Roaraaaah!

Today when I was getting ready Jack came to me and told me there was a lion in the other room. Thinking this would be a good time to remind him of our memory verse (Psalm 56:3), I told him to go tell the lion, that he wasn't afraid because 'in times when I am afraid, I put my trust in God'. I heard him go into the other room and mumble these words. He then came back and told me the lion said 'Roaraaaaah'! I asked him what he said. He said he said 'Roaraaaah' back. So there you have it, putting scripture into action through the eyes of a three-year-old. :)

Cheeri-Oh No!

A friend stopped by today as I was giving Theo a snack. I was showing her to the door when Theo ran out of his cheerios. Being the caring brother, Jack decided to help. I didn't know this until Jack came running to the door and proclaimed 'Mommy, I tried to give Theo more cheerios and I gave him way too many!'. I quickly said good-bye to my friend and went back to the kitchen to find Theo with a tray full of cheerios. As you can tell from this video, Theo thinks this is the best thing ever and that he has the coolest brother ever!

The Head of Theo Part III

We had another appointment for Theo's head this morning. As always, it was an adventure getting to the appointment in Wimbledon. Jack went with us this time which always adds to the fun and the excitement.

The most exciting bit of our journey happened when we were exiting the Southgate tube station. We were nearly home free without any major mishaps when the gate got the best of us. They have normal gates that basically open and shut very quickly after you put your paid card in. These are made for people travelling solo. If you have a wheelchair or a stroller you are meant to go through a special gate that gives you more time before shutting.

Well, I was tired, and I thought we could all get through so we opted for the normal gate exit. I decided Jack would go first and then Theo and I would follow. Well I put my ticket in and the doors open for us to go, Jack hesitated and I told him to go quickly. Go Jack, Go! I think those were my exact words. Jack turned around again, before I said more hastily, GO! Jack made it through safely, but I cannot say the same for Theo and myself.

Right when I pushed Theo's stroller through the doors closed on Theo's stroller. Theo was very braved and just looked up at me with a very confused look. The alarms started to go off and a very nice man who works for the Underground System came quickly to help us. I am sure he thought, Oh Great, another Mum who doesn't know what she is doing! He was very nice and quickly put a key in that opened the barrier so that Theo could roll back to me.

He then graciously suggested that I go around through the gate MADE for strollers. I told him that I needed Jack. He told me he would wait with Jack (who was on the other side). I made some apologies and told him that that was a very nice offer, but that I wanted Jack back on this side with me (since I had to walk to where I couldn't see Jack anymore). He told me he understood and then proceeded to lift Jack up over the barrier to where I was. We then went happily on our way.

Well, kind of. I asked Jack why he hadn't walked fast through the exit. In my mind this is of course what caused the problem - not bad judgment on my part, but instead Jack's hesitation. Jack very quickly told me that he hesitated because he knew we weren't suppose to be going that way. He told me that he didn't want to go out the wrong way and he knew we were suppose to go out the special gate! Oh, if only I had listened to the 3 year-old.

It reminds me of that scene on Mr. Mom where they kids all keep telling their Dad emphatically, DAD, You are doing it wrong! So that was our adventure for the day! Of course, he told Charles and a couple other people we have seen today as well. Mommy went through the wrong gate and got Theo stuck!

Oh, and Theo's head keeps improving. He is down to a difference of 11 (started at 17). We are still praying that we get to a 8 or 9. We go back again in 3 weeks. I am including a video of Theo that was taken after we returned to show you that he is okay and not injured after getting stuck in the gate and just because it is so cute! :)

Happy Birthday PaPa

Here is a video that Jack and Theo made for Charles's dad, PaPa. This video is just more evidence that Jack has no concept of age or being older or younger! Happy Birthday PaPa. We hope you have a great day.

When I am 24...

Today when I was putting Jack down for his rest, he asked me if he and Theo could have bunk beds when he was 24 and Theo was 18. I explained to him it was impossible for him to be 24 and and Theo to be 18 since they are 2.5 years apart. I told him that if Theo was 18 then he would be 20. He seemed to understand, and then quickly asked if they could have bunk beds when he was 20 and Theo was 18. I think the answer is yes (if they want them!).

He then went on to tell me that then when the clock turned seven zero zero (which is how he says 7:00 AM - the time we allow him to get out of bed), you and Daddy can come lift me down. I think the answer is no on this one. I am not sure it would be possible for me to lift my 24 year old son off the top bunk, and hopefully he would be capable of getting down himself!

Earlier in the day he had asked Charles if he could stay home alone when he was 24. Again, I think the answer is yes, but I am less sure on this one! :)

Recent Pics

Here are some recent pictures taken by our friend Armando. My favourite pictures are always by him. I covet his camera. Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day...late or early?

