One of My Favorite New Traditions...Florida!

In what has become an annual event, we traveled earlier this month to a warm location with Susanne's mom. Florida has become our default favorite place, and with the boys loving baseball as much as we do, it's been amazing to be able to catch Nationals' spring training games when we head south. Last year we saw them play the Astros, and this year it was the Braves. What can I say? We loved it!

We've yet to do the whole Disney thing, but have certainly enjoyed the many other fun things to do in the Orlando area. This year we hit Legoland, which was just as fun as it was last year, and even ventured a bit further southwest to a beach near Tampa. The beach was lovely but it was a bit too cold to really go in the water. We had a bit of rain at the beginning of our 4 day trip but made due with a visit to a lovely children's museum not too far from our hotel. It was also great returning again to our favorite 3 bedroom condo (with kitchen) that didn't break the bank,

With Danny now 6 going on 7, and Benji age 4 going on...well...7, (or so it seems), it is so much easier to travel with them. Their toys and clothes all fit in their little suitcases that they are in charge of. Okay, okay, we helped a few times, but it is much easier to travel now than it was in the toddler days.

With Su's mom driving down to Florida from her home in SC, our car seat situation is pretty simple too. She has one car seat permanently in her car and we just bring one booster. Although I must admit that riding in the back seat between my dear sons in her Rav 4 gets old really fast. More than once, the boys completed the trifecta of LOUD, CRANKY and CLINGY.

At the same time. Sigh.

I guess I could volunteer to drive once in a while, but I don't mind Susanne driving most of the time and she prefers it. It's not that she thinks I'm a bad driver (never had an accident or a moving violation,) she just likes to drive. I will admit that I am curious as to what might happen if she were in the back seat with the "trifecta" going on back there. ;-) On second thought, maybe they'd actually behave better? I have a feeling we may never know!

Anywhooo...I made a two minute slide show (flipagram) of our fun at the museum, ballgame, Legoland and beach. Just click on the picture to enjoy! (By the way, the scenery behind the boys in the pic? That's Washington, DC all made of Legos!)

As I look out the window right now in the real Washington, DC I'm seeing lots of snow falling. Definitely missing Florida... ;-)

Guess who had a blast watching the Nats down in Florida?

Turning Lemons into Birthday Lemonade...

This year for Susanne's mom's birthday we'd made a plan to drive about 8 hours to her home in South Carolina. She makes that long drive to see us quite often, and we know that she was looking forward to having us come down there for a few days.

Her birthday happens to fall on Valentine's Day, and if you live on the east coast, you probably recall that this Valentine's Day was a mess. Ice and snow all up and down the coast. We were still considering getting in the car and going for it, when she called to let us know she'd lost power. This was not just a minor inconvenience. The temps were hovering around freezing and she and everyone else in the area where she lived were cold for sure.

We first had the thought to ask her to come to DC where at least we had power and heat, but then thought perhaps we could spare her the long drive and have an adventure by meeting up somewhere in between. We picked Fayetteville, NC and it turned out to be a very fun time.

We watched the Olympics and went to a children's museum and a few other fun things and enjoyed some dinners out. We were in the parking lot of the children's museum listening to the US vs. Russia men's hockey game when it went into overtime. We didn't even get out of the car it was so exciting! There were hugs and high fives all around as T.J. Oshie scored the winning goal. What a game!

The only rotten luck was that the pool heater was not working so that water was really too cold to enjoy. But the boys dangled their feet in the hot tub and I think by all accounts it was a nice weekend.

Happy birthday Nana. See you soon in Florida. Go Nationals! -Monica

P.S.

I put together a little slide show--just click on the picture of Nana and Benji here to see the fun that was had by all.

Nighttime, Daytime!

Just have to post this hilarious video so I can find it whenever we need a good laugh. The boys cannot get enough of this! Enjoy!

Our Little Comics...

Here are a few things we've shared on social media over the past few weeks. These two do indeed keep us on our toes!

Jan 2

Danny - "What's the best time to go to the dentist?"

"2:30!"

(Yes, that would be pronounced tooth hurty.)

Jan 3

Not to be outdone in the joke department, from Benji...

