Trivial, but I just realized that as of last Wednesday I have been blogging for 7 years. Imagine that. Back then blogging wasn't so popular and Facebook hadn't caught on yet.
That's all. Still hanging in here - no good napping today, but I don't expect it on Wednesday. CBS throws a monkey wrench into every week, but I'm willing to put up with it.
Showing posts with label tidbits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tidbits. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Monday, January 02, 2012
Earworms*
Lately all the kids seem to have songs in their heads. I often hear Luke humming that catchy little chorus from the J. Geils Band's "Centerfold." I'm not even really sure where he heard it, but once you do it's hard to get that "naa naa na na na na" out of your head.
Erin, on the other hand, puts words (ANY words) to Darth Vader's theme, "The Imperial March." Or she'll just go around the house humming/singing "dun dun dun dah da DUN dah da DUN."
Caroline's brand is more cute and less song-like. I wish I had a clip of her's too but imagine a very happy baby saying "oooooh" over and over again with a few "bbbbbbb"s and "guh"s thrown in. She's definitely the most "chatty" of any of our babies.
*Dictionary.com says an earworm is "an irritatingly catchy tune." Basically a song that gets stuck in your head, just like how you're humming like a Sith Lord now.
Erin, on the other hand, puts words (ANY words) to Darth Vader's theme, "The Imperial March." Or she'll just go around the house humming/singing "dun dun dun dah da DUN dah da DUN."
Caroline's brand is more cute and less song-like. I wish I had a clip of her's too but imagine a very happy baby saying "oooooh" over and over again with a few "bbbbbbb"s and "guh"s thrown in. She's definitely the most "chatty" of any of our babies.
*Dictionary.com says an earworm is "an irritatingly catchy tune." Basically a song that gets stuck in your head, just like how you're humming like a Sith Lord now.
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Update
So it's been awhile. So long, in fact, that when I returned to my blog today I noticed that the background picture was no longer available. Hence the face lift.
Since summer is already 2/3 over, I thought I'd just put up a few pictures of some highlights.
Luke got a TON of hand-me-downs from some friends that moved. In it were 2 "Incredibles" pajama sets. Guess what they were watching here?
Alec bought me some really pretty flowers for our 10th anniversary.
We had some fun catching fireflies.
Erin didn't really get the hang of it at first. I think the twilight was throwing her off.
A friend gave us the little bike that her grand-daughter outgrew. Erin doesn't understand how coaster brakes work so she's been demoted to the tricycle for now.
Luke enjoys the bike, though. I think he's about ready for the training wheels to come off.
We were treated to a mating dance by some pileated woodpeckers in our front yard sweetgum.
Someone still refuses to nap (and we prevent her from it most days so she goes to bed at night) but sometimes gets a little worn out from superhero work.
I finished 2 quilts, which I then gave away.
We celebrated the 4th of July at a friend's house and were amazed by how many small children would fit into a tiny plastic pool.
We made mustaches. Luke dressed up appropriately.
Erin "copied" his outfit. You can see her thought process, right?
And her precious little grin underneath?
Since summer is already 2/3 over, I thought I'd just put up a few pictures of some highlights.
Luke got a TON of hand-me-downs from some friends that moved. In it were 2 "Incredibles" pajama sets. Guess what they were watching here?
Alec bought me some really pretty flowers for our 10th anniversary.
We had some fun catching fireflies.
Erin didn't really get the hang of it at first. I think the twilight was throwing her off.
A friend gave us the little bike that her grand-daughter outgrew. Erin doesn't understand how coaster brakes work so she's been demoted to the tricycle for now.
Luke enjoys the bike, though. I think he's about ready for the training wheels to come off.
We were treated to a mating dance by some pileated woodpeckers in our front yard sweetgum.
Someone still refuses to nap (and we prevent her from it most days so she goes to bed at night) but sometimes gets a little worn out from superhero work.
I finished 2 quilts, which I then gave away.
We celebrated the 4th of July at a friend's house and were amazed by how many small children would fit into a tiny plastic pool.
We made mustaches. Luke dressed up appropriately.
Erin "copied" his outfit. You can see her thought process, right?
And her precious little grin underneath?Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Easter
Another batch of semi-old pictures. The first 2 are of Luke and Erin after their bath in their new clothes from Grandma.
And here we are making "Resurrection Rolls" the day before Easter.
It's a marshmallow rolled in cinnamon & sugar then wrapped in a crescent roll. There's a little story that goes with it - each step represents something else about Jesus dying for us and coming back to life again.
At the last minute I discovered that the can in the fridge that I thought was crescent rolls was actually biscuits. We used them instead. Next year I will not make the substitution because it didn't do what it was supposed to do, which is melt the marshmallow so it ends up hollow & empty (like the tomb on Easter). They still tasted good, though!
