Quotes

Yesterday I spent a wonderful day with the boys. We have photo proof here.

I really enjoyed having some good quality "fun" time with them. True to form (and to his age), Nate added a few memorable quotes for the ages.

Line 1: Proving Nate also has John Deere green blood ;)
As we drive down Wolf Road, Nate sees a combine sitting in a corn field.

"Mommy, I see one of those little wiener combines!"

It was a tiny, 4-row, ancient, Gleaner combine. I could totally see where he had gotten confused and mis-spoke. I laughed hard before I corrected him (although I considered not doing so). But it did make this John Deere combine engineer happy.

Line 2: Proving that even the youngest understand things innately.
Nate: Mom, when Nile is 4, I'll be 6, right?
Me: Yes, that's right!
Nate: I can't wait to be 6.
Me: I can.
Nate: What?
Me: I am really enjoying this time. I like you being 4, Nate. I am not ready for you to be 6 yet.
Nate: (with that tone of voice that lets you know he thinks you are nuts). Mom, I'll still be here with you all the time when I'm 6!
Me: Thanks Nate, that makes me feel better.
Nate: And after that I'll be in the sky watching you! I'll be with you forever.

Okay, I'm tearing up now just retelling this story. I'm such a sap.

Fall Perfected

Today is one of those perfect fall days that we just haven't had many of this season. I apologize in advance for all the pictures, but we had a really fun time at the park today.

Goofball

Shoes, shoes, shoes.

Take two boys, a neatly organized shoe rack, and what do you get?








What you get is a mess. But, at least they had a blast doing it!

John Deere 5K 2009

This year the whole family went to the John Deere 5K on October 4.

Tom and I ran the 5K, I even had a PR of 27:33! Nile ran the 50 yard dash, and Nate ran the 1/4 mile kids' run. (There was also a 1 mile run for the older kids.) Although we did get photos of Nile's race, they are on my mom's camera, so I don't know when we'll get them posted (if they are even any good). Tom, however, had his phone ready and was able to get some photos of Nate.

After we were done with the 5K race there was a break before the kids' races started. Nate took the opportunity to carb-load.


The starting line for the 1/4 mile run. Nate is front and center, hands in pockets.


Nate proudly showing off his finishers' medal. Immediately after this photo, he took it off and hasn't worn it since. He did, however, take it to show-and-tell today at preschool.


Tom was even able to catch Nate on video finishing the race.

ColorSplash

I downloaded a new program for the iPhone that lets you selectively remove (or add) color into a photo. It really makes average photos look great, I can't wait to use it on a good photo!

Pablo, Uniqua, Tyrone, Austin, Tasha... Nile!

Attention Backyardigans producers: We have a candidate for your next casting call. Call me. I'm willing to talk signing bonuses and benefits...my client would give Austin some pretty tough competition...

Find the Moon

Combine an obsession with space and astronomy (Nate), a serious competitive streak between two brothers, a 2 year old who wants to do EVERYTHING his brother does, and add in what must occasionally seem to a toddler like the longest 20 minute drive ever, and you get...

Find The Moon!

About once a month, the boys and I have the opportunity to play this awesome game as we drive to work in the morning.

Only on those mornings when the moon is full (or nearly full), it hangs in the western sky, just as we are on the road. Even better, our route in the morning takes us from northbound to westbound, to southbound. We even go eastbound on the mornings we are going to my parents' house. So, as we wind and turn our way to our destination, the moon makes an appearance out first one boy's window, then the other, then out the front windshield. It seems silly, and it really is, but the boys get a big kick out of finding it:

"I see the moon!"

"It's out my window!"

"Now it's out my window!"

"It's in front of us!"

"Where is the moon, Mommy?"

"I can't see the moon..."

Pumpkin cards