un-healthy yogurt

I know yogurt is supposed to be a healthy food. And our boys, especially Nile, love it. However, the only children's yogurt available at our grocery store is Trix brand yogurt. I know I could buy the bigger containers of "regular" yogurt, and sometimes I do, but they don't seem to eat it as well. I think their interest in the yogurt increases exponentially with the amount of non-natural ingredients. I mean, come on, look at these pictures. I find it hard to believe that there could be anything remotely healthy about this...it's not like these colors occur naturally.

And yes, I still continue to buy it, so I really shouldn't complain.

too much excitement

Nate spent yesterday morning with Tom getting a hair cut, the car washed, eating out for lunch, and sampling at Hy-Vee (all to stay out of the house for a showing), and subsequently had a late nap. Then after naps we went to our friends' house for dinner and play, and he had an even later bedtime.

If you know Nate at all, you know he never stops moving. This morning I had a Smashing Pumpkins CD playing in the living room. At one point I realized I hadn't seen Nate in a while. Here's where I found him, chilling out to the Pumpkins.

more politeness

This morning...

Me: "Nate, would you go get your jammies. I need to put them in the wash."
Nate: "Sure, I would be honored to!"

I wish I knew where he picks up this stuff...

Future WWF Wrestler?

Turns out that Nile must be stronger than he looks. On Monday I thought I'd pulled a muscle. That's really what I thought, until I realized it was getting worse instead of better. All day Tuesday it hurt to breathe, and a lot worse to cough. Then I realized that certain spots on my ribcage were very senstive to touch. So, finally Thursday I went to the doctor, got 7 or so x-rays, and found out that I have a fractured 6th rib. The only remotely "contact" sport I've played in the last week was when I was "wrestling" with Nile on Sunday evening. I figure he must have thrown an elbow...

So what is in store for me? 4-6 weeks of recovery, mega-doses of ibuprofen, and no more wresting in our house!

death of galvatron

Here is proof that the age recommendations on children's toys are sometimes valid. I found these pieces scattered around the living room while Nile was napping.

Now that I think of it, I vaguely remember a "No, Nile! That's Galvatron!" earlier this morning.

road trip

Nate left on his first "overnight" trip away from us today. Now, he has spent the night at grandparents' houses, so it's not like he has never slept away from us. But this is the first time he has gone and left us at home. Grandma took Nate up tonight to visit our nephews. They are having a birthday party tomorrow, and she thought he'd like to go visit them and have more time to play. And she's totally right. He was so excited to go he could hardly wait for her to show up this morning. He even packed his own bag (with assistance) and picked out his clothes for the night. (He even reminded me to pack his toothbrush!)

But, as my little boy went off in Grandma's car for a 2+ hour drive to northern Illinois, I was sad. I know he will be fine, even great - I'm not worried about him, really. It's just that I've never had anyone take him that far away from me before - it's always been me that has been leaving him behind. My chest hurts a little even thinking about it now. I'll feel a lot better once they call and I know they are there safe and sound.

I wish I had taken a picture of him this morning, he was so proud of his packed bag. But he refused to stand still for it.

more than meets the eye

Nate's new love is Transformers. Tom is in second heaven now that Nate is interested in something that he loved as a child. By the way, it is true - the old ones are WAY better than the new ones. Two middle school principals, an engineer, and a pharmacist have had trouble with the one we bought Nate for Christmas. The originals, he can play with easily.

Tom and Nate playing.

Nate's favorite: Optimus Prime

Nate is also enjoying watching old Transformers cartoons on YouTube, although we are having a little trouble explaining all the violence and that it's not okay to play "shooting." Last night he was almost in tears as I tried to explain that the Transformers are imaginary - he really wanted to believe that the planet Cybertron is real, and is near Mars.