Futre Boy Scout of America...

The other night Dad happened to find his old Boy Scout uniform from back in the day.  Strangely enough it almost fits Gabriel.  Immediately the boys were interested in Boy Scouts and insisted we sign them up right away.  After doing some research, because I know little to none about Boy Scouts, I learned the boys have to be a few years older.  So until then, they'll just ask Dad every night if they can play dress up in his "scouts" outfit.

Until next time,
Angie

Translation

The boys have their own language. By now we've pretty much figured out exactly what they mean even though it isn't what they say.


Here's a little quiz. See if you can figure out what they mean...
Glassable....

Rowble...

Ting...

And then there are words that they use that are actual words but have a completely different meaning to them. Try guessing what meaning they translate these words to have...

Last week....

Aligator....

Woof...

So what do you think? Did you figure some of them out? Here are the answers. See how well you did.

word...         meaning...

Glassable.... breakable, as in, Mom, I didn't mean to break the glassable (breakable)

Rowble.... marble, as in, Ms. Lule gave me a rowble (marble) becuase I was listening

Ting... thing, as in, I want that ting (thing).

now for the words with two meanings...

word...         meaning...

Last week... Yesterday, as in, "last week" (yesterday) we went to school.

Aligator.... Elevator, as in, we like to ride the aligator (elevator)

woof.... Roof, as in, look, the woof (roof) is open at the baseball game*

*the Diamondbacks stadium has a retractable roof.

So how did you do? Did you get them all? Needless to say, these are only a few of the many words in the language known as "GabeMikelish" How's that for a word? ... its a part of my language.


Until next time,

angie

Father's Day 2011

The boys helped me this year in planning a special day for dad.  The helped me to go shopping for Dad's gift, they drew several pictures for dad, made a special Father's Day project and shared in the excitement as we took Dad to a D-Back's game to celebrate all he is as their daddy. 

When we decided a motor cycle was not in the plans the boys settled with me and decided clothes would be okay for Dad.  Given that he isn't much of a shopper and probably hasn't gotten new clothes in a few years, the boys and I went out to get him a few outfits.  I was surprised but the boys were very active shoppers, sometimes pulling shirts off the rack that dad would like, and other times they pulled shirts off they liked (but insisted Dad would like too).  We ended up settled for a few things and when we gave dad the gift, he seemed to like the new clothes too.  He joked and said he might finally be catching up to the latest fashion trends. 

Jack was excited to celebrate Father's Day too... here he's telling me not to forget about him when talking about being thankful for Daddy.  "Who do you think walks me everyday?"

The boys also drew dad a picture and made him special ties to wear.  We are looking forward to sending dad to work in them next week.  Too bad dad had a really important case to work on this week, he decided although the judge might understand him wearing two paper ties and one real tie, he thought it best for his client and their case to just wear the actual tie that matches his suit. 

For lunch we met Jarrett's family and celebrated Father's Day with his Dad and brother.  It was a nice lunch and hopefully relaxing for the dads.

Upon finishing lunch we went straight over to the ball park and found our seats just in time.  Dad, is truly a lover of baseball and I can see two little boys who are following right along.  I figured we'd be able to stay at the game until the 5th inning, maybe the 6th, but with each passing batter and each strike pitched, the boy's interest and attention to the game continued. 

In the 3rd inning Gabriel was telling Michael about how the ketchup, the mustard and the "green thing" also known as relish would race and each one of us could pick who would win. 

And then at the 7th inning stretch they both stood up proudly and sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" which their daddy has been practicing with them I found out. 

And even by the bottom of the 8th inning when the big bobble heads came out to race, to my surprised, they were still enthralled with the game.   I guess I was the only one who had moved onto people-watching.

And even though the Diamondbacks lost, the game was a hit and not because of the score.  It was because of what happened after the game. Over the loud speaker the announcer shared that at the end of the game, Fathers and their kids were invited down to the field and could run the bases.  Immediately his eyes light up, he turned to me and said, "Please can we do it mom? PLEASE PLEASE.  I've never done that before. Can we please do it today Mom?"  And with Gabriel and Michael watching in anticipation, I looked back at Jarrett and said, "Yes, Dad, I suppose we can, but only because it is Father's Day!" (smile)

We waited patiently and I could tell that although Gabriel and Michael were excited, it was really their daddy that was most looking forward to the opportunity to step out onto the grass and to pretend for a moment, that he was a big leaguer too.

This father's day was truly special.  Special not only because Daddy and the boys were able to run the bases, but because Gabriel and Michael were actively involved in wanting to show their dad the appreciation he deserves.  It is clear to me and to Jarrett, that Gabriel and Michael love their daddy with their whole heart, and for two little boys who didnt' really have a father figure or for that matter, male figure, in their lives, it is obvious just how much impact Jarrett has on them.  I think it is fair to say that the impact goes both ways.

Until next time,
Angie

Dad...

Jarrett, today we celebrate all that you are and all that you do for us in your special role as “Dad”…
We recognize the fact that you sacrifice your free time so you can work extra to help us save for their college education.