I think I mentioned earlier that Charles had given me some really nice side dishes for English Mother's Day. Well, they were great dishes, but he then had an even greater idea and that was to have our friends who were coming to visit from Turkey in April bring me some hand painted dishes. So we returned my nice side dishes to John Lewis and awaited the arrival of our new dishes. Our friends came last week and brought the dishes. They are absolutely amazing. After visiting them in Turkey a couple of years ago, I have often regretted not getting more dishes. I just was a bit overwhelmed with the bartering system and the vast quantity of beautiful things. So I am thrilled to have these four additional bowls to add to the one I already have.

It was a great Mother's Day present. I am just not sure if it is a late English Mother's Day present or if it is an early American Mother's Day present....or maybe both! :) Whatever the case, I am happy to have them. I have attached pictures for the sake of my mom and sister who I have already told about them.

Happy Birthday Charles

We celebrated Charles's 34th birthday today with 34 rolls at breakfast. Jack has gotten kind of confused about how old Daddy is today. Yesterday he told people he was going to be 64 which was what age Grandad just turned; today he is telling people that Charles is 84. He definitely is into the four - maybe because he knows he will be 4 on his next birthday. All in all, Jack was most interested in getting to blow out the candles.

A conversation between Josh and Jack

Our good friends are visiting us from Turkey. They have a three-year-old who is 3 weeks older than Jack, named Josh. Here is a conversation between the two of them today with a bit of mediation on my part:

Jack: Mommy, Josh just scratched me.
Erin: Oh, Jack, I am sure it was an accident. Just tell him that you don't like to be scratched, and I am sure he won't do it again.
Jack (towards Josh): Please don't scratch me. I don't like it.
Erin (towards Josh): It was just an accident. Wasn't it Josh? No big deal. Let's just move on.
Josh (a bit confused): No it wasn't an accident.
Erin (very surprised): It wasn't?
Josh (still a little unsure of what he wants to say): No, Yes, yes, it was an accident.
Jack (now in preaching mode): Yes, Josh. The Bible says (big pause) that if you aren't nice to people that you will be spanked.

I did correct Jack's theology (while I held back laughter).

Easter Pictures

We have had a great Easter. Charles arrived home just in time for our neighbourhood Easter Egg Hunt which I took the liberty of organizing. We had 48 egg plastic eggs hidden, all with jelly beans except one special egg that contained a stone which was to symbolize the stone that had been rolled away indicating that Jesus was risen.

The kids and parents had a great time hunting the eggs. We found 46.5 eggs. There are still 1.5 eggs somewhere in the orchard out in front of our house. I am sure they will be found by some happy kid sometime in the future (or by Carl the gardener!). After the eggs were found, we enjoyed cake (both an Easter bunny and a cross cake), and Charles read the Resurrection story to all the kids. It was a great day. He is risen, he is risen indeed! Enjoy the pictures.

Missing Daddy

Charles has been away this week on mission. We have missed him a lot and look forward to his return on Sunday. Here is a video Jack made to send to Charles.

A Whole New World

Life is really changing for Theo. Today he took his first bath sitting up and Mom was crazy enough to invite Jack (that is what happens when you are a single parent for a week!). Check out these great shots and videos. Theo loved it and so did Jack. It is a whole new world for little Theo.

New Blog Design

So about a month ago, my blog celebrated its birthday. As a belated present to OneThumbUpOneFootDown, I have given it a new design. I always love comments, but for some of the readers who are more technically challenged, I have now added buttons that you can just check to give your reactions on the posting. What do you think? Would love any feedback on the new design? Likes or Dislikes? Here's to another year of blogging....

Trip to Hartford

Jack, Theo, and I took a trip up to Hartford to help with one of the College's mission trips. I was even fortunate enough to get to help with an evangelistic talk to about 40 women on beauty which was fun and daunting at the same time. All together, it was a great trip. Here are some pictures of our trip - mainly from a trip to a nice park near Manchester.





Below is a video of Theo laughing. There was this little walking bridge that fell and made a loud banging noise when you walked across it. Theo loved it. Unfortunately, you can not hear Theo laughing due to the background noise (mainly Jack!), but if you persevere to the end of the video you will see a big cackle from Theo that is worth the wait. Enjoy.




And all good days at the park end like this....

Traffic Jam

On the way to Hartford this past Monday, we hit a a really bad traffic jam. Thankfully the boys just slept right through it. We went 1 mile in 40 minutes. I took a couple of pictures to pass the time. I particularly like the 40 MPH sign - if only we could get to 40 MPH, I would be happy; actually, I would even settle for 4 MPH at the time of this picture. How I wish I could have slept through the traffic jam!