"What's the strongest thing in the ocean?"

(Wait for it...)

"A mussel! "

(I should add that his actual favorite joke is "Knock knock." "Whose there?" "Bus driver." "Bus driver who?" "HONKA HONKA HONK!")

Jan 6

To paraphrase from Fiddler on the Roof... "May God bless and keep the children... far away from us!" (At school that is. Wonderful break, but it's time.) The boys had a Christmas vacation, but it was time.

Jan 8

It finally happened! First tooth gone! And by gone we mean completely gone... I guess he'll be leaving a note for the tooth fairy.

Jan 15

As many of you know, to our kids, I am Mommy and Susanne is Mama. It works quite well for the most part, although I do increasingly wonder if people think I talk in third person all the time. Like "Mama is really happy about how well you cleaned your room." Or "Did Mama say that was okay?" I guess I could have worse problems!

Jan 16

When Danny was a baby, Susanne and I sort of came to an unspoken arrangement that she was basically in charge everything that went into our children, and I was in charge of everything that came out. This arrangement has been awesome for me now that they are older, BUT, not so awesome when they are both spewing bile (err...having a rough night) at the same time. Fortunately after a day of laying low they both seem to be feeling better. Amen!

Jan 18

When Danny's throat hurts he always accidentally says his neck hurts so I have to ask whether it hurts inside or out. Benji does not make the same mistake. This morning he woke up telling us that his swallower was hurting bad.

Sweet even when miserable.

Jan 26

While making shapes with play dough this morning, Benji asked me why we say "ice cube". Excellent question young grasshopper!

Jan 29

There is something very wrong when your early riser is not a morning person.

Jan 30

6 year old Danny is suddenly interested in chess and checkers and is learning about the pieces and what they can do. We decided that the bishops looked like "pastors with fancy hats on", and I must admit that I cracked up when he then explained that "you know, those church people can only go diagonally."

Feb 2

The boys were taking their sweet time getting upstairs to bed while belting out Madagascar's I Like to Move It, Move It.

All I could think was "I don't think you really do."

 

Feb 6

Here's the thing with Benji. It's not that he cares much about what he wears. His only requirement actually is that it NOT be the thing you suggested he put on. He also doesn't fall for reverse psychology very easily. I'm guessing a career in politics?

Feb. 8

I know math is not my forte, but if the boys go to bed 3 hours later than usual (after movie night with a favorite babysitter), shouldn't they wake up more than 15 minutes later than their crack of dawn usual?

Feb 10.

So...quietly whispering "get your bum on the pew" does nothing but make a small child burst out laughing (kinda the opposite of the calming effect I was going for.) And why do we call church benches pews? I will never use the words "pew" and "bum" together in a sentence again. I swear.

Have a great day everybody! -Monica (and Susanne)

Fair's Fair

Well I thought that the Flipagram of Danny we posted here yesterday was very sweet,  and then realized that I might want to to one for Benji as well. So here are a few pics from over the last year when he was three. It cracks me up I will say! Just click the pic. -M

Experiment with Flipagram

We saw some examples of people taking photos to put into fun slide show with a free Flipagram app and thought we'd give it a try. Grabbed a couple of soccer photos of Danny from last year. Hope it works. Here goes nothing! Click on the pic! (It's only 30 seconds long.)

Merry Christmas from the US Botanic Garden!

Love, Susanne, Monica, Daniel (6)  and Benjamin (4).

Nuggets of Wisdom ('n stuff)

Ripped from the pages of our Facebook pages in recent months...

October 31
Benji woke up with a bad dream last night and in his quiet high pitched voice shared... "A lady was writing letters. And she was writing them really bad." ;-)


November 27
Our three year old calls Clementines “Lemontines”. Which of course makes me sing out that he's "muh Daaaaarlin' Lemontine" every time. He is starting to look at me funny...

December 3
"Mommy, I think your hand is getting smaller." Exact quote from Benji last night as we walked hand in hand across a parking lot. (He'll turn four in about two weeks and I'm thinking it's not my hand that's changing sizes...)
 

