Family Game Time

Our boys love to play games. We play games pretty often at our house. One of their favorites is monopoly. Ethan always teams up with Daddy, and Porter and I are on a team. Most of the time Ethan and Dad win, and Porter is a good sport about it. (Me, not so much.) I'm sure it's because Dad rolls the dice off of Ethan's "lucky head"! Ethan is crazy competitive, (don't know where he got that from!) and Porter just has fun playing, so it works out well. Ethan has titled himself "king of the railroads" because they ALWAYS get the railroads, and he has titled Porter "king of doubles", because he ALWAYS rolls doubles. Really, every game it's like that!!

I love playing with them, especially when they choose to be the zebra and the trashcan!

Pure Genius

Today Ethan was chosen to receive an award for academic excellence at school. We didn't tell him that he was getting it, so he was surprised to see us at school.

He was so funny when he went up to get his award, totally too cool to smile.

That all changed when we went outside. He was pretty proud, and so are we!

Ethan with his teacher.

After we picked Ethan up for school, we surprised him with a trip to John's Incredible Pizza to celebrate. It's one of his favorite places to go, and we hadn't been there in a long time. After a good filling of pizza, Ethan decided on a cinnamon roll for dessert...topped with sprinkles, of course!

After dessert we headed over to the arcade for some fun. The kids had a great time, I think they liked the carousel the most.

On the way home Lincoln fell asleep with his fingers in his ears. Apparently, we were a little too loud for him!

Salsa Anyone?

Our little garden has started to flourish...maybe too much. We had no idea how much a couple little tomato plants would grow, or how much they would produce. Every couple of days we go out and fill up another large bowl with these beauties.

The kids have really enjoyed going out and picking stuff from the garden. We planted some cherry tomatoes too, and Lincoln loves to just walk over and help himself to a little snack. He doesn't understand that they are supposed to be red, so he'll eat them green too!

I think it's time to make some salsa, anyone have a good recipe?

Just plain corny

Tonight I gave Lincoln his very own corn on the cob. I showed him how to hold on to the handles, and was impressed that he actually used them. He went at it like an animal and LOVED it!! He didn't quite grasp the concept of the corn though. He kept biting in the same spot and got frustrated when nothing was there. I kept trying to move it around for him, but he wanted to do it by himself. When he finally ate most of it, I took it away so he would eat the rest of his dinner. He became hysterical and kept pointing at it. He just didn't understand that you are only supposed to eat the outside. So Porter gave him the rest of his, and he ate half of mine too! It was too cute.

The lovely bruises on his head are a result of crazy big brothers (and, unfortunately, inheriting my blood disorder.) He's gonna be one tough kid...if he survives!!

Another First

Lincoln enjoyed his first rice krispy treat tonight.

I enjoyed watching him.

Popcorn for sale

At Ethan's school they have a program called "popcorn letters". Each time a child can say, spell, and make the sound of a group of letters they earn a bag of popcorn. Today Ethan earned his first bag. On the drive home from school this was our conversation:

Me: Ethan I'm so proud of you!

Ethan: I think I'm going to sell my popcorn.

M: What?! Who are you going to sell it to?

E: Jacob's family. (his buddy)

M: Really? How much are you going to sell it for?

E: One dollar...or two...or three.

M: What if they don't want to buy it?

-long pause-

E: Porter, do you want to buy my popcorn?

Porter: Yep!

I told Ethan that Porter probably didn't have a dollar, and he didn't seem to mind. When we got home they both went straight downstairs. By the time I got down there Porter already had his piggy bank out and they were in heavy negotiations. Since Ethan doesn't know how to add up coins yet, Porter made out by paying him with a quarter and 2 dimes. What a deal!

This afternoon he asked me if I would make some popcorn that he could sell to people. He's become quite the entrepreneur. Ethan has been obsessed with money lately. At least once a day he asks me what he can do to earn some money. I think he may become the next

Alex P. Keaton.

Hat Man

To say Lincoln loves hats is an understatement. The boy will wear anything he can get on his head! His all time favorite is an old sherbet container. He'll wear this around the house all day while he plays.

Some other favorites are my measuring bowl,

and my mixing bowl.

He doesn't leave out the glasses either! He loves his sunglasses, but he wears them more on his head than on his face! These are some cool 3D glasses for chalk.

Preschool for Porter

Porter had his first day of preschool today. He's been so excited and has been counting down the days. Ethan went to the same preschool last year, so last night he gave him a full rundown on how things go. He had Porter's full attention (which is rare) while he explained where to put his shoes, the days routine, and even demonstrated sitting "criss-cross applesauce, hands in your lap".

When we got to Miss Heather's, he knew just what to do. After putting his shoes and backpack against the wall he went straight to playtime. He was so involved in what he was doing I couldn't even get his attention to take a picture!

After calling his name a hundred times I finally got his attention when I pointed out his name on the wall. He thought that was pretty cool.

I'm so excited for Porter, and for me only having the baby at home for a couple hours! ;)