Pokey

• Chloë (2): *running, crying into the room* Mommy! I pokey my eye!

Happy Birdy, Indeed.

Fresh on the heels of the Early Christmas Quote...

• Chloë (2): Happy Birdy, Jesus!

Respect

One of the neighbor kids was trying to get my attention...

• Neighbor Kid: Hey. Hey. Aiden's Dad.
• Aiden (7): His name is Mr. Leary!

That's my boy!

Early Christmas Quote

Aiden got a new bike for Christmas.

• Aiden (7): Tight! I wanted a kick-stand!

The Dog Ate My Presents

Every year it happens. Without fail.

• Someone gives us a Christmas gift with food in it.
• We don't know there's food in it, because it's gift-wrapped, food vacuum-sealed, and we don't have a hound's drug-sniffing olfactory capabilities.
• We place it under the tree, then we wake up some morning soon thereafter to a fat beagle and a hastily opened gift.

Merry Christmas, Frisky.

Poor Elmo

Oh the things big brothers can teach you...

• Chloë (2): *holds hand like a pistol* Bang, Bang! Elmo's crying!

Who's The Boss?

• Aiden (7): I thought dads were supposed to be "The Boss"...
• Robert: They are.
• Aiden: ...
• Robert: Yes, I am the Dad therefore, I'm the Boss.
• Aiden: ...
• Robert: Did you hear me?
• Aiden: Mom says she's the boss.

Help Me!

• Robert: Ok, Chloë. Go upstairs and Mommy will help you brush your teeth.
• Chloë (2): HELP ME, MAMA! HELP ME!

Embarrassing Nudity

Warning, this post will utilize a word that is usually not used in good conversation...but it's life with kids, so ease up and spare me your emails of indignation!

While getting ready for the bath:

• Aiden (7): Boys are the only ones who should be embarrassed when they are naked.
• Sarah: Why is that?
• Aiden: Because we have penises and girls don't.

Honestly, it's the truest thing I've heard in a while. God has blessed me with the straight-talk of kids!

Beverage Recommendation

• Aiden (7): Dad, you should try a Peanut Colada.

I'm A Sorry Daddy?

While pushing Chloë in a cart in the store I bumped into a shelf...

• Chloë (2): Uh-Oh!
• Robert: Whoops, I bumped it!
• Chloë: You're a sorry Daddy.

The Short Bus

Aiden's buddy, Andrew, has never ridden a school bus...

• Andrew (7): *looking at a short school bus* I want to ride that bus home!
• Sarah: That bus is for handicapped kids. Do you know what handicapped means?
• Aiden (7): Yeah. It's like...daycare kids.

What She Really Means

When Chloë says:

• "I want Eggo on TD."

She actually means:

• "I want Diego on TV."

Sign Reading

While driving by this place:

• Aiden (7): *Whispering* Mom, that place has naked girls...
• Sarah: What? How do you know?
• Aiden: The sign says: 'Icehouse Bare n Girls'...
• Sarah: Read it again. 'Icehouse Bar and Grill'.

Get A Full 8 Hours...

...in any way you can.

Pillow?

Chloë patted my stomach while I layed on the couch:

• Chloë: Awww, pillow!
• Robert: Wait. What?

Oh, No!

Upon learning that Sarah was gone after Chloë slept late:

• Chloë (2): Where's Mommy?
• Robert: She went to work.
• Chloë: OH-NOOOOO!

Non-Fiction

• Aiden (7): Is that a non-fiction book?
• Robert: Yeah. Wait...do you even know what non-fiction means?
• Aiden: It means you don't have to use your imagination.

Something-Slash-Something

We drove by an El Camino the other day and Aiden remarked:

• "Whoa! That's like a car-slash-truck!"

Viking Job Description

• Aiden (7): So, the Vikings are from Minnesota?
• Robert: The NFL Football Vikings are.
• Aiden: But real Vikings are from Norway.
• Robert: Basically.
• Aiden: Real Vikings steal things. That's their job.

(I hope there's not such a thing as the "Norsepersons' Anti-Defamation League" or something!)

Rump Shaker

Maybe Chloë got her hands on a copy of "Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-N-Effect? You have to wonder when she points her finger at you and says:

• "Shake your booty, Daddy. Shake your booty!"

Tinkle, Tinkle Dinosaur

What song do you think this is that Chloë (2) is singing? (Hint: it's only the first two verses).

Tinkle, tinkle yaddle sore
Uppa, dumma dinosaur

I'm Sorry, Robot.

Chloë (2), after ripping the head off of a robot:

• "So sorry! I wheely sorry! Wheely sorry, robot!" *insert hugs and kisses*

Scary Halloween

Chloë does NOT like Darth Vader.

Belated Halloween

Darth Aiden and Chloë Cat.


Chloë and her Papa.

The funniest thing about watching the kids Trick-or-Treat was the careful way they took steps due to the lack of peripheral vision via the costumes.

I Love Remote

Chloë (2), holding a TV remote control and looking very affectionately at it:

• "I love you! I love youuuuu!"

Halloween Quotes

Watching Edward Scissorhands:

• Aiden (7): He's an artist at cutting.

