Let's start with Edison....he's had an interesting last few months. He started kindergarten at a very small public school near our house (see photo below). Although I could go off on a several paragraph rant about my feelings regarding his experience thus far, suffice it to say he won't be returning next year. We've had a battle over healthy snacks with his teacher and disagreed on the expectations that we should have for 5 year olds. I'm learning that it is very difficult to balance personal opinion with teaching children to do the right thing...although I still can't convince myself to make him do his homework... Edison is having a fine time though. He enjoys going to school and is doing great with reading and learning to write. He loves to be other kids and especially loves to pretend to be the older boys at the school when he comes home (meaning he has to dress like them, wear glasses, etc to look just like whichever kid he is being that day). He's still requesting that I make him fake braces to wear. He was particularly disappointed when the dentist told him he might not need braces last month...hence the desire to make fake ones. Edison is doing great with Lego building - he's finally getting around to doing all of the ones he got for Christmas and his birthday last year :) He also loves watching the Wild Kratts and being Martin. And he's had a middle ear effusion for the last two months (at least), so he can only hear us about half the time we talk to him. Damon and I originally thought he was just ignoring us, and I still think he uses this hearing loss to his advantage at times... But when his ear does pop, he complains about how loud everything is, and then is happy when it goes back to muted hearing. Personally, I hope this clears up in the very near future!
We had a bit of a challenge when we lost a family member the week of Thanksgiving. Poor Isis had a rapid decline in his health and had to be put to sleep. Somehow I have had the fortune of not having to do that for a pet until now. And even though Isis had his less desirable traits, it was extremely difficult. And even more difficult to try and explain the situation to a five year old.
Adlai has continued to be a character. He's not in school yet, although he's always asking when he gets to go to school like Edison. He's having fewer time outs and seems to have finally (almost) stopped peeing in his pants when he gets really upset! This is seriously a great thing. He got to see his first OmniMax movie in December and fell asleep halfway through (it was nice and warm in there...). He loves practicing swimming and running and trying to keep up with Edison at everything he does. For his birthday we went to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo where he had a great time riding rides. We then had a joint b-day party for him and Miriam. If you've ever tried managing two small children simultaneously opening gifts, you will know that this is a very. bad. idea. Especially if you have any hope of ever sending thank-you notes. Adlai recently had his first dentist appointment and did great. I think Damon and I were both holding our breaths for that one - but he had no problem - it was amazing! And he has remained very concerned about his oral hygiene ever since (although not so concerned that he has given up his candy obsession).
Miriam is quite the little personality. She's still very laid-back (for the most part), but loves being tricky and is very interested in figuring everything out. Like checking every single item that is in every single drawer in the kitchen/bedroom/library room/etc. She also loves dog food and dog treats, and acting like a dog. It is nearly impossible to get her to stop eating the dog food and sticking her face in Zeke's water. This poor dog is probably in a constant state of dehydration now because his water is never where he can get it. Recently Miriam wanted to play fetch - which is weird because Zeke won't even play fetch. She wanted me to throw a soft ball that she would chase after, bend over and pick up with her teeth, then bring back to me in her mouth to throw again. (I'm not kidding when I say she wants to be a dog.) She is also obsessed with rolling tiny choking hazards around in her mouth. Namely lego figure heads and BB8 legos. She has a real knack for finding them in small crevices around the house, and makes a bee-line for the lego tins when they are (accidentally) left in her reach. She sometimes likes to use her potty, but really likes pooping in the bath and sticking her hands IN the potty instead. I think she knows how much I enjoy it when she does that.
I think I've written down some dates of baby-book type moments that I'll include here for my personal reference. And then the quotes!
Dates:
First week of August, Miriam pooped in her potty
9/18/16 - this weekend really sounded like Miriam was saying ‘dog’ to dogs; also saying baba (baby)
Beginning of October, M is shaking her head ‘no’
week of 10/10 - Miriam is standing on her own, L top tooth is coming in
10/16/16 - Edison is able to swim the length of the pool at the Y without stopping
10/17/16 - Miriam takes her first steps, tries to say “zeke”
10/27/16 - Miriam takes several steps in a row, top L front tooth is still coming in
By the next week she was walking like she'd been walking for a month.
11/10: Miriam shakes her head yes, tries to say potty, banana, balloon, Pamma, hi
11/16: Miriam says Isis, hot, ball
December: Miriam's right top tooth came through just in time for Christmas
January: Miriam says this and that, Adlai, bubba (brother?)
Quotes!
