Birthday
March 31, 2009
The boys are four now! (Well, belatedly since their birthday was three weeks ago).
The boys are huge. At their four-year appointment, Owen was 42 inches (95th percentile). Andrew was 45 3/4 inches. Owen is 41 pounds and Andrew is 49 pounds.
The boys are coming along well with their reading. Both boys recognize and know to spell both of their names and the words “Zoo”, “Exit”, “On”, and “Off”. Andrew has read the words: “Book” on a T-shirt, “Shell” on a Lego box (he was so cute–it was a Shell tanker truck and Andrew said, “It’ Shelly’s Soup truck”), and the word “Bookmark” on my computer (I think he was just remembering that, but maybe he sounded it out).
The boys are very active. On the weekends (when I’m watching them), they will sometimes exercise / play for 4-5 hours. Nancy adjusted the blackout curtains in their room, and they seem to be sleeping a little later (8:00 - 8:15 instead of 7:30).
Owen was so polite last week. I did something for him (I think I picked up a book). Owen said, “Thank you, daddy, for picking up my book.”
Our preschool has a series of one-week camps this summer, 9-1 each day. The boys are really excited about space camp, but they have to be able to use the potty at preschool. We offered the boys a space sticker for each day they use the potty at preschool. Yesterday, for the first time ever, they finally did it! All the adults helping with preschool were very excited–I’m not sure the kids cared 
We had to replace a section of our back fence recently. The boys were a big help. They are getting so strong–each of the boys grabbed a fence board and marched off with it. They helped me saw and helped with the drill. By the time the fence needs to be replaced again, the boys should be old enough to do it themselves.
Andrew has started putting Legos together by himself, following the directions. He still needs some help–some of the pieces are hard to put together, and sometimes he puts pieces off by a row or two, but he does really well. He also put together a little balsa-wood model of a car by himself.
Owen has been working on his computer skills: typing and using the mouse.
Pictures
Andrew riding a pretend roller coaster at Chuck E Cheese’s on his birthday
Andrew jumping
Andrew on the play structure
Boys at Nye Beach in Newport
Boys at their birthday, playing with their laptop
Boys at their birthday with Mimi and Auntie Heather
Owen playing with their laptop on his birthday
Owen on the play structure
Owen smiling
Aikido
February 13, 2009
The boys started aikido a couple of weeks ago. They are really enjoying it, and they are doing really well. I’m impressed with how far they’ve come in only a few lessons. Also, two of their friends are joining them on Wednesdays.
We have a couple of good stories from aikido. One day, the instructor was having problems getting the kids to pay attention. He finally got all of them to look at him. Then he said, “The teacher is in the front. There is no teacher in the back.” So Andrew had to turn around and check to make sure there was no teacher in the back.
Another day, one of the other instructors was working with the four new kids (ours and their friends) how to do backwards rolls. He started with Owen, but then he spent too long with child #2. Owen proceeded to do forward rolls while the teacher was facing the other way.
The boys are changing quickly. We’ve heard that the last part of the 3 to 4 transition can be a little wild, but that things should settle down at 4. Both boys have a lot of energy. Last week, the boys went to an hour of aikido, we had lunch, and then the boys played hard outside for four more hours.
New words: “golf field”, gi (aikido uniform)
The boys have gotten much stronger. They can now pick up a full gallon of milk without problems. Andrew was picking up bags of dirt the last time we went to Al’s. The last time we went to the park, Andrew managed to hold himself up on his arms (rather than hanging down from his arms, which he could already do).
Pictures
Owen on the mat at aikido, in his gi
Owen painting with a quill at preschool
Owen sitting on a fountain
Boys rolling at aikido
Boys playing in the snow
Boys with umbrellas at the Oregon Garden
Andrew wearing his gi at aikido
Andrew sitting in a playhouse with paper
Andrew lifting bags of dirt
Christmas
January 12, 2009
Well, we survived the snow. Inches and inches of snow. We measured out back at the height of the snow–14 inches. We were inside for almost two full weeks with only rare breaks.
Christmas was fun. Last year, the boys handed out a few presents, and we had to help them with all of the names.
This year, the boys handed out all the presents, and they could read all of the “Andrew” and “Owen” tags. We only helped them with the others.
The boys helped: put up and decorate our tree, put up and take down our outside lights (we went with a minimal display this year). They got to do a bit of sledding in our backyard. We have a slight hill, and with mom and dad pushing, the boys had a nice time sledding down it.
The boys are really getting into music. They like the group “Stomp” which does percussion using improvised instruments (think brooms and basketballs). The boys have done their own Stomp with their broom. They also gave me a concert one night in the kitchen. They pulled out bottles, buckets, and plates, and used two pencils as their drumsticks. Owen gave me a ticket, and they turned off all the lights except for the light on the refrigerator where the ice and water come out.
They both received instruments for Christmas. In one of the pictures, Andrew is playing his new electronic keyboard. Owen was very interested to learn that I own a saxophone, so we had to pull that out. He and Andrew have both been able to get a sound out of it.
