of Giraffes and Loud Noises...

Howdy!  We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...

During that break, the kids had the audacity to keep growing.  They're both at fun ages, but for different reasons.  The 8 year old is a full "big kid" and stretching his wings with learning how to do more complex tasks (organizing!  setting priorities!  pocket knives!).  He still has that truthful observation talent...

such as this afternoon, when we driving home, and I didn't see a guy on a bike crossing the road.  Well, at FIRST I didn't see him, but stopped in plenty of time to wave him across. We watched him pedal awkwardly, and then realized it was because he was carrying signs for the presidential candidate that is my least favorite.  So I muttered:  "Oh, he supports THAT one.  I guess I should've hit him."  Kaden laughed, but I immediately corrected myself:  "No, that isn't right.  We are one country and need to treat each other with love and unity.  I shouldn't say things like that."   Kaden laughed again, and said, "Yeah, that's Dad's language!  You know better..."   Then it was my turn to laugh.  (disclaimer: it's the middle of football season, remember, so language can get salty around here!)

The two year old is entertaining in other ways.  Mostly when he's not being exasperating.  Every day at dinner, we ask each other "how was your day" and take turns listening to news or feelings.  And every single solitary time, he calls out "MY TURN.  I went to froggies."  (The nickname for his class.)  No other information, but he looks you straight in the eye and nods when he says it.

Lately, though, he's been adding more details.  Like when I asked him how he got the bruise on his shin (he climbs *everything* so I'm fairly certain it's an innocent mark!).  He looked at the leg, looked me in the eye and said, "giraffe."  What? Is that on the playground?  He nods and says yes..  I'm imagining an animal themed slide.  Then he elaborates, "giraffe hit me.  then we went under water."    I have no idea what he's talking about.

Which is fairly typical.  he talks A LOT, but we're rarely 100% sure that we're all on the same conversation.  He's also taken a liking to dinner prayers.  When one of us starts, he shouts MY TURN.  GOD.  FOOD.  AMEN.  THANK YOU.  AMEN.   Or he mutters it softly, all as one word:  Godfoodthankyouamen. 

Other times, he rolls his eyes and runs away when we try to talk to him.  Toddlers!  And he's screaming less these days, but occasionally one comes out that's particularly funny.  Last week, we were talking about Halloween costumes, and Kaden said "I'm going to be Batman,.  You can be Superman."   Sam replied by yelling:  NO! I - BAT - MAN!   He actually sounded a wee bit like Michael Keaton...

Lettering Me...

Well, Aimee over at The Mother Load did one of those cool bloggy things she does- and I signed up to follow along. I've got to list 10 things I like that start with the letter she assigned me. This was a while ago, and I did peek yesterday so I could think of things BEFORE I sat down to write. Brilliant idea, especially since these posts are coming in the cold dead of night*, eh?

And I got the letter "S", which made me think- cool, easy! But then I couldn't think of anything, which is really why the post got postponed (ha). But after a few hours of percolating behind the "how-should-we-change-the-furniture-around"* and "why-don't-I-clean-this-pantry-more-often".... I had it! Everything from Scrabble (much, much fun) to friends whose names begin with it, like Steve and Suze and Sonja and the Sanduskys!).

Then today, I went over there to check the rules again- because I like to be precise about these things, you know? I mean, it may be the internet, but it's still public and published and really, if we're going to do something, we may as well strive for perfection, right?* Then, to my horror, I realized I had the letter F. Yes, Aimee failed me. I flunked! I had the fake letter in my face all these flipping hours! Which means, that despite the title, I'm not doing this meme* today. Maybe tomorrow, after I've thought of 10 F things.

All those * - possible subjects for future blog posts.

BONUS BLOG OF THE DAY - here's a big shout out to Val over at Nothing, Really. She was kind enough to visit and comment; which is huge, as many of my readers tend to, um, read and not comment at all!. You'll have to take my word on the 'many readers' part, as most of them are related to me and just checking in to make sure I haven't left Kaden at the park. Anyway, back to VAL, who was super sweet and sounds smart and has a pretty nifty blog where you can find instructions on how to glue your eyelid open and learn about cool WII games for kids and smallish, well deserved pleas about scouting. Plus, and this really is the bonus part, she's a fellow Floridian, which makes her just way cool.

Hey - I like FLORIDA. I think my list is officially started now!