I gave birth to a monster

What? A monster, no, you have two gorgeous children who behave everywhere they go not depending on whether they have had a nap or not. Actually, I think my kiddos are pretty good, and would never refer to them as a monster (if you have heard me refer to either as monsters, please don't comment, I want to keep the "good mother of the year" persona alive on the web if not anywhere else- thanks!). Anyway, Sullivan comes into my room Saturday morning telling me "Mom, I just knew it, I AM an monster." "A monster Sullivan, I don't think you are a monster, I think you are a little boy." Then, he drops his head in a pouting fashion and proclaims, "I AM a monster, and I can prove it."
Now, perhaps you don't know much about me, but I am a scientific, mathematical gal. Never one to go against facts, I HAD to see or hear this proof that my almost four year old had to show that I had not given birth to a human, but rather a mythical creature. So, I indulged, "Show me the proof Sullivan." He leaves my room for a few minutes, and I think he has given up on the idea. He returns with a picture. This picture to be more exact: He says, "See, I always knew it- I am a monster. Do you see my red eyes in this picture, only monsters have red eyes." We proceeded to have a long talk about photography only after I picked myself up off the floor flabergasted that there was no proof out there that he is a monster (none yet anyway).
We also tried a new church yesterday- if you read what happened over Easter at a new church, you will understand why we have to preempt Sullivan with only using "church" words when he is in his new class. I go to pick him up after church, and the girl working in the nursery says, "Man, he is quite a character." Oh Lord, I am thinking. Please don't let him tell about my panties or fighting with my husband, or any of the sort of things you would think are private. "He told us that his birthday is in two weeks and one day, we couldn't believe a child could be so smart." (Well, it is NOT in two weeks and one day, but how could I keep that from her?) "We asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said- An aggie baseball player who marries Lauren." We asked if he was going to go to A&M when he got bigger, and he replied, "No I am going to McDonalds when I get bigger. "

So, now that you have had your dose for the day, can someone please tell me how I trapped a 40 year old in his little body? Here's a fun picture from the Astros game we went to last week.

Dog Days of Summer

Well, I will apologize in advance for this being picture heavy, but we had way too many to choose from! We decided on a whim today to go to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco today. It was about an hour and a half drive. On the way there, Sophie decided that having been constipated for three days wasn't working for her, and she would "unclog" herself. I, of course, knew I smelled something, but was too stupid to check before I picked her up to nurse her (yes she is still nursing- imagine the travesty ;) ) Anyway, long story short, synopsis: pooped stained shorts (mine), poop stained dress (hers), pooped stained carseat (the same one that daddy assembled before we left because he had washed it), pooped stained blanket that she had to lay on to be changed, and probably unfortold poop on something that mommy will inevitably grab tomorrow. Anyway, this was, in my opinion, the best zoo I have ever been to- and since its my opinion, then its right. We had so much fun. It was incredibly hot, but us, being experts at this parenting thing now, brought spray mist fans for the kiddos, and packed extra clothes so that in case there was a slashpad, we could let the kids enjoy it. Of course, as expert as we get, I just don't know how to contain the blowout diapers (of which she allowed us to change another once we got home). Ahhh.... the joys of parenting. Perhaps, you are reading this, and it has been many a year since you had an infant in your house, now, you are remembering why!

So, on to the pictures, then a little three year old logic- because just when you think you know everything, Sullivan fills you in on the details.

Let me preempt, for those of you who know me. No, Sophie did not have a bow in her hair. Yes, you probably have seen this outfit before. I know, you are thinking something must be terribly wrong, I must have scarlet fever or something. No, remember she pooped in her first PINK dress, so she had to wear the dress from the diaper bag, and she was sweating way too much under her big huge bow, so I took it off. AAAAAAHHHHHH, sorry! Go on, call the baby fashion police :)

Yes, there is a LARGE black bear, about three inches behind us, but there is glass people!
Those turtles behind us weigh over 350 pounds each!!!! Can you believe it!

This slide goes through the otter exhibit so kids can slide with the otters.

