A video for Grandparents

We knew a family in Michigan with 4 teenagers and 2 younger girls that all loved each other. Not just the deep- down-love but friend-love. They genuinely enjoy spending time with each other. I asked their mother what she did to help encourage that type of family culture. She simply answered, "brain washing".

What?

Yes, brain washing.

We've started and it's working great so far. Phrases like, "Isn't it fun to have a brother?" "You guys are such good friends!" and "You have so much fun playing with Joshua/Gabe, don't you?" are heard in our home many times a day.

And here is a little reward: Gabe and Josh love playing together.

(Maybe it wasn't the brain washing but just their two little spirits, but we're sill grateful.)

Conversation

As Gabe and I ate grilled cheese delight tonight for dinner, we had the following conversation:

Gabe: The cheese is going down my esophagus!
Me: Wow! Where is it now?
Gabe: My stomach!
Me: Cool. Now where is it?
Gabe: My intestines.
Me: And now?
Gabe: The stop light!!
Me: ...?

Monkey in the closet

When we stayed at my parents over the holidays, Gabe was playing with a closet door in the dark and pinched his fingers. Through his tears he told me that an alligator in the closet had bit him. He was absolutely convinced there was an alligator, even after our fruitless alligator hunt. Today, we found not an alligator, but a monkey in a closet right here at home. A couple hours after we put Gabe down for his nap, we hear some weird scuffling in his closet. We went in to see what was going on, and what did we find, but Gabe hanging from the bar in his closet. He looked so proud as he said, "Mom! I'm a monkey swinging on my tree!"

This is Gabe wearing Brian's polo. He really wanted to wear it for his PJ's one night.

Then there's Joshua. Josh really likes to eat. Here he is chomping on an orange. So far he's eaten just about everything I have given him.

And an upside down cowboy Josh.

Josh Faces

Sweet

Thoughtful

Shy

Adoring

I'm busy telling jokes

Shocked #1

Shocked #2

Happy New Year

We've had a lovely New Year. We spent the Eve of the year at church playing in a rock band. Brian played bass and sang lots of songs. I played clarinet and shaker in one song. I'm glad my education is going to good use. Gabe loved seeing his Dad perform, but sadly his attention did not last for the entire hour and a half long set. This morning, we invited some friends over for brunch. Now Brian is at work at the little boys are sleeping.

At the New Year, we're grateful for many, many things - but mostly our boys. We love them to pieces and bits.

Here is Gabe trying to convince me on a cold, rainy day, it would be fun to go outside. He was pressing his face against the screen, hence the dirty noise. (The things that teach you how dirty your house really is...)

Gabe's attempts were successful. I let him go outside for one minute. As you can seen, he didn't have that great of a time. He got cold.

Here, Gabriel is trying to use those persuasive powers to get his brother excited about the medical profession. Maybe the boys can establish a joint practice, although Josh doesn't look too excited about the prospect.

And this smile is just infectious. I can barely stand it when he smiles at me like this - it causes the eating of cheeks. Even Gabe tries to eat Joshua's cheeks off.