We know you don’t like to spend 12-14 hours at the office every day, but you do it anyway because you want to provide for our family.

We appreciate you taking the deprived dog out for a walk on the brisk winter evenings, while we are home inside curled up on the couch.

We might not say it but we do notice how the garbage disappears when it gets full and somehow a new empty bag is replaced just when it is needed.

We understand that we have air conditioning, warm water, great TV shows and internet all because you make sure the bills are paid to keep the house running.

I have noticed that your “relaxation” time of playing video games has dwindled to none and has instead been transformed into locking up the house each night so we can all rest peacefully.

I really do enjoy the fact that we have live plants in our house, all thanks to you who cares for them with your green thumb.

I may not say it but on nights when you are gone traveling for work, we all miss you and long for your safe return home.

I love the fact that you do so much for me and us, yet fail to throw it in my face, when I’m listing off all the things I do for you.

I am thankful more than words can ever convey that you are my partner in this journey and the best father to our boys.

Jarrett, you are Patient, Faithful, Loving, Considerate and Kind. I cannot think of better qualities to give our sons. I am thankful that they have a great role model who embodies this for them every day.

We love you Dad and thank you for all you do and all you are.



PS:  Here's a little message to you from your sons....

And it case you wonder what you are getting for your special day, here's a hint from Michael, okay it is pretty clear what your gift is! 

Happy Fathers Day to you and to all the wonderful father's out there!

Until next time,
Angie

He's not little anymore...

The other night Michael and Gabriel were in the backyard riding their bikes when all of a sudden they came blasting through the back door screaming that they had something they wanted to show us. 

Michael screaming at the top of his lungs announced, "Guys watch me, I can ride Gabriel's bike without any training wheels!!!!"

Immediately I grabbed the camera and we went outside to watch.

It was really precious to watch Gabriel help Michael just as Daddy had helped Gabriel just a few months earlier.  And although we offered to help Michael, he insisted that his brother help him and so we just watched in awe.

I'm so proud of both of them.  Michael for trying so hard to ride without the training wheels and Gabriel for helping his brother accomplish a great feat.

Until next time,
angie

The way I feel...

I'm honestly having a hard time accepting the fact that Michael isn't little anymore. I think I accepted the fact that Gabriel is growing up and I'm so proud of all he's learned and how he strives to learn more.  I guess I was okay with Gabriel growing up because it felt like Michael was small and would still need a lot of help.  That isn't the case anymore.  It wasn't like the boys came to us as infants, in fact pretty much the opposite of infants but to me Michael was always smaller, needed more help and I guess you could say, to us the baby, we never had. 

When he turned 4 I remember him saying how he was a big boy and although I told him I agreed, I think secretly in my mind I was saying I didn't want him to grow up so quickly.  Maybe it is me being selfish, but in someways I attribute him being small to needing me and wanting my help.  With every passing day I see him accomplish new things, recite new lessons learned and I guess, grow right in front of my eyes.  I suppose I had better start dealing with it because it isn't going to change, in fact he and his brother Gabriel, well, they are just gonna  keep on growing. 

I tell myself that they will continue to need me even as they get big.  And even though their needs may differ, I hope they always know I will need them just as much as I did when they were 3 and 4.  And don't get me wrong, my name is still called about 75 times every hour we are together...
"Mommy, where's my shoes?"  "Mom, can I have some candy?" "Mom, will you play with me?" "Mommy, Gabriel won't let me play Batman"  and so on and on. 

Perhaps it is because being their mom has become the main manner in which I define my worth.  Maybe I worry that I might not have value as they grow up.  Maybe I'm just over analyizing everything and Jarrett reminds me daily that they are only 4 and 5 not 18 and 19 and leaving the house.  I guess he's right. 

Maybe it is just that the days now seem like minutes, weeks like a day, months like a week and the year, I don't even know where it has gone.  I continue to remind myself to cherish each moment but some days that is hard, when life just won't slow down.

I'm so thankful to have them in our lives.  I wonder if I'll look back in 15 years and think I was foolish for feeling this way, or if I'll still have the same feelings.  I guess the main difference then will be that they will actually be 18 and 19 and starting their own lives.  Wow, that is scary to think about.  So instead, I'll just bury my head in the sand tonight and cherish that they truly are only 4 and 5.

Until next time,
angie

Karate Kid

The Karate Kid was movie I loved as I kid.  I remember watching Daniel Larusso wax on and off and break boards about 150 times.  In fact I'm not sure the VHS (okay I'm dating myself) even works any more because we watched the movie so many times.

Little did I know 25 years later, I'd have my own Karate Kid in the house.  Although we don't have a Mr. Miyagi in our house, he has some how learned some of the moves.  I'm not sure if he's ready for his black belt but for little, okay, no training, I'm honestly pretty impressed...

Oh and never mind that he's actually wearing a robe.  He's convinced it is an actual karate suit and until he figures out otherwise, I'm not saying a word.

Until next time,
angie