Last night, Sullivan's tummy was REALLY hurting badly. So, not knowing what to do, I put him in the really warm shower, and sat down with him, while we waited for the almighty daddy to come back from CVS with Pepto bismol for kids (which we later found out isn't any different than pepto bismol for adults- except a cute picture on the box, but again, I digress). So, as I was sitting there trying to calm him down from the tummy ache, we had a heartfelt discussion. I learned quite a bit about age. Sullivan tells me, "I just can't really wait to be five mom, because when I am five I can get a scooter. I am gonna get a pink one like Lauren." I try telling him that other colors might be more fun, but he doesn't really care. Then, he proceeds on the topic of age. "But what I really can't wait for is to be 100 years old." I ask why, telling him that when you are 100, if you are lucky enough to be alive, you are probably about to die. He basically insists that I don't know what I am talking about. So, I ask him if he remembers my PawPaw, and tell him that he is 87- remember how old he looks, I ask. " Oh yeah, I guess mom, but I still want to be one hundwed." I ask, how old do you think PawPaw is, son? He says, "ten." (very matter of factly). Adn nanny, I ask (she is closer to 50 and pawpaw is closer to 57), "she's ten like my paw paw." Oh, hmmm... interesting, I say. And how old is your daddy? "Twenty six, mom, like you." Who knew? What a crazy world we live in, where parents can be 16 years YOUNGER than their children, and we strive to be 100. Ahh, the joys of being young and innocent and knowing it all!

To the zoo to the zoo to the zoo zoo zoo

We went to the Zoo in Houston yesterday. It was really hot, so we bought the kids a fan to keep cool. We looked down and saw Sullivan holding hands with Sophie

and fanning her. He is such a good brother, I swear.

Watermelon!!!!!

Tonight we had some of the best watermelon I have ever had. Even Miss Sophie got her first taste. It didn't stop there- I hope she doesn't have a reaction, because she ate ALOT of it. She wouldn't quit!!! She enjoys anything she thinks her brother does. Sullivan ate about 15 pieces- seriously. We had to mop the floors, there was watermelon juice everywhere. It probably would have been wiser to eat it outside, but hey, it was fun. Don't look at the cabinets wide open- I had just cleaned out the dishwasher. I hope you are enjoying your summer. I read a quote the other day that explains just how we live with these two bundles of joy. I hope it inspires you-

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will realize that they were the big things." I hope Sullivan remembers silly nights where we ate watermelon for dinner, hosed him down, then played Candyland for what felt like three hours!!!

Goodbye Jake

One of Sullivan's favorite friends is moving to Dallas. When Jake and Sullivan first had a playdate last fall, we had to convince them to play. We met at a park, and they were "ok" with being together. Sullivan chased Jake around begging to hug and kiss him, and Jake just wasn't the "touchy feely" kind. Then, we had a few playdates over here at our house, and they were better, but argued a bunch. Jake's mommy helped me out a lot when I was pregnant with Sophie, watching Sullivan for me and generally entertaining him. Anyway, a few weeks ago, we had Jake over to swim and play, and the boys did fantastically together. No fighting, just general playing cars and enjoying each other. Jake got the idea, he told Sullivan how he didn't appreciate him throwing toys in his direction, and Sullivan obliged. We had a fun going away party for them last week. They will be dearly missed. Its not often you can find a fun friend that shares your same interests :) Good luck in Dallas Jake.

Madame Sophe

Well, Aaron's mom is really girly and froo froo ey. I don't know how you spell that. But, she always has the cutest stuff. She has made Sophie these little socks that I am in love with that hoave crochet around the ankle. Yesterday, she totally outdid herself with these hats. They are totally adorable. We will have to find some kind of a tea party to go to now!!!

*I have lots of pictures from the aquarium and a going away party we had last week, they are coming, but getting these hats in the mail superceded anything else I could post!

How much fun can one day be?

My parents came in town yesterday (with Uncle Charlie), and we spent the whole day at a local pool. Living in a small town has its perks- this is a public pool in College Station (its the most expensive of the public pools- $5 a piece). Sullivan was so brave- he did all the slides, over and over. Sophie had fun with new faces to smile at. My boy is definitely growing up. Thanks for the fun day mom and dad!!! Family is fun :)