Babies

A little look at Eden with her current favorite book, 'Babies', courtesy of Aunt Erin!  She was not quite as exuberant in this video capture as I've seen her in the past, but still cute enough :)  My favorite part is one the page with naughty babies when Eden always says, 'No-NO, Babies!' and then on the next page when she says firmly, "Goo-job, Babies."  Thanks Aunt Erin!

https://vimeo.com/86664911

Reading

Owen is reading great guns these days.  It is pretty exciting to see him take off.  He wants to read before falling asleep each night and I think it actually helps him settle down and get sleepy.  SCORE!  (He has an inordinate amount of trouble getting to sleep at night.)  Anyway, with his increasing ability comes a disproportionately increasing ego about it!!  Oh how often I hear about what level he is on vs. what level so-and-so is on, and I gently remind him that he was one of the slower readers in his class last year, and to remember how others feel if we say things to compare against each other.  :}  So today, there was this conversation...
[Looking at the back of a book] "Mom, I'm a level 5 reader." Me: Well, that says level 5 is chapter books and I don't think you like to read those yet...the ones with all writing and no pictures, you know? Owen: "I do like to read chapter books. I just like the ones without as much writing that have lots of colorful pictures."

Equality

Reuel took the boys skiing last weekend and they had a grand time.  Owen goes full barrel down the mountain and waits at the bottom.  Asher by the end of the day went from complete novice to winding his way down the mountain with zig-zag turns like a pro...super impressive.  For this trip, Asher needed a ski helmet (more as an issue of equality with Owen than anything else) and all we could find in time and for the right price was a plain black one, which he was not overly excited about.  A Silhouette vinyl cutter and a couple drawings later, and we transformed his helmet so that the older brother became most dissatisfied by comparison (OOPS!) and Asher was giddy.  Of course, we added stickers to Owen's too :)

In case you wondered, that's a flame 'because I'm like the power of fire down a mountain' and a green and blue ninja (like Jay and Lloyd from Ninjago) and a set of golden weapons (also from Ninjago).  And a very pleased little boy!

Cute is in the Dojo

It just does not get cuter than Asher in his karate outfit, doing his lessons with a bunch of BIG boys and being the comic relief for the whole class.  He is all kinds of adorable.  The other kids are really generous whenever they get paired with him even though he cannot quite figure out what to do just yet ;)  Owen and Asher get the award for MOST enthusiastic, even though they are new students (perhaps because they are new students) and while the other children yell their 'HAH!' when punching or kicking, little Asher yells, 'HAAAAAAAAAAAAH' at double volume of the 10 year olds and everyone has to hide their faces which are covered in giggling.

p.s. In case anyone doesn't recognize this 'kata', well, that's because Asher made it up :)

Team O&A

In honor of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Daddy built the boys a homemade luge track in the backyard. Needs some speed optimization, but not too shabby!!!  Thanks Daddy!!!
https://vimeo.com/86078155

Here's some footage from the genesis of the luge track!
https://vimeo.com/86078511

Just another day in paradise...for snow-loving children.  As for me, I really do love the snow as well.  But it becomes clearer by the year why people retire in warm places.  As if there's not enough work to do around here without extra snow work!!  Just this afternoon I had an idea for a game show that would really make me laugh.  Take 3 moms with 3 kids each and see who can get all three kids pottied, snowsuited, mittened, hatted, booted and buckled in a carseat first.  And none of the kids can be particularly well-rested or have done more than pick at their last meal.  I have to say I am getting pretty fast.  The prize would have to be really substantial because doing all of that even one more time than is technically necessary would require some serious payola to lure any contestants.

WAHOOOO!

And I just remember that I never documented that...

MY SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED!!!  To a most wonderful man!  We are all just so excited.  Congratulations to the happy couple and we wish and pray for you many years of wedded bliss.  xoxo

Teeth

Owen's front teeth have been wanting to fall out for months, but he will not TOUCH them or ever use them to eat so they hang out...one is finally dangling but not yet giving up the ghost and it is driving me NUTS!!! He could have gotten major bribe payoff from me in exchange for letting me pull it, but he won't budge.  He's going to swallow it, I know.  And oh, won't we hear the wailing then!  :)  Can't say that I blame him though...who wants to walk around without front teeth!  What a funny process.