Benjamin Walks Into the Kitchen

And announces: "Nick is red; there's something wrong with him."

Nicholas walks into the kitchen, itching, not talking, and SWOLLEN.

His head is like a balloon; his lips like a movie star's.

An hour after Benadryl, he's fine again.

Whacky.

For My Northern Friends

The punchline: two of three school systems in our area are closed today due to the snow emergency. Daycare told me this morning to keep my phone close because they may close early due to the cold. (?)

And the Benjamin twist:

When we walked out to get in the car I got this: "Mommy, I like snow!"

When we got out of the car to go in to daycare, "Mommy, I don't like this snow."

From Nicholas: "Ben, this is the same snow."

Benjamin: "No it's NOT!"

And the argument began before we even began our day.

Just Try To Let Them Eat Cake

You know that cake we had when we were little? The white cake that had strawberry jello mixed with strawberry soda poured over it and then Cool Whip mixed with vanilla pudding on top?

Ben couldn't run away fast enough.

Once Nicholas saw that no one was going to make him eat cake, he ran for the backyard too.

Elaine was polite. She took two bites and smiled before asking to get down.

That's my girl Alida.
You and your daddy make me feel like it might be worth the trouble.

Summer

I guess we forgot to put away all of the boots.

Riddle Me This

So the boys' clothes go to the Dukes once outgrown. It's a great feeling to pass along such a seemingly mundane item to someone who has two growing boys of her own. Seemingly mundane, but I still get excited over hand-me-downs because that is one more shopping trip I don't have to make and one more check I don't have to write.

So when a box arrived on the doorstep last night from the Dukes, we immediately tore into it.

Well. Nicholas didn't. He just wanted to wear a sock on his hand really.

But Benjamin was all over the hand-me-down clothes we received for the GIRLS from the Dukes. I'm confused. But that woman clearly has super powers.

Ready for Fall

We tried on our winter coats for grandma this weekend since she was going shopping and was curious. The ladies were quick to take them back off while we were still inside.

But Nicholas and Benjamin had other ideas.

And they played out there in the Southern August summer like that for longer than a moment. Let's hope October gets here quickly.

Is This What They Mean?

You know, in those parenting magazines, where they tell you to choose your battles and insist he eat some vegetables but let go and let the toddler express his fashion savvy. Yes, we have actually loaded up the car in this particular outfit; thankfully, we were headed for the drive through.

What?

7 Months ago hanging out with Gracie for the weekend.
When did that happen? The little guy looks like he's ready for college.

What?

Yeah, because there are lots of long soaks in the tub happening around here. Right.Last night was mom's first night solo with four tikes. There was only one truck flung at a baby's head; five pre-dinner melt downs; we at least ate the corn portion of our dinner and didn't throw too much on the floor; the ladies at least waited until 8:00 to start snacking continually and alternately until 10:00; 2 trips to the boys room to put them back to bed; dad waited until midnight to call; the ladies woke up at 12:30 and ate like they had been starved, but that only lasted until 4:15 when they were starved again. EVERYONE woke up at 7:00 and the boys got all of the crackers they could eat and the ladies all the formula they could drink and we all watched all the cartoons that would keep our attention until 8:00. Mom only missed one diaper change this morning; and when Frannie arrived, she disappeared.

What?

Hey, at least I'm not chewing on the stuff inside the cabinet.

What?

We don't get the bouncy seats anymore. Are dad's pants on fire? That looks more dangerous than what I'm doing. It is a bouncy seat after all.

What?