Robbers

Last night, Walter and Jack were discussing how they would keep robbers from coming into the house and taking thier things.  After contemplating several options that included Clone Trooper Blasters and Detenators, Walter said: Jack," Violence is not the answer, we will just all sit down in a peaceful way and have a speech."  Jack answered with "Nah, let's just Barbeque them."
Isn't it amazing how different children can be.

Walter and the Christmas Candy jar

About a week before Christmas, 2009 there was a party at Aunt Melanie's house.  It was for all of the Bakers.  Like any good Baker party, there was a counting jar.  Tradition has it that whoever guesses the closest amount of candy in the jar will win the contents and an unknown prize.  This year, when Walter walked in to the party, he immediatly got very excited and wanted to participate in this tradition.  He was doing counting jars in school and knew what they were all about.  He promptly got a piece of paper and wrote down his guess.  When the answer was revealed he was only 7 away from the total, and so he won.  For winning he was presented a 100 dollar bill from grandma and got to take the candy home.  However, there was a twist.  Uncle Forrest wanted that candy so badly he was willing to trade something to get the candy from Walter.  He pulled out a wad of bills, ranging from ones to 100's and told Walter to pick a number between 1 and 31.  Walter chose #30, which was a 100 dollar bill.  This raised Walter's total to 200 in winnings.  Next grandma told Walter that if he gave her the money, she would open a savings acount and double the money.  Walter decided that was the best way to use his money, and so he gave it to her.  At the end of the night Walter was $400 dollars richer.

Thomas as a Beaver, Halloween 2009

Jack's bedtime antics

Last week  Clyde and I attemped to convince the boys that it was truly time to stay in thier beds.  Jack did not want to have anything to do with it and continually left his bed and came out into the kitchen.  at one point we reminded him again of the task at hand; that it was bed time and he needed to be in his bed.  He looked at us and said "oh, yea-I forgot!"

Happy Halloween

Walter is amazing.  When we went trick or treating on Halloween, he decided that it was ok to be selective.  We approached one house and the gal at the door was giving away large starburst candy bars.  However he  looked at them and politely said "No thank you, I already have one of those"  and walked away empty handed.

tying shoes

Walter is learning how to tie his shoes, and is very frustrated at the lack of progress that he is making.  The other day I told him that when he learned how to tie them I would treat him to a toy at Toys R US.  This both motivated and frustrated at the same time.  He came to me in tears a few minutes later and exclaimed
"mom, I could tie this shoe, but it is so much harder when there is a foot in it."

This is soo good for walter to experience these frustrations.  He is learning that everything does not come instantly to him, and that it is ok to have to work at things.

we will see how he does.

Counting Blessings

Life can be measured in seconds. One second can mean the difference between life and death. I have always heard this expression, however I have never fully appreciated it's meaning, until today. Today I almost lost Jack Jack. We were getting ready to cross a street that was quiet and free of traffic. We had to go to a doctor's office on the other side. Jack, Henry and I were standing in of nana's van as it was parked on the side of the road. Jack was in front of me and I was holding henry's hand. We had just taken one step into the street when a car came flying up the road going far too fast for the residential area and not paying attention. I screamed, which stopped Jack in his tracks. If he would have taken one more step he would have been hit by this car. Because of their speed, he would have been killed.
I cannot imagine life without this amazing little boy. He is so full of life. He is such an integral part of our family. To loose him would leave an enormous hole that could never be filled. I am so grateful for those who help to watch my children each day, those invisible angels, helpers who keep my boys safe and free from harm. I could not raise my boys without their help each day. Thank you George, Betty, Clyde and Lois. You are all amazing

Bobbing

Today was the first day of swimming lessons this season for Walter and Jack Jack. Walter was so excited, he did not stop smiling the whole lesson. When he first entered the pool, he told his teacher that he already knew how to swim. He had been learning in his mind all summer. Later on in the lesson, walter was practicing his superman-launch by pushing away from the wall with his hands in front of him, superman style. He tried it once and his head immediately went under the water. He quickly popped up and exclaimed to the teacher, "that wasn't a superman, that was a superbob!

Driving in the car

Walter while driving in the car, age 3: looking over and noticing the car next to us has a small sticker with three red A's inside a red oval on it's bumper, Walter exclaims...Hey mom, that car takes triple A's!

Jack while driving in the car, age 3 1/2: Mom, when I am an adult do you think I will have a daughter? Mom: I don't know, would you like a daughter? Jack: No, just a son. Mom: what would you name your son? Jack: I don't know, I am still deciding. I know-maybe pie face!

jack jack, the picky eater

While sitting in the car in Nana's driveway on July 10th, 2008 jack jack stated:
"Mommy, I don't eat gross boogers, just the good ones."

I am so glad that he is selective!
If only he would stop all together.