Over Heard at My House

Kees was talking about his underwear to a friend, a girl. Kees informed said friend that, “The underwear that I have on today don’t have sleeves. They’re just…..short.”
She giggled and said, “Me too.”
Kees said, “I usually wear the kind with sleeves.”
She giggled again and said, “Me too.”

I signed Coulter and Kees up for day camp at Camp Namanu, Camp in the City. The camp is called “Iron Chef.” Kees rolls his eyes and insists that it’s “Iron Fresh.”

This morning when the kids were eating breakfast they were chatting, about what, I don’t know.
Sophia turned to me and said, “Mom, you know the perimeter at Costco?”
Me thinking, “Yes, it’s the area around the store. They generally place items there that you need so you have to go all around the store to get the crucial items.” But I didn’t say that I just answered, “Yes.”
And she said, “What is it?”
I just started laughing. I was thinking, “What kind of question is that?”
She asked, “Why are you laughing?”
I said because your question doesn’t make any sense.
Then Coulter said, “How far around the store is it?”
I said, “That is a much better question. It’s about a ¼ mile or the same distance as it is around the track.” That seemed to satisfy them. I guess they were chatting about the Run for the Arts but I am not sure how Costco got involved.

This afternoon we were getting in the car. Kees came up to me and made a noise that sounded to me like a laser gun. I asked, “Why are you shooting me?”
And he said (like I was stupid), “I’m not shooting you. I’m killing you with my light saber.” Oh, duh……

On the way to horse lessons Coulter was looking at a field of grass about the size of 3 city blocks. He asked, “Mom, how do you grow grass?”
I said, “From seeds.”
He said, “That field probably took one seed.”
I laughed and said, “No, probably millions.”

Coulter - Over Heard at My House

Coulter is just full of material. Really, he should be walking around with a comedy writing team taking down at least half of what he says.

Coulter explaining why some people don't have manners. "I guess they didn't go to preschool or kindergarten. They must have skipped so they didn't learn any manners like please and thank you or helping people. Then they're kinda mean." I couldn't agree more.

Coulter and Kees were being rock stars....
Coulter says, "Comon, it's time to go out on stage and rock their heads off. If they're screaming and jumping around, it means we rocked their heads off. Let's go." Kees, "Alright." And off they run. And as they pass Coulter is wearing a Superman costume and Kees is wearing shorts, only shorts. Now THEY know how to rock!

I wrote that last bit about 15 minutes ago and I am laughing because they are listening to 50's and 60's rock, Wild Thing, Barbara Ann, Splish Splash, Twist and Shout, The Twist etc.

Yet again 15 minutes more) Ohh, and just now they made me give them red Mohawks.

This is getting better and better.

Coulter's spelling words for this week are.....what, called, about, each, two, your. Here is the story he wrote to use all his words.

What about each of us call a polease (police). So two polease came. They said your bed was stolen. We called jale (jail).

Over Heard at My House

While doing math home work with Coulter.... He was supposed to determine what pictures had odd numbers of items and others that were even. He was randomly guessing. I tried to explain what odd and even meant. When I said, "So now do you understand what odd means?" And he said, "Yeah. It means weird."

Kees while trying to help Coulter with his Mad Science..... Bob read off a list of things that they needed to do the experiment. Kees insisted they needed some, "Cornbioxide" I think they do....I just don't know where I put it.

Kees was playing with a friend in the basement and I could hear them talking. His buddy Miles said, "Let's pretend it's Thanksgiving. Here, here is some turkey for you." Kees replied, "I don't want any turkey. I'm having fairies." MMmmmm fairies for dinner.....

Coulter and I went out on a date last Thursday. We were talking and he said, "I think I want to be an Archiabiologist when I grow up." I asked what an Archiabiologiest does. (This, of course, was after being corrected on the pronunciation of the word. I originally said, "Archibiologist") He said, "They find dinosaur bones and stuff. Nah, I don't know." But he still wants to be one.

A Chat With Kees

Kees and I were snuggling in bed this morning.

I said, "Only 2 more days of having a 4 year old. I can't believe it."

Then Kees said he was going to marry his daddy when he grows up because daddy wasn't in our family.

I said, "What? He's our daddy. He's in our family."

I think since everyone came out of my belly he thinks that's the only way in to our family. I tried to explain that that's not how it works but there is only so much you can convince a 4, almost 5 year old of. He believes me but is sceptical.


I told him how his daddy and I met and decided to get married. Then we decided we should have some kids.

Kees asked, "Did you have a penny?"

I said, "Yes. Why?"

Kees, "Well because if you have a penny then you are lucky and you will get your wish."

