Swimming?

With summer approaching, we thought that it would be a good idea to sign the boys up for swim lessons. The funny (or not so funny) thing is that they both think they know how to swim already but actually have no idea. If asked the question, they will say "yes, I know how to swim" when actually they would probably sink like a rock to the bottom of the pool. So yesterday they started their swim lessons. They were so excited to get on their swim trunks and go to the pool. I had to explain to them that they were going to have to listen to the teacher and only go in the pool when he says to etc., etc. So we get there and things are going okay. Charles is one of the older ones in the class of 5 and is doing a good job of listening. Joey on the other hand who has no fear, is having to be reminded over and over again to stay with the group. It is a zero entry pool, so he keeps trying to walk deeper and away from the class. It makes me nervous to not be right next to him in the water in case he trips and goes under or walks too deep. But I put my trust in the teacher and just constantly keep my eye on him. Towards the end of the class the teacher had them hold the edge of the pool and inch their way to the deeper water so he could teach them how to climb out of the pool with out steps. As he was individually helping each child to climb out, I'm thinking, "keep your eye on Joey" as my stomach is in knots because they are now where it is deeper and on the other side of the pool from me. Then sure enough, Joey goes under. Thank goodness the teacher was only one child over and was able to quickly help him out. Then my mind starts going crazy, "what if the teacher was to far or didn't see him do it? Could I get across the pool fast enough with Tori in my arms and fully clothed?" I am now very nervous to go to the next class because I know I will be paranoid. I think they should only allow 3 kids per teacher instead of 5. Ugghh, I never knew putting your kids in swim lessons could be so stressful.

Pajama Party

Today our Primary (Church youth group) had a pajama party. Charles and Joey were talking about it all week, except that Charles kept calling it a "Buh-jaw-muh" party. I finally told him that it was actually "Pajama" (prounounced puh-ja-muh). His blank stare told me that we have probably never used the actual word for pajamas in his life. I told him that pajama was the more formal word for PJ's or jammies and that is what he would wear. He looked very relieved, especially since he had probably been wondering all week where he was going to get a Bajawma to wear.

When Liz reminded them this morning that today was Saturday (and the day of the party) they were running circles around the house talking about it. However, once they got to the Church, they were a little more reserved. Good thing they had each other to help them get over their initial shyness. This is a picture I took with my phone before they warmed up to the screaming mass of children (who had just inhaled chocolate chip pancakes drowned in imitation syrup and chased with a full glass of juice).




While we were at the party I kept seeing Tori out of the corner of my eye trying to get my attention. Then when I'd look at her she'd give a big smile (which is her way of asking me to pick her up).

Raspberries, bird feeders, and giggles

Tori has always been very quick to respond to conditioning. In other words, if she does something and gets rewarded for it, she'll repeat it over and over (so we have to be careful). This morning, when I made a raspberry sound to her, she did it back and I rewarded her. Now she's been spitting at us all day.



Everyone knows that one of the main reasons to go to Costco is to get the samples. The other day we were there and some lady hands the boys a birdseed sample and tells them to "put it in their birdfeeder." Of course, Charles immediately asks, "Daddy, what's birdseed . . . and what's a birdfeeder?" (thanks a lot lady). So we talked about how if you put birdseed outside, birds will come and eat it. The boys insisted that we get a birdfeeder, which we did, and Liz helped them put it up last week. As soon as it was up, Joey planted himself directly underneath and tried to call every bird in Texas to our feeder.



You know how your baby does something so amazing that you just *have* to run upstairs to get the video camera, then once you turn it on they just stare at you like you're insane? Tori did that to Liz the other day but Liz still got a few laughs out of her (despite acting very insane). Liz swears Tori was laughing a lot harder before she turned the camera on. Some of you may recognize the sound Liz and I use to find each other in crowded places near the end of this clip. Tori isn't quite sure what she thinks of it yet, but I'm sure she'll be making it herself soon.