On the way to taking Edison to school:
Me: Ok, into your limousine!
E: It’s really more of a taxi, mom.
On having Cheez-its for snack time at school:
E: They were so good, I couldn’t stop eating them!
While walking around Jollay Orchards in freezing rain,
A - Mom! It’s freezing down here!
Me - It’s freezing up here too!
E: Mom, pretty soon we’re going to have babies all over this house.
Me: Oh? Why’s that?
E: Because soon Miriam will be able to have babies, then those babies will have babies, then those babies will have babies, and the house will be full of babies!
Me: (silence)
E: Nobody loves me. Everyone just loves Adlai and Miriam.
Adlai: And Zeke and Isis.
Me: Guys! Why is there sand all over my bed?! Were you jumping on my bed tonight?
A: No, me not get sand in your bed.
Me: No? Then why is there so much sand in my bed?
A: Dad do it.
Me: Dad got a bunch of sand in the bed??
A: Yeah!
Me: Adlai! That was naughty - you need to apologize to Edison and Miriam for hurting them.
(after a long time)
A: Sorry.
E: I’m reading his mind, and No.
Me: No, what?
E: No, he’s not really sorry.
D: Edison! Did you just take those boogers and put them in your mouth?!
E: Yes.
D: Why?!
E: My mouth is a tissue.
(Adlai upset that he can't watch something in the car)
A: I want out of this car! I’m going to a hotel!
Me: You’re going to a hotel? What are you going to do there?
A: I’m going to watch videos!
E: (talking in his sleep) Adlai. You broke this! Bad Adlai. Bad.
Walking around Toys R’ Us
E: I feel like I want to buy this store!
Telling Damon about a conversation that was slightly misinterpreted...
E: Do you know what mom said? That if I’m appreciative of all the toys I have, maybe I can get another little toy.
While putting stuff from Pamma’s studio in her house
A: Mom, where that creepy thing?
(WHICH creepy thing do you mean?!)
(After yet another Wild Kratts figurine breaks)
E: I think the company that makes Wild Kratts toys is run by Donald Trump.
A: My feelings feel bad.
E: Mom - I asked you to get my Lego tin down.
Me: I know - I keep forgetting. I’m sorry. I’ll do that now.
E: OK Mrs Alzheimer’s, let’s go!
E: Mom - Adlai just laughed at me when I broke my ship and called me a baby.
Me: Adlai, did you laugh at Edison and call him a baby?
A: Yes.
Me: Adlai, that’s not very nice. We don’t call people babies.
A: I LIKE babies.
Ok, so then there are these interview things that always go around on Facebook. I did one with the boys one night and here are their answers:
Interviewed- Edison, 5
What is something I say all the time? Stop
What makes me happy? Us
What makes me sad? I don’t know
How tall am I? 5 feet
How old am I? 36
What is my favorite thing? jewelry
What makes me proud of you? me cleaning up my room
What is my favorite food? brussel sprouts
What is my job? doctor
What did I want to be when I grew up? a doctor
If I could go anywhere, where would it be? Mexico
Do you think you could live without me? No
What is my favorite TV show? Fox News (haha)
What is one thing I like about you? You love me
Adlai - 3
What is something I say all the time? - No
What makes me happy? - brushing your teeth
What makes me sad? - babies
How tall am I? - this tall
How old am I? - I don’t know
What is my favorite thing? - babies
What makes me proud of you? - I don’t know, playing?
What is my favorite food? - beans
What is my job? - bananas
What did I want to be when I grew up? - the Hulk
If I could go anywhere, where would it be? - Curious Kids (Museum)
Do you think you could live without me? - yeah
What is my favorite TV show? - a program
What is one thing I like about you? - You tell me.
And now for the photos!
An out-take from our Christmas photos - this one almost made the cut for the card...
Another amazing Christmas photo. Poor Mrs. Claus, getting a face full of antlers.
The boys show Miriam how to pose for a happy Christmas photo.
Going for a snow hike. I think Miriam is actually asleep on that sled.
The amazing taxidermy tree is back!
Decorating the gingerbread house that was eaten by Zeke later that afternoon (and reappeared in an unrecognizable form all over the bedroom floor later that night...)
If only they were always this happy at the grocery.
Enjoying a cookie at the Christmas Santa brunch.
Ok, I'll pose, but only for a minute.
I just really need to touch this horse's eye.
Sledding!
]
Picking out a Christmas tree with hot chocolate.
Waiting for the reindog parade to begin.
