All I want for Christmas...

So a few days late, but Jack has entered the world of toothlessness. His first baby tooth came out today after eating meatballs at Grandma's. We noticed it was wobbly when we got to America and he even commented that he thought it would be great if he lost it while in America so he could back to England and show his friends. So his wish has come true, just a few days late for Christmas! Here is a video and a picture showing it off:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Theo

How we spent our morning....

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/mZpJIa6QHi8empHJ

A walking politician

Today I was trying to describe a military dictatorship to Jack. I think he got parts of it, and I think even to a nearly five-year-old it didn't sound like that great of option.

In contrast, he asked what kind of government we had. I then started to describe a democracy. I told him that we all got a vote or say in things. So in an attempt to explain, I told him that each area has a representative or a council member that tries to represent what the people in their district wants. So I said, 'if you were the representative of this area, you would walk over to Mommy and Daddy and ask what things are most important to us, and then you would walk over to Jon and Ruth and ask them what things were most important to them, and then you would go to Rory and Susie and ask what things were most important to them.'

I then paused to see if he was understanding it. He happily said, 'Yeah, I get it. I think I would like to be that when I grow up, but I think I might get tired of walking.' So there you have it, aspirations of a future politician, although a potentially lazy one! The lazy part aside, this sounds just like a mini-Charles to me.

Jack's 5th Birthday Party

We celebrated Jack's 5th birthday today by taking Jack and four of his friends (Joshua, Noah, Josiah, and Theo) to Pizza Hut. Charles took all five boys on the double decker bus (Addie and I followed in the car).

Boys waiting for the bus

















Boys on bus


















We ate lots of pizza and had the ice cream factory at the end (which was a big hit), and then headed back home on the bus for games and cake. As you will see, Addie has become a huge fan of pizza in the last few weeks.

Addie at Pizza Hut



















Boys at Pizza Hut


















The highlight on the way home was getting to sit on the top floor on the double decker bus in the front row up against the glass. This was super fun and then was made even more special by a random policeman who came and sat by them and chatted quite a bit of the way home. He wanted to know if all five of the boys were Charles's kids (no kidding - five boys all between the ages of 2 and 7, with three of them being 5 - I guess it could be possible!).

At home, we had a knights quest clue game where we sent all the boys to various places throughout the house where clues were placed. The boys started as pages and then were 'knighted' at the end when they reached the final clue which was attached to a sword. The sword was their party gift that they were able to take home.

Each boy had individual clues, but as an example, here are Jack's clues:

Card 1 (began with the month of each boy's birthday)

















Card 2

















Card 3

















Card 4

















Card 5


















Erin reading clues for the knights quest to the boys


















Boys being 'knighted' at the end of game



We then had the two families (the Tuckwells and the Grahams) join us for cake before collecting the boys and taking them back home. We had a castle cake (Jack's request -hence the knight theme).

Castle cake

















It was a great celebration - and even better now that all the little knights and one princess are in bed for the night!

Addie and 'More'

We have always had a lot of fun teaching our kids 'baby sign language'. We usually only do about four or five signs and they are modified a bit from traditional sign language, but it works because our family knows what the signs mean and that is who 95% of the communication is between.

Charles and I had just recently commented that we thought we were being really lazy with teaching Addie, but it appears that she has picked up some of it based on her dinner tonight. She seems to be doing the 'more' sign which is always the first one for our kids (and is essentially just bringing their hands together somewhat like a clap but as they get better will have cupped hands and fingers).

More Food...of course! Despite both of her brothers being motor-mouths, it seems that she wants in on the action of communicating. Here is a video that shows her in action at dinner tonight.

Hola Ezra!

Today we welcomed a new cousin to the family: Ezra Craig Abbott was born this morning to my older brother Jason and his lovely wife Natalie. I think Theo is trying to yell happy birthday and Addie gets a little upset possibly because she has lost her role as 'baby' in the extended family, but all in all, we couldn't be more excited!

That is the Pot calling the Kettle...

Yesterday at lunch Jack said to Theo, 'Theo you don't have to talk all the time'.

I am still picking my chin up off the ground. Hello Pot, this is Kettle.

Blessing?

Today when Jack and Theo were 'negotiating' over who should get to play with a toy, I heard Jack say, 'the oldest kid gets the blessing, Theo'. Then before I could intervene, Jack said with a mixture of hope and hesitation in his voice, 'Mom, I think that was just in the olden days, right?'

Only his conscience kept him from pulling this one over on his younger brother! Too funny.

It is hard being a little sister

Today I went into Jack's pre-school and helped them make gingerbread men. I made the dough last night and then brought it in for the kids to roll out, cut out, and ice. I think the kids enjoyed it. I was certainly tired at the end! I have a lot of respect for pre-school workers who do this five days a week.

I took Theo and Addie with me. Theo had an absolute blast. He even insisted that he bring his own backpack so that he could fit in with the other kids. He did really well and just ran around and played the whole time. Addie was a rock star. She wasn't able to have her morning nap because we stayed instead of dropping Jack off and coming home for a nap. She just sat by the table and chewed on a rolling pin.

When we got home I put on a Peppa Pig dvd so that I could wash up the dishes and have a few minutes peace. After about five minutes I walked in to see this picture:



Addie was so wiped out that she fell asleep sitting up watching the dvd. It IS hard being a little sister!

Doctor Who?

A funny interchange at the doctor's office last week.

Doctor: Do you notice anything that concerns you?
Erin: No, but I am not a doctor, so I wanted to ask you your opinion.
Jack (interrupting): Mom, excuse me.
Erin: Jack is this relevant to what I am discussing with the doctor because if not you need to wait because interrupting is rude.
Jack (hesitating): No, it is not.

Erin and Doctor continue conversation

Jack (initiating again): Mom, I think it is relevant.
Erin (slightly annoyed but somewhat intrigued - wondering if maybe I had forgotten to tell the doctor something that Jack has remembered which would not be unheard of!): What is it then Jack?
Jack (very nervously): Well, you aren't a doctor, but Daddy is.

Erin: Yes, Jack. Daddy is a doctor but not a medical doctor so it REALLY isn't relevant.

Ever since Charles has received his doctorate, we have had many discussions explaining to Jack what kind of doctor daddy is. It comes up more than you would ever think possible ... well, unless you know Jack and his desire to talk! We thought we had gotten the point across but apparently there is still some uncertainty.

Needless to say, we had to discuss every type of doctor possible on the walk home from the doctor's office!

Hide and Go Seek Humour

Last night the boys (well actually Addie was included and was being carried by Charles) were playing Hide and Go Seek. Jack was counting. This is what I heard:
uno
dos
tres
cuatro
cinco
seis
siete
ocho
nueve
diez (and then without missing a beat)
eleven
twelve

I was upstairs checking my email when I heard this and was feeling a bit exposed as a Spanish teacher when my phone starting vibrating. I looked down and saw that it was a text from Charles. It said 'i am in the closest under the stairs'. Apparently the boys were really stumped of where Charles and Addie were hiding. I think the truth was that Charles and Addie were a little cramped and were wanting to be found. I then went and helped and rescued the game.

It is funny because the boys love to play, but at this stage they are neither good hiders or seekers which means there is often a lot of parental involvement or lack of involvement (ie pretending you don't see Theo who is hiding behind a little lamp)!

Exiting the Garden of Eden

The book Jack and I were reading this morning said the following:

'Then God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden.'

Jack piped up and said 'how did he do that?'.

I started to answer with a theological explanation of the fact that they had sinned and were being separated from God when Jack piped up 'yeah Mom I know THAT, but how did he do that?' Then it dawned on me that Jack was picturing Jesus driving a car with Adam and Eve in the back. Then right on cue he said 'I didn't think they had cars back then.'

Too funny!

Family Swimming

We decided to take advantage of Charles being on half-term this week and took the whole family swimming. They have a rule that you can only have two non-swimming children with one adult so I cannot really take the kids on my own. I was grateful for the help. The whole family enjoyed it. It was Addie's first time and she thoroughly enjoyed herself. We took some pictures to show what a bathing beauty she is!

