Engine Jail

We have explained to Evan that if he fails to take direction after two requests, there will be consequences. After the second request, we take away an engine. He usually gets a "time out" at that point, too. The engines to go jail on the mantel and he can earn them back by behaving.

This picture gives you an idea of our day today:

11/30 note: My friend Jean suggested that the engine lineup might also be an Ani-Mood-Meter. Will can quickly reference it upon his return from work each night! As for the meter today, let's just say that we have 12 engines incarcerated now, an increase of 1 from the picture.

12/3 note: 5 engines remain in jail: Emily, Lady, Thomas, Scarlouie, and Mavis have yet to see the light of day. Ugh what a week! Strange he leaves the girl-engines up there...

All good things...

As predicted, this was a wonderful weekend full of family, food, and fun. Everyone is back home in either Tarrytown, Evanston, or Waterloo and the kids are bored to tears. Alex hasnt napped in a few days due to the excitement. When I put him in his bed today, he cried and yelled, "Nee Nee! Down! Down!" He knows who spoils him.

Here is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

LINKS:

Zillions of Pictures.

Thanksgiving 2007

Thankful

This morning, I asked Evan for what he was thankful. He replied, "Roads... and signs... and people that come to our house. And naps!" Then, I asked him what Alex was thankful for. There was a pause, so I began a long list with "He is thankful for his big brother Evan, for his Daddy, for his Mommy..." Evan interrupted with, "He is thankful for movies!" At that moment, Alex was pointing to the car DVD player and saying "Dee! Dee!" (Alex-speak for DVD). To each his own.

I'm thankful that I will have a houseful of family this week. My folks, my sister and brother-in-law, and my Grampa will all be here for Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad are currently en route to Macon from the Atlanta airport and everyone else arrives tomorrow. It is going to be a great holiday.

"Let me check my watch"

The last two days have been bonkers. We are having a new roof installed, so no naps have been had. Yesterday, Alex was awake for most of 12 hours (5 am to 5 pm). Once the roofers left, he slept through dinner -- right on to 4:40 am. Today's schedule has been similar. Is it any wonder that everyone is going a little batty? Here's a taste of what I'm talking about:

Alex rediscovered his love of the kick-and-play. He and Evan lived in this chair for the first 6 months of their respective lives. We loaned it to friends and now that it is back, Alex can't get enough.

Evan's face will be in the December 25Th Macon Telegraph. Official picture day was today. On the way into the studio, he was asked to speak on camera. He didn't stop talking for at least 5 minutes. I don't know what they will do with all that footage! At one point, they asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He replied, "Let me check my watch. Hey! It's THANKSGIVING!"

One, Two...

Three! Alex can count to "tree!" Last night as Will called Evan for his bath, I held Alex:

Will: Evan, right now! ONE...
Alex (whispering, as if afraid he might say the wrong word): two
Will: TWO...
Alex (still whispering, this time in a super high-pitched voice): tree!

Will didn't hear it, but I swear it happened.

Evidently, we count to three a lot in this house. I guess that goes along with having a three year old!

Veterans Day, observed

Zoo

We made an early morning trip to the zoo today. For a short slideshow of our November pictures, including the zoo, click HERE.

Customer Service

I became a customer service snob while working at McMaster-Carr for 10 years, where customers are treated like royalty. I grew to expect that wrongs would be made right out in the "real world," just as at work. This is not usually the case.

Last Monday, I splurged on a Grande Starbucks Mocha. The barista got my order wrong and did not provide a DECAF drink. (I haven't had caffeine for almost 4 years!) I had the shakes for over 8 hours. I got a lot done around the house that day, but I was physically sick. If you ever doubted that caffeine is a drug, doubt no more.

I returned to speak with the manager. He could not have been nicer. He invited the family for a "party" of drinks and pastries. He also sent cookies home for the kids that day. I couldn't believe it.

This morning was our party. The kids enjoyed Strawberries & Cream shakes, I had a decaf mocha, and Will had hot cocoa. This guy is smart. He introduced the kids to a drink and pastries and I left satisfied. Three cheers for good customer service... and for the Starbucks on Forsyth Rd. in Macon!

The Gobbler

Evan's art project from school today is so cute, I had to share.

Normally, Evan wont hold still long enough to get his shoes on. How did this painting occur? I bet the teachers have a super-secret-foot-stamp that is a size 8!

Pluto

Here is what we were doing one month ago, today!

Hungry

"He's a snack-sneaker." This is how Evan described his little brother today. In this respect, Alex is definitely my kid. Picture this: Evan (the healthiest and lightest eater in the family) takes two bites of a snack and leaves it on his table. Enter Alex from the side room. He grabs, stuffs, and runs. Evan returns minutes later to an empty table. I've seen this scene transpire many times, but to hear it summed up as "snack sneaking" made me laugh.

"Do you mind if I ask... do you feed him breakfast in the mornings?" This is what Alex's teacher asked me last Thursday. Embarrassed, I replied, "Yes. Usually two breakfasts. One at 5:00 when he awakes and another after his first nap and before school." Then she tells me that Alex eats so much at snack time, they were worried he wasn't getting fed enough at home! "We really aren't supposed to make snack time a meal," she said. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to pack food for him, either. This is a no-win situation. The poor little guy is hungry ALL the time! I offered to replenish their snack cabinet....

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today is Will's birthday. Unfortunately, our day began at 4:00 a.m. (actually, 3:00 am with the time change) and we've been up ever since. The early wake-up call was not birthday excitement, but rather, sick kids. What a way to celebrate!

Yesterday we spent several hours walking around Dauset Trails. The leaves are finally changing and the weather has been perfect (70 and sunny). Today, although everyone has been very tired and sniffy, there was time (and patience) to make a fabulous Lincoln Log Fort. I think Will had even more fun than Evan in its construction.

More Halloween

Click HERE to see pictures from all of our Halloween events:

Harvest Fest at Mercer University

MOPS Trick-or-Treating at an assisted living home

Highland Hills Church Trunk-or-Treat

Candy distribution at home

Sorry to be braggadocios, but I can't help myself. Alex won the costume contest for his age at Sears, too. (Please don't tell Evan!) The boys and the pirate ship stroller won honorable mention for best group ensemble!