I must have had at least 3 pennies after meeting Bob. And YES, I am lucky and I did get my wish. Actually, lots of wishes and I am still getting my wishes.

Have a great day.

Over Head at My House

I continually catch myself saying things that really shouldn't have to be said. Today I said, "Do NOT put your feet in your brothers mouth."

I was talking to Coulter about my impending trip. In the middle of our talk he said that he was frustrated that I kept giving him bananas in his lunch because he told me that he did NOT like bananas when he was in preschool (last year). I asked him if he was frustrated enough that I should stay in the Bahamas. He said, "Yeah, for like 2 years." I told him he should be careful what he wishes for. I then asked, "Who would make you dinner?" He said, "Daddy." Alright....then I said, "Who would pick you up after school?" He was not concerned at all and said, "I'll go to CAMP FIRE!" I said, "Well you just have it all figured out don't you." He said, "Yep" and then just laughed and laughed. I don't care what he says I think he'd miss me.

The kids were trying to figure out a) what month it was b) what the next month was and c) when school gets out. They know school gets out in June. They all put in their guesses at to what the next month was... Sophia - June, No. Coulter - June, No. Kees - June-anita...not in this country. Funny boy.

Kees was going to bed when I looked at his little face...covered in chocolate and dirt. I told him he'd have to get up in the morning and take a bath. He said, "Why?" I told him because his hands and face were filthy. I said that Coulter could take a bath with him and then he asked me why...I said, "Because his butt is filthy." Kees laughed and said, "Cohter, your butt is fithley."

Over Head at My House

Coulter while snapping his fingers....which he does a lot. "Mom, every time I snap my fingers I'm getting better at snapping my fingers. Isn't that cool?"

After yesterday's post I asked Sophia, "If someone asked you about your mom how would you describe me?" She said....."Normal" Man was that a let down....I just laughed. What can you expect from a 9 year old?

Over Head at My House

Yesterday Kees said he wanted to rub my back. I said, "OK" So he scratches and rubs and then says, "Oh, what's that?" "Oh, I know....it's your boob thing. Why do you wear that?"

This morning I was in the shower. Coulter likes to sit in front of the heater and talk to me in the morning. I asked him to pass me a razor. He looked at it and said, "Once I cut my finger on one of these." I said that he needs to be really careful with a razor. Then he says, "Mom, why do you cut off your fur? You would be warmer if you didn't cut off all that fur." I could only explain that I didn't want to be furry like daddy.

Kees is getting so big and really understanding the world. He was facing me as I was putting on his shoes. He said, "Mom, this is my left but it is on your right." I said, "Wow, you are right. That is really good." And then he said, "But if you turn around our lefts will be on the same side." I was blown away that he is understanding those types of concepts.

Crazy Babies....

How is it that the very same things that make you crazy one day, make you smile the next? I think it's when I am busy and stressed that the noise and constant action makes me crazy. Today I am totally ZEN, in the moment and for the most part just just chillin'.

The kids all wanted a play date. We called the Strouds and Josie came to play with the boys and Carlie came to play with Sophia. Sophia and Carlie are posturing and sort of having a Mexican stand off. I don't care much. I told them to compromise and that they needed to work it out themselves. They have been out of my sight for a half hour so I guess they figured something out.

Coulter, Kees and Josie are running around the main floor making tons of noise, laughing, crashing into things and having a great time. Again, I don't care much. Usually I would be yelling, "STOP!!! Go down stairs!!!!" Today I have a big smile on my face and a knowing that this is only a short period of time. I will only have babies that yell and scream in joy while playing tag or monster or stay off the floor because it's hot lava, for a short period of time. Today I am just enjoying having babies by celebrating their sweet shouts of joy and letting that be the rain that fills my day, and for that I do NOT need an umbrella. I am going to sit here and get soaked by their joy.

At dinner Kees was telling us that one of his friends knew everything. I said, "I don't think so." And Sophia said, "Oh yeah, well ask him what x + y + z equals." And she had a little smirk on her face. I asked her what that equalled and she said, "I don't know but Einstein knew."

Later the kids were talking about what Bob does for a living. He said that he, "Worked on computers and cracked people open." The kids all giggled and said that he didn't crack people open because he was NOT a doctor. They all agreed that Bob turns computers on and off for a living. Yep, that's what they pay him the "big bucks" for.

Coulter announced, "I know how long it takes to get older." I, surprised, asked, "Really? How long?" He reported, "It takes 8 weeks to get older. No wait, maybe it's 80 weeks." And now we all know.

Buddies

Kees' buddy Eliza is over this morning for a play date. I was in the kitchen putting away groceries when Eliza came running down the stairs to report, "Kees needs your help. He pooped." Yes I have to wipe his butt still. He would sit there all day if I didn't, we've tried.

