Forts!

These boys are really into building forts all of a sudden.  Every day they lug all of their blankets and pillows downstairs to create a new set of structures.  Today they combined them all together into one megafort.  It was pretty awesome.

On the drive home today....

I had just picked up the two older boys from school and we were on our way to pick up Zachary from preschool.   I asked the kids how class went and we were having our usual conversation about math, recess, lunch, etc. when the topic somehow to changed to girls.  Yes, girls.  Out of nowhere Ryan said he had a crush on a few girls.  Matthew responded with, "Really?  You like girls?" To which Ryan matter-of-factly replied, "Sure.  I like millions of them."  He then went on to tell us about a couple of girls that he liked and one that apparently has a crush on him but of whom he's not so sure about.

I just had to document this little conversation because 1) Girls are never discussed in our house (at least not yet).  I'm not even considered a girl very often - I'm just Mom.  2) This is coming from the same kid who shuns just about everything girl-related, i.e. almost dry-heaving as we walk past the Barbie aisle in the store. I thought it was cute to hear him be so casual about it too.  I guess you just never know!

Happy New Year!

I know I am super behind on the thrilling life and events of the Tams family, but it seems the more I try to get caught up the further behind I become.  In the meantime I am missing out on current everyday moments.  I am hoping I can work from both sides and meet in the middle somewhere, so grandmas and grandpas be sure to check in from March 2013 forward every now and then.

For today, just some funny things the kids said that I wanted to record.

At dinnertime:

Ryan: You don't need hair or underwear to survive.

Kevin: Well, you may not need hair, but you definitely need underwear.

Ryan: You need underwear?

Kevin: Yes.

Ryan: Because you might die of embarrassment?

Kevin: Exactly!

We have spent a lot of the Christmas break playing football on the Wii.  The boys have had a blast playing tournaments against their Dad.  Andrew is a little too young for it, but recently he has started insisting that he be included in the club.  This was our conversation right before bed:

Andrew: Momma - tomorrow I going to play Wii booball wif Dad.  

Mom: You are?  That sounds like fun.

Andrew: Yeah.  And I will be da 49ers and Dad will be da Colts.

I have to admit that I was only a little surprised by his declaration.  My little baby wants to be a big boy so fast and tries to do everything his brothers do.  It makes me a little sad, but it's also fun to see him so excited about growing up.

And to finish up the evening, we FINALLY made gingerbread cookies today.  The kids were very excited to decorate and eat theirs before going to bed.  Happy New Year!

Saturday Morning Trains

Saturday morning + pajamas + trains + a super cool dad that can build a super cool track = pure bliss.

Birthday Celebration

We delayed Andrew's birthday because he wasn't feeling well.  We made sure to celebrate when the time finally came!  Here's our handsome boy at lunch eating PBJ and grapes, some of his favorites.  He can be such a ham!

After lunch it was time to open presents!

He was so cute to watch.  At first he was very meticulous about opening the paper, but when he figured out how to get to the presents faster he really sped up the process.  He was very happy with his Jake and the Neverland Pirates jammies.

Andrew also LOVES cars and trains.  He was so excited to get his very own Gordon train from Thomas and Friends.  He loved pushing it around and hearing the sounds it made.

And of course he needed his very own basketball!  He was cute while he was trying to dribble it.

And on to the Elmo cupcakes!

I decided not to make a cake for Andrew, mostly because he isn't a big cake eater and I thought it would be fun to do something new.  I found this idea online and thought it would be perfect for him.  He loves Elmo, Oreos, M&M's, and marshmallows, so why not put them all together into one delicious concoction?

Andrew waiting patiently in his Jake jammies while we sang Happy Birthday.

Enjoying the spoils.

We sure love this little guy.  He has so  much personality and while he is going through the terrible two stage right now we love his growing sense of independence.

Some fun things about Andrew:

-He loves balls and has a very strong kicking leg already. 

-He is a pro at dribbling a ball with his foot.  We have another soccer player on our hands!

-He loves to read books and he loves to sing.  He sings along with me to I Am a Child of God and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  He sings, "Ginkle, ginkle, ittle dar.  How I under are.  Up buv world high.  Lie dimon in kie. Gingle, ginkle, ittle dar.  How I under are."  I tried to record him singing it but of course he won't have anything to do with it while the camera is on.  I even tried to do it secretly at night while putting him to bed but I think he knew something was up.

-Like all of our boys, Andrew can't get enough of cars, planes, trucks, and trains.  

-He is also very aware of anything relating to soccer, Star Wars, or Legos.

Things Andrew is saying:

Jake – Jake the Pirate

Pyat-pirate

Ehmo - Elmo

A guy

Mommy!

Chuck –truck

Choo choo chain

Mee Mow – Mickey Mouse

Milk moy- more milk

Dwink-ice means drink with ice

I-An means Ryan

Maboo –Matthew

Ack- Zach

Ehpain – airplane

Chip – ship

See-yo – cereal

Pees – please

Dank oo – thank you

Bike

Hemet – helmet

Oosh – shoes

Ba ball – basketball

Uch down – touchdown

Hike!

Goal!

Dayid – No David! (from the books)

Appo – apple

Nana – banana

And of course: No, mine, and My Churn!