Going out in search of a perfect tree. Miriam doesn't understand the FUN of this yet!
Pamma channels Axl Rose on our Christmas tree adventure.
Feel the Force lightening.
Hanging out with Ema at the MSI.
It may have taken an hour, but Miriam finally found all 224 objects in the eye spy window.
Learning how to levitate balls.
First roller skating experience. Miriam takes advantage of the empty floor.
Edison and Adlai do great for their first time!
Enjoying rolling around on pillows.
Working as a team to win pinball.
Trying to get a nice Thanksgiving photo.
Miriam takes advantage of a momentary distraction to consume all of Ema's drink.
And, another nice picture of Adlai.
Darth Vader and Boba Fett came to visit.
Ready to spring into action with black jaguar creature powers.
Enjoying his first dental visit!
Not crying!!
Last visit with Isis.
Edison made Isis a card for his funeral.
Enjoying swimming at the Y.
Enjoying the diving sticks more than the water.
Climbing the walls. Literally.
Pamma gets some business on Halloween.
The 1st/3rd Halloween/b-day party!
Miriam gets her first taste of a cupcake.
Robin goes for a swing.
Aunt Sam saves the day with an awesome cake arrangement!
The fearsome trio check out some salamanders.
Making plans for their next adventure.
Adlai, aka Robin, monitors the bonfire.
Miriam checks out the inflatable cat. Maybe she'll be a veterinarian some day.
Adlai and Edison race on the handrail thing.
Halloween miniature train ride!
A nice picture of Miriam and daddy.
You never know what might come out of the corn.
Or out of the face of a cow.
Don't worry, I'll take good care of you.
Miriam learns about rollers.
Too cool for school.
Riding his new bike.
Who doesn't get this much joy out of playing with a toothbrush in the leaves?!
This was weird. Have you ever cut into a pumpkin, only to find 3 baby pumpkins growing inside????
Lift off!
Going for a quick trip.
Trying to get a quick photo at the Orchard, but it was really (really) cold.
Adlai apparently doesn't like streamers for his birthday.
Man down.
This picture makes me think of Peter Pan.
I just love this picture.
Going on a creature adventure.
Miriam hides - you never know who might be next for the snake.
Spiderman goes for a walk in the apples.
Walking Zeke.
Miriam loves inspecting the animal poster in the veterinarian exhibit at the Children's Museum.
And climbing up the volcano.
I can't remember if Miriam or Adlai set the tigers up like this.
Hanging out at Nicole's wedding.
Dancing outside.
I wouldn't mess with these guys.
All dressed up for the party.
And for this party.
Waiting for the bride at Natasha's wedding.
Another photo I love.
Edison strikes a pose.
Waiting to pose for a family photo.
Soon they'll be Tweeting. Ha. Ha.
Ah. This photo. So much to say here. This was near the end of our drive back from Indianapolis. We are at the dog kennel to pick up Zeke. Adlai is wearing a shirt from the back of the van because he has just thrown up sushi all over himself and his carseat. Miriam is out of her seat because she has just pooped everywhere. Zeke, Ricco, and Monkey are all being picked up due to some very poor timing of our arrival and a scheduled evening dog walk. And Edison is running crazy circles around the van.
Edison loves Ferris Wheels.
And giant pieces of pizza.
Apparently they both do.
Inspecting a tiny little mouse in a tiny little mouse hole.
Knocking over my dominoes.
Trying to get a group photo.
Adlai wears eye protection.
Miriam would prefer to have nothing on.
Checking out the front-loader.
Helping Edison and Phoenix with their building.
Damon and I apparently do not share the same level of concern as Uncle Clint.
Bye bye birdies.
Peek a boo!
Babysitting a dog-friend - Miriam practices her dog-whispering techniques.
I'm glad Chris didn't get his eye poked here.
Everyone enjoys the beach.
And apple picking.
Damon builds an interesting sculpture.
Adlai and Edison are found working on the car one night (even dressed as mechanics).
Michael Phelps and McGuire.
Edison's rendition of Judy Hopps.
A creature adventure - with a snake!
How could I not include this?! She looks just like Edison did!
Checking out the ducks.
A day at the zoo!
Cousins.
Heading in for the first day of school.
First day portrait. Fortunately I slept through my alarm and we were late - so no other kids got in the way of my picture!
Adlai helps his sister.
Leading the expedition.
At the fair.
Enjoying a little ice cream.
The world's biggest sand slide.
I can't get Damon to stop throwing our children.
Pamma excitedly puts Miriam to sleep.
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