Funny speech updates.

I've been listening very closely! And I'm putting these up here in case any of you missed it in the earlier entry.

Sammy says:
"lemon-lemms" for M&Ms
"hometell" for hotel
"milkbutter" for buttermilk
"vinoculars" for binoculars
"bownix" for bonus
"Movie-gascar" for Madagascar; coincidentally he also calls Cars "Movie Cars"
"Chuck E Cheeses" for "Chuck E Cheese"
"lemonlade" for "lemonade"
"President Ovama" :)

And Freddie says "Y's" in place of "L's" -- for example he says, "I yove it!" "I sit mommy's yap (lap)." and "I don't yike it!"

I'm sure there are more for both kids, but you get the idea.

Also, both of our kids have the annoying (endearing?) habit of abbreviating their words like Jacob and I do. The classic "sando" for sandwich is an example.

Funday.

Fun at the park, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

It's always Funday for Freddie. :) He makes me smile even when he makes me chase him 500 times a day.

Picnic lunch on summer day in Minneapolis!

A summer morning in Minneapolis, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Temperatures are more fall-like really, which I don't mind all that much. Unless I've planned a fun morning at the beach instead.... ;) Thanks to all the moms and kids who joined us Monday morning - we are so blessed to have such a terrific group of friends!

My apologies to Cal, because I know Blogger will cut you out of this picture. Please head to Flickr (link beneath photo) to see the entire pic!

And that's one adorable face, Ruby!

The Big Bunny of Minnehaha Parkway

The Big Bunny of Minnehaha Parkway, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

The boys and I biked down the Parkway to "Save the Big Bunny" (think the Wonder Pets, lol) on Monday afternoon. It was a great ride for me -- good exercise, perfect weather and the boys did not fight in the Burley - at all!

Happy Birthday, Will!

Happy Birthday, Will!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Our family really enjoyed celebrating Will's fifth birthday at his party yesterday, and at the beach on his actual birthday. Here's to an awesome fifth year, kiddo! :)

More pictures of the party can be found on Flickr A few better pictures (I'm sure!) can be found on my friend Sonja's blog: Team Krasean Sonja I really like your lens that makes the background blurry. My next camera will have removable lenses! "I yove it!"

Sammy going after the ball!

Sammy going after the ball!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

I couldn't watch most of Sammy's game because I was chasing Freddie around, but Jacob said Sammy went after (and caught) a bunch of balls.

Summer T-Ball

Sammy at bat!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Sammy started summer T-Ball last week and he's really enjoying it! Sunday afternoon we went to the park across the street to work on batting and running (hilarious!) and he was pumped to start playing on Monday. He's asked nearly everyday if it's a T-Ball day, or if we can go play ball at the park.

"Firsty"

"Firsty", originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

I kind of like the small bits of speech that Sammy still has trouble with. Like the "th" sound. To me it means he's still little :) (I'm just glad he doesn't replace his "Rs" with "Ws" - like Ming-Ming in the Wonder Pets, that drives me NUTS!)

He also says "a-none-no" for another. I'll pay close attention to him tomorrow and listen for any additional still-a-little-kiddo cuteness.

Peace? Or exhaustion?

Samonation, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Last Monday was Sammy's first day of summer camp. Leah and I are trading days, so even after summer camp is done, Sammy and Cal have at least another hour of playing together. Monday after camp they went swimming and played at a park, then played for a bit at Leah's while I collected Freddie.

After all of that excitement, we had a work deal to attend - a family picnic event for Jacob's division. They had lots of lawn games for the kids to play, and a fancy hot dog and burger dinner. The kids' loved the ice cream man-type desserts -- ice cream sandos, creamsicles, fudgesicles, and those ice cream cone desserts that I'm totally blanking the name on. eta: DRUMSTICKS! :D Anyway, it was cool, but the boy was exhausted! This pic is from the way home.

Sammy climbing in the tube.

Sammy climbing in the tube., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Hi down there!

Hi down there!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

A cool picture from the park. It was a beautiful afternoon!

Brotherly accord.

Brotherly accord., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

I quick took a picture because they were playing with the same toy without arguing/fighting/hitting/screaming. While I was making dinner, no less. Only by the Grace of God I am sure.

(Please head to Flickr for the entire picture, blogger crops it and I really don't want to resize or mess with the blog template ATM. There are some other pictures up over there if you need extra incentive.)

Pictures of my 5-point harnessed cuties.

FJR, 2 y/o, 35ish lbs, 40ish inches and angry because he can't have the camera:

Britax Marathon.

SLR, 4.5 y/o, 50ish lbs and very tall, I have to measure him.

Britax Regent.

And one more thing. If you are going to the trouble of 5-pt harnessing your LO, snug it up ("snug as a hug") and make sure the clip is at armpit level.

Updates to the MN Booster Law

From KELOLAND.COM:

Starting July 1, Minnesota state law will require every child seven years old and under to be in a car seat or booster seat. The only exception is if they're 4'9" or taller. Under current law, they're only required for kids three and under. Advocates hope the change will help get an important message to parents.

Full Article here.

I was reminded of this when I saw an article about Texas changing it's Booster Law (yay!). For my Texas friends and family, your new law goes into effect September 1, 2009. It's about the same as MNs.

Here is a state-by-state break down of the current laws. Child Restraint Laws

Hopefully soon we will have tougher laws for Extended Rear Facing. Another PSA on this, but if your child has not yet met the maximum weight allowance of your car seat (for rear-facing, usually 30 lbs!) keep him/her backwards! It's way safer. Unless you prefer risking internal decapitation.

Chex Mex Casserole

I can't hold out on the Momtourage any more. Here is the recipe for the Chex Mex Casserole that I talk about all the time. It's a simple recipe and terrific way to finishing using a big ol' box of Chex after making a batch of Muddy Buddies. Tastes just like nachos, too. :)

Here's the link: Chex Mex Casserole

And a picture to tantalize you:


I think I'll be making some Buttery Trail Mix for summer days at the park, too!

Jacob's Well Band Review

Or, the part of the review (weekly email Nate - our worship leader - sends out to the band following their Sunday performance) that mentions Freddie taking the stage mid-set.

Here's what Nate wrote:

Freddie joining us on stage was one of the funniest experiences that I've had with the band. It's a hilarious story from start to finish, and I hope I never forget it. Marc, I heard you got a picture of him while he was up there, so can you send it out? Thanks for having such amazing kids, Jacob! Seriously. Having Sammy order us all root beer at lunch was pretty special, too:)

And here's the picture.