December 7

Monica wrote: Caught a glimpse of my reflection in a train window this morning and thought for a sec I saw my mom sitting there. When I realized how crazy that was, I smiled at the reflection and thought I looked even more like her. And that made me even happier. A nice way to start this day. Almost 3 years now since she went to be with the angels. Thanks for the smiles Mom.
 

December 8

Danny did a fantastic job in today's Christmas pageant at Luther Place! So proud of him!

December 9
That's right. Nijabread cookies.

 

December 12
Note to self. Never put on chapstick that you've let your 3 year old carry around in his backpack without looking at it first. He "might" have dropped it on the ground and "maybe somewhere else--can't remember." EWWWWW....

December 21
In this morning's edition of cranky craft-making (Benji had some vaccinations yesterday and is not feeling great) we made an ornament. We had "stick on" letters and he really wanted to spell out "cool dudes" but kept hiding the "e". We came very close to creating our first annual "cool duds" ornament.

December 23
Is it wrong of me to secretly wish that he'll always pronounce the word "really" as "wooly"?

Have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas everyone!!! -Monica, Susanne, Danny and Benji

Birthday Big Boy!

This month our little Benjamin turned 4 and got to have a couple of fun parties. First stop was Chuck E. Cheese with our favorite neighbor girls, then a fun activity at school with his Pre-K friends.  The next weekend was a trip down to Richmond to celebrate with his grandfather and family, and then on December 17th, which was his actual birthday, more gifts and merriment!

He got pretty much everything he wanted including a baby boy doll he's named Jack, (and takes very good care of), and a toy alligator--NOT a stuffed animal per his request.  He also got remote controlled bumper cars and some handmade clothes for Jack (thank goodness Susanne can sew. Do you know how hard it is to find clothes for a boy doll?) Oh and I can't forget to mention the Star Wars Light Saber he's been wanting. Just wish Danny's Light Saber had not gone missing this week.They have both been frustrated by not being able to "fight" together properly.

So to sum it up, Benji nurtures and sort of slays. Pretty well balanced kid I guess. ;-)

Happy birthday to our "baby". Who isn't really a baby any more. Gulp! Love you baby er, big boy! -Mommy

His Left Foot...

A few weeks ago Danny wrapped up his season practicing with the DC United sponsored youth league. It's been really fun for him and super convenient for us, as his after school teachers walk him and his classmates down to a Rec Center about a block from our house for practices several days a week.

I love walking home from the Metro on the days that he is at the field, scanning the gaggle of kids to see his distinctive run. And I also love the big "hi Mommy" he yells when he spots me!

Well for their last big hurrah, they got to go to RFK stadium and play a tournament with all the other kids in the city who are sponsored by DC United. They didn't play in the stadium itself, but the practice fields outside the venue were really nice and in spite of the cold, we had a great time.

Here are a few shots I captured. Although he is not always in goal, he loves to get the chance to play goalie, and frankly, it's easier to take his pic when he is more stationary.

I have really loved watching him blossom at this game. For a little guy, he's doing really well. Without further ado...heeeeeer's Danny!

The day started with fun and games, and meeting Talon, the DC United Mascot.

Then it was time to get in the game. I believe his exact words here were "Pick me! I'm good!". Ah the humility!

With exquisite concentration he awaits the other team's attack.

Rut roh! But hey, he did okay. I don't think he actually gave up any goals n this game.

Of course being a good sport is super important, so there were lots of high fives and shouts of "good game!

Here the older and younger kids from Danny's Rec Center team gathered with their trophies. Cuz you know. Everyone gets a trophy!

Manifesto...(or is it?)

Back about seven years ago when Su was pregnant with Danny, I read a blogger’s “manifesto” for her child. As I recall, she had not yet had her baby, and she had written this very powerful, almost strident essay I'd say, on all the things she wanted/needed/hoped for her child-to-be. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed for the new kid and he/she wasn't even born yet. Anyway...

I’m pretty sure I couldn’t find it again if I tried, but every once in a while I think back on it, and wonder what she thinks about that manifesto now.  And I guess I think too, that maybe it’s not a worthwhile exercise to create manifestos for anyone other than ourselves. If we live the lives we are proud of and at peace with, isn’t that the most we can give to our children?

