Sweat Sample

Fred Meyer had some French soft cheese on a cracker to sample:

• Chloë (3): I don't like this cheese. It stings my throat.
• Aiden (8): I don't like it because it tastes like sweat.
  

Naughty Girl, No Santa

• Chloë (3): I don't think I like Santa anymore.
• Sarah: Why is that?
• Chloë: Because I've been naughty and I don't think he's gonna stop by this year.
  

Appreciation And A Christmas Party

Sarah went to Aiden's school Christmas (ahem, "holiday") party:

• Aiden (8): *Runs up and hugs her* I'm so glad you came! I'll never forget this!
  

Swiping Witch

While watching the Wizard of Oz:

• Chloë (3): I don't like this movie - it has scary's.
• Sarah: Scary's?
• Robert: Do you mean the green witch?
• Chloë: Yes. She's trying to swipe the dog!
  

Archie Turns 1

Today is Archibald's first birthday. He's still a rambunctious little pup, but he's learned the rules of the house and is getting better all the time.

Past Archie Posts here

Some things Archie is good at

• Ringing his bell to go to the bathroom outside
• Sniffing around for a looooong time before doing his business
• Stealing dental floss out of the trash can
• Getting stolen toilet paper stuck in his jowls
  
• Playing with toys that aren't his
• Having lots of energy
• Obeying pack-leader Robert
• Mostly obeying Sarah and the kids
• Doing tricks for treats
• Going to his kennel for bedtime
• Watching TV
• Growling at birds on the back porch
• Curling up next to people on the couch
• Licking feet
• Plays with mouth, but never bites
• Wrestles with kids
  
• Fetching tennis balls
• Playing with Sarah's shoes
• Not stealing food that's not his

Slide Show
Newly updated, mostly in chronological order - the best ones are at the end.

Dental Destruction

Sarah and Chloë (3) went to the dentist. Chloë got to help the hygenist by putting the suction tube in mommy's mouth...

• Sarah: Tell Daddy about helping with the suction in Mommy's mouth.
• Chloë: I got to help with the destruction in Mommy's mouth!

Swimming Lessons

• Chloë (3): I already know how to swim, Daddy.
• Robert: Really?
• Chloë: Yeah from when I used to swim around in Mommy's tummy.
  

Missing Medicine

• Robert: *hugs Aiden* I'm glad you're home.
• Aiden (8): I'm your medicine for when you miss me.
  

The Couch

• Robert: Chloë, you took my spot.
• Chloë (3): ...
• Robert: I guess I can sit over here.
• Chloë: Yes you can.
  

The Beast

While watching Disney's Beauty and the Beast:

• Aiden (8): Is the Beast halfway between a mountain goat and bear or what?
  

Walk Like A Girl

• Robert: C'mon, Chloë. You're a slow poke.
• Chloë (3): I'm not a slow poke!
• Robert: Well, you're walking like a slow poke.
• Chloë: Daddy, I'm not walking like a slow poke. I'm walking like a girl!
  

Bluetooth

• Robert: Whoa, who's that guy talking to? There's no one there!
• Aiden (8): It's probably one of those earplugs that you can hear out of.
  

Banana Bread

• Sarah: I love baking.
• Aiden (8): I love to eat your baking.

LAnguage

• Aiden (8): Do people speak a different language in Los Angeles?
• Robert: Uh, not really.
• Aiden: So they speak like us?
• Robert: Uh, not really.

Bringin' The Pain

• Chloë (3): What did you bring home?
• Robert: A new propane tank.
• Chloë: You brought home the pain?
  

School Policy

After 2 weeks of second grade:

• Robert: Aiden, why don't you have any homework yet?
• Aiden (8): I don't know. They just changed their policy or something.
  

Lego Castles And Serfs

• Aiden (8): Dad, did you see my lego castle that I built that can control people?
  

Just Gotta Dance

• Chloë (3): Mommy, I need my music so I can dance!

Lava Face

Small child screaming loudly in store:

• Robert: Man, that kid was mad!
• Aiden (8): Yeah, his face was hot-lava red.

Can't A Girl Get A Break?