Frog parts

So the other day I am making the boys breakfast and I ask them what else they want to eat. Joey pipes up and says "um, we want some yogurt!" So I offhandedly say, "'we' who? You got a frog in your pocket?" Joey gets a confused look on his face and Charles starts giggling. Joey has a kind of serious look on his face as he looks down at his pajamas and slowly says "no Daddy, I don't." So I realize that I've confused him and I start to explain that I wasn't sure when he said "we" exactly to whom he was referring. Maybe he meant he and Charles, but then he might have been speaking out of turn without really knowing if Charles wanted more yogurt, or maybe he was using the imperial 'we' like some people do to assert extra authority. I wasn't really sure so I asked if he said 'we' because he had a frog in his pocket--that it's just a funny and maybe slightly sarcastic thing people say. You know, like a pet frog that you're holding in your pocket.

So anyway, Charles starts laughing and says "Well I have a frog in MY pocket!" Then Joey sees that Charles is joking around so he starts laughing and says, "yeah, my frog in my pocket wants to eat dirty garbage!" and they both keep giggling (this behavior is not out of the ordinary for them, and probably my fault).

So I ask, "would you guys really like to have a frog as a pet?" Charles gets somewhat wide-eyed and replies, "YES Daddy, I want a frog as a pet." So I ask, "where would you keep your pet frog?" Charles, slightly nonplussed, cautiously says, "um, I'll keep him in my pocket." So I ask him, well what happens if he has to go to the bathroom (Yes, I know, it's a stupid question to ask a 4 year old)? Charles thinks for a second, then confidently says, "I'll just take him out, lift him up, and hold his penis over the toilet." Maybe this is the frog he is talking about...

Happy Valentine's Day

A quick Valentine's wish to everyone and a few pictures of Tori's first Valentine's Day. Joe has reserved being her valentine for the next 27 years, so tough luck fellas.

Let's Rodeo!

This past weekend I took the boys to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. As you can imagine, the Rodeo is a huge deal here (so much so that the Spurs have to go on a 2.5 week road trip). When we walked into the rodeo grounds Joey's eyes got really wide and he exclaimed, "Dad, LOOK at all the COWBOYS!!!" He was absolutely rapt during the events, almost always cheering out (with his arms included) "AllRIGHT!!! He GOT him!!!" or "OOOOHHHhhhh... He MISSED him..." Even during the barrel racing (which in my mind, is the rodeo's version of when you go to the bathroom) he shreiked every time a barrel was knocked over, like something he had worked so hard for had just been lost (which was probably exactly how the barrel racers felt). We had fun in the midway where we rode a ride that almost made us throw up, we went through all of the Texas exhibits and the rodeo hall of fame, and of course through all the millions of square feet of barns for the stock show. The boys really liked the swine barn, where they wanted to personally inspect each of the approximately 2,000 pigs. All in all, it was a good day.

Except maybe for this guy who may or may not have had his head stepped on by a bull.


Here are some videos I took while we were there.

1. One of my favorite events is the "Mutton Busting," which may explain why Texans are tougher than your average American.


2. Outside the arena there were the strangely entertaining "Pig Races"


3. Here some shots of some of the riders--bulls, bareback, and saddle broncs--plus an appearance by the famous clown Leon. James, I'm sorry you missed it, but you can just watch this over and over.


4. The entertainment directly after the event on Saturday was Alan Jackson. Every other day has an equally big performer. This year included Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Beach Boys, Brooks and Dunn, etc. While I'm not a huge fan of country music, I can definitely appreciate Alan Jackson at the rodeo. Joey was completely fixated, but I don't think Charles like it very much...


For slightly better resolution, you can see the videos themselves on YouTube with these links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m61mP3rwIeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy8aizP0N6U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz-sq3IqpZQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOlJRZWsfFo

Deep Freeze

A while ago we got a big ice storm. We didn't remember signing up for that when we chose San Antonio as a place to live.

Some leaves from our Oak.


The poor chairs on our deck.


Hard to see, but about 3/4 of an inch of ice on the sword plant.


A shot of our frozen neighborhood from our bedroom window. The palms across the street look very sad.


A close-up of our big oak tree from our bedroom window.

Recent pics

Just a quick post of some recent pictures of the kids.

Tori's Sunday outfit


Tori and Joey


Joey and Charles


Charles and Tori


Three buddies