Marbles, Ash Wednesday lunch at Peiwei

A meltdown, some pom poms, a few dozen chopsticks ... Here's what
we've been up to for the last week or so. Looking forward to more
consistent blogging again soon ! Only a few more days till we're in
CHICAGO!

Dru, Secret Agent Man. Los Tres Amigos

During one of our last visits to Dru's school. We spied that Dru
wanted to be a secret agent. Ernie seems to fit the bill best. Dru,
Ernie, and Evelyn waiting for story time to start.

this is the smile. And the sound that goes with it is intoxicating.

I "got" her while playing "I'm gonna get you" ... she thought she had
out-smarted mommy by going in the opposite direction. she didn't
understand that mommy would be doing the same thing. million dollar
smile, babycakes.

Buy my house! Here's a virtual tour of it!

http://www.videocommercial.com/ivt/Doss9309/index.htm

100 days celebration

Yesterday I blogged about Dru and his 100 day project. Today, we went
to his classroom, and participated in 100 day activities. I was so
proud of Dru when the teacher asked, "how might you count to 100 more
quickly than counting by 1's?" and he answered, "by 50s!

We flipped pennies, rolled dice, drew a picture of ourself at 100,
listed what we might buy with $100, made a hat with 100 stamps on it,
and made a snack with 100 items in it. Evelyn was particularly fond
of the marshmallows. Have I mentioned that Gene has me convinced that
she's an iguana? Well, it's even more evident when she eats
marshmallows.

Ernie was into the blocks, but really enjoyed sitting at the snack
table. Evelyn was into Carly, the turtle, and the flags. And, as
usual, she cracked up Dru's class. They just adore her. Then, we
came home, and I made essentially what I made last night with a few
changes. It's basically Chicken soup with dark stock - but it's not a
lot of the liquid. Is there a name for that dish? It was caramelized
onions, celery and garlic, deglazed with stock, then fresh tomato,
musrhroom, and chicken. Topped with some romano. Yummmmmmmmy! I
couldn't wait to get to the bottom so I could slurp it!

the 100 project

Everyone wanted to help Dru with his '100' project. We did 100 grains
of rice, shaped like a grain of rice. Dru counted 4 tiny bowls of 25.
When I first poured the bigger bowl of rice, Dru was certain there
wouldn't be enough. As he started counting he realized he'd be just
fine!

Ernie was psyched to count and glue - and Evelyn was so excited she
called her daddy to tell him about it!

Evelyn and the Lollipops

Go ahead. YOU try to get them away from her!!

From the words of Babes, Ernie's 4 edition

so onward we travel yesterday afternoon to pick up Dru from the bus. (it was 45 minutes late and the bus driver almost left without discharging Dru but that's a different story for a different time) ... On our way to the bus, we pass through several stop lights, we pass by a bunch of subdivisions, places we've bought stuff (like mulch), places we've seen things like cows, chickens, ducks, pigs, rodeos, accidents, fires - the stuff of life.  From the time they can see out the windows, I talk to the kids and have them say "hello" to the various things we see. We love to play "I spy" and other games to encourage observation and boredom avoidance.

Ernie asks me, "mom, why do horses eats hay?"

Me: "why do you eat cheese?"

Ernie, "Because I _like cheese_ mom" 

Me, "well, horses _like_ hay - and grass too."  You know, you eat grass, too Ernie.  Really? Yes, Ernie.  Corn is a grass. So is wheat. We made your brownies from flour. That comes from wheat.  And Cheerios - they are made from oats. Oats are a grass.

Ernie, "Mommy, can we plant Cheerios next year in our garden?"

<3 Melt.  Love that kid.  Happy birthday, baby.

when the party's over, turn off the lights!

I believe it was 5 minutes after this picture was taken he announced
he was too tired to go to bed and wanted to sleep in "yours" bed.
Happy birthday, little man. Happy Presidential Term. I cannot get
over how much Ernie looks like Dru in this picture. Exact same smile.
Chesire. xoxox

Ernie's 4th birthday 1/19/2011

Wow - it's hard to believe. 4 years tomorrow. Really? Where has the
time gone? How can he already be 4? The preschool years are so
magical. I'll cherish the last year with him at home. <3 Love you,
little man!

Pork fried rice and Dru and the new lateral incisor!

I love that my kids love to eat good food. Oh how I love it. Makes
my life a whole lot easier, sort of. Means I can make whatever I want
to make. Also means a little preparation to make sure I have
ingredients around.

Dru's new tooth came out in the car on the way home last Friday.
(1/14). I made him put it in a plastic bag. I was prepping all
weekend for an open house on Sunday. I had put the tooth on top of
the cable box in my bedroom (to keep it safe). Oh no, when I was
cleaning, it landed on the floor. (I found it). Then it went upstairs
with the expectation that the tooth fairy would find it. Instead Ernie
lost it. Oh crap. That's the 3rd tooth of his we don't have. First
one came out without incident at school. Second one, Ernie lost.
Third one, well, let's just say it wasn't a charm.