After a slightly perturbed exchange about some inane detail in daily routine between her parents:

• Chloë (3): Ugh. I need a break.

Things My Girls Say

What a husband wants to hear from his wife:

• Sarah: You look hot in those jeans. Have you lost weight?

What a dad does not want to hear from his daughter:

• Chloë (3): Daddy, I want more stuff.

A Hostel Crisis

• Sarah: Did you have fun on your trip with your grandma?
• Aiden (8): Yeah.
• Sarah: Did you get to stay in a hotel?
• Aiden: We stayed in a hostage place.
• Robert: Do you mean a hostel?

Magical Land

While in the store, Chloë can be quite conversational with others:

Hi there! What's your name? I'm Chloë. Do you live in a magical land? Are you a princess? I am. Do you have a husband? Where is he? My mommy has a husband - he's my daddy. Do you have kids? Are they here? My mommy has kids and one's my brother. Are you a grandma too? I'm not a grandma, I'm a sister. I live in a magical land and I like to sing and dance and jump...do you want to come to my Birthday? It's on September 6th and I'll be 3 years-old...

Chloë Turns 3

September 6th, 2010 - Chloë's 3rd Birthday party was an affair of tea and cake fit for a princess (or a whole lot of little princesses for that matter). Once again, Sarah was in form with another smashing cake (or a whole lot of little cakes for that matter).

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

More pictures coming as soon as we track them down!

Birthday Cake Planning

• Sarah: What kind of cake do you want for your birthday?
• Chloë (2.75): I want flavor.
• Sarah: I know, but what flavor?
• Chloë: A good flavor.

Archie At His Best

Runaway Bride

When the bride and groom at a wedding we were at were pronounced and they left down the aisle, there was concern to be heard:

• Chloë (2.75): Oh no! She's getting away!

nk = ng

Chloë (2.75) has taken to a certain pronunciation quirk that's as cute as it is weird:

• Monkey = Mongy
• Winking = Winging
• Tinkerbell = Tingerbell

All Day Potty

• Robert: Chloë, did you go potty yet?
• Chloë (2.75): Yes, I already went.
• Robert: When? I don't think you did.
• Chloë: I pottied all day long!

Payment

• Robert: Aiden, please finish up that job I gave you.
• Aiden (8): Are you gonna pay me for this?
• Robert: Are you gonna stop eating all of our food?

Helping Athleticism

• Aiden (8): What are those things over there?
• Sarah: They're blocking sleds - the football players hit them when they're practicing.
• Aiden: Yeah, so it can help with their athleticism.

Turdy-what?

• Aiden (8): Chloë, can you say teriyaki?
• Chloë (2.75): Turdy Wocky

Oral Exam

• Chloë (2.75): Daddy, let me see in your mouth.
• Robert: *opens mouth wide*
• Chloë: *peering in at point-blank range* Oh! You have a tongue in there!

When You Get Neutered...

...this is the face you'd probably make when you got picked back up again from the vet:

Technology

Archie barking at a dog on TV:

• Robert: Archie, knock it off - it's not real, it's just TV!
• Aiden (8): Yeah, and it's probably just green screen anyway.

Lady Friend

Chloë (2.5) was having a conversation with another little girl at the store when Sarah attempted to call her over to leave:

"Not now, Mommy. I'm trying to talk to my lady friend."

Too Busy Too

• Chloë (2.5): Where's Aiden?
• Robert: He's busy with something.
• Chloë: Yeah, well I'm busy too. Very, very busy.
  

Slug Bug

• Aiden (8): Slug Bug!
• Sarah: Where?
• Aiden: Over there, the Dune Buggy - it's a classic.

Encouragement

• Chloë (2.5): Daddy, I want my drink.
• Robert: *hands it to her* Here you go.
• Chloë: Yeah for Daddy, you did it!

Morning After

The morning after Chloë's (2.5) first camping trip in a tent, the very first thing she said right before this picture was snapped:

"Mommy, I did it!"

Birthday Shark

From Aiden's 8th Birthday trip to the Aquarium, via Sarah's phone:

Happy 8th, Aiden!