When I am 64....

When I get older, losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me
a Valentine, Birthday greetings, bottle of wine

In answer to the Beatles' questions in their famous song, the answer is YES, we will be sending you a birthday greeting AND lots of love! Thanks for being such a great Dad and Grandad. Happy Birthday!

Locked Out!

Charles has been gone less than 24 hours and we have already locked ourselves out of the house. We got home from church just fine. Then as I was getting Theo out of the car Jack came running over to me and said, 'Mommy, come look and see where I have put the keys!'

I went towards our front door expecting to see the keys in some 'exciting' place. They were no where to be seen. Where are they? Jack then points to our letter box which slides mail through our door into the house. 'I put them in there Mommy!'

Thankfully, our neighbour's son's arm was small enough to slide into the letter box and fetch the keys off the floor. Jack was in tears by this time because I told him that we might have to sleep outside if we weren't able to find a way in. All is well now in the Anderson home...well, for now!

Jesus and church

Jack just asked me why Jesus doesn't go to our church? I started to explain to him that Jesus does go to our church. He now wants to know where he sits at church? Pretty soon he is going to ask me which instrument he plays in the band....

Oh how I wish Charles was home right now!

Like Father Like Son...

As Jack sat on the toilet this morning, he asked me to hand him a magazine to read. Hmmm, I wonder who he learned this from?

In case you cannot figure it out...
When I told Charles this story, he said 'AWESOME'. Oh, and to add to the picture, the magazine he wanted was the Economist!

He has come a long way from this picture (taken back in December 2007) but he still wants to read on the pot.

Jack's Second Haircut

We decided to cut Jack's hair yesterday. After watching my sister-in-law do such a great job I was a bit nervous to try. She made it look so easy, but I wasn't fooled. Over the last month I have secured the right tools - nice comb and hair-cutting scissors. I was just waiting for the right day. Yesterday seemed to fit the bill, as Jack was happy to climb on the table for the big cut. Plus it was April Fools' Day so I figured that might work in my favour if the cut turned out badly.

Well, we had a fun time doing it, and Jack did fairly well. He was awarded a chocolate afterwards - following in Aunt Natalie's tradition. He didn't behave quite as well for Mom as he did Aunt Natalie, but then again the hair cut wasn't quite as good either - but I don't think those two things were related as much as I would like to think they might be!

Enjoy the pictures. As you can tell my the video, I am more proud of and interested in his haircut than he is!

Who you gonna call?

We decided to drive to Wimbledon yesterday for Theo's appointment. We usually take the underground, but yesterday I thought it might be fun to drive and stop at the mall on the way back for lunch. In my mind this was a great idea.

At 9:40, Charles helped me load both boys into the car and all our stuff, and we were off. There are glitches to all good ideas, and this was no exception. On a good day the drive will take 1 hour to go 16 miles. However, in preparation for the G20 conference in London many roads were closed and traffic was pretty bad. We were told to arrive at 10:45. At 10:45, we still had 4 miles to go - 4 miles of stop and go traffic.

We finally arrived at the clinic to see a hearse pulling into the spot I was going to park in. No problem I will just find another spot. Well, it looks like everyone at the funeral had already found all of MY 'other spots'. Every spot I found was then marked with a sign that said restricted parking from 11 AM to 3 PM. It was now 11:15 so those spots were no good. Jack was in the back trying to help me find spots. He just couldn't understand why I wasn't parking in all the spots he found. Mind you, most of his spots were people's drive-ways! After circling the neighborhood for 15 minutes, I thought I had found the perfect spot only to see a hidden sign that said restricted 11 AM to 3 PM. I was so frustrated that I went to pull right out, although I had missed a delivery van who was flying down the road. I slammed on the brakes. I am not sure how close I was to pulling out in front of the van, but emotionally it felt close, largely because I was so emotionally exhausted. I put my hands on the steering wheel and buried my head in my hands. I thought I just needed to take a deep breath, pray, and recollect myself before pulling out and continuing our search for a parking spot. Jack was so worried when I put my head in my hands. I heard this very serious voice from the backseat, say 'Mommy are you okay? I think we need to call Charles.'

I turned around and told him that we did not need to call Daddy. That Daddy would not be any help right now. At first, I was a bit cross that he thought somehow Daddy would be able to solve this problem. However, upon reflection, there was a larger part of me that was happy that he thinks so highly of his Daddy - that he can solve everything. Maybe the best solution is that Daddy can take them both to the next appointment!