Before Trick-or-Treating:

• Robert: Chloë's being very disobedient right now.
• Aiden: I'm not.
• Robert: I know, thank you for that.
• Aiden: I used to be.
• Robert: Yes, you're very reformed. (My nerdy shout-out to Reformation Day!)

Getting (cheap, thin, not warm) Darth Vader costume on:

• Sarah: Are you going to be warm enough tonight in that?
• Aiden: Yeah.
• Sarah: Are you even wearing underwear under that?
• Aiden: ...
• Sarah: You are wearing underwear, right?

Chloë, in her tiger costume:

• Sarah: Ok Chloë. Say 'Rawrrrr!'
• Chloë (2): *holds tail and wags it around* Me-me-meowww!

At the doors:

• Chloë: Triggortea!
• Candy-giver: Here you go.
• Chloë: Kankyou!

Cursory investigation of the take:

• Aiden: *Eyes get huge, looks up at Dad* Dude! King-Size Butterfingers!
• Robert: Or as I like to call it: The 'filet mignon' of Trick-or-Treat candies.
• Aiden: What's filet min-yawn?
• Robert: It's the Butterfinger of steaks.
• Aiden: ...

Pumpkin Patch 2009

In anticipation of Halloween tomorrow.

And a bonus preview of a tiger we picked up at Goodwill a few weeks back when this happened.

Seatbelt Hazard

After explaining the importance of proper seatbelt positioning in the event of an accident to Aiden and his friend:

• Aiden (7): But what if it pumps out all of your air?
• Sarah: *looks at Robert, bewildered* What?
• Robert: You mean, 'What if it knocks the air out of you.'

That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout

A dairy calf was licking Sarah's hand like it was the greatest thing (more on why/where later) and Aiden, intoning the cow's thoughts said:

"Oh yeah. Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!"

Posing With Pizza

The Circus

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey - the real deal. Everyone had fun, and then Chloë fell asleep during the loudest brightest part. Brain overload, I guess.

The Max ride back

Note: Portland's soft ethos must be rubbing off on us, because we are very conflicted about watching old elephants roll over and tigers being man-handled with a riding crop! Yikes. But the human acts were amazing.

Number 200

This is the 200th post - quite a milestone when you consider that I started this to chronicle a pregnancy...

Back at 100, I posted this.

This time around, I thought that I'd simply let you decide your own highlights. And since most of our posts involve the kids, I've given you the search for each below:

• Aiden
• Chloë

See you at 300!

When I Grow Up...

Aiden had to write some things about himself in class at his new school. It makes for an interesting read. Especially the last line.

"When I grow up, I want to be a Karate Master."

Theology as Snack?

• Chloë (2): I want "Jesus and Jews."
• Robert: Ok, I'll get you some "cheese and juice."

Breakfast Food

Chloë (2), in her chair waiting for breakfast:

• Chloë: Haminger, please!
• Robert: Hamburgers aren't for breakfast.

Facebook

• Sarah: Did you see my new profile pic?
• Robert: No, I haven't even been on Facebook today.
• Aiden (7): What's a facebook?

Boys' Baseball Day

At the Portland Beavers game a few weeks back - it was pretty sweet to ride the Portland Streetcar straight from church to the park.

Playing House

It's her favorite. Just comes naturally. For hours.

Lord Vader's Goodwill

We purchased some parts to a Halloween costume for Aiden at Goodwill from a kindly, elderly cashier lady. When it came time to ring up the helmet and mask we witnessed this:

• Cashier: Oh hello there, Lord Vader.

Aiden Rides to 1st Grade

Aiden started 1st grade last week. He looked all mature and grown up. Here he is waiting for the bus (first time taking a bus to school - kind of a big deal).

Chloë Turns 2

Our girl is growing so much. She warms our hearts so much and is always good for a very tight hug and kiss. She's a great little sister and loves to share brother's own toys with him!

This year, we celebrated her birthday (she requested Dora) at Sarah's parents' cabin.


Look closely at her shirt, then look at the amazing cake Sarah spent 5 hours making - she's getting quite good, yes?


Birthday presents = all Dora stuff accept a box of non-Dora-branded crayons. She loves her new "pack-pack."

Notice Chloë peeking behind the boys in the last shot.

Chloë, we love you so much! You make me so happy to be your daddy. Stay sweet and never stop kissing us! Happy Birthday, little one.

Suck It Up

• Ryan (4): Aiden's bleeding!
• Robert: Is it bad?
• Aiden (7): *Appears holding his scratched finger* It's OK. I was tough. I just sucked on it.
• Robert: Manly.

Learn how this was both a figurative and literal statement for "suck it up" here.

Great Grandma

We recently visited Sarah's Grandparents in Chico, CA. (9-hour drive). Chloë really took to her Great-Grandma Dorothy and Great-Grandpa Delmer. She also really played hard with the vintage toys they've been saving for little ones in the extra room.

'Tis The Season

• Aiden (7): What season is it?
• Sarah: What do you mean?
• Aiden: I dunno. Like, is it Football Season or Mating Season or what?
• Sarah: Mating Season?
• Aiden: Yeah, or something.
• Sarah: Let's just go with Football Season.

The Potty

Ya gotta try harder than this.