The Weekend of Birthday

On June 22nd, Aiden turned 8 years-old. The following weekend we had big plans for some partying:

• Saturday = friends to eat icecream Clown Cones and open gifts with.
• Sunday= drive to the Oregon Coast for camping by the beach (complete with tents and fire and s'mores).
• Monday = explore tidepools, search out sea lions, get clam-digging and crabbing lessons from a Park Ranger (complete with "Junior Ranger" badges visible in the last photo below), culminating in a trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Before we left we told him our plans:

• Aiden (8): It's like a weekend of birthday!

Happy Birthday, son. It was one of the most fun weekends we've ever had. You're a good boy and we love you so much. Let's do it again next year!

Archie @ 6 Months

Smooching

While her dad was kissing her mom:

• Chloë (2.5): Oh Mommy, Daddy loves you!

Tooth Fairy Computer

Continuing the theme of when the Tooth Fairy forgot him the other night:

• Sarah: Maybe the Tooth Fairy will come tonight.
• Aiden (7.75): Yeah, if she doesn't stay on the computer all night.

Tooth Fairy Dream

We (Mom and Dad) forgot that the tooth fairy was supposed to come:

• Aiden (7.75): *with an expectant look* Umm, the tooth fairy forgot me last night.

Then later, before bed:

• Aiden: Chloë said she's gonna dream about Cinderella. I'm going to dream about what the tooth fairy looks like. *Again, with an expectant look*

Tooth Fairy

Upon losing another tooth and while handing it over to me with a matter-of-fact, non-ironic, expectant look:

• Aiden (7.75): Here Dad, it's another tooth for the Tooth Fairy tonight.

Work Costume

Chloë (2.5) has a Multnomah University -branded polo shirt. It's exactly the same style I often wear on my more casual days to work.

• Chloë: Look Daddy, I have a costume for your work too!

The Bomb & The Dust Speck

By: Aiden Leary (7.75)

I can't wait to see how this story ends.

Big Reader

• Sarah: *reading "Fox In Sox"*
• Chloë (2.5): *listening along, yet encouraging the good reading* That's right, Mommy!

In The Toddler Potty

• Chloë (2.5): Clean my poop now, Daddy.

Toy Aisle

With all the dolls and doll supplies:

• Robert: There you are!
• Chloë: I'm just looking, Daddy.

Coffee Party

Chloë (2.5) loves to have tea parties, but to get Daddy to the table, she apparently knows to change the menu up a little.

• Chloë: Oh Daddy, you came! Sit down here. *Hands me a little mug while patting a chair big enough for me.*
• Chloë: *pouring from a little carafe* Here Daddy, here's your coffee!
• Robert: Mmm, thank you.
• Chloë: *pouring and spooning from little containers* You're welcome! Here's your cream! Here's your sugar!

It was delicious.

Favorite Sport

• Robert: Aiden, what's your favorite sport to play?
• Aiden (7.75): Ummm...
• Robert: Basketball, soccer, baseball...?
• Aiden: I think I like swordplay the best.

Note: Aiden has never fenced.

Not Interesting

In response to some other kids' laughter:

• Aiden (7.75): That's not funny. That's not even interesting.

On Happiness

While riding an ATV today:

• Chloë (2.5): "I'm happy, Dad!"
  

Wind In Your Hair

On a particularily gusty day:

• Chloë (2.5): *Hair not in ponytail* It's too windy! My hair is blowing away!

Reminds me of this and this.

Not On The List

We saw a birthday party with a bounce house at the park and both kids had to stop and stare:

• Aiden (7.75): I wish I could be in that party.

Breakfast Out

Hot chocolate, gross coffee, tasty salty/sweet/greasy breakfast meat and carbs...good times.

Fix The Tree

Whilst observing an old dead tree with the top half gone:

• Chloë (2.5): Oh, no! That tree's broken!
• Robert: Oh, no!
• Chloë: We have to fix it tomorrow.
  

Big Daddy

Chloë asked me to throw a stick in to the woods:

• Chloë (2.5): 1, 2, 3, throooowww!
• Robert: *Throws it as far as a daddy can, then turns around a flexes his muscles (with shirt on)*
• Chloë: You're big!
• Robert: I'm big?
• Chloë: Yeah, you're a big thrower!
  