And here is our family Easter picture this year. Not bad for a do-it-yourselfer.
And here we are making "Resurrection Rolls" the day before Easter.
It's a marshmallow rolled in cinnamon & sugar then wrapped in a crescent roll. There's a little story that goes with it - each step represents something else about Jesus dying for us and coming back to life again.
At the last minute I discovered that the can in the fridge that I thought was crescent rolls was actually biscuits. We used them instead. Next year I will not make the substitution because it didn't do what it was supposed to do, which is melt the marshmallow so it ends up hollow & empty (like the tomb on Easter). They still tasted good, though!
And here is our family Easter picture this year. Not bad for a do-it-yourselfer.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Spring Break
During Luke's spring break we went with a friend and her 3 kids down to the Air & Space Museum. Luke had been wanting to see the rockets so we took the Metro down one VERY windy morning and to a look.
Here are all 5 taking a break from walking to the museum from the Metro station. They are the same ages as Luke and Erin plus or minus a few weeks (my friend had twins when I had Erin).
The museum has a really great hands-on room for kids and they have a little demonstration/talk every morning that we were there at the right time for. The kids got to make paper airplanes and have a little contest after they learned about different aspects of flight.
Here's Luke in front of the rockets. He was a little disappointed because the stairs were blocked off. Usually you can go down in the pit and look up at the top but for some reason there were locked gates in front of the stairs.
It was a fun visit, but I am really looking forward to when my kids are old enough to go to museums and really look and appreciate all parts, not just the kid's section!
Here are all 5 taking a break from walking to the museum from the Metro station. They are the same ages as Luke and Erin plus or minus a few weeks (my friend had twins when I had Erin).
The museum has a really great hands-on room for kids and they have a little demonstration/talk every morning that we were there at the right time for. The kids got to make paper airplanes and have a little contest after they learned about different aspects of flight.
Here's Luke in front of the rockets. He was a little disappointed because the stairs were blocked off. Usually you can go down in the pit and look up at the top but for some reason there were locked gates in front of the stairs.
It was a fun visit, but I am really looking forward to when my kids are old enough to go to museums and really look and appreciate all parts, not just the kid's section!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Today - in a few pictures
I realize that I have been delinquent in posting anything new here. I thought a couple pictures might be a good change.
The kids played nicely for most of the day today - a treat as they are so hot and cold with each other right now. They played outside almost all afternoon, then had to have baths around 4 because they were both covered in sidewalk chalk and had sand in their hair. After baths they played with play dough for at least an hour - and I am not exaggerating. It was very nice and I got the dishes all washed and laundry folded.
After their baths, I French braided Erin's hair for the first time. She was occupied and the hair was wet so I thought I would give it a try. Her hair is so fine that it doesn't stay braided if I try it when it is dry, but it held OK this time - except for the regular little wisps that always come loose around her face (and lately have been crusted to her cheeks because of her cold - the sleeve is a handy tissue, you know).
I think the reason they sat and played for so long is that they were listening to a book on CD. I am definitely getting another at the library tomorrow! Keeps 'em quiet in the car, too.
It's clothesline season again! And yes, I do hang out the undies and socks, although I draw the line at bath towels. Too scratchy.
The kids played nicely for most of the day today - a treat as they are so hot and cold with each other right now. They played outside almost all afternoon, then had to have baths around 4 because they were both covered in sidewalk chalk and had sand in their hair. After baths they played with play dough for at least an hour - and I am not exaggerating. It was very nice and I got the dishes all washed and laundry folded.
After their baths, I French braided Erin's hair for the first time. She was occupied and the hair was wet so I thought I would give it a try. Her hair is so fine that it doesn't stay braided if I try it when it is dry, but it held OK this time - except for the regular little wisps that always come loose around her face (and lately have been crusted to her cheeks because of her cold - the sleeve is a handy tissue, you know).
I think the reason they sat and played for so long is that they were listening to a book on CD. I am definitely getting another at the library tomorrow! Keeps 'em quiet in the car, too.
It's clothesline season again! And yes, I do hang out the undies and socks, although I draw the line at bath towels. Too scratchy.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Things I don't want to forget
Not much time now, but I wanted to put down some things the kids have said recently before I forget.
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Luke: Daddy, how come your hair has holes?
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Some background on this one first. At night Erin says the "Now I Lay Me" prayer, but she always tries to say her mealtime prayer first. The other night Alec & I didn't prompt her, just to see what she would do. After a few minutes of trying to remember the first word she said, "I can't find it."
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And now, since I already forgot the third thing of course, some pictures of Erin at nap time the other day. Meisje is sometimes in her crib and makes a "warm spot," much to Erin's delight. A few days ago the cat wouldn't get out even after Erin had been tucked in so I ran to get the camera.
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Luke: Daddy, how come your hair has holes?
