Elves Update

These elves have been busy lately.  The other night, we found they had made a zip line from the light to the fan.  One was even using a candy cane as a hook.

Another morning, they were bungee jumping?!

Apparently they had a little campfire and roasted some marshmallows.  The kids enjoyed eating their left over marshmallows in the morning.

And last night, when the kids were sleeping over Grandma and Grandad's house, the elves crept into the kids' beds and slept there all night cuddles up in their covers.  The kids figured that they must have really missed them!

Green Milk and Cookies

The elves were apparently hungry last night and baked some cookies.



They had some milk and turned it green!

This morning, the milk was back in the fridge but one of the elves were hanging on the door handle, while the other two were still eating cookies.

Underwear Everywhere!

The stockings underwear were hung by the chimney with care.



Silly little elves.

The kids were going crazy with this.  It was a fun morning.

The Elves are Back in Town!

The elves are back for Christmas! They came in last night and decorated the boys' room with balloons everywhere, streamers hanging from the fan and left a bunch of candy canes for the tree.

Later, they played "Cannon Ball" into the balloons with the boys.  I was able to catch a picture of one mid-air.  These elves are going to be tired by the time they leave!

The boys keep saying, "I can't believe the elves are back! I thought they weren't coming!"

They are soooo excited!

What Happens When the Whistle Blows?

On the way to school today, Rylan asked Dad, "Dad, when the whistle blows and we all go to heaven, what happens if there is a baby being born right then?  Will they ever get to go to heaven?"

The most curious questions are in his mind.

So make sure that you're listening for the whistle* to blow!

*trumpet  :)

Who the Girls Like

Well, it's happened. 

Three weeks into Nathan's school life, and he officially has two girls at school that "like" him.

It came out this morning when Rylan and Nathan were in the bathroom brushing their teeth.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to hear the conversation, but I heard laughing from Rylan.  Then Rylan came running out of the bathroom with the news.

Nathan came over with a cute little sheepish look and said that it's true.  Two girls like him.  Kate and Bella.

Then he told us what he says to Kate:

"Remember, I'm a farting fish!" 

We all died laughing and wanted to know why he would say such a thing to her.  And his answer is simple...the reason why men of all ages do and say off the wall things all over the world....

"Because she laughs!"

Of course. 

Disney's "Babies"

Well, it was a bad idea to start the movies "Babies" without thinking about all that it would entail.

It's a movie about babies around the world, how they're raised, etc.  I thought it would be good for the boys to see it, because I want my kids to have a world perspective and think about how things are in the rest of the world, not just how it is in the US.

The second or third scene is a shot from Namibia....and the screen shows a great big pregnant belly and what you usually see in documentaries of tribes in Africa, half naked women.  So there is a huge belly and in the upper corner, a breast. 

Grown ups, it's okay, my three boys who live in America and don't usually see something like that because it's not part of our culture, not okay. 

So we stopped it and of course it's like at that moment you can't do anything fast enough, everything seems to go in slow motion.

Ryan said, "Okay, maybe we won't watch that all together."

I'm trying not to die.

Rylan starts giggling. 

I'm like, "Rylan, why are you laughing?"

And he says, "Because of that big belly on the TV!"

And Nate's laughing.

And Ryan and I are nervously laughing and giving each other looks like, "Oh my goodness!"

I really don't think he saw anything other than the huge belly, because, like I said, it was way up in the top part of the screen and she was rolling something on the ground, so you're attention really was focused on that part.  Even if he saw, it was hard to tell what it really was.

Who knows, but it was a good call by Daddy to stop watching it because the whole rest of the movie was filled with them!

Not just by the women in Africa, but by the hippie in San Francisco, too!

Blondes

My niece, Brooke, was over this week for a bit.  She is a beautiful, tall, blondie.  She's 13 years old and looks like she's going on 17.  I love that girl!

Anyway, we had a great time.  But one thing we all noticed is that Nathan, who is 4, would not leave her alone.

You know how little boys do. They want to show off every little thing they can do for whoever walks in the room.