No News Is Good News

• Aiden (7.75): Why can't Chloë watch TV tonight?
• Sarah: Because she's been naughty and TV would be a reward.
• Aiden: Not if she has to watch the news.

Archie, People Sleeper

This is how Archie likes to sleep: On people...

...and dolls.

Karate, By Aiden

Excuse Me, Again

• Chloë (2.5): Daddy.
• Robert: *talking with wife*
• Chloë: Daddy!
• Robert: *still having adult conversation with her mother*
• Chloë: Excuse me, Daddy!
• Robert: *Interrupted* What is it, Chloë?
• Chloë: Excuse me, but you're sitting on Mommy's coat.

More manners here.

Big Baby

• Chloë (2.5): I want a diaper today.
• Robert: No, big girls wear big-girl underwear.
• Chloë: ...
• Robert: Are you a baby or a big girl now?
• Chloë: I'm a baby.
• Robert: No, you're a big girl.
• Chloë: I'm a baby big girl!

Earthday Crust

• Robert: We're going to walk underneath the street through a tunnel.
• Aiden (7.75): So, like, beneath the Earth's crust?

Communalty

After church service was over and he came back from Sunday school:

• Aiden (7.75): Dad, can I have community now?
• Robert: You mean 'communion'?

Mary Poppins

• Chloë (2.5): *Singing in perfect tune* Chim-Chimmy Chim-Chimmy Chim-Chim Chim-Chim!

Not Earth Day

A large ad on the side of a bus read: "Earth Day, Everyday."

• Aiden (7.75): Earth Day, everyday? It is NOT Earthday everyday.

Skinny's

Chloë has a pair of slim-fit jeans - sometimes called "skinny jeans".

• Aiden (7.5): Chloë's got her skinny's on.

I'm A Mommy

Aiden was leaving to the bus stop:

• Chloë (2.5): Bye, boy! I'm a boy too!
• Sarah: No, you're not a boy. You're a girl.
• Chloë: So I'm a mommy?
• Sarah: No, you're just a girl.

Waiting...

...for hot chocolate at a cafe before church.

Hip Hop Historian

• Aiden (7.5): I know just about all the words to old hip hop songs.

Resurrection Sunday

Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20 - Because of what is contained in those chapters of the Bible, we have true freedom!

And now, the goods before church.

What Gives Us Joy

I Love Lamp

A commercial for Walmart's toy section came on TV the other night:

• Chloë (2.5): *pointing vigorously* Look, Daddy! It's my favorite, I LOVE that!

Kinda reminded me of THIS from "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy"

Excuse Me, Sir.

I was standing in front of the drawer where Chloë's bowls and plates are stored:

• Chloë (2.5): *Without a hint of irony in her voice:* Excuse me, Sir.
• Robert: What?
• Chloë: Excuse me, Sir. I need to get my plate.

Hot Eyes

After retreating inside from the bright sun:

• Chloë (2.5): It's too hot on my eyes.

Hello Archie!

Meet Archie.

He's the latest addition to our family. He's a Pugalier. That's a cross between a Pug and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He's quickly filling the void left behind after Frisky passed. A He's pretty much jet-black. So it's really hard to get great photos of him without it just looking like a black spot on screen!

For the last three weeks, he's been living with a family with another dog and young children - and Archie had proven himself very amiable. He's great with the kids and is learning house rules quickly. We all love him (especially Aiden and Chloë), but really, he's Sarah's dog/shadow.

We are posting photos today. We'll post video later this week. If you want to check in on Archie, just come back to the blog and search for his name - they're all tagged.

Wind Gets In Your Eyes

While walking from the Max, in the wind, to the Winterhawks game:

• Chloë (2.5): Daddy, my eyes are too windy!

Proud Girl

Chloë got a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. It's her favorite.

• Robert: Here's your PBJ, sweetheart.
• Chloë (2.5): Thank you. I'm so proud of you, Daddy!

Re: Head Lice

Something Fishy

While eating a peice of chicken:

• Aiden (7.5): Mom, I think there's a fish bone in my chicken.

