See the Apples on the Tree?

There are a whole lot of things to explain to someone who has never been to the Midwest or to the U.S. for that matter. We knew we would be on a sharp learning curve (can you say almost vertical) but there are some things that I for one just hadn't thought about having to explain.

Temperature reached upper 70's today and we stayed outside until dark. The boys are so elated that their first winter seems to be over. Getting them to put jackets on is next to impossible even with goose bumps the size of walnuts after the sun goes down.

Anyway while outside they kept talking about an apple tree. I wasn't paying attention too closely because if you follow every conversation they have you'd be deaf and crazy before the day was out. Finally Lucas grabs me and points to a tree and says "Look Mom apples!" Huh? It's the last day of March in Iowa; the snow just melted and furthermore our last apple tree died last year. So I turned around to see what he was pointing at.....it was a maple tree which is budding. Try explaining tree buds to kids who still aren't convinced our trees have leaves. I gave it my best but once again I've been demoted to the most uninformed mom in the world. Oh well!

Elevation of My Parental Status

Everyone who has kids, was a kid or acts like a kid knows that growing up sometimes your parents were the absolutely most embarrassing people you knew. Even if they managed to do something cool (just by using the word cool I've put myself in the uncool category) you would never let anyone know it.

Tonight by being a freak of nature I attained both gross and cool in Eli's eyes. I have a "little" habit when I'm tired. I've had this fetish for as long as I can remember. Most people I know have seen me do this at one time or another. What? Well I have no cartilage in my ears and therefore can pretty much turn the upper portion into the lower. I don't know why, why does someone twist their hair or crack their knuckles?

Anyway driving back from supper I apparently was doing this. Eli apparently had never seen me do this. From the backseat with much shock and awe I hear him say, "Oh mommy, goodness what happened?" Oops, I've just traumatized him. I uncurled my freakish ear only to hear, "ooo! yucky! gross! COOL!" Lucas who apparently had seen this phenomenon before and ever the expert when explaining things to his little brother, pipes up and says, "Mommy no hurt ear, fold inside, POP out, cool!" Thank you Lucas for your support. I may be a freak when it comes to my ear but at least for right now he thinks it's neat. I'm not sure I want to know how he tries to describe this to his friends at school tomorrow.

I Said Stop It!

Today was a test of endurance or stupidity on my part. I took Eli, Lucas, Sydney, Rachel and myself for haircuts at two different places, then to lunch. Did I mention by myself? Now granted Syd and Rachel are fairly well in control until you add the "brother" factor.

They along with Alison have great fun in teaching them little"humorous" (translation - annoying) things while on car trips. Sounds, songs, phrases you name it they teach it. Then at times we add the sibling irritation to the equation where none of the four can look at any of the others without becoming disgusted.

Anyway Rachel and Sydney do a very nice job of trying to teach the boys correct grammar, letter sounds, etc. Ok I will be the first to admit partly because they want to be sure people (mainly Mike and I) understand clearly all their "cute" things they teach them. Needless to say their English is coming along and for the most part people can understand them. Even when we wish they couldn't.

Sometimes to add that little brother irritation factor they speak VERY broken English to the girls and tell them they don't understand, then giggle like crazy. Well today this had been going on for some time until the guys got on each others nerves and Lucas very clearly looked at Eli with an "I said to stop it right now!" Where then Eli shouts, "You don't scream at me!" ~ "You stop touching me now!" "Sydney help me!" (Sydney was of no help to either as she was howling with laughter.)

This is amusing on so many fronts;

1. They argued in English
2. I practically caused a wreck in city traffic from laughing (not funny at the time ~ probably not funny now either)
3. Sydney's follow up comment of, "Mom you don't need to worry about them learning English just keep them irritated and it's perfect." (thanks for that)
4. How they can scream full force at each other, sounding like death is imminent and then go back to playing with one another in under a minute.