**********
Some background on this one first. At night Erin says the "Now I Lay Me" prayer, but she always tries to say her mealtime prayer first. The other night Alec & I didn't prompt her, just to see what she would do. After a few minutes of trying to remember the first word she said, "I can't find it."
**********
And now, since I already forgot the third thing of course, some pictures of Erin at nap time the other day. Meisje is sometimes in her crib and makes a "warm spot," much to Erin's delight. A few days ago the cat wouldn't get out even after Erin had been tucked in so I ran to get the camera.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Christmas Preview
For all you Bosschers coming out to visit in 45 days or so (who's counting?) here is a little preview:
We had breakfast in our jammies yesterday -- and subsequently discovered that Erin no longer fits into the one-piece footies since she is much taller than she was last year. Guess we'll have to find some new jammies so they can match on Christmas morning again. I'll have to go shopping - bummer.
We then went upstairs and did a little rearranging. We put the workbench in Erin's room and the table back in Luke's room. He said he wanted to do his homework there. Fine with me - will give him something to do during rest time, which he balks against so much these days.
Here's some insight on Erin: see how she forgoes the chair? She also got rid of the book 2 minutes later and colored on the table. The attention span of a gnat, that one. At least she wasn't ranting at me, which is her latest preoccupation. I'd rather not talk about that.
We had breakfast in our jammies yesterday -- and subsequently discovered that Erin no longer fits into the one-piece footies since she is much taller than she was last year. Guess we'll have to find some new jammies so they can match on Christmas morning again. I'll have to go shopping - bummer.
We then went upstairs and did a little rearranging. We put the workbench in Erin's room and the table back in Luke's room. He said he wanted to do his homework there. Fine with me - will give him something to do during rest time, which he balks against so much these days.
Here's some insight on Erin: see how she forgoes the chair? She also got rid of the book 2 minutes later and colored on the table. The attention span of a gnat, that one. At least she wasn't ranting at me, which is her latest preoccupation. I'd rather not talk about that.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Another Madsen giveaway!
And not just one, but one every week!
It's still a romantic thought to me, that I could bike everywhere with my kids, but probably not one that would really happen around here. Everything is so spread out and hilly. It's less than 3 miles to the pool, but the traffic is horrible and nothing around here is really biker-friendly.
Still, though . . . one can wish, right? And can't you picture Luke and Erin in that powder blue bucket?
It's still a romantic thought to me, that I could bike everywhere with my kids, but probably not one that would really happen around here. Everything is so spread out and hilly. It's less than 3 miles to the pool, but the traffic is horrible and nothing around here is really biker-friendly.
Still, though . . . one can wish, right? And can't you picture Luke and Erin in that powder blue bucket?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Erin's oddities
I thought I would write a little about the funny things Erin has been up to and saying lately before I forget them. She's talking a lot more now and picks up funny things she hears. Her favorite phrases right now include:
She likes to play the piano and, like Auntie Em, is regularly found singing little made up sing-songs. Or Twinkle, Twinkle.
Her choice of music? "Only One Woof" by James Herriott. Lovely little tune.
She loves bath time. I usually get Luke out first because he can go up and get dressed by himself. She likes to stay and play in the draining water. Lately she has been lying down when it gets shallow enough - this night her hair got a little too close to the drain. Reminded me of Alice with legs like toothpicks going "glug glug glug" down the drain.
She still loves the pool too, although after last night's injury she may be a little more careful. She jumped off the side of the training pool to Alec and when she got to the bottom kicked her legs a little too soon and scraped all the skin off the tops of 4 toes on the way up. She cried a little this morning when she first started walking - I think they were stiff, but at least they are starting to scab over a little. Now we have to hear about her "boo boo" all the time. At least until the next one.
- "because" - when asked why she did something
- "come ON" - used at surprisingly appropriate times when she is frustrated or impatient
- "chupchup" - her favorite condiment
- "me too do it" - when she says me too she means she wants to do something, not necessarily that she wants to copy Luke - she says it at the beginning of every sentence of something she wants to do
She likes to play the piano and, like Auntie Em, is regularly found singing little made up sing-songs. Or Twinkle, Twinkle.
Her choice of music? "Only One Woof" by James Herriott. Lovely little tune.
She loves bath time. I usually get Luke out first because he can go up and get dressed by himself. She likes to stay and play in the draining water. Lately she has been lying down when it gets shallow enough - this night her hair got a little too close to the drain. Reminded me of Alice with legs like toothpicks going "glug glug glug" down the drain.
She still loves the pool too, although after last night's injury she may be a little more careful. She jumped off the side of the training pool to Alec and when she got to the bottom kicked her legs a little too soon and scraped all the skin off the tops of 4 toes on the way up. She cried a little this morning when she first started walking - I think they were stiff, but at least they are starting to scab over a little. Now we have to hear about her "boo boo" all the time. At least until the next one.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Funderwear!