I figured that he has a little crush, and at this stage, it's okay, because I know he doesn't realize that's his cousin and you don't like girls that are your cousins, etc.

Besides, he seems to really have a thing for blondes.

Did I ever tell you about the time when he was about 3 years old?

We were visiting churches, raising support, and he was in the Sunday School Class with the Pastor's wife of the church.  She was teaching them something, and she told me out of nowhere, that Nathan tapped her arm and pointed to a little blonde girl and said, "I like that one."

She was dying with laughter when she told me the story and said, "Well, at least he knows what he wants!"

And I'm dying, too, but not from laughter, from embarrassment!  But laughter came quickly after. :)

She's Your Life

This post is a testament to my husband.

The boys came home from a long day of swimming with Daddy.

They picked up some cheeseburgers on the way home.  Ryan had asked me if I wanted any, and I said no.

When he got home and was taking out all of the burgers to find the plain one for Rylan, he told me that he bought one for me anyway, just in case.

So as we were sitting there and they were eating, Ryan asked me again if I wanted one.  I said no.

Then of course, Nathan, the vulture swoops in and, at least for this week, will eat anything and everything in site, asked if he could eat it.

Ryan said yes, but Nathan wanted to make sure. He said, "Did you get this one for Mommy?"

Ryan answered, "Yes, but even if you want to eat it, I could give Mommy one of mine."

Nathan said, "I  know you would Daddy, because she's your life."

We don't know if he meant to say life or wife, but it was so sweet, and I thought, that's so cool that Nathan knows his Daddy loves his Mommy so much that he would give her his cheeseburger.

I love that Man.  He's been an awesome husband for 10 years now.  It's awesome to have such a great example for my children, it's what I always prayed for. 

I Don't Stink

It was time for a shower.

I said, "Come on guys, it's time to take a shower."

Nathan said, "Why?"

I said, "Because you stink!"

He said, with a little twang in his voice, "I don't stink, I'm a lady."

Just for clarification sake, I asked him if he knew what a lady was and he knew....he also just knows how to get a laugh!

Squeeze Your Cheeks!

So, I don't know if I've ever told you this one....but Rylan was probably about 3, an early 3. 

This is when they're really learning a lot about life and picking up on things you never would have thought a child could comprehend.

On the other hand, the don't quite get analogies or sayings that have two meanings. 

For example:

Rylan was with Grandma at the park.

Of course, like all kids do, in the middle of the park, in the most inconvenient place, Rylan declares he really has to go to the bathroom.  Like, really has to go....#2.....

So Grandma says okay and they try to gather things together, including Nathan who's about 1 and a half at that time.

Rylan's trying to wait, but you know, when you're three, the world revolves around this.

So Grandma is jogging a little in front of him saying, "Come on, let's go, you can make it!  Squeeze your cheeks."

She takes a look behind her to see how Rylan's doing and sees him squeezing his cheeks. 

He's got his hands on either side of his mouth and is pushing as hard as he can.

He says, "What's that gonna do?"

Muscles

We were driving in the car...a long drive....to my brother's house. 
(It takes about an hour and a half, but it's worth it!)

A lot of conversations take place between the boys in the back seat. 

One of them was hilarious.

Rylan: My friend Brandon can make his muscle so big that I can even see it.  I want to exercise more and make mine bigger.  (Talking about his arm muscle.)

Me: Ok, you can exercise every day after school, like you've done before.  (I've caught him doing push ups, well, his version of push ups, trying to pump his arms up.)

Nathan: I can exercise to. I have big arm muscles, too.  (Which, by the way, he does.  His arms are really defined.)

Rylan: Nathan, you're not even to the point where girls are gonna like you.

Me: Actually, I didn't say anything.  I was laughing to myself. 

"Baby I Like It"

Most people may know the song by Enrique Iglesias that says:

Baby I like it
The way you move on the floor
Baby I like it
Come on and give me some more (I think)

Anyway, our family has heard it at Dolphin's games and even at Rylan's field day activities at school. 

It's got a good beat and sticks in your head. 

