Gametes In Love

I have tried. I have tried telling the story of the real St. Nicholas to the kids. But I’m going up against The Night Before Christmas Santa (hereafter referred to as “fake Santa”), and he’s FAR more glamorous than my real story. Plus “fake Santa” is the one the kids in pre-school talk about, make wish-lists out to, and have books read and songs sung in honor of. So, of course, G’s been asking about “fake Santa”!

I’ve been very honest with him, trying to redirect him back to history, while trying to be very cautious not to use terms like “made up” or “make believe”. I’m trying to be sensitive to what other parents want their kids to believe, but it kinda irks me that I’m not getting the same favor in return. You see, now when I tell G that Santa doesn’t REALLY live on the North Pole, he yells at me saying “YES HE DOES!” He WANTS to believe in THAT Santa. Not my version Santa.

And this is now where I have officially reached my line on faith and religion. I have promised myself to support my kids in whatever faith they choose for themselves. I want to expose them to all beliefs, but leave their final decision to what they associate themselves most with: whether they become, Buddhists, Christians or Muslim, or none of the above (although, I’ll be honest, I’ll have a hard time if they go evangelical in ANY sect). And right now? At the age of 4, G is choosing the Santa religion. It’s not what I would have wanted for him, but I have to respect it. He asked to go see Santa. I told him that it won’t be the REAL Santa, just someone dressed as Santa, and he still wanted to do it. My friends M hosted a brunch for the kids, and her dad dressed up. It was awesome, to be honest. I got to see friends, G got to see his Santa. I took pictures.

I will continue to answer Santa questions as honestly as they apply to history. But I’m not pushing this anymore.

Now onto the pictures:
Santa’s in the house, and my monkeys wanted to sit/stand as far away as they could:

… and eat fruit

G finally warmed up, issued Hi-5’s and insisted he show “fake Santa” the specific tow truck he wants (Thank you, Amazon Storefront app)

Amazingly S2 wouldn’t go anywhere near the man until I said “Hey, Go give him a hug”. And then this happened:

(yep, that was a kiss!)

Waving “Good Bye” as Santa loads up in his SUV. Reindeer are on strike ;p

Oh, and this is H: S2’s future wife. She’s awesome, adorable, and a perfect match for his personality. And look! They like each other already. HA! (yes, of course, I prompted them to hug!)

Last night I totally earned my Mean Mommy moniker. I’ve been working with the kids on picking up their toys at the end of the day before bed-time. Some days have been successful, some not. S2 for the most part will just do whatever G is doing, so it’s kind of important, you see for G to kick off the cleaning.

My latest approach is giving the monkeys 10 minutes to get their toys off the floor. The majority of toys have a home, although the rest will placate me if they are just off the floor. Anything left on the floor after the 10 min period, goes to time out for 3 days.  G knows this consequence, and can recite it by heart. After last night, be may know it a bit too well.

We’ve only had to do this 3 times, mind you. We’re still at the onset of this process.

Last night, when the 10 min counter started, G decided he wanted to race instead. S and I patiently let the clock run out, although we demonstratively brought down a laundry basket to collect our loot. 10 min ran out, and the toys were pulled off the floor. Including 4 lovies. 1 belonging to G, 3 to S2. S2 doesn’t care all that much, but for G it was like cutting off a limb. While he has 7, he insists on sleeping with ALL of them (well, all except for Long Tag). Nubsie is now in the garage ‘till Wednesday. There were tears. Oh there were tears. He was such a sad, pitiful sight. My heart physically ached for him, and I really wanted to go to the garage and get him his Nubsie with a promise he’ll clean up when asked next time. But we had to hold our guns and not give in. So Nubsie is exiled until Wednesday evening. I’m sure there will be lots of rejoicing when he returns. Until then, this is Mean Mommy, signing off.

S2 got his first haircut this Sunday. It was time. While cute, the kid was sporting a mullet, and the only saving grace was that his back had curls.
G had his first haircut when he was a little older than one. S2 has managed, though exceptionally slow hair growth and reverse-male-pattern baldness, to eek it out until 2. But it was time.