The boys have learned how to make inside-out cheeseburgers (as Owen calls them) or inside cheeseburgers (as Andy calls them–as he says, “the cheese is on the inside”). These were a big hit, and we discovered that the boys both like Gouda.
One day, we were going to have bread and olive oil for dipping as a snack. Owen said, “Not the cooking olive oil daddy–we need to use the good olive oil.”
Pictures
Andrew chose an ambulance as his special Christmas present
Andrew in his new police outfit
Andrew giving me a concert
Boys opening Christmas presents
Police boys sitting with Mimi
Owen at the Children’s Museum
Owen on the couch with mommy at Christmas
Owen at the zoo
Thanksgiving
December 16, 2008
The boys really enjoyed Thanksgiving. We went over to Jill’s this year. Our boys played with their cousins very nicely.
Potty training is coming along really well. Owen has worn underwear for two days in a row now. Andy and Owen have both used the toilet at various places while we’ve been out (grocery store, restaurants, etc.).
Andy has picked up signing again and is really working on learning to read. He points out different letters whenever I read to him, and he’s starting to recognize words or parts of words. He knows that “zow” rhymes with “ow” One of Andy’s favorite things to sign is “I love you”. He signs it, then I sign it with the opposite hand. We touch the signs together, and he says “I love you fingertouch!” Andy recognizes printed numbers up through at least 20, as does Owen.
We’ve have had a serious amount of snow, at least for Oregon. Sunday morning was clear and cold. By Sunday afternoon, we had snow covering the ground. As I write this, we’re looking at two more snowstorms coming in over the next five days. We’ve gone grocery shopping whenever we could to stock up (and to give us all a break from the house).
We took the boys out sledding in our backyard. We have a very small hill (our perspective), which the boys think is great fun to slide down (especially when mommy or daddy is pushing them). We tried to build a snowman, but the snow is too dry. It’s been interesting watching it blow in the wind.
Our road is a little icy but not too bad. As you get out to the bigger roads, they are clear and dry where the cars have been driving. However, everything is likely to be really slick tomorrow, even before the snow starts coming down again.
Right now, the boys are helping Nancy make cookies. We’re looking hard for things to keep them occupied. Their preschool has closed until after the new year (they closed a week early because of the snow).
Pictures
Owen dressed as a doctor at the Children’s Museum
Owen sitting with the dogs, Reigny and Callie
Owen with Santa at Royal Oaks golf club
Boys decorating cookies at the preschool winter party
Boys riding on a toy at Fred Meyer’s (snow in the background)
Andy with his face in his hands
Andy playing in the sand at preschool
Andy playing on an old tractor
Halloween
November 23, 2008
Halloween was fun this year. The boys really got into it. Owen was running down the sidewalk from one house to the next. He called out to Andy, “Come on Andy, we have to be quick!”
The boys went as pirates this year instead of firefighters. They really enjoy their costumes. They ended up with lots of candy.
We went to a local farm to get pumpkins. Owen walked over with the biggest pumpkin he could carry. However, that wasn’t big enough for him, so he took a nylon belt he was playing with, wrapped it around the stem of a bigger pumpkin, and dragged it over to us.
Andy was content to pick out a large pumpkin for me to carry.
The boys are changing again. They are no longer three, not quite four.
They are working on potty training in earnest now, at least at home. Both boys will voluntarily use the bathroom on their own–not every time, but frequently enough that we’re pretty happy.
We’re slowly working on the concept of “picking up” after taking things out. At least the boys are in that helpful stage where they want to do things. They also like to cook. In fact, at the preschool the kids get to cook. The preschool teacher told us that it’s obvious the boys are comfortable in the kitchen. Owen was ready to nuke his own hotdog yesterday
We’re getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas (the boys can hardly wait).
Pictures
Andy on a hayride at the pumpkin patch
Andy hiding from the rain in a sign outside Hayden’s
Pirate Andy
Andy, Owen, Christopher, and Daddy visiting Al’s Garden Center’s Christmas party
Boys playing on the luggage carts at the airport
Owen playing on the dirt pile at JJ and Carlos’ new house
Owen and Auntie Heather riding the carousel
Pirate Owen
Pirate Owen with his sword
Texas
October 31, 2008
We went to Dallas for a week and a half. The boys had a great time. They did very well on their first plane ride. They bounced around a bit between sitting with Nancy and I and my parents, but they settled down nicely after a while.
We saw several different sets of relatives. The boys slept very well in Mimi and Papa’s Texas house.
I sometimes forget just how strong our boys are. We had been picking up leaves by the sidewalk, and we were finished. Andy grabbed the large recycling cart, tilted it back, and rolled it down the sidewalk.
In the Portland airport (on our return), the boys each grabbed a full luggage cart and pushed them out to the shuttle bus.
We picked pumpkins earlier this week, and both boys carried their own (smaller) pumpkins.
The boys are coming along nicely on biking. I think they’re almost ready for us to take off the training wheels, except we’ve lost the biking season here in Oregon. By the time they can bike again regularly, they’ll be in larger bikes.