And Then She Kissed Me

• Chloë (2.5): *Puts hands on both sides of my face* "I love your face, Daddy."

First Thing This Morning

• Chloë (2.5): I wanna be naked, Daddy.

First Slide of the Year

The Woodpacker

• Chloë (2.5): Daddy, I can't see the woodpacker!

Maybe she should start by looking through the right end of the binoculars.

Birthday Cake

Sarah made the below cake for my birthday (yes, several months ago). I figured I better post a shot of it before her birthday comes up in a couple of days. It really was tasty.


Can you guess what flavor it is?

What?

• Aiden (7.5): *reading aloud all the signs while riding in the car*
• Robert: You are getting so good at reading, I tell you what!
• Aiden: What?
• Robert: You're getting so...wait...
• Aiden: *smirking*

Where Babies Come From

• Chloë (2.5): Mommy, where do babies come from?
• Sarah: Uhhh...
• Chloë: *reaches for the doll in the doll crib* Oh, right here!

Doing Laundry

Upon seeing Aiden's muddy shirt in the laundry:

• Chloë (2.5): Oh my gosh mommy! Look, Aiden did a poopy on his shirt, Eww!"

Muddy Translation

While walking in the rain:

• Chloë (2.5): It's all money, honey!

Translation: It's all muddy, honey.

Children's Motrin

• Aiden (7.5): I need more of that throat medicine.

Shoes Tied Tight

• Aiden (7.5): My foot has a heartbeat.

Step On It

In the car, at a particularly long stop light:

• Chloë (2): Drive Daddy, Drive!

Workmen

I was heading out to hang with some guys from work:

• Aiden (7.5): Is Dad going out with his workmen tonight?

I'm A Chloë

Chloë and I were conversing in the car. About what, I don't recall - save for the last part of the conversation:

• Chloë (2): Oh, Daddy!
• Robert: You're a silly girl.
• Chloë: No, I'm a Chloë!

The Drive Thru

• Chloë (2): "I'll have a haminger. Thank You! You want chicken nuggets? Ok! Chicken nuggets, please. Thank You! Ok, bye-bye!"
  

Seahawk Clause

Just when you thought Christmas posts were over, I ran across this picture we got on the streets in downtown Seattle the last time we went to watch the Seahawks lose.

Proof that Santa is a Seahawks fan:

High Five

While at work, I got the following text from Sarah:

"Chloë is supposed to be napping right now, but she is in her bed telling her dolls that she put her poop in the big girl toilet and to give her "5". lol!"

Pinheaded Slang

While watching The O'Reilly Factor tonight:

• Aiden (7.5): Dad, what's a "pinhead"?
• Robert: It's like a "goofball".

Any suggestions?

RIP Frisky 1996-2010

On January 15, 2010 our beagle Frisky passed.

Past posts with Frisky in them.

Snow 2009

Christmas 2009

This is a little late, but oh well. I usually just post the quotes you usually read while they're fresh...hence the outdated Christmas 2009 update!

Gingerbread Houses are better with extra gummy candy.

"Christmas Eve is soooo hard!"

Chloë's "Tea Party"

Aiden's new bike with pegs.

Needless to say, we appreciated the significantly reduced drama since last Christmas!

Stinky

While sitting in her bath:

• Chloë (2): I'm getting a bath - I'm slinky.

Your Bubbles

While settling on the couch to watch a Blazer game on TV:

• Aiden (7): I like laying on your stomach the best.
• Robert: Why is that?
• Aiden: Because I like to hear all your bubbles.

It's still better than when this happened.

What's Boring

Aiden (7) was assigned the duty of sharpening our pencils recently whilst the adults watched a boring news show:

• Aiden: Why are you pausing that show? Is it for big people only?
• Robert: No, it's just that it's waaaay too boring for kids.
• Aiden: It's the same thing as sharpening pencils, you know.

How To Get Picked Up

• Chloë (2): *Holds out arms, stands on tip-toes* I pickee you up?

How To Get A Hug & Kiss

• Chloë (2): *Holds out her arms, closes eyes, puckers lips* Ahh, Daddy! You love me!