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Grumpy Em

Tattoos, etc.

Ben has a fake tattoo on his arm, and Emanuel has followed me around all morning asking, "Please, tattoo? I want tattoo! Please?"

Ben is also trying to pay his way through pre-school! He decided he wants to do the classes at the YMCA. I explained that we've already paid for soccer, vacation bible school, and preschool classes at the local botanical gardens, and we couldn't also pay for classes at the YMCA. So Ben has been saving every penny he can find for "school" at the YMCA. He also has been asking if he can get a job to earn more money. Hope he is still this motivated when college time rolls around!

Emanuel can say anything and its just shocking what comes out of his mouth. Not that he says anything shocking, but that he can say so many things! He switched from his crib to a toddler bed this week, and waved goodbye to his "baby bed" (as he called it) with great excitement. He loves to sing the alphabet loudly, especially in church when everyone else is singing hymns. And of course, eating is still a top priority for him!

Can it be spring?

After all the excitement of winter snow wore off, the boys' fascination with it wore thin. The last snowy day caused an outcry of, "Oh no! Not again!"

Today was 50 degrees. What a wonderful warm day. Ben and Emanuel rode their bigwheels outside on the sidewalk. We had two happy boys today! Hopefully this weather holds out.

Worms!

The Children's Museum

Daddy's Home!

Snow!

"Winter is not good for me." That is what Ben had to say about the cold weather... before the snow came. Both of the boys were sooo excited watching the flakes fall and cover the ground. Emanuel held a bit of snow in his hand, until he realized it was cold and shook it off with a surprised look.

We went on a snow boot shopping trip and also bought them snowsuits, hats and mittens. They were ready to head out into the snow to play. Of course they didn't have to play alone. Ben and Emanuel's uncles played with them. They had fun sledding down the hill in teh backyard, throwing snowballs, and running and rolling in the snow. There isn't a day they don't ask to go out and play in it!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

The boys just got home from Trick-or-Treating. I think Halloween is Emanuel's favorite holiday! He was very reluctant to go out, until the first little bit of candy was dropped into his bucket. Then everything changed! He ran eagerly from house to house, holding out his bucket and saying, "Eat." I am proud to say that he also said "Thank you." to everyone.

Ben handled the excitement in his regular, methodical way. Before going to each house, he asked permission. "Mom, the lights are on, can I go to this house?" He was so happy about all the candy going into his bucket. He decided he had enough candy after a trip around the block and asked to go home. Once at home, he chose two pieces to eat right away, and put the rest away for later. Tito would be very proud of that!

Ben was a fire fighter, and Emanuel was a dog. Ben set his heart on being a fire fighter a few weeks ago and insisted that Emanuel wanted to be a firehouse dog. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a picture of them together. As usual Emanuel had his own plans, which did not include sitting still for a picture.

Only Emanuel

The weather was beautiful today, so we decided it was a great day to head to Chalco for a walk. When we got to the bridge, 17-month-old Emanuel laid down by the edge to look over. Soon he was laughing hysterically. I just couldn't figure it out- what was so funny about a shallow little creek? I knelt down close to him to see things from his perspective.... he was spitting over the edge. Only Emanuel would think of something like that!