The boys are adjusting to preschool. They went from 2 kids, 1 adult to 20 kids, 5 adults. It’s been a switch.
Pictures
Owen cooking breakfast
Owen on the plane
Owen sliding
Boys playing in the dirt at JJ and Carlos’ new house
Boys playing piano with Mimi
Boys plowing at the Arboretum
Andy and Papa cooking breakfast
Andy on the plane
Andy and his cousin Savannah sliding
Preschool
September 14, 2008
The boys started preschool last Monday. It’s been a big change for them. I think they’re still feeling a bit overwhelmed.
They do enjoy the pedal cars, though.
We went to Black Butte the week before preschool started. The boys had a great time. They rode bicycles and tricycles and went swimming every day.
On Friday night, as we were coming in from playing in the back, Owen insisted on putting all of the toys under cover. He put all of the cars in one place, and all of the tools stacked up in the corner. It was very cute.
Another day, we were in a hurry to leave. Andy looks around the great room and said, “We can’t leave–the room is messy.”
Pictures
Andy sitting on the couch with daddy; Mimi watching
Andy playing with toys at preschool
Boys in a treehouse at the Oregon Garden
Owen playing with the cash register at preschool
Owen climbing pillows
Owen playing with playdo
Thomas
July 4, 2008
We took the boys out to Thomas last Saturday. It was hot–I think someone said the temperature was 106, and it sure felt like it. We just melted, but the boys had a great time (look at the expressions on their faces in the pictures). At least we didn’t end up with any sunburn.
When we came home from Thomas, the boys got out their plastic Thomas trains. At one point, they had five engines running around the track.
Nancy and I are going to Japan on Monday, so there won’t be any posts for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I’ll get something posted at the end of the month.
Our strawberries and raspberries are starting to come in, so the boys have been out picking several times. They never seem to have any left in their bowls when they’re done picking, though We also have four cherries on our cherry tree–we lost a lot of cherries to the weather.
By the time we get back from Japan, it will almost be time for preschool. The teacher will come and meet the boys in August, and Nancy is going to take them to several playdates with other kids from the preschool.
You have to watch out for three-year old logic. I had the following conversation with Owen this morning:
Owen said, “Can I have strawberry milk?”
“No, we’re about to have lunch.”
“Where are we going for lunch?”
“I don’t know–ask your mother.”
…he runs off and comes back…”She doesn’t know. Can I have a strawberry milk now?”
Pictures
Owen and Mimi on the Thomas train
Papa putting sunscreen on Owen
Owen running
Boys with Sir Topham Hatt
Boys wearing sunglasses
Boys at the zoo
Andy petting a sheep
Andy on the train
Andy on the train again
Father’s Day
June 21, 2008
We had a busy Father’s Day with the boys. We had lunch with my parents and Nana and Grandpa Bob. Then we had dinner with all of Nancy’s side of the family, including Grandpa Bob and Grandpa Larry.
Owen took several good pictures on Nana’s camera. I was surprised that he didn’t try to get his hands on Kathy’s camera with the big telephoto lens. Maybe next time
The boys went to the weaving studio with Nancy on Thursday briefly. They saw the big letters on the side of the building which spell out WEAVE. The boys spelled out the letters and said, “That says ‘weave’.” On Father’s Day, Andy spelled out the letters for the word “ENTRANCE” that was on a sign.
Owen figured out how to tie a balloon to the back of his chair. I sort of showed him how to tie it, but he wasn’t getting it. I turned back to my dinner, and when I looked over again, he had tied it nicely.
We’re down to once a week at Gymboree now. We’ve dropped the play gym–the boys just aren’t as interested in going as they used to be. Plus, they start preschool this fall. Nancy may try to catch some of the play dates at the local parks this summer to try to meet some of the other parents.
Pictures
Andy and Grandpa Bob
Andy at Gymboree
Andy giving Nana a hug
Boys with daddy, Andy walking on his hands
Boys outside Hayden’s
Boys with Nana, drawing
Owen combing Nana’s hair
Owen and Mimi sitting on a bench
Owen climbing on a statue
Iris Garden
June 4, 2008
We went down to Schreiner’s Iris Gardens on Sunday. The boys had a great time. Owen kicked off his boots and just ran and ran. Andy grabbed my hand and showed me all the flowers. We also saw a couple of large tractors, which the boys really appreciated.
Owen enjoys teaching. He is very patient. He has taught Andy several things, and yesterday he was encouraging Abby to play at McDonald’s Playland.
The boys made meatloaf for dinner on Monday. Both of them even cracked the eggs! For dessert, the boys made chocolate cupcakes.
Nancy took the boys to a rummage sale and gave them each five dollars to spend. Andy came home with two train sets, and Owen found several small toys, including a pretend chainsaw.
Pictures
Owen with his new chainsaw
Owen sniffing the flowers at the Iris gardens
Owen standing
The boys boating
Boys looking at an iris
Boys walking with daddy
Andy eating french fries
Andy eating pizza with his lightsaber
Andy sniffing flowers
