Visitors
October 21, 2007
Heather and Bart were out this past week. The boys always like it when we have relatives in from out of town. They asked about Bart and Heather before they came, and we went to the airport to see them arrive. We went up to the zoo (the boys had a great time) and to OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). There are two great areas for the boys there. They have one area which has water, a sand box, and building blocks. The other room is the ball room. It has small foam balls and machines that shoot air, so you can launch the balls high into the air.
For Bart’s birthday, the boys got to wrap their first present. I helped them cut the paper, then they fastened the scotch tape onto the present. They’re ready to go Christmas shopping for Mommy, though apparently she doesn’t want a Thomas the Tank Engine.
We went to the children’s clinic at Home Depot yesterday. They are holding the clinics twice a month now–the boys are very excited. As we walked out, we saw the sign for the clinic. It said “For children ages 5-12.” So in 2 1/2 more years, the boys will be able to go to the clinics 
We met two more sets of twins at Home Depot–one set of 6-year old girls and the others were 18-month old boys.
I asked Andy yesterday, “Andy, do you want to wear shoes or boots?” Andy said, “Buster’s!”. I said, “Andy, do you want to wear shoes or boots?” “Andy want to wear boots to Buster’s!” Guess where we had lunch
The boys have been sleeping well. They go to bed between 9 and 10 and get up between 9 and 10 in the morning. We would like them to go to bed a bit earlier, but with changing to daylight savings time in another two weeks, we’ll just wait and let their schedule naturally shift.
The boys are going to be firemen for Halloween. They’re pretty excited. Hopefully we’ll have decent weather. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
We bought a play set from our neighbors. It has two slides and lots of places for the boys to climb.
Pictures
Owen and Bart at the Oregon Zoo
Owen showing off the birdhouse he made
Owen at the Oregon Zoo
Boys on the elephant tricycle
Boys at Home Depot
Andy sitting with Grampie and Heather
Andy on the new play set
Andy sitting at the zoo
Astoria
October 2, 2007
Last week we went over to Astoria (on the Oregon coast, for those who aren’t familiar with Oregon) for a seminar for me. Nancy, the boys, and my parents all came as well.
Everyone had a great time. The boys went to the Maritime Museum and rode the trolley. They saw ships and the big anchor by the wharf.
Nancy and I realized the other day that our boys don’t really say “no”. They may disagree with us, and they certainly have strong opinions, but we don’t hear “no” much. I think it’s because we try to avoid asking the boys yes-or-no questions, and we try to redirect them rather than telling them no.
One funny example from a while ago: Andy didn’t want to come into the restaurant with us, so I said, “Do you want to sit by Mommy or Daddy in the restaurant?” Andy thought about it, then said, “Stay in car seat!”
The other night we asked Owen, “Where do you want to eat tonight?” because it was Owen’s turn to pick. Andy chimed in with “Buster’s!”. We said, “Andy, it’s Owen’s turn to pick.” Andy said, “Andy just saying Buster’s. Andy not pick.” And of course, Owen immediately said, “Buster’s!”
The boys are really connecting together many more sentences than they used to. We get whole paragraphs now explