What are you doing tonight?

Here is what we are doing tonight....



Yes, we are getting ready to cheer on our United States World Cup Team. To be accurate though, Jack and Theo are now in bed and Charles and I are ready to watch it - oh the beauty of a game at 7:30 PM. Someday we will watch happily with the boys I am sure, but not tonight! Tonight is an adults only viewing which means less to worry about and more cheering...hopefully.

GO USA!

Happy Birthday MOM!

And the answer to Jack's question, 'do you think she is a good mommy?' is YES, She is an excellent mommy.

Should I be concerned?

Today at lunch I turned on the burner on the stove. At this point Jack gets up and shuts the kitchen door. I ask him why? He states in a very matter-of-fact tone that every time I turn the stove on the fire alarm goes off and he wants to keep the door shut to prevent this from happening.

If this isn't enough of an insult, Theo then bursts into a belly laugh.

No respect around this place!

Brothers

Today at lunch Jack told me that God knows that he [Jack] really likes people so he gave him Theo as a brother so he will always have someone around.

I pray that he will always hold this high a view of God (the giver of all good things) and his brother (someone he wants to be around).

Our little lady

Addie was almost as chuffed by finally getting to put these jeans on as she was with her new jean skirt. Jack was particularly fond of the belt until he found out that it didn't go all the way around her waist. I told him it was decorative. He didn't seem satisfied. Boys!

Who's the oldest

Our daily routine looks something like this: Jack comes out of his room from rest time at 2:00. He and I then do something (often read or play Candy Land) until Addie wakes which is usually around 2:30. I then feed Addie while Jack attempts to entertain himself (usually consists of talking to me while I feed Addie). Some time around 3:00 Theo calls out from his bed. Theo is not a happy riser. It usually takes him a bit of time to be cheery (unlike his brother who bounds out of bed ready to talk). One thing we have found helps him cheer up after waking up is when he invites his brother and sister into his bed. He really likes it when Jack (and now Addie) get into his bed with him. Here is a video that was taken after nap time last Friday.



It is funny because I ask who the oldest is and Theo clearly says 'Mommy' which is right but thinking of just the three kids, not the answer I had in mind so I just passed right by. Sorry Theo!

And here is a picture of Addie and Theo lying in bed before the video:

I have a dream...

This is our second World Cup that we have watched while living in England. And this one is extra special because England and USA are scheduled to play each other in the first round.

In fact, this was the impetus (well one of them) for us getting our own television. Up until this point, we have lived happily without a television. But we really wanted to watch the England v. USA game in our own home without our beloved English friends with us. We would hate to cheer too loudly when the USA creams them tomorrow night. I mean when they see Charles and I they constantly have to be reminded of the War of Independence and how we threw all their tea into the harbour. We want to be a bit kinder tomorrow.

Just kidding, it is probably because we are fearful that it will be all English cheering, and we want to be able to sit in silence if this is the case. But I like to dream the other way. You know, we Americans, we're dreamers, and only time will tell....

As an extra note, I ordered the special World Cup edition nappies for Theo thinking they would have footballs on them and that he would really like wearing them. When they were delivered to our door I found out that they actually have the English flag on them! Here he is modelling them. You can be assured he will not have one of these on tomorrow! We are happy to root for England every night but tomorrow.

England and BBQs

We had our end of the year Fellowship Group BBQ on Saturday. It was a gorgeous day. Charles spent a good part of the afternoon tidying the garden, setting out chairs, getting the grill ready. We were expecting about 30 people at four o'clock. At three fifty I came outside and looked up and then immediately said, 'Charles, it isn't going to rain is it?' There was no rain in sight until three forty five at best. At four thirty, this is what our BBQ looked like through the forty eyes staring out our living room door:



Thankfully, the pouring rain (and I do mean pouring, even from the perspective of someone who grew up with real rain storms and not just constant drizzle) only lasted about twenty minutes.

And Praise the Lord - the rest of our BBQ looked something like this:

A phone call home

Charles calls home from work today and the following conversation takes place:

Erin: So I walked into the computer room today and found Theo sitting on top of the printer (which mind you is on top of the desk).
Charles: On top of the printer?
Erin: Yes, on top of the printer.
Charles: Why on earth would he want to do that?
Erin (wondering if this was a rhetorical question answers anyway): Because he is a boy, nearly two years old, and it was the highest point he could climb to in the room.

Erin and Charles: [laughter]

Every girl knows...

Every girl knows that a great denim skirt is an essential to a good wardrobe. That is why I took Addie out to get her first one today. Here she is modelling her new skirt. As you can tell she is very chuffed with the purchase (editorial note: I just noted that the word 'chuffed' in the dictionary is defined as 'pleased, puffed with fat' - I will let the reader discern which I mean!).

Jack and his tidying skills

I asked Jack to tidy his room a few days ago. He happily said he would. An hour later he came out of his room and this is what I saw:



Clearly, he had played for an hour and then took all his toys and piled them on his bedside table. I decided I would just let it go as it was better than his toys being all over his floor as they had been an hour before. I didn't want to squelch his independent effort and good attitude. I decided that I would have to critique his tidying another day.

The story gets funnier because four hours later Charles came home from work and saw the same picture above. I heard him sincerely say, 'Jack nice tidying on your room today.' I held my tongue then too! Maybe I will have to give them both a tidying lesson. Too funny!

Here is a picture of my 'tidy-er'. He sure is cute, just like his Dad!

514 Babies

Yesterday I was reading Charlotte's Web to Jack. He really loves to be read to. As this is the first chapter book we have attempted, there is a bit of learning curve to his listening and remembering from chapter to chapter. Sometimes I think he is really understanding and other times I am not sure he is really getting it. But he certaintly likes it, and so we happily keep reading it.

Yesterday we read that Charlotte laid 514 eggs. Jack was very taken with this. His first comment was, 'Wow. That is really a lot of kids to worry about.'

Amen to that comment. I think this was definitely one of those moments that he was getting it!

Addie, our Strong Delivery Girl

A few weeks back Jack asked me why all the Tesco drivers were men. I told him that I suspected that it is because they have to lift all the heavy groceries and so the job might suit a man better. I also told him that there might be some women Tesco drivers, but they just aren't assigned our delivery.

Yesterday we were talking about how big Addie was getting. Jack then piped up and said that she was getting strong too, so strong that he thought she would be able to be a Tesco delivery person when she grew up. Every mother's dream for their daughter!

However, little does Addie know, but this is one of the finest compliments her four year old big brother could pay her!

Our little talker

Addie loves to talk, in her own language. Here is a video that represents a very common interaction with her.