Match

We matched today for Child Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. We will be sad to leave all the wonderful friends we have made in Rochester, but are looking forward to the warmer weather and opportunities ahead of us.

Potty Terrors and Chocolate

1. Ashton has a strong preference that I wipe him after he goes potty. *oh joy* To ensure this he has placed several invisible guns in the potty that will shoot Aukai if he tries to wipe him while I am home. Ashton reminds Aukai every time he uses the potty so Aukai doesn't get shot.
For whatever reason all that changed tonight. Isaac came down to inform us that Ashton wanted Aukai to wipe him and that he didn't need to worry because a "bee killed all the guns!"
Ashton then yelled from upstairs on the potty, "And a Candle-osaurus helped too!"
Needless to say, Aukai is much relieved. (And so am I.)

2. Aukai and I just finished a cake we started on Sunday. Isaac thanked me for making "such a yummy cake." He then remembered that he helped and in his best game-show host voice announced, "Thank you Isaac for making this yummy cake!" What a ham.

I love digging my nose into my boys' soft, fine hair and enjoying the sweet smell of youth. If only I could invent a machine to record smells.

Pickle Anyone?

-Pickle falls out of Ashton's sandwich.
-Isaac: "Umm, Ashton, could I have that tiny little thing on your plate?"
-Ashton: "What, this BIG thing?" Picks up the pickle.
-Isaac: "That LITTLE thing on your plate?"
-Ashton: "This BIG thing?" Licks pickle.
-Isaac almost jumps out of his chair. "No, that LITTLE thing!"
-Ashton: "This BIG thing?" Puts pickle in his mouth, sucks on it and then pulls it out.
-Isaac: Now beside himself, about to snatch the pickle out of Ashton's hand. "That LITTLE thing!"
-Ashton: "This BIG, BIG pickle?" Ashton takes a nibble.
-Isaac: Despondent. "All right, that MEDIUM thing."
-Ashton: "This big thing right here?"
-Isaac: "Yes, that BIG thing. Can I have that BIG thing?"
-Ashton: Tosses pickle in mouth and chews it up.
---Pause-----
-Isaac: "Hey Ashton, can I have that OTHER BIG thing on your plate?" Points to 1/4 pickle Aukai gave the kids as a side dish.
-Ashton: Chanting. "You need to say PLeee-eeeaSE."
-Isaac: "May I PLEASE have that big pickle?"
-Ashton: "OK, here you go." Gives Isaac the pickle.

I think we might be in trouble when Ashton hits the teen years. :)

Opera in 10 minutes

My friend Mel introduced me to this video. Just came across it again. Hope you enjoy. ;)

Opera in 10 minutes

Help Please

So . . . we (meaning Aukai) accidentally just bought 80 songs on e-music. This is great! Except . . . we have three days to pick out 80 songs and are both completely unhip to the current music scene. Any suggestions???? (classical music suggestions also appreciated)

THANKS! :)

Just a few anecdotes.

1. Ashton's prayer at dinner tonight:

"Thank you for . . . " [Ashton, you forgot the first part]
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this day, thank you for the food, thank you for Lego Starwars pens, thank you for Santa that he came, thank you for the food.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

2. One week ago:

Ashton, referring to the many wonderful goodies our neighbors brought this Christmas, snuck up to Aukai and softly whispered, "Dad, I have a great idea. Let's eat all of the treats right now!"

3. Last week:

While trying to think of an appropriate punishment for Ashton, Aukai asked him, "What should I do with you?" Ashton whispered quietly in his ear, "Leave me alone."

4. During our trip to Pittsburgh:

Isaac announced, "Mom, I think I know why they call it Pennsylvania. I bet everybody writes with PENCILS!"

5. Also during our Pittsburgh trip:

While we were parking our car, Ashton pointed to a nearby house with Christmas lights and stated, "That's my friend's house." [Ashton has many "friends."] When we left he insisted we drive by 3 times to say goodbye to his "friends." Since that time, whenever we see a house with Christmas lights we ask, "Is that you friend's house?" to which he replies, "Oh yeah, that is my friends house!" or when in a more playful mood, simply blurts, "Yup."

6. Last week:

While I was in the shower, Isaac yelled from downstairs, "Mom, Ashton's eating the chocolate chips!" One minute later, when I hadn't done anything, Isaac appeared in the bathroom saying, "Mom, I told Ashton not to get into the chocolate chips and he won't listen to me." I peaked from behind the curtain and saw a mouth covered in chocolate and a hand cradling something dark and gooey. "Isaac, what are you eating?" "Oh," he said sheepishly, "I forgot."