We went to the little place we love, Lil Couture in San Mateo. The main owner is awesome, and has always done well by G’s hair. We asked for her specifically: a double booking back to back. We asked G to go first. This had me with some trepidation to be sure, because G can be so unpredictable at appointments these days. But S asked him to go first so he can show S2 what to do and how still to sit. And he did great! He was watching Cars on his little screen, and did awesome. I also welcomed his cut because his hair was starting to get into his eyes, and he therefore decided to take it upon himself and give himself hair-cuts. Sadly, the shorter cut is definitely illuminating his own uneven cut creations, but I guess now we’ve given him less incentive to try on his own.

S2 also did great. He was subjected to the credits of Cars, since the movie ended, but still sat patiently for C who was extra fast and good with him. He even sat for the clippers in the end too. G has never had clippers!

Haircuts are always a strange event for me. Both boys feel like they age 3 years right after a cut. It makes me miss them as babies. I also go through a period of estrangement, where I look at them, and I know they’re MY kids, but they look so different, I have a hard time getting over it. I’m not saying I’ll eat my young or anything, just that once in a while, for a split second, they look alien to me.

They were both rewarded with lolli-pops upon completion. S2 took 2 hours to go through his. I dare not ask what germs and bacteria attached itself to it by the time he was through.

Now… onto the pictures:

Playing while we wait

Bye bye curls and mullet!

Getting some inspiration for a new Do

Watching big bro

Easy peasy! We can do this!

S2’s turn

The apron

The mist

Snip, snip!

He even got a buzzer bee

Lolli rewards

Mommy’s memento

After hair-cuts, we promised G that we’d go out for lunch where he can get a pu-pu platter. Potty jokes are big with him, but spelling isn’t, and he’s been asking for it for awhile. We figured if he was good, we’ll do it. I genuinely have no idea what he’s expecting to be served. I don’t think I want to know. I just know, though, that when he gets his sampling of small appetizers he’ll be sorely disappointed. Yep, I’m still using future tense here, because as much as S and I tried, we weren’t able to find a place, locally, that had them. We looked online, and thought we had found a restaurant with pu-pu on the menu. We went there and got seated for lunch. Looked at the menu. Nothing of the sort. So we walked out. So many restaurants don’t update their online menus and it makes me mad. In this situation it was a complete menu over-haul too. G asked for roasted chicken nuggets. We ended up at KFC. Sigh! The hunt continues.

Set five for G and three for S2. My little monkeys are growing up 🙁 It’s so nostalgic to see just how tiny their first day piggies were in comparison to today.

G

S2:

Also, G’s foot hasn’t grown all that much in the last year. I guess it’s one of those curve things too.

Boy, I’m behind on so many things I’ve been meaning to say. The first are these images of the boys playing with family out East on our recent trip to Virginia. I was saving it for a Foto Friday, but at this rate, it will either be the biggest FF known to man, or I’ll be posting images through New Years ;p
The Snuggles Chapter

Visiting Piper

J and G — so grown up!

All the kids!

Fly Wheels action. And yes — they landed on the roof!

G yesterday kept asking me to hold a rubber band for him so that he can use it as a sling-shot to shoot his cars around the house. What can I say, I’m lazy, I enjoy child self-sufficiency and a good challenge. So with the help of an empty amazon box, said rubber band, an exacto knife and two Popsicle holders, ta-da!!!!

[youtube=http://youtu.be/CMOtHT6q5AU]

I’m not a fan of salads. Really, I’m not. I mean they taste good, but a salad on it’s own is not a meal for me, and I need something heartier. That and most leafy greens don’t do it for me. I like spinach and I like sorrel. Sadly, sorrel isn’t easily available here at all, so this year I decided to grow it on my own, and it really took off. Apparently, G’s a fan too 🙂

[youtube=http://youtu.be/omTCXvamnvk]

Someone likes rubber bands a lot!

[youtube=http://youtu.be/8LFDiKcCJ-w]

Early mornings = iPad in the dark

Ok… maybe me not having any privacy in the bathroom is deserved.