While Rylan was out with Ryan today, I think they heard it in the store and on the way home Rylan began singing it with his own lyrics:

Baby I like it
An M&M on the floor

He has no idea that these are the wrong lyrics, and I'm going to try to keep it that way! :)

Good and Bad Word

I was outside watching the kids play with some boys across the street. 

They were about 7 or 8 years old, a little older than mine, who are 4 and 6.

One of the boys I don't really know, but when he shot the basketball he said something like, "Yeah Sucker!" to the boys.

Then I could see them talking and heard a few words here or there.

I heard Rylan saying that his Mommy and Daddy (us) say that's a bad word.

Nathan was very adamant that it was a bad word and didn't blame us for it like Rylan did.

Then I heard Nathan say, "I can say 'farty poopy.'" Then he laughed at himself.

And since he's the youngest and the older ones tend to ignore him, he said it like 3 other times, still laughing at himself!

**DISCLAIMER** Mommy and Daddy have never said, "Sure, go ahead and say 'farty poopy'." Usually we're telling him it's inappropriate.

But as this was a boys' conversation, I let it play out and just watched and laughed.

Update on Rylan's First Crush

We were cleaning up around the house tonight, and Rylan stopped at his door.

He looked at the door for a long time.  I wondered what he was staring at for so long.

He came to me and showed me the valentine that Wayra from Pre-K gave him.

Remember, the purple one with a white kitty on it? 

He had kept it on his door, next to the Lightning McQueen poster and "Beware of Dog" sign he had drawn. 

He said with a long look on his face, "I think it's time to throw this away."

Are You Done With That?

We were eating out at IHOP. (Kids eat free after 4pm!)

Nathan is a big eater.  He wants to eat all the time.

He had finished his kids plate and was watching Ryan eat his pancakes.

He saw that Ryan was slowing down and said, "Dad, are you getting full?"

Ryan said, "Yes, I am."

Nathan said, "Can I eat the rest of your pancakes?"

Hook, line and sinker.  He already knows how to set it up.

He happily ate the rest of the pancakes.

Stinky Feet

I was taking Owen's shoes and socks off after a long day.

I noticed that his cute little feet have turned into smelly boy feet.

Rylan was right there with me.  I said, "Rylan, smell his feet."

He took a whiff and said, "Phew! He's starting to smell like us!"

Why Did God Make You Spiky?

Nathan is figuring out the world around him.

And he's asking A LOT of questions.

So, as he was standing next to me, his hand brushed my unshaven legs.  (My husband's been out of town for a week, and I've been wearing pants.)

Nathan asked me, "Why did God make you spiky?"

After I explained to him why my legs are spiky, he asked, "Why did God make girls take their hair off?"

Bec's Post

Today we have a guest post by my best friend! 

Rebecca has been my  friend since we were 5. 

We have tons of memories together, usually ones that she remembers and I've seemed to have forgotten.
But her friendship has meant the world to me. We've graduated kindergarten, 6th grade, and highschool together. Were in each others wedding, and now between the two of us, we have 5 boys and 1 girl.

Here's what happened today while we were together:

Man do I love my funny nephews!  

Sometimes the funny things they say, or even just the way they say regular things makes me laugh.  

Today, Nathan was looking over at Zoë as she lay in her bassinet.  He was talking sweetly to her and touching her hand gently, and all of a sudden she flashed him this HUGE smile.  

Nate, pleased with Zoë’s reaction, looked up at me and said, “Did you see that Aunt Bec?  She smiled at me, she always smiles for me.”  (LOVE IT)  

I coyly replied “She can smile at you all she wants, but she is betrothed to Owen.”   

(Inside joke that I want Zoë to marry Owen one day, kind of like the arranged marriages of old.   I was suspecting my comment would go WAY over Nate’s head due to my choice of words). 

But Nate looked up at me with a face that only Nate can give and replied “She likes me better”.  

I could not help but laugh.  

It was obvious that not only did he understand the context of my prior remark, but that he too could be just as cunning.  

Gotta love that kid!  He knows just how to worm his way into my heart, and maybe one day he’ll do the same to Zoë  ;-)   

Hey, one of those Johnson boys has to marry my baby-girl just so I can make Sarah my family “officially” and reap the benefits of Holiday get togethers, etc. etc.!!!