I do not understand a little boys' mind~

Praise for the Men & Women In Uniform

We were sitting down Sunday evening watching Extreme Home Makeover (don't ask me but the boys are glued to the tv when it's on). This week's episode featured a family where the Dad was serving overseas in the military. The boys were listening to the opening and then when they showed the Dad in his military uniform Lucas jumped up shouting Philippines, America, America in Philippines then a whole string of Tagalog and Visayan.

We put on our Sherlock Holmes hats and finally figured out that we had read about 5 years ago the US Navy came into their care center and did some much needed repairs, brought gifts and played with the kids and sort of adopted the center. We had read about this project before the boys came home but since they would have been 4 and 5 at the time didn't think they'd remember much. Lucas was so insistent that the father on the show was one of those American soldiers that were his friends, there was no use trying to explain the difference between the army and navy. He clapped and jumped up and down when they revealed the family's new home.

So if you know a service man or woman and they ever wonder if the people and places they touch when they are on a tour of duty remember them....tell them yes and they remain in their hearts for much longer than perhaps anyone knows.

MOM ees hot!

These were the screams I heard when getting out of the car upon arriving home from work. We had our first "warmer" day today - 48 degrees - whoo hoo! Tomorrow it's suppose to be 65. The boys were so excited.

It struck me as a little odd that two kids from the Philippines should think that 48 is hot - goes to show just how long and cold this winter has been. Lucas was so convinced that summer was here and he would never have to wear his winter coat again. Sorry bud the weather man says rain and snow on Friday - yeah for the Midwest in March.

I finally broke the news to him at supper. Never a camera handy but his mouth dropped open and he screams (everything is screamed) NO! I HATE SNOW! Again it struck me funny that for kids who were so excited about their first snow they have truly joined with the rest of us that say enough is enough!

Past Due on Pictures!

This is what happens when Dad is talked out of a quarter for the gumball machine.

Thank goodness the sticky finally wore off, I thought he'd wear it to school!

Lucas' stuffed monkey may never recover from his facial hair experience!

Lucas and Rachel headed for the dance floor

Eli and Chris at Dad's Surprise Party -

Eli sporting his Sponge Bob bandaid which came with 2 lessons:

#1 - Never dart into street with Ate' Rachel within grabbing distance (she has sharp fingernails)

#2 - ALWAYS required to hold hands on sidewalks, streets, parking lots, livingroom,

(you get the picture - he got the reminder)

Eli Kayaking at a Birthday Party
All that practice he had sledding/canoeing paid off!

Happy Birthday Texas Style

Well today Mike has officially entered AARP status. Sorry honey - I'll catch up soon enough. Lucas, Eli and I took him to supper at the Texas Roadhouse where they were introduced to "Andy the Armadillo" in full mascot attire. Poor guy/girl inside that thing gave the boys enough high fives while we were there to have carpel tunnel!

Where on earth (or in their bodies) Lucas and Eli put all that food is beyond me. Even Eli's stomach bulge meter wasn't enough to slow them down. McDonald's has now moved to 2nd place in their hearts.

You BIG Dad!

Well as he is approaching his 50th birthday next Tuesday, we were sitting around the supper table explaining to the boys that we would be taking Dad out for a birthday supper this week-end when everyone can be home.

Lucas asked how old Mike would be. He told him 50. He swivels around to apparently confirm that Mike is not yet senile then in all seriousness swings back to Mike and says, WOW Dad you BIG! Yep - Happy 50th Birthday Dad!

Men of the House

Apparently I have two little boys who think women need a man to "take care of them." Mike was at a meeting last night, Sydney went into church youth group. That left Lucas, Eli and myself alone for the evening.

From the time Mike left for the meeting, through supper, book reading, tv time, showers and bedtime they oh so helpfully instructed me on how to do everything. Very detailed, very regimented to the point I wanted to say - "Look I'm not new!"

TV watching even involved instructions. Mommy you sit here, then they sat on either side of me, put pillows around me and sat quietly (that doesn't happen) for the entire show. Now the quiet was enjoyable but I kind of felt like they thought I was either too senile to handle being responsible for them or that I was a ticking time bomb waiting to detonate. Either way I snuck some cuddle time in without them realizing! Ha! Who's senile!