I'm not sure how this got started - probably Erin just pulled these out of the laundry basket while I was folding clothes. She likes to be like Luke so she pulled on his Wall-E underwear.
Not to be outdone, he stripped down to his camos and joined the fun! Monkey see, Monkey do.
Not to be outdone, he stripped down to his camos and joined the fun! Monkey see, Monkey do.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Shameless Plug
I just wanted to let all the moms out there know about a really great product.
A few years ago I was having a problem with keeping Luke's pants up. A lot of pants now have internal belts - an elastic band with a row of buttonholes, similar to what's in maternity pants. However, plain blue jeans don't have that. And I also like the look of a belt. Unfortunately, regular belts are not helpful for kids who are being potty trained. They can't do the buckle themselves so it's hard to encourage independence in the bathroom.
After my mom and I did a little Google searching, we came across Myself Belts. These are the greatest invention! One end of the belt has a sturdy snap that goes around the first belt loop. The other end has velcro. They are very easy for kids to do by themselves and they come in lots of different designs and colors, including leather for dress pants. Luke has gone through 2 already and is now ready for a larger size.
The average price is $14.95 for an embroidered canvas belt. I think it is money well-spent. I have never had a problem with the construction and they are so colorful and fun.
A few years ago I was having a problem with keeping Luke's pants up. A lot of pants now have internal belts - an elastic band with a row of buttonholes, similar to what's in maternity pants. However, plain blue jeans don't have that. And I also like the look of a belt. Unfortunately, regular belts are not helpful for kids who are being potty trained. They can't do the buckle themselves so it's hard to encourage independence in the bathroom.
After my mom and I did a little Google searching, we came across Myself Belts. These are the greatest invention! One end of the belt has a sturdy snap that goes around the first belt loop. The other end has velcro. They are very easy for kids to do by themselves and they come in lots of different designs and colors, including leather for dress pants. Luke has gone through 2 already and is now ready for a larger size.
The average price is $14.95 for an embroidered canvas belt. I think it is money well-spent. I have never had a problem with the construction and they are so colorful and fun.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Surprise! Here's more!
We had a nice visit with Alec's mom, dad, sister-in-law and niece last week. Here is Aunt Kelly reading to Erin, Luke and Lexi.
Tutu bought matching dresses for Lexi and Erin. It was pretty cold but they both had sweaters that went with them and I put on a long sleeve T-shirt under Erin's. Unfortunately, Luke developed croup over Saturday night so I stayed home from church with him (which is why he isn't wearing church clothes).
Erin crawled right up into Tutu's lap with a story.
The cousins. It finally warmed up nicely the day before they left. Luke and Lexi played outside all afternoon and had a great time together.
It was chilly so I made a cake for them to decorate for something to do. Luke had an idea to make a "face" cake so they used candy to make a face.
It wasn't very pretty, but it sure had a lot of hair!
Here's Erin being silly while she ate her cake.
Erin found the sticker drawer. "Teekah, Mama!"
When Erin wakes up from her nap, she is frequently very crabby and clingy, which makes it hard for me to get supper ready. Last night I suggested that she go get her baby and feed her supper while I made ours.
She got a drink, too.
Then Erin wanted some, too. She was putzed with me that I wouldn't let her give the baby a real drink.
More fun with sleeping bags. I figured what the heck, it's still cold out and soon it will be so warm they won't want to.
Luke having fun with a new flashlight. Maybe you can't tell, but the lights were out in the room, on his insistence.
Erin had to have one too, but didn't quite know how to turn on a mag light.
Tutu bought matching dresses for Lexi and Erin. It was pretty cold but they both had sweaters that went with them and I put on a long sleeve T-shirt under Erin's. Unfortunately, Luke developed croup over Saturday night so I stayed home from church with him (which is why he isn't wearing church clothes).
Erin crawled right up into Tutu's lap with a story.
The cousins. It finally warmed up nicely the day before they left. Luke and Lexi played outside all afternoon and had a great time together.
It was chilly so I made a cake for them to decorate for something to do. Luke had an idea to make a "face" cake so they used candy to make a face.
It wasn't very pretty, but it sure had a lot of hair!
Here's Erin being silly while she ate her cake.
Erin found the sticker drawer. "Teekah, Mama!"
When Erin wakes up from her nap, she is frequently very crabby and clingy, which makes it hard for me to get supper ready. Last night I suggested that she go get her baby and feed her supper while I made ours.
She got a drink, too.
Then Erin wanted some, too. She was putzed with me that I wouldn't let her give the baby a real drink.
More fun with sleeping bags. I figured what the heck, it's still cold out and soon it will be so warm they won't want to.
Luke having fun with a new flashlight. Maybe you can't tell, but the lights were out in the room, on his insistence.
Erin had to have one too, but didn't quite know how to turn on a mag light.
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