A little something for posterity

This morning I was getting in the shower and so I put the boys on the bed and let them watch a movie. Andrew said he wanted some trains to watch the movie with, well, since I was getting in the shower, I wasn't exactly going to go downstairs. I told him he could if he didn't let Ben out. The next thing I hear is Andrew leaving, I told him to shut the door and his response "Mom! Benjamin's all tucked in!" And him leaving. Since I wasn't In the shower yet, I wondered what he meant, I looked out and saw Benjamin tucked in under the covers with a bear awaiting the movie. Andrew figured if he tucked him in bed, he wouldn't go anywhere! So smart! Ben just sat on the bed and waited patiently. He is so good to his younger brother and LOVES to take care of him. We do have to remind him that we're mom and dad and so to NOT tell Ben what to do. His response.."mom, when we have a baby sister, then she can be mine and I can take care of her and you can take care of Benjamin" Guess what he wants. (no, we're not pregnant)

What the boys are up to

A few fun things about Ben. Over christmas he learned the word 'mine' as well as 'no'. And it's not just 'no' it's 'no,no,no,no'. Lately he has been very adamant that he is NOT going to take a nap and will say 'no,no,no,no...pay' (or,play) He also LOVES to yell 'WAIT' when we're leaving his room at bed time or any time he feels left behind. This week he learned a few new phrases. We went to the Washington History Museum in Tacoma and while I was changing his diaper he started singing. After much thniking I realziedhe was singing 'POP goes the weasel' which sounds more like "POp easel". Then a few minutes later, we were looking at some pictures and all of a sudden I hear "ahh u it" and he runs away laughing. He decided it was time to play tag. So, tag has become a new favorite around our house.

Andrew has started soccer. He had a mini clinic and parent meeting on Sat. he was SO excited! He thought he would be able to go all by himself. When he would talk about his soccer meeting he would sound so grown up! He was so proud that he would be doing something on his own. He can't wait for his first practice, which isn't until friday night, he says he doesn't know if he can wait that long!! I'll post pictures as soon as I actually take some. These are pictures that Andrew has taken with his little fisher price camera. He LOVES it!!

FHE

Last night Andrew was in charge of the lesson for Family Home Evening. I had been asking him ALL week what he wanted to do. He had NO idea. Even sunday morning before church he was STILL trying to decide. I figured Bob or I would end up doing the lesson again. I kept telling him that if he listened REALLY good to his primary lesson, he could just tell us about it and that would count. Lo and Behold!! He came home with a lesson! His teacher had made these little finger puppets for the kids and a print out of the lesson. He was SO excited! As I was cutting them out, I was asking him what each picture was...his answer..."I don't know?" GREAT! We were going to have to read each scripture that went along with each little puppet, not that it would be a bad thing, it would just take a LONG time and Ben wouldn't sit for it. Well, I am happy to say, that when it came down to give the lesson, he remembered! He told us about each picture! I was so proud of him!! Great job Andrew! What a great first FHE lesson. Benjamin patiently waiting for FHE to start. This is a favorite spot in the house, right by the toys and books. Perfect little seat.

Chinese New Year

I've decided (again) that it's about time I at least try and do something cultural for my kids. So this time,we celebrated the Chinese New Year. We didn't go ALL OUT and have 8 dishes that symbolize different things, but, we did make dragon masks and a dragon kite. Then we had Sweet and Sour Pork from a recipe my mom got when living over seas. YUMMM!!! So, here is a Happy Chinese New Year to you.

A quick note

I know it's been awhile and I have pictures in waiting, and I will get to them later. But, as I was reading my friends blog today she mentioned that they had mice. It reminded me that I have not filled you all in on our little mouse problem. (see here) After getting a few traps we thought we were done, we never saw any and we weren't catching any. So, we forgot about them. Then, after our Christmas trip to CO we came home to a HORRIBLE stench in our room. What was it you ask...a mouse, a fairly large one at that. It's head had been squashed by "Doctrines of Salvation" on our book case. Bob lovingly took care of it and we though that was that. Not to be, that night while watching TV, we found a baby, running around the living room, we set out our spinning traps and what happened, the mouse would climb on top and look at us. NOT OK. So, the next day we decided to get the snapping traps. They didn't really work either, Bob would wake up in the morning and they would've eaten the cheese. We did catch a few though. Then, one morning I walked into the kitchen to make breakfast, only to see one run from under the dishwasher to under the stove!! FREAKED me OUT! It's one thing to know you have mice, another to actually see one when you're not expecting it. I left the kitchen and decided I'd go back later to make breakfast, well not 5 minutes later Ben decided he was thirsty, he came and got me and we headed into the kitchen, only to have one run out from behind the trash,and typical curious 19 month old, he decided to chase it! I stopped him just as it ran under the stove again. We proceeded into the kitchen (we had to pass the stove to get to the fridge) Only to have the mouse run out again! He again tried to chase it as it ran down the stairs. I did not venture down ALL DAY! Needles to say, we called our landlord and had them send an exterminator. I was NOT going to have my baby chasing a dirty filthy mouse. I am happy to say, we have not seen one since.

Snow in Puyallup and Tacoma Zoo Lights

After christmas it snowed. Well, I guess it snowed A LOT while we were gone. Shut down the whole city. We live on a hill in a culdesac and our neighbors are even further up the hill, so much so, they park in front of our house instead of going up their driveway when it's been snowing. Bob left a few days after us and come to find out, the neighbors were all sledding down their driveway, out into the culdesac and down the street. SO FUN! I wish we could've been here.

Andrew got an Air Hockey table from Grammy and Grandpa. They LOVE it and play with it CONSTANTLY!!

We've always enjoyed the Zoo Lights in Denver and since Bob's parents got us season passes to the Tacoma Zoo we decided we'd check it out. Too bad it was cold and humid...not the best combination. But we find ways to keep our ears warm...

The Tacoma Zoo is also an aquarium, with LOTS of cool fish and even some SHARKS!!!

A bit More Christmas

After helping Bobs mom with setting up for christmas, we headed to my parents house for christmas eve festivities. We're lucky enough to have our parents only 20 minutes apart. We spent the day playing games and doing puzzles. We even let the boys open a few presents. They were SO excited! They then spent the day playing trains. After an early dinner we headed out to look at some lights. We went to a house we've always enjoyed even when Connor was young. Sorry the pictures aren't that great, I forgot the camera and hadto use my moms cell phone.

After lights we sent the boys to bed, with their new jammies of course. We were anticipating an early awakening, but not so. Ben was up at 7 and we had to wake Andrew up at 8 to get things going. Andrew wrapped Bens present all by himself this year. He was so proud of himself. Ben was so excited to geta present, he wouldn't let ANYONE touch it. He kept saying MINE and running away if someone wanted to help him open it. He didn't care what was in it, he just wanted to hug it. SO CUTE!

All Andrew asked Santa for was a speed racer watch. Here he is showing it off.