I guess my kids will have to stop calling her Aunt Bec at some point if she wants this to happen!

Love you Bec!!! 

Everybody Needs a Buddy

The older boys (Rylan and Nathan) were playing out back.

There's a little boy that lives behind us that has figured out a way to hop the fence over to our back yard. He's a two years older than Rylan.

As I told the boys it was time to say goodbye, I heard Rylan say:
"Wait! Before you leave! Will you be my best buddy? I don't have a best buddy."

He said yes to Rylan.

Nathan then said,
"I wanna be your best buddy too! I wanna be your best buddy too! Can I? Can I?"

The boy just kinda ignored him a little bit, but I think he said yeah. (But Rylan told me later that the boy whispered into Rylan's ear that Nathan's too little to be his best buddy. At least he whispered it and tried to spare his feelings.)

Then when he was making his final ascent and descent back over the fence, Nathan said,
"Can't you just come down here and give me a hug?"

The boy said, "Here, just give me five. Climb up here and give me five."

Nathan settled it with a hand shake.

Too Much TV

We were checking out at the store and I asked Ryan to pay for it, because my purse was in the bottom of the stroller.

This prompted Rylan to ask a series of questions:

"Mommy, do you have any money?
Why did you ask Daddy to pay?"

Then in a TV commercial tone of voice, he said, 

"What's in your wallet?"

Then on the way home Nate was talking about playing the Wii.  

He has this thing about repeating himself over and over and even sometimes making a song out of what he's saying.  This is what he did. (Singing: Wii, wii, wii....)

Rylan then smartly said, "What? Are you going wee, wee, wee all the way home?"

Kid=Cute

Our family was planning on recording our new video for us to explain why we are going to London. 

As we were driving in the car, I was talking to the boys and reminding them that they needed to smile for the camera while Daddy was talking and then they would be done. 

The two older boys remember doing this a year and a half ago.

The oldest, Rylan, said, "I know Mom, I'm going to smile like this, with my mouth closed, because when I smile with my teeth showing I think it looks ugly."

So of course I had to dispel this myth for my six year old.  I said, "No it's not! It's a cute smile!"

And just as soon I was finishing my sentence, he cut in and said, "I know Mom, I'm a kid, everything is cute!"

A Good Remedy for Dry Cough

It seems that I've come across a good remedy for a dry, hacking cough.  (Although it's only been tested once.)  Here it is: 2 tbsp honey and lemon and a good amount of black pepper.  Heat it in the microwave for about 10 seconds then sip. (The pepper makes your throat secrete mucus that helps soothe it.)

Now, why am I writing this in my blog you ask? Well, Rylan and I have had some good ole times these past two nights with him up with this type of cough.

We've tried gargling with salt water, saline solution in his nose, sleeping sitting up on the couch, cough medicine, sipping water, and none of these have helped.  But we've had some laughs through it all. 

Last night, as I lay awake listening to him cough every 5-10 seconds, I thought I would research and see what home remedies there were for dry coughs.  I came across this, so I tried it.

And as I tip-toed into his room to give it to him, I knew he would hate it.  But it was worth the try.  I used a dropper to squeeze about a teaspoon into his mouth. 

His face said it all.   The concoction is quite a shock to your mouth if you have no idea what's in it. 

After he swallowed (which took about 30 seconds) he said in total disgust, "Oh Mom, Gross!"

Now to the funny part of the post.  This whole episode reminded me of when he was about 2 years old.  He was just repeating everything he was hearing at that point and I was scolding those around me to be careful what they say, because little ears are listening and his little mouth repeats.

Well, I was in his room one night giving him some medicine for a cough.  He didn't want to take it of course, so I told him it tasted like juice.

He took a sip and what he said to me that night as a two year old little boy, still makes me laugh out loud today.  He said, "That's freakin' whack juice!"

Of course his father was scolded once again for his word usage, but we all laughed at this for days.  And whenever it's time to give Rylan medicine, I think of my little ghetto two year old scolding me for the whack juice I made him drink.