I followed her up the stairs where Kees was waiting with a big smile on his face. It makes me laugh how pooping is a social event when you are 3. Eliza is watching, I am wiping. When we finish I am walking away. Kees is pulling up his pants and says with a giggle in his voice, "Elithah, lath night my penis was poking out of my undeweaah." Eliza giggled and said, "ME TOO!"

Coulter Said

Last night when Bob went to put the boys to bed Coulter asked Bob, "Dad, what does succeed mean?" Bob explains that it means to do something really well or to have a goal and then to do it. Coulter says, "Oh, I thought it was a SICK SEED." He then thinks for a moment and says to Bob, "Daddy. Will you build us a race car track in the basement?" Bob says, "Yes." And then Coulter says, "Build a good race car track daddy.....SUCCEED!"

The other day I was listening to NPR while taking the boys to school. The reporter said that Obama had said or done something that was remenicent of Teddy Rosevelt. Coulter asked, "Mom, who is TeddY?" I said, "You know who that is. Think." He thought for a moment and then said excitedly, "Oh yeah. He's that guy from Night at the Museum. He was a president" I said, "Very good Coulter. That's exactly right!" I was really impressed he knew that. Then he said, "Yeah, he was the president but now he's just a statue." That made me laugh.

Fuzz, Fur Whatever....

This morning Coulter asked me, "Mom, do people sometimes call police "fur"?" Of course he meant "the FUZZ."

Kees Over Heard At My House

Kees was so excited to see the Smorshmallows in our camping basket from the preschool auction. He, of course, was referring to the marshmallows in the Camping Basket. I guess Smorshmallows comes from the fact that we make Smores with them. Do they have another purpose?

Kees had hiccups today. He told me that he had hick coughs inside of his body.

He also has been talking a lot about toots (farts) and I have been asking him to knock it off. He kept saying, "R toodie too" I thought he was just being difficult. He was trying to say, "R2D2" I didn't even know he knew who that was.

When the boys were taking the controllers out for the Xbox Kees was trying to untangle the wires. He got frustrated and said, "Argh, these are all rectangled."

Where Did She Get That?

Bob got a new XBox game. He likes crashing cars, trucks and motorcycles so that is what the kids get to play. I wasn't so wild about bodies flying through the air and then crashing to a brutal death but the kids think it is all hilarious.

Two days ago Bob and Coulter were racing around. I am not even sure if it's a game or if it's just an open course but they were having a great time. Bob crashed hard, his guy went flying through the air, hit a tree and then landed on the ground in what would have been a horrible death had it been real. The kids all burst into laughter. I mean total hysterics...."Daddy crashed!" ha ha ha ha and then Sophia yells, "He's taking a dirt nap!" OK now I start cracking up. Dirt nap...that is really really funny. I am not sure where she heard that but it is one of my faves.

In all honesty, she probably got it from me. And I got it from my dad. This is going off on a tangent but hey, it's my blog. When I was in high school I worked in my dad's office after school. Those who worked in his office might have called it something else but I thought is was work. There were a few patients that my dad introduced me to. I would always try and be polite and chat a bit with them.

One time my dad called me in to an exam room. There was an OLD lady in a wheelchair. He said, "Heather, this is Mrs...so and so. Mrs. so and so this is Heather." and then he left the room. I, trying to be polite, asked her a couple questions and then stood there. She didn't move. She just sat there starring at the floor. After a few minutes I said, "It was nice to meet you. Have a nice day." and I walked out. My dad was in the hall laughing his head off. This lady was physically alive but had no idea what was going on AT ALL. Funny dad.

There were always a few patients that I liked. One time there was a man that I liked. I came across his file and asked where he had been, I hadn't seen him in a long time. Someone said he was, and then she said something I didn't understand. I asked my dad what that meant and then he let out a string of synonyms. "He kicked the bucket. Took a one way ticket to Chicago. Put on the wooden Kimono (that's my favorite). Was 86'd. He's taking a dirt nap. He's deep 6'd. He passed over." and so on. He really had some good ones. I guess when your specialty has so many really sick people you need to separate a bit. Don't get my wrong. He wasn't speaking about this guy I liked he was just spilling out these terms and being funny. He has always cared a great deal for his patients. Especially the ones that were actively involved in their recovery.

But I digress.... So that must be where she got it. It's funny what your kids pick up. I don't remember telling her that but I must have because she didn't make it up. Be careful what you tell your kids....even in passing.