Sweet Little Adelaide

Roommates

This weekend was a big one for our family. Theo moved into the bottom bunk in Jack's room. They have been anticipating this for a while (see previous post -(http://onethumbuponefootdown.blogspot.com/2008/08/brothers.html) and with half-term and Charles not having classes next week, we thought this was a great time to go for it. They were so excited when we announced that we were going to try them in the same room on Friday night.

Happy to report that they did splendidly together. Evidently Jack got up to go to the bathroom around 4 am. We didn't hear him which is unusual. He said that he woke up Theo when he was coming down the ladder but that they both fell back asleep. We closed their door at 7:15 pm and didn't hear from them until 7:00 am so it seemed like a success to us.

Saturday night was fairly good as well. We told them that they were allowed to talk for a few minutes after we closed their door. After we closed their door, we stood outside listening. Complete silence for the first thirty seconds. Then Jack (of course) said, 'Theo do you like sleeping in the bunk bed with me?'. Theo answered 'Dah (code for yes)'. Jack answered with 'me too'. And that was it. No more talking. It almost felt like Jack felt obliged to talk a bit since we gave them permission to. For anyone who knows Jack, you can be sure he didn't want to miss his chance.

Jack did come to our room around 5:30 am and tell me that Theo wanted me. I went to the room and told Theo he needed to go back to sleep. Again, they both did go back to sleep with relative ease. It was funny because later that morning I asked Jack about the wake-up incident. He told me that he heard Theo calling 'Mommy Mommy' so he just said 'Theo do you want me to go get Mommy for you?'. Theo said 'Dah'. So Jack, being the helpful brother, bounded down the top bunk to retrieve me. He has been instructed to tell Theo to go back to sleep next time - (i.e. be a helpful son first, brother second!).

I am sure there will be many hiccups in this process, but we are thankful for two good nights. And even more thankful for brothers who love being together. We pray it will continue their whole life.

Picture beforehand



Video with the roommates



Ready to go

Jack, the photographer

In a previous post I lamented the fact that I didn't have many pictures of Addie and me. I then went on to show Jack's expert camera skills in trying to fix the problem. Well, I post the following pics to show that he is getting better.



And then a slip in the photography skills!




Getting back on the horse!



And he is off again!

Mom, We have a problem

Our daily routine involves Jack having a quiet hour in his room while the other two kids take their afternoon naps. Thankfully, he does this happily (after a small period of protest a year or so back). Most often, I use this time to catch-up on things that are hard to do with the three kids up. It is, however, not unusual that I would lie down for a power nap as well (now that I think of it this would definitely fall into the 'things that are hard to do with the three kids up' category).

Today I was downstairs in the kitchen when Jack's hour of quiet time expired. I heard him open his door and then a few seconds later he came downstairs to meet me. He came into the kitchen and very calmly exclaimed, 'Mom, we have a problem.' The following conversation went something like this:

ERIN: What is the problem?
JACK (very calmly): There is someone sleeping in the guest room.
ERIN (realizing what is going on): Oh, did you open the door and go in.
JACK: Yes. I thought the door was closed because you were sleeping in there.
ERIN: Who was in there?
JACK: I don't know. I couldn't tell because I had my sunglasses on, but I closed the door really quietly.

After Jack had gone upstairs a good friend had brought her two year old daughter over for me to watch (well really just have a sleep). Jack did not know this. I guess I am just somewhat concerned over WHO Jack thought would be sleeping in the guest room and WHY he wouldn't be more alarmed over this oddity?

Happy to report that I knew exactly who it was. It was this lovely little lady who joined Theo in his cot after her nap was over:

Lunch Date

Jack invited two of his friends around for lunch today. They are both students at the local school and came in their school uniforms. I took a quick picture to record the event (knowing my American readers will find the uniforms cute).



And here is a video of the three boys goofing off:



I also took another picture of a cute little boy who couldn't stand to be left out of the action. I was changing Theo's nappy when the door bell rang. He immediately ran downstairs and outside before I could get his trousers back on. He did stop to put his boots on as you can tell from these pictures.

This morning...well really every morning

Here is what our bed looked like at 7:10 AM this morning:



At 7:00 our bed is occupied by two adults. Shortly after 7, we are joined by an eight-month-old looking for her first feed of the day and a nearly five-year-old who is looking for his first conversation of the day. This lovely four-year-old usually manages to squeeze in but by the time the 'not as easy a riser' two-year-old shows up, we are definitely down to only room for one adult if not both of us booted out to make room for the three pictured above.

Next time we buy a bed, we will get bigger than a standard double! But that is the only thing I would change, the rest I wouldn't change a bit.

I'm not an apple

Today while Jack was at pre-school I heard Theo role-playing with his toys. I stopped dusting and listened from the other room (yes, I was really dusting! It is a rare occurrence - we have friends coming to spend the night - I was tempted to stick that fact in and not make mention that it was a rare occurrence but I know my readers know me better than that!). Anyway, back to the role-playing. I heard the following:

Theo: Hello Apple (he was holding a real half-eaten apple).
Apple: Hello Apple.
Theo: I'm not an apple. I am Jack's little brother.'
Apple: I really am an apple.

I love it. I love listening to little people.

All My Days

It was a singing day. So Jack didn't want to be left out.

Happy Theo

Jack is usually the band's front man, but when he goes to pre-school Theo is the lead singer. Here is a video of Theo singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. As you can see, he is most interested in seeing himself on the camera afterwards.



And a smiley picture of Theo:

Happy Addie

Here is a video we took today of our happy lady.



And a few pictures, now that she is a sitter (although she is a reluctant sitter).

Speaking Problems

Today Jack told me, 'you see I am an American, but I was born in Cambridge and I live here with all these English people. And you see, I should speak American but I get kind of confused. And And And I really don't know what to speak.'

There you have it. The first time Jack Anderson doesn't know WHAT to speak. You would never guess it by how much he talks.

Ironing

Today I got the urge to iron one of my shirts so I got the iron out. I warned the boys that it was very hot and then set it up high. They were both very taken with the ironing process and the steam coming out. While they were watching Jack exclaimed, 'this is the first time Theo has seen an iron.'

Theo is two years and two months. I would like to think Jack is wrong, but the truth be told, he is often right. YIKES!

Fellowship Group Social

We had a Fellowship Group Social yesterday - about twenty people for chili and cinnamon rolls. After spending thirty minutes in the playroom with Jack and the other kids, one of our new students (who has just met Jack) asked me if I write down at least 90% of what he says. I guess he was really holding her attention with his one liners.

Then he came out of the playroom and told another one of our new students who has facial hair that 'he was pretty sure he [the new student] wouldn't have facial hair in the new creation'. Evidently Jack thinks facial hair is a sign of the Fall. Jack sure does have an interesting view of hospitality.

We had a great time and didn't have to plan our entertainment at all - just invited the kids!

PE or PEE at school

Jack was talking to his good friend, Josiah, who just started reception (kindergarten).

JACK: Hey Jos. How was school today? Did you do any sport?
JOS: No Jack. We did PE.
JACK (laughing hysterically): You peed at school today. On yourself?

Erin (starting to laugh too): No, Jack it is physical education class where they play sports. They shorten it to just the initials so PE (which is actually hard since physical is actually more of an F sound - silly English!).

Jack is never going to want to start school if he thinks it involves PE - ing on yourself. Maybe the English are onto something using the word 'WEE' instead of 'PEE'.

Done!

So we finally did it yesterday. After weeks of meeting on Saturday morning for practice runs E (will call my friend that for privacy!) and I ran our half-marathon together. It was good fun but even better fun to be done with it. The best part for me was getting to train together. E has done amazingly well - she just starting running for the first time in her life this time last year and started by running two minutes and walking one minute. And then she went out yesterday and RAN the entire way. She truly could be an inspirational story, but I will leave that for her to tell when she wants to!

In fact it was E who was giving me the motivational speech at mile 12! I didn't feel great during the run, but was happy to finish - seven months after having Addie. I made a goal that I would run a half-marathon after each child as a way of getting back in shape. After Jack I ran the Peterborough Half-Marathon when he was ten months and then ran in London yesterday at seven months after having Addie. Ed Note: I didn't manage one between Addie and Theo.

For the record, we finished in a whooping 2 hours and 33 minutes which was place 9,716 and 9,718 out of 15,000 runners. We aren't sure who finished at 9,717 since we were right next to each other but I guess someone did! As Jack pointed out, there were a lot of runners in front of us. (Ed Note: Kids are good for your humility) I would like to point out that there were a decent amount behind us too!

The best part of the race was having all of our family there to cheer us on. E's parents were there as were our husbands and all nine kids. It was really fun to see the kids waving at us at three different point throughout the race. As Charles and E's husband pointed out they may really deserve the medal for venturing London's public transportation and race with all of the kids. I think they might be right...because of course 13.1 miles was just a cake walk for us!

Just Call me Erin Radcliffe

Tonight Charles was reading Jack a book about a race. Jack piped up and said, 'Mom might win her race next week. I think she might.'

It was at that moment that Charles and I realized that we have not set proper expectations for next weekend. For the past ten-ish weeks I have been running and preparing for a half-marathon with my running buddy (a friend here at OH). Jack knows that he is going to get to go cheer me on next weekend. He is very excited about this. In fact, each time I get home from a run Charles has both boys chanting, 'Go Mommy. Go Mommy.' What we have not told Jack is that there are 15,000 people running this race and that Mommy is slow. These two facts alone mean I will not win the race.

Charles quickly told Jack that he didn't think Mommy would win the race next weekend. Jack asked why. And Charles diplomaticly told him that there would be lots of people and that the most important thing would be that Mommy did her best. He seemed decently content with that answer. Glad we got this one out of the way now and didn't have a four-year-old that was disappointed when some fast Kenyan flies past the finish line a few hours faster than his Mommy!

Come on Mom, you should know better!

Today Jack and I were both looking in the mirror while getting ready for church:

Erin: Jack, do you think you look like Mommy?
Jack: Um, no I think I look more like Daddy and Theo.
Erin: Is that just because you are a boy?
Jack: Yes, but Addie looks more like you.

Erin: It doesn't always work like that. Sometimes you can look more like a girl even when you are a boy.
Jack: Well, Mom we really shouldn't compare ourselves to other people. You know...we should just be okay with the way God made us.

What do you say to that?? You got me there kid.

Where the kids at?

Our family loves the swagger wagon video - about 'cool' adults who drive minivans. I think the two main reasons we love it are (1) because both of Erin's older siblings have succumbed not only to minivan life, but to the Toyota sienna so they all exemplify these 'cool' middle age people in this video, and (2) because we haven't succumbed to the minivan yet so of course that makes us REALLY cool (ed note specifically aimed at Lauren/Barry and Jason/Natalie: we are SO cool we don't even need a rap. No we still squeeze our three kids into the back of a Honda civic like sardines!). Here is the video for any of you who have not seen it:



We have watched the video enough that Jack and Theo have memorized parts of it. Their favourite part is the chant 'where my kids at, where my kids at' and then when the man stops and says 'honey, where are the kids?' and the wife answers 'they are right there honey'. We joke with this line any time we get the chance in our family. Jack and Theo are often the initiators. So a normal interaction might go something like this:

Erin (talking in a completely serious tone out loud to herself): Where have I put my keys?
Jack (in a rapping four year old voice): Where my keys at? Where my keys at?

We tried to get it on video tonight so we could record this joke that has taken over our family. Enjoy!



P.S. And we are happy to report that we know right where our kids are - happily in bed for the night! Awesome.

Pictures of Addie and Mommy by Jack

Sometimes I worry that there are going to be no pictures taken of Addie and me together. So I decided that I would ask Jack to take some pictures today. Here are the pictures we got from our beloved four-year-old:









Based on the above pictures, I think I will have to keep worrying that there are going to be no pictures of Addie and me. And then finally we came up with one where we were both looking at the camera. Hallelujah!