So here's a manifesto that I think I can say speaks to me. I'd like to think others can see these things in me (especially our boys) but if not, I guess I'd better change my ways, or write a new "manifesto". Here goes...

Danny and Benji when they were about 1 and 3.

The two boys blossoming into a 3 and a 6 year old.

… we should all know that:

We are loveable and loved.

We can make another person’s day and life so much brighter with a kind word or gesture. This costs us nothing and is worth so much to someone else.

We get to choose every day how to react to any situation. (This goes for times that others are mean or life is unfair.)

Feelings aren’t right or wrong. They just are.

We all have different strengths. Figuring out our own and each others is a good thing.

The messages we send are not always the messages that are received. That’s why it’s good to confirm.

When we are most scared, most hurt and most alone—these are the times that our faith WILL comfort and help us (if we've really internalized what we've learned).

And lastly from the Greek philospoher Heraclitus. The road up and the road down is one and the same.

That's enough deep thinking for the day.  Have a great one! -Monica

Our Little Cubby!

Danny became a Cub Scout this year and has been having fun! A few weeks ago he went on a camping trip (Susanne went as she is FAR better at all things related to camping) and he and his little pals had a great time. This weekend the whole pack (or den or troop or whatever...all the kids) had a joint meeting and the boys got presented with patches they had earned.

Danny got his Bobcat patch, and also earned some beads for doing certain things (helping around the house and learning his Boy Scout promise and some other things.) Proud of our little guy. He's the one in the center looking off to his right. Go Danny!

Arrrgghhh...Pretty Please...

 

So, Susanne works at a wonderful non profit in DC called Bread for the City. I think its mission nicely sums up what they are all about:

"The mission of Bread for the City is to provide vulnerable residents of Washington, DC, with comprehensive services, including food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. We recognize that all people share a common humanity, and that all are responsible to themselves and to society as a whole."

Every year around Thanksgiving the staff runs a fundraiser. This year's Holiday Helpings campaign is providing 8,000 families in need with healthy holiday meals.

Most of the staff members do a special fundraising page to try and cajole their friends and families into helping raise the money and I especially loved Susanne's idea to show our two boys giving up their Gold Doubloons (from their Halloween treasures) to contribute. Just to show that every little bit counts!

Just $29 will feed a family of four, but any amount will be so welcome. Hit the link here to make a donation today. And here's to a Happy Thanksgiving for everyone!

Here are my Gold Doubloons. What you got?

MONSTERS!!!

Susanne saw a fun idea to create cardboard cutouts to add a bit of spook to our Halloween. The boys were delighted to help her, although if they'd have had it their way, they would have been wielding the box cutter and the Exacto knife.  We thought it better to let them wield pencils. ;-)

I think they turned out really great, and now they grace our upstairs windows in the evening. She used translucent colored paper for the eyes and mouths--they really glow with the back-lighting from the regular ceiling lights. Can't wait til Thursday night when all the kiddies will come on by. Happy Halloween everybody! -Monica

Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave...

Tonight we'll make big spiders for our crafty web. And yes, our pumpkin is wearing a Cub Scout hat. It's his costume. ;-)

Cough, cough...

This is a picture of Danny taken last Monday. It was the last day he felt good for the rest of the week. Poor guy woke up in the night Wednesday (after running a fever) with a terrible cough and was having a hard time breathing. We decided to call the advice nurse and she recommended we take him into urgent care. Apparently this cough is called a barking cough and it helped the doc diagnose that he had croup. It's a viral inflamation of the tubes in the voicebox and down on into the lungs. They get inflamed and it makes breathing hard. He had to have an oral dose of steroids and then rest for several days.

He was a pretty good boy, but after about 3 days all he wanted to do was go outside and run! Today on Monday it's his first day back in almost a week and he was thrilled to go to school. That was pretty funny, as he's often not too thrilled to get out the door in the morning.

So now basically all 4 of us have sniffles and coughs. Not the croupy kind though. I'd appreciate never having to hear that sound again, thank you. So what's next up on our agendas? Danny and Mama are scheduled to go on his first ever Cub Scout Camping Trip, and Benji and I will go to a Halloween event at our church while they are gone. Did I mention that the boys love Halloween? Good thing for them Susanne is pretty crafty.

