Murmuring

Today I was writing and editing papers on the computer while Owen was playing with his Legos in the next room.  When I came in to talk to him later, he looked at me funny.  “Mom, why were you murmuring at the computer earlier?”

I just laughed and tried to explain how it is easier to make sure that your writing sounds good if you read it aloud.  He didn’t really connect with my answer and I have this sneaking suspicion he concluded that I am mentally unstable…

Still, I hope there will be reason for a lot of “murmuring” to go on in the future!

Still Jack’s Birthday?!

Jack’s birthday present from Katie and Sarah was a bowling adventure. 

Jack was overjoyed at the thought of his adventure taking place this week (jumping up and down and hugging and making high pitched delighted sounds.)  But he played it cool, wearing his new orange checked button-down shirt with the right undershirt and jeans.  That’s him chillin’ while he watches Sarah bowl.  Jack and Katie each won a game, so he was a very happy boy.

And there was more to be happy about.  Afterwards we went over to play skeebol (or whatever it is called)  Jack has loved this game since he first played it when he was three and spent most of a half-an-hour trying to get the balls over the final hurdle at the end of the launch ramp. (and you had to be ready to duck if you were watching him play because sometimes balls flew up and behind him– true for bowling too now that I think about it…)  Anyway, somehow he always seems to have no idea what I am talking about when I try to explain this game.  Again, he couldn’t figure out what I was talking about when I told him were were going to play after bowling, but then got super excited when he saw the actual machines.

After quite a few games, the kids put all of their tickets together and then Owen was able to divide by 4 to figure out that each kid got 110 points to spend at the candy counter (my little math whiz!)

With a handful of laffy-taffy, junior mints, fun dips and candy necklaces, the kids trotted off to the pizza joint. 

Jack, who is not a pizza fan, order his Caesar salad and breadstick from anyone who looked like they might work at the place and approached our table.   When the actual server came Katie ordered minestrone soup, and Owen and Sarah shared a tomato and mozzarella salad and a Hawaiian pizza.  I don’t think I knew what any of that was when I was a kid…

Afterwards John took all four kids to his car to drive for some more fun at their house.  A few minutes later John called asking for an inhaler for Jack.  I got nervous and ran out of the restaurant to make sure Jack was ok (lets say I ran really really fast.)  The lady at the door yelled something to me as I ran out but I didn’t hear her and really didn’t care as I was pretty worried about Jack.

Jack ended up being fine, but Lisa came out chuckling about my new restaurant reputation.  Apparently exits like mine are for those who dine and dash! 

Jack is turning 6!

Jack’s birthday theme.  

I got some strange reactions to my invitation that stated “breakfast and cake provided.”  Yeah well, I waited until the last minute to book it…sorry.

Jack found a shirt that he loved at Target – the reason for the birthday theme in the first place.  Unfortunately, the only size left (in the state of Washington!) was a size Large (he is XS) so I cut out he pictures and make his special birthday shirt. 

Amy and I though it would be funny for her to wear a matching shirt, so we went back to get another t-shirt and I made one for her that Jack didn’t know about. 

Jack was so excited to see Amy at the party, but a little leery of her wearing a “birthday shirt.”  “I’m the birthday boy?” he confirmed.  And was happy when she agreed. 

(Amy has been 29 on birthdays for um, a few years)

 

Jack was adamant about only inviting a few friends from school, and some other select people…  We could have had 25 kids at the place we rented, but had only 12-13, but it was a great size party.

Obviously I wasn’t up to my normal party standard, and bought a cake and rented a bouncy house.  But Jack loved it, and it was so much easier!!

Christmas Project

I saw a little project idea in a craft store and picked up the materials for the boys.  Both boys were excited  (that there were candy canes to eat…)   After being allowed to eat a candy cane, they started on the project and quickly made their own reindeer and admired it.

Both decided they wanted to make enough for all their classmates and energetically continued.  After two reindeer, Jack became frustrated because he had such difficulty getting the bells on the reindeers’ antlers.  Owen was already on his tenth or eleventh reindeer and Jack hates to fall behind. He just cannot understand why he can’t do everything as well as Owen.  Jack felt sad and Owen (in beautiful Christmas spirit) made Jack the “most jingly reindeer of all!”  

That made Jack perk up.  He happily hung around listening to Christmas music, suggesting the bell colors for Owen’s projects, and experimenting with new animals that don’t require bells on their antlers. 

A joyous shout rang out and Jack proudly displayed his perfect alternative:

“Rudolph the Red Nosed Rhino!”

Christmas Card

(To the tune of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

  Don’t be shy, sing it in your best voice!)

 

Owen and Jack are happy

(to) tell about the year they’ve known

And if you chance to see them

You will gasp and say, “They’ve grown!”

 

All of their work in French school

Paid off on a trip to France

Crepes, Luxembourg, and Monet,

Eiffel tower, ninja dance.

 

Owen’s now in second grade.

Loves to read and play.

Spy gear, Legos, are just right

Origami, Jedi fight!

 

Then kindergartner - Jack-Jack.

Dancing, singing, full of glee.

Reading , concocting stories,

Ninja kicking, so silly!

Halloween Photos

At the last minute we decided to bond with Charlotte and Bridget this year.  It was the sweetest, and most simple trick-or-treating we have done – so reminiscent of my childhood.

The boys wore the exact outfits as last year, but Owen didn’t want his cape.  His winter boots happen to be black with red spiders which looked cool.  He left his mask at a friend’s house and he was sad, but had a good attitude when we didn’t have time to pick it up.

Camping?!

The boys and I went camping last Thursday.  We were the sole tent in the entire campground so I am fully aware that it was a slightly crazy activity.  If you feel that you need to read me the riot act about the dangers camping by myself with they boys in late October, several people have fulfilled that duty for you…

But we had FUN!

The boys explored while I set up camp and got the fire going (twice.) We cooked on just the fire-pit which was more fun than using a camp stove.

We explored the beach of Deception Pass, and the boys collected so many rocks in their pockets that they gained 10 pounds each and had little rock-projectiles flying out from their coats as they ran and jumped over driftwood.

I asked Owen what was a reasonable number of rock souvenirs to bring home.  He decided that 7 would be great since he was 7.  Jack wasn’t keen on going with age, and he went with “a small handful”.  It is so interesting to watch the boys ideas of fairness emerge.  Jack loves tiny things, so his “must-have” rock collection came to 11 or 12.  Jack looked at his pile and Owen’s pile (of 7 much bigger rocks) and declared them fair (if not equal.)  Owen, who is a numbers guy, had a very difficult time calling a quantity of 11 rocks equal to a quantity of 7 rocks.  “Mom!  That’s not fair!”

I encouraged Jack to explain his his ideas.  Owen eyebrows furrowed at Jack’s explanation that explored size/weight/volume.  Owen slowly nodded, seeing that the space that Jack’s rocks took up was less than the space his own rocks took up.  He agreed the two different groupings were acceptable as fair.  But Owen still kept his firmly-held number theory.  Owen’s rocks were “more” when it came to occupied space.  Jacks rocks were “more” in quantity.  Each rock-group was “more” under one method of measurement, and 1 win=1 win, therefore the decision was fair.