But still for a GOOD pictures, I will have to wait for Charles to come home!

Jack Drumming to My God is A Great Big God

My mom made Jack a stocking when he was a few months old of a little drummer boy. We never knew how fitting this picture would be. Jack absolutely loves to drum - things he is suppose to and things he isn't suppose to! Here he is on the new bongo drum we secured from the auction. Enjoy!

Happy Addie

We just couldn't get enough of this at breakfast this morning:

Twinkle Twinkle Adelaide

I was so pleased that my mom was able to come help when Addie was born. I looked forward to her helping me settle into life with three, but also to the way she creatively entertains us all.

In a way unique to my mother she made up a very sweet little song for Addie (sung to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). It has become a family favourite and the boys still sing it to her regularly. In fact, I think Theo is more familiar with this version than he is the original involving 'little star'. If you prompt Theo by saying, 'Twinkle Twinkle' and then wait for him to finish the line, he will say 'Adelaide' instead of 'little star'. It is really cute. Here is the song courtesy of Grandmother:

Twinkle, twinkle Adelaide
What a pretty girl God made
Dainty fingers, pearly toes,
Pretty eyes, mouth and nose,
Twinkle, twinkle Adelaide
What a pretty girl God made.

History Lesson 101

The other day Jack and I were getting ready to read a history book. I wanted to get him excited about history and help him understand how we learn history and make sure he even knew what 'history' was. The following happened during this teaching attempt on my part:

ERIN: Jack so how do you think we find out about things a long time ago? Like if you wanted to know something about yourself as a baby you would ask me, right? Because you couldn't remember. And if you wanted to know something about Mommy or Daddy as a baby you would ask ...?
JACK: Grandmother or Grandma?
ERIN: That's right. But if we want to know something about life a really long time ago and no one is still alive to tell us about it, then what would we do?

Long Pause....

ERIN [deciding she should help]: Well we could maybe find a letter that someone had written from a long time ago or find a piece of jewellery from a long time ago. Those would all give us clues into what life was like a long time ago, right?

JACK [very thoughtfully and matter-of-fact-ly]: Yeah maybe so. Or we could just wait and ask Jesus when he returns cause he knows everything.

ERIN (thinking to herself) - Okay then, wish I hadn't wasted the money on this book! :)

Lions, and tigers, and wasps oh my!

We were fortunate enough to get to go to the ZSL Whipsnade zoo today as a family (Thank you Tesco!). It was the first time our boys (and of course, Addie) have been to a zoo. They loved it and we have many stories to tell of our outing. Tell me about them I hear you ask???

Okay then here I go...

On the way to the zoo, Theo piped up from the back seat and said 'Lion eat Addie?' We reassured Theo that the lion would not eat Addie and that we would not take any of them to a zoo where we thought that they would be in danger. Who does this kid think we are????? The mind of a two year old is priceless! [Editor note: see the part on trust below when training an elephant we might want to implement the same in rearing a child apparently.]

We visited the penguins, bears, apes, and a few others before making our way over to the giraffes where we decided we would eat our packed lunch.

A bear that we got to feed:



We found a nice picnic bench under a few shady trees. The picnic was going very smoothly (which happens when you pack exactly what the kids like to eat and leave the broccoli and other greens at home!) until a family of bees/wasps (bees for the Americans and wasps for the British) decided to join us.

I kind of freaked out because I really don't want Addie to get stung so young.

[Editor note: I read some where that you should really try not to get stung before one year of age. I remember thinking well that is a dumb thing to write. Shouldn't you try to never get stung. It is not like you turn a year and then think okay I am old enough to get stung. I am sure there was some medical reason, but I don't remember it, but I do remember that I should try to protect my kids under one year.]

So while Charles was exhorting me to 'stay calm, stay calm' I pushed Addie in the pushchair a short distance away. The boys and Charles stayed at the picnic bench and we carried on our conversation across this short distance. A few minutes later I hear Charles shouting. I thought about yelling 'stay calm, stay calm', but I held my tongue and went and checked on him. Sure enough he was stung...in his armpit of all places! After ensuring that he was alright, I then mimicked him with a cheeky little 'stay calm stay calm'. Because he is a Godly man, he smiled and shook his head at me.

The boys were really excited to see the lions so we made our way to the lion area. There was a little glass room where you could walk up and peer into the lion area so we walked right up. Unfortunately, the bees struck again and Jack got stung by a bee/wasp. Of course he started to cry, some awkward pre-adolescent boy stared at him and we took him outside to calm down. We were able to get him calm fairly quickly and had some anti-itch medicine with us so we rubbed that on and ventured back in.

We agreed that Jack could ride in the stroller since he was still recovering. It was really exciting because two of the lions were walking right by the glass window so Charles pushed Jack right up to the window. Well, something scared the lion right when he walked past Jack and he lashed out with one paw and roared really loudly. Of course, even with the thick glass wall, this would make any kid jump, but it really frightened a four year old boy who was recovering from a recent bee sting. Jack jumped back in the stroller and screamed. Jack's actions made Theo think that the lion had gotten Jack so that sent Theo into a small tizzy. Needless to say we had had our share of the lion house by this time and headed out.

The lion that was going to 'eat Addie' and 'got Jack' according to Theo:



Our favourite (or at least my favourite part) was the elephant show. The show was amazing. The trainers got the elephants to do absolutely amazing things (push down a make-shift house, pull a tree trunk out of the ground, even lie down on one of the trainers but not crush him to show that trust goes both ways when training an animal). Jack really liked it too because they asked one boy from the audience to come down and feed the elephant a banana. He is really hoping that someday we can go back and that he can be the boy chosen. We shall see. We shall see.

To top the day off as we were leaving the elephant show, Charles got stung by another bee. Yes, I am TOTALLY telling the truth. No kidding here. This time on the hand. Again, he yelled really loudly, and a lady nearby came up and offered him a spray that is meant for bee stings. At this point, our family declared war on the bees. Charles was so angry he started swinging his hand at any bee nearby. We decided to empty our stroller of anything remotely edible which might be attracting them. I am happy to report that we made it the rest of our time without another bee sting.

Another highlight of the day was the little steam train that went through the park. It had a sign that said largely 'KIDS RIDE FREE'. A bit lower and in smaller print it said 'adults £6'. We didn't ride the train, but I was very tempted to put Jack and Theo on and just wait for them at the end. Somehow I am pretty sure that wouldn't have gone over very well with the conductor. We were able though to stand over a bridge and have the steam train go under us which was really fun for the boys especially when the conductor blew the steam up at us.

Here is a long video (sorry!) of Theo and Jack telling you pretty much all of the above. Theo's language is pretty good, but I am sure that some of it needs a bit of translating so hopefully the above narratives makes it intelligible for those who are not around him often. Notice how Jack waits patiently for a while and then asks for his camera time, but little brother Theo isn't so little anymore and keeps piping in from the background - even if it isn't true!



Addie was a complete rock star the entire day. She is the coolest little sister Jack and Theo have ever had:

Our little lion

In preparation for our family zoo trip tomorrow, I thought it was fitting to post some picture of our little lion, Theo. These were taken a couple months back by some friends. The costume, which is the coolest, is courtesy of my sister's family.

Thoughts to ponder...

After watching communion during church today, Jack told Charles that he thought the reason that kids were not allowed to take communion was because 'moms wouldn't want their kid to have a piece of bread and a biscuit (translation: cookies which are served after church!) because it might ruin their lunch.'

Nap Time

I am not feeling hugely creative today, but still thought the following entry would be amusing for the boys to read some day - although admittedly not that amusing for the Mom today.

Theo and Jack have both been in their respective rooms for one hour. Jack, age four years and 3/4, is fast asleep. Theo, just barely two, is jumping around in his baby bed and has now started yelling 'Jack Come Out'.

So much for nap time today.

Little Mr. Theology

Yesterday in our house...