Making the most out of an odd October...

I've been meaning to blog the past few weeks since I've had a bit of time on my hands due to having been shut out of  my job in the federal government, but every time I get started, I just get mad again and stop. I have my fingers crossed that a deal has been reached to end it today, but only time will tell. I promise to blog more about my deep thoughts on the whole thing someday.

In the meanwhile, I thought I'd share something that does not make my blood boil. A visit to a local pumpkin patch with our favorite pumpkins on Columbus Day! It was in the low 70s and you'd think we'd have the boys dressed in long pants and jackets, but no. As Benji likes to say "up sleeves Mommy!" "Up pants too!" As it turned out it did get sunny in the afternoon so it all worked out. Without further ado...

Tractor men.

"Go cart" action got a thumbs up from Danny.

What can I say? Cool art there.

Can't go wrong with huge slides.

This place had a basketball court sized jumping thingy which was great fun for Susanne too.

Sure they are not "matchy matchy" with their colors, but aren't they cute?

Obligatory shot. Note the corn stalks behind us. A huge maze. Muddy but fun!

Special bonus from a school event last week where the boys and their neighbors biked to school. What did I tell you about Benji and his "up sleeves and up pants?"

Just some funny memories from the past few months...



Pint sized Danny and Benji take on their German big guy cousins Jonas and Jannis in foosball.



Every few months or so I like to pick out a couple of the funny things the boys say--things we don't want to forget as the years go by. So without further ado, here are some quotes we captured on FB.

Feb 8

So this morning I asked the boys what we should get Mama for Valentine's Day. True story, Danny said "what about a pretty dress? Or a gravestone?"

(Turns out he thinks gravestones are cement you can write stuff on and he would want to draw a heart.)

Feb 18

I woke up to Benji cradling my face in his little hands, studying me intently. Then he smiled, and just when I thought life couldn't get better, he blasted me with a mighty cough. Joy. Easy come. Easy go.

May 5

5 year old Danny: "Fine Benji, you're not a baby, you're a infant!" 3 year old Benji: "I'm not an infant! I'm an outfielder!" Still smiling.

May 31

Talking baseball with the boys, and asked them what position they'd like to play. Danny said shortstop. Little Benji replied that he wanted to be the vampire. Dear God, will they be this funny always?

July 12

Out of the blue my 3 year old announced today that I am old. Hmmmm... "Is Mama (Susanne) old too? I asked.

"No, she's new."

Kinda hurt, but totally cracked me up.

Aug 24

(While driving in stop and go traffic.) "Just make the beep sound. Then they will go faster!" The Gospel According to Benji –

Aug 31

Just wondering how our sons will one day answer online Security Questions" like "mother's middle name" or "mother's maiden name"? Secretly hoping they pick me. Susanne is right. I'm way too competitive!

Sept. 16

Danny was helping me pull weeds this weekend and when I pulled out a particularly stubborn one, he yelled out "oh your gosh!" (And just as I was about to say "oh my gosh!") My silly Danny!

Our #2 Son

Benjamin getting ready to hop on his bike. If Danny can ride without training wheels, so can he! (Not quite yet!)

This is 3 year old Benji. Our baby. Sometimes I think of him as an "old soul" though. It's like when he looks at you with those piercing blue eyes, it seems like he can look right through you. He is also very empathetic and picks up very quickly on when other people are upset. Nice boy he is, he always tries to make it all better. (Except when fighting with his brother. Then there is not a whole lot of empathy!)

He sometimes hates that he is the baby. Whenever his older brother masters something like riding a bike or getting something off a high shelf, Benji figures it's time for him to be able to do the same thing. And it's shocking sometimes how much he can do at his tender age.

Yes, he's growing fast, but in some ways, this is the perfect age. He gets to be a "big boy" and go to school and run and play, but then there are those precious times when he curls up in our arms and he is, for a few sweet moments, our little baby again. Not sure how much longer that will last, but I'm going to cherish it.

Our little superhero, AKA, Benji-MAN!