Just One More Thing

Sophia's birthday is today and she is having a slumber party. 5 little girls, pizza, movie, cup cakes and a couple of brothers in the mix. When they were watching their movie I asked, "Who wants popcorn?" I received a resounding, "MEEEE, MEEEEE" from all of them. Kees was yelling, "I want some cockporn!" We're so proud....just had to share.....

I'm sure I'll have more to blog about tomorrow. Gawd I hope they sleep.

Obama From a Kids Point of View

So my kids have been very aware of the presidential campaign and now the change of hands of the government. We have talked about voting and why it's important. I don't think they will ever take it lightly. I explained that we as Americans (BOB....GET ON BOARD!) have the power to change the course of history by voting. And that if you don't vote you don't have a right to criticize. That you are responsible for how things go by how you vote. We all need to know that is not only a right but a responsibility. I think my kids in their little way understand. As a matter of fact, Sophia and I went through the issues and candidates together and she helped me vote.

Yesterday Sophia and Coulter were in school. Lots of kids stayed home during the inauguration. I had a party to go to and I thought that we should all be with our peer groups to share in the experience. Both Sophia and Coulter were able to watch the ceremony in their respective places, with their friends and from their different perspectives. Kees sat on my lap at the party. Upon seeing Barack Obama Kees yelled, "It's Orock Obama momma!" He was very excited.

Sophia came home and reported about her day. Some of the moms created an environment of excitement by bringing popcorn and lemonade and making it a special time. One of them even brought a card board cut out of Obama. Sophia thought it was real and was VERY surprised to see the president at her school. After watching the inauguration she reported to me that, "We got to see the president swear. He messed up when he was swearing. Ha ha ha ha" We laughed together that even the most important people in the world mess up and do it in front of EVERYONE! And if ever there was a time where more people were watching one event I'd be surprised.

Coulter was asking if Barack Obama will be president tomorrow. I told him that yes, he would be and that he'll be president for a long time. "How long mom?" I told him that he'll be president for at least the next 4 years and quite possibly for 8 years, and that he'll be 13 then....almost in high school. Coulter's eyes got big and he was very interested. He couldn't believe that someone could be president sooooo long. That is like, forever.

So they are all on board. They're excited because everyone around here is excited. I believe that this presidency will change the course of our country and history. I am hopeful for Barack's vision and for our country's future. The fact that volunteerism is being called on and that we all need to participate in our country's progression is exciting to me. When you are invested in moving things forward you feel a sense of pride and ownership. We are really missing that as a collective whole. Now is the time.

So that was our day. We are all excited and looking to a better, brighter future.

Things Over Heard at My House...

The kids were sledding down our drive way. When Sophia would start out at the top of the hill she'd spell, "I A-M C-O-M-I-N-G" and then she would shove off. Coulter, not wanting to be out done, started spelling, "I M 10a 2 T 9."

Kees checking out a bruise on a banana..... "Hey mom. The yucky part is yummy. Right?"

Today on the way to school Coulter was telling Sam (a neighbor), "Did you know that my Papa is my mom's dad and my Grandma is my mom's mom. Isn't that WEEEEIRD?"

More Things Over Heard at My House

Bob reported, "Sophia has Coulter on a leash and Kees is shooting them from the deck. Peeouw, peeouw."

Driving quietly down the street Coulter suddenly yells, "Turn it on!" I said, "Turn what on?" and he says, "Sunday" WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?????? I get a lot of these things / statements / questions. It hurts my brain.

Sophia and I were sitting in the nook having lunch. She was stareing at my hair, then she touched it and said, "Your hair is really stablized today."

Coulter was lying in bed with me this morning. I got out to go to the bathroom. When I got back he said, "I am laying in your spot." I said, "Move over." He said, "You're my spot." and then he wrapped himself around me and went back to sleep.

Kees Made a Joke.....A Good One.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are Kees' days off from school so we just hang out. Today after dropping big brother off at school we were getting in the car. Kees noticed a sticker of a witches cauldron on the floor of the van. This was a sticker he got for Halloween from Spook-O-Rama. He saw it and said, "Mom, look at my sticker. It's a pot." And then he looked at me, smiled and said laughing, "It's a pot sticker." (You know like the chinese dumplings?) We both laughed.....hard. I didn't know he had it in him.

Things Over Heard at My House This Week

Coulter crying histarically responds to the question, "What are you crying about?" "Fia won't let me watch her sew!" I can totally see why he's upset.

I heard my self say, "GET OFF THE DOGS HEAD!" Why, why, why do I have to say that?

Kees hung a wash cloth on the side of the bath tub and said, "Look, look what I did." I said, "You're a genious!" He frowned and said, "I'm not a genious. I'm a Kees."