone asking for a taste, climbing on a lap, or refereeing chaos. The last couple weeks, the boys have been learning how to play together...by themselves! Dave usually insists on the "plan" - but, lately, Drew comes up with the game to play. I even "got to" vacuum the house while Dave "taught" Drew how to play Diego bingo yesterday!

Garden - Season One

Great Bowl of Tomatoes, huh?!
I wish I could say these beauties were from my attempt at gardening this year. Unfortunately, I can't...they're from dad's. So far, I have reaped 3 cherry tomatoes! I have been inspired for years to grow my own produce, and finally began with raised beds this Spring. I tried my hand at...cherry tomatoes, eggplant, basil, and bell peppers. And later in the summer, planted...carrots, beets, winter squash, butternut squash, and broccoli seeds. And finally, bought plants ready to plant a few weeks ago...kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli, and sugar snap peas.

So, here's the lowdown:

Green pepper plant got decapitated by kids, and re-grew to about 1 foot. Several flowers, little buds, no peppers.

Cherry Tomatoes were "re-transplanted" from hard dirt to raised beds and were in shock for most of the summer. Then, finally, got over it, and started flowering and producing! 3 have been picked and another 20 or so green ones are still on the vines. Will they mature and ripen before the rains hit? It almost made it to the top of the tomato cage. I know, nothing like dad's tomato plants which are taller than me.

Eggplant was also in shock after "re-tranplanting" escapade. But, alas, ONE eggplant is growing NOW...1 inch long...how long will it get before time to harvest? You'll see pictures of it and dad's humongous eggplant Dave found in his garden yesterday.

Basil was a great producer for all of the summer and continues to grow. I must remember to cut it early next year to create a big bush rather than a scraggly little Charlie Brown Basic plant.

Carrots look like miniatures. Actually, pretty sweet and dainty tops protruding, though its been 3 months. I don't think there's anything underground!

Beets are the WINNERS! At least the beet tops are! Cut about 20 of them a couple weeks ago to use for a TASTE of vegies stirfried. They were quite good. I don't think the beets are growing, but, the greens look AWESOME!

Winter squash and butternut squash looked like they were going to be winners. Vines started growing and lots of pretty orange flowers. But, as soon as the flowers emerged, they would dry up and shrivel off. The cycle continues...I think 1) I need to start them when it's HOT; and 2) I need to make sure not to water the flowers so they scorch in the sun. That's my theory...

Broccoli never sprouted. Actually, they may have sprouted and been mistaken for weeds. EEKS! Apparently, broccoli has never been a producer in the Ito family.

Kale looked great, but just noticed a few nights ago that some creature came and MUNCHED up 3 of them. I was trying to go organic and not use pesticides, but, it looks like I might give in...for the sake of having some vegies...

Brussel sprout and broccoli plants look good. Though the box by the fence looks like it's doing better because it receives more sun exposure. I wonder if the big box by the house will ever get enough sun to truly produce good crops? Where can I move it to if I need to? And, how much trouble will I get into with Vince if I do?

Sugar Snap peas are going to make me a CHAMPION! They are growing and actually started to climb up the hog-wire fence all by themselves! This is where the competition begins with dad! He started with seeds, I started with plants. His have not sprouted yet...heehee, I'm giddy with excitement over this!