JACK: Mom - Theo just hit me with the drumsticks.
ERIN: Theo, did you just hit Jack with the drumsticks.
THEO (long pause): Je - us love me?
ERIN: Yes, Theo Jesus loves you, but that has nothing to do with whether you just hit Jack with the drumsticks.
THEO (long pause): Je - us fo - giv me?

I didn't need to ask anymore. I now had my answer. I explained to Theo that Jesus would forgive him, but that he was still in need or correction.

Seriously, he was trying everything to either distract me or escape discipline - that is two years and two weeks for you!

Happy Birthday to a Special Someone

Jack reading to Theo and Addie

Lately Jack has really gotten into reading to Theo and Addie. It is so cute to see how excited Theo and Addie get when Jack reads to them. Here is a video of Jack reading one of the Richard Scarry books on firefighting:

One small step for Addie . . .

One huge step for Mom. Today we started Addie on baby rice. Where have the last six months gone? After coming home from holiday we thought it was a good time to give solids a try. I think the boys were more excited than Addie. Jack kept asking if he could feed her, which I agreed to a couple of times. Theo kept saying 'Well Done Addie'.

While I was mixing up the baby rice, Jack was trying to be an encouraging big brother and said 'Addie, it smells so good'. Encouraging? I guess so. Accurate? I guess not. Here is a video recording her first taste.

My boys this morning...

The following conversation took place this morning after I got ready:

Theo: Look Nice Mom.
Erin: Oh Theo, do you think Mommy looks nice?
Theo: Yes.
Erin (bending down to give Theo a hug): Theo, you sure do know how to win the ladies over.
Jack (seeing me give Theo a hug doesn't want to miss out so comes charging towards us to hug/knock us both over): And I really know how to knock the ladies over.

Hmmm. Ponder that one....

To my sister and others in Missouri...

In response to my sister complaining about how stinkin' hot it is in Missouri, I told her that we were wearing sweatshirts up in the north of England on holiday. She then asked if I could get any crueler. And the answer is yes, I can actually show you what we are wearing and let you see that we are ACTUALLY freezing! Here is a video as evidence:

Happy 6 Months Adelaide!

We are on holiday this week, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to wish Addie a happy six months of being in our family. We were talking at dinner tonight about how in some ways it seems that she just arrived (in that the last six months have flown by) but at the same time it also feels as though she has always been part of our family. She is such a joy to us.

Here is a picture of Adelaide in her pushchair today. Her first trip to the beach I might add:




And here is a video taken a few days back. Basically Theo was jumping up and down which was causing Addie to giggle so we tried to get it on video. One thing we can definitely say is true of the first six months of Addie's life is that she can easily identify her brothers - they are often the two loudest ones in the room and they almost always are two of her biggest admirers in the room.

Out of the mouths of babes

When Charles came home from lunch today I told him how I had heard Addie out in the living room starting to fuss and then she stopped. When I went out to check on her, I then realized that the reason she stopped fussing was because Theo was lying down by her and talking to her. Charles and I both then started to praise Theo for how well he was looking after his sister and comforting her.

It was at this moment that the following conversation occurred between Charles and Jack:

Jack: Dad, do you know why I didn't go to comfort Addie? (obviously a little anxious about why Theo was getting 'big boy' praise).
Charles: No, why Jack?
Jack: Because Theo needs to learn how to comfort a baby. I already know how and when he goes to school some day I don't want the teacher to ask him how to comfort a baby and him to have to say 'I don't know, I have to go ask my big brother'.

HILARIOUS. I have often used the above 'explanation' when explaining to Jack why he should let Theo do certain things. For example: Theo, what does a cow say? And then too often Jack pipes in so quickly with Moo that Theo doesn't get an opportunity so I then explain to Jack that we don't want Theo to go to school some day and not know what a cow says, but instead has to tell the teacher that he will go ask his big brother before giving the answer.

So I suppose I am to blame for this exchange above, but it is too funny to hear it come out of Jack's mouth unprompted and for such a funny reason.

New pics of Adelaide

Addie is at such a fun age right now. Here are some new pictures of her (and some of her favourite people!)