G’s favorite fruit, and perhaps the reason it’s his favorite

Pandita, the pre-k Hammie came to stay with us a few days

She really likes running in her ball, and the kids liked building her a track to go to

What? Is there something on his ears?

Our latest track: a joint effort w/ G, and probably the coolest one we’ve built to date

From our last visit to the SF Zoo

S2 and his Paddington Bear.

How the kids take their breakfast these days

Someone’s got a monkey on his back

Well, with it getting dark before bed-time, expect many poorly-lit videos 🙂

First up: S2’s shiny, new b-day gift

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h_xK9cconc]

Next: G’s train track. Clearly he’s going for the monopoly on the train line around here,

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvbJ54l4_Hs]

Ah, little peanut. You are now 2. I think back to where we were a year ago, and it’s amazing to see how much you’ve changed, and how we’ve all grown with you.

Today you are…

– 28.5lb of pure monkey business

– Fearless. I call you and your brother Monkey See and Monkey Do for a reason. Anything he does you believe you can… and should do. You jump into things head first (sometimes literally) and don’t look back. Occasionally you’ll listen at the screams trailing you to stop. I hope this trait will serve you well in your adulthood… but within reason. And please try not to shorten my lifespan by freaking me out too much.

– Caring. You have great empathy for a little guy. You bring ‘lubies’ or ice packs when your brother is hurt. You give great hugs. You cry when others around you are scared. You’re awesome that way.

– A picky eater. I don’t know if this is because of how long your chompers have taken to coming in, but you like soft foods, preferably of the pure variety. Yogurt is a staple, as is oatmeal, and these days peanut-butter, by the spoonful. But offered more solid (besides the breakfasts/snacks you are used to) is usually a no-go. We’ll keep offering, but I swear I’ll take a vacation to Mexico with you, just to light fireworks the day you eat a full meal of “real” food with us. And no, pizza doesn’t count.

– A water junkie. Really! You LOOOVE to swim. When you’re in water, it’s pure joy for you. Sometimes I worry you’ll drink the whole pool whenever we’re at swim class, but you are so happy in that element.

– Funny. You have your own sense of humor, but a humor none-the-less. You’ll fit in just fine out here in our home, and I’m excited for the fun conversations we’ll be having within another year.

– Still working on your speech. Since your ear tubes have come in, you’ve made an impressive leap in your verbalization. Still not quite where you could be, but I know the year ahead will be huge.

– Clean hands kinda guy. A bit of a surprise this is, but you don’t like getting your hands dirty. Literally. You’ll come to me to wipe the littlest grit off your hands.

– Still an early bird. You sleep until 6:10 now. 6:20 when you sleep-in. I know people are at their best in the morning, but mommy’s at her best after another 30-90 min of sleep past this. Just sayin’!

You love:

– trains (or choo-choos as you call them)
– monkeys (MONHEEEE)
– yogurt
– peanut-butter. Really, you DO eat with straight up, plan with just a spoon
– books and being read to
– baths, showers and pools. I’m sure as it starts to rain this season, puddles won’t be far behind this list.

It’s exciting to see what this next year will bring. Happy birthday, kiddo!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/52384100]

We did some pumpkin painting last week-end. Our pumpkins from Bob’s Pumpkin Farm needed some love, and with some time FINALLY on my calendar, it turned into our Friday activity. I’ll say that I probably spent as much time preparing our table to do this, as it did to paint the orange things, but hey, kids had a good time. Why paint? Well, will you trust these mini-nuts with carving utensils?

Hard at work!

This was when I realized when S2 probably shouldn’t be around water-colors. Drinking the water? Yeah. Uhmn. No. Moving on to markers.

The finished product. As you can see, S2’s a bit of a minimalist. Or perhaps it was the fact that he was FAR more interested taking the caps on/off the markers than actually doing anything with them 🙂

I made a pumpkin too. My first actual carve. But I didn’t take a picture of it, and I quickly discovered that within 3 days that thing grows hair. Literally. So I guess these lanterns need to be done only 1-2 days ahead of Halloween to fight off mold. Bummer!