That's what helmets are for!

AAA was passing out bike helmets today, so we got one for Benedict and one for Emanuel. They chose Lightning McQueen stickers at Walmart and decorated them. Emanuel immediately put his on and began banging his head into everything- walls, furniture, his brother- as hard as he could.
"Emanuel," I said, "stop that; you'll hurt yourself."
He answered, "No I won't. I'm wearing a helmet!"

Emanuel's Quote of the Day

There is NOT delicious food inside this burrito.

Another Dialogue

Emanuel: I think girls are aliens.

Tito (thoughtfully): I think you're right.

Ben's Book of the Week

We've been busy and took a couple of weeks off, but not to worry- he's back!

Ben's pick for this week is: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.

Ben's review:

Alexander didn't have a very good day. He didn't find a prize in his cereal box. He didn't sit by the window in the car. So many bad things happened. I think it's a funny story.

A Dialogue (of sorts)

Emanuel: Mom, am I so strong and fast?

Isabel shakes her head no very enthusiastically.

Emanuel (crying): Mom, Isabel said no I'm not!

She can't even talk yet and already she is making her big brother cry.

More Isabel

Dancin' Fool

Emanuel's dancing really made me laugh. He put his whole heart and soul into it!

Strong Men

On Sunday after Mass we went to visit Grandma Pat and Grandpa Bob. It was a great day to be outdoors, and they needed some help in their backyard. Their poplar trees had rotted through and needed to be taken down. Ben and Emanuel were given the job of pushing the trees down. With a little help from Dad, the job got done. Ben and Em were proud and amazed at their own strength. They could push over trees!

The Rise and Fall of Joe Soup

On Friday, Grandma had a surprise for Ben and Emanuel.




It was a baby painted turtle!

Time to name their pet. Ben, of course, decided on Joe. He names everything Joe, even his imaginary second little brother.

Emanuel wanted to name him Food. Grandma suggested Soup instead, and Em thought that was great! He kept saying, "It's Turtle Soup!" and laughing hysterically.

Everything was going great for Joe Soup for a few days. The boys found him a bigger bowl and filled it with rocks and sticks and things they thought turtles would like.

It was a warm sunny day the day we decided to put him outside to get some sun. That was our mistake. We went outside later to check on him and he was gone! We think a bird ate him. My strawberry plants had been stripped too. Do you think Em had an inkling of his demise when he wanted to name him Food?

Rest in Peace Joe Soup. It was a great week!