Oh The Things They Say…

While visiting in Lakeview, Sammy told Grandma Stevie, “When mommy was a little boy…”

Also in Lakeview, as I was looking through a scrapbook with the boys and Sam saw a tee-ball picture of me, (laughing) said, “That’s silly, mom’s playing baseball. Girls don’t do that.” (Apparently we’re raising shovenists in house).

Sam says, “Look at those BIG power lines.” Seth’s reply, “Jesus doesn’t get His power from those.” Sam’s answer, “Nope. The sky does.”

Our boys are notorious at stalling at bedtime. One of their secret moves is waiting to poop until bedtime and then getting up to go. We’re working on this—so we make them go potty right before bed and tell them that they can’t get up after that to go. (I’m writing the pre-story so that we don’t seem harsh.) So one night, Seth called for us, and when Ben went in, Seth told him that he needed to poop. Ben, taking the hard line, said, “Well, you should have gone before bed.” Seth, in distress, “But it won’t stay in!!” 

Seth woke up crying in the middle of the night. I went in to comfort him, and couldn’t get him to stop, so I started asking him if something hurt. “Yeah…” he sobbed. I couldn’t understand what it was that was hurting, though. “Is it your ear?” “Is it your tummy?” “No!” he sobbed, “My feelings got hurt!” Poor baby was having a bad dream where his feelings got hurt.

Seth told Sam, “Sammy, the sign says you can’t play here.” Apparently they do listen to us sometimes; like when we tell them that the sign says to stay off, etc.

Ben was digging some plants out with the boys’ “help.” It was finally time for him to just finish the job without little boys under foot, so he said, “Alright, boys, let me jump in there.” He dug vigorously for a bit and stopped to rest. Seth used the pause to say, “Alright, guys, let me jump in there,” and went to work as hard as he could!

This was one of my most proud moments as a parent: while I was putting Wesley down for a nap, I asked the boys if they could each pick out a stuffed animal for him to sleep with. They both picked out their most prized animal, the ones that they sleep with: Charlie and Poppel. I was so proud that they picked the best for their friend!

Seth came out wearing only a shirt (no underwear) for bed the other night. I said, “Seth, whatcha wearing?” He replied, “I chose NO undies.” Ha ha! (I did tell him that wasn’t a choice in our house—we always wear undies.)

Both boys have told me, “You look pretty mama,” on several occasions. Their daddy has taught them well! It’s also almost always when I’m wearing pink.

When Grandma Morris passed away, we had our first experience of explaining death to Sam and Seth. We described to them that we were happy that Grandma Great was in heaven with Jesus, but sad because that means we can’t see her anymore. Later that night as we were visiting family at Grandma Morris’ house, the boys were playing in Grandma’s car. They asked me if Grandma drove her car to heaven. I said, “No…” Then one of the boys asked, “How’d she’d get there?” I was struggling for words when the other boy piped in very matter-of-factly, “She walked.” “Yah, she walked,” the other affirmed. Since they both came to a consensus, I decided to leave it at that :)

Seth says, “My tractor is out of gas and breath.” Me: “It’s out of breath?” Seth’s reply, “Yes. We need to fill it up with gas and breath.”

And finally, a couple of doozy pictures for you:

Sammy as a cowboy

Is this not the most hilarious and awkward picture of Seth? He was SOOOO proud to have done the button by himself. As I struggled to keep a straight face and explain to him how the buttons have to line up, Ben insisted we take a picture of him. The awkward pose was all Seth’s innate photo taking skills :)