Inseparable

These brothers are always together. They love to play and laugh and giggle together. A few moments from the last few days....

Checking out Luke's new bed. James was trying to show Luke how to sleep in his new bed.

Dressing up just like Daddy.

Being silly just like Daddy.

Watching a movie as a treat.

Love these guys.

You know you have all boys when...

...you play with dinosaurs and fire trucks all day.

....playtime includes putting a volcano on a brontosaurus' head and thinking it is hilarious.

...having length discussions about why we don't want to hit or push our brother. (Both of them need this talk now.)

I have been encouraging James to tell Luke "Stop hitting". Luke generally stops hitting if James asks him, but ignores my "mommy voice". Recently this is what I have been overhearing James tell him....

"Luke, no hitting! You will not hit James any more. I am very disappointed in you wee wee(James' silly name for Luke). You need to go to time out. You will go to your nap with no songs."

Notice that Luke gets a double punishment. James says this in a very calm collected manner and is even holding Luke on the shoulders gently. I giggle every time I see James being so stern, not really his personality. And it is much better then his usual first response which is to hit Luke back. What does Luke think about this? He stands quietly and listens to James and then continues on minus the swinging arm.

Owl

James loves owls and he loves the character Owl on the show Little Bear. Sometimes he walks around mumbling to himself, just like Owl. Today I caught it on tape.

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Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

This morning I asked James what he wanted for breakfast. His words of wisdom....

"I would like a diet coke, a cheeseburger and the last crackers."

Wait, there is more. He added this last sentence quickly just in case I actually followed through....

"Oh, AND some pizza."

That kid cracks me up.


Here is Luke looking all grown up.

And James playing his favorite new game. Yes, we are starting to spell words with those letters we love so much. I can't believe it. Notice the word he is spelling in this picture. "F-A-N spells FAN!" We do love fans in this house.

SIDE NOTE: Just realized it is Tuesday (hours after I posted this). It is going to be a long week. =)

Big Boy Bed

Luke officially has a big boy bed! I cannot believe our house no longer has a crib and that my boys are getting so old. Where did the time go?

We decided recently it was time for Luke to make the switch from crib to twin mattress. Mostly because he is so tall that when he stands up in his crib the bar only comes to his stomach. (Yes the mattress was on the lowest setting) So I had nightmares that he would just swing a leg over and we would hear a big boom.

He was so proud when I finally got it all ready today.

James promptly tried to teach him a bad habit. I guess that is the job of the big brother.

Sweet dreams sweet Luker!

Books

My boys love to read! Right now our favorites are "The Caterpillar and the Polliwog" and "Trashy Town". Oldies but goodies!

If I leave them alone to play almost always I will find that they both climbed into their reading chair together. Sometimes they both have their own book and are flipping through. But usually James has picked a book and is reading to Luke. So sweet! Then when they finnish the book, James will say "Luke, go pick out another book!" and Luke will hop down and find something else to read. My heart just melts. These two brothers are so cute together!

Unrelated picture to show how these two will soon be the same height....

Name that Tune

When we listen to music James loves to tell me who is singing. He has a small list to choose from. Mostly cars from the Car movie. Mater, Red Car, and Doc sing a lot of songs. Today, he even said that the "Black Minivan" was singing. Apparently our minivan sounds just like Frank Sinatra when it talks. Some other funny ones...The Proclaimers are really Mater singing. And, most 60 pop songs are sung by Purple Ramone (not red or blue, but purple).

And because no post is complete without pictures, here are my guys doing what they do best....

We found a great new playground just down the street with a FANTASTIC tot lot. Luke can climb all over it without me getting worried about him falling down a slide or down the fire pole. We love it!

Fun in the bath tub. James with a basket on his head, and Luke wiping water out of his eyes.

This and That

The boys have been really silly lately. James keeps asking for me to take his picture and then sings "Say cheese if you want cheese!". Goofball.

Last night sweet boy also put a boggie in my drink. It went something like this...

James: (shaking his hand because something is stuck)
Me: James, use your napkin. What is that?
James: A boggie. (points his finger at me so I can see, then wipes it into my glass)
Me: (horrified)
John: (laughs uncontrollably) James, say you are sorry to mommy.
James: Sorry Mommy. Sorry I put a boggie in your drink.

Luke has been learning to fight back lately. Which can be kinda funny but also hard to discipline because he is so stinking cute. Look at that sweet grin.

Favorite New Products

Here's a change of pace from pictures of my cute kiddos to pictures of my favorite "new" products. At least they are newish to me.

Let's start at the top:
1. Dorat Frozen Herbs. I find these at Trader Joe's and love them. I have tried the garlic, basil and cilantro. All spices I use a lot of, and it is so handy to have them pre-chopped and ready to throw into recipes. They taste much better then herbs that are dried or preserved in oil.
2. Palo Alto Fire Fighters Hot Sauce. Not being a big hot sauce gal, I was pleasently surprised to find that I love this stuff. I put it on everything...from chili and salsa to eggs. Seriously, it's that good.
3. Caldrea Counter Cleansers. They smell so much better then the chemically versions and clean just as well. My favorites are the Basil Blue Sage and Ginger Pomelo.
4. Mary Jane Trekker Shoes by Lands End. You can wear these anywhere and are great if you chase kids all day. So comfy!
5. Pickled Okra. Try it, you won't be sorry.
6. A and D Ointment. So great for all sorts of bumps and bruises. And the best part is you can slather it all over their face and it won't hurt if it gets in eyes or mouth. Great for sore noses.
7. Simply Saline Nose Mist. A must for cold/allergy season for little noses. Totally helps alleviate runny noses, and since it is just saline you can use it as often as you like. Warning: Your kids will not like this product, but they will breath much better.
8 and 9. Barbara's Shredded Spoonfuls and Almond Milk. My favorite breakfast ever. James and Luke are also big big fans of this combo. Note: I only buy the unsweetened almond milk, the sweetened stuff tastes terrible.
10. Edward Mark Chocolates. The best chocolates on the planet.

First Harvest

Our first strawberry of the season.



Both boys were really excited for a juicy bite, and lucky for us there are a few more that will be ready soon.

The boys love to help water our herb garden. And now they get excited watching the strawberries grow.

Yum yum!

Butterfly, Firetruck, and a Turtle

A pretty friend

a visiting firetruck,

and a wandering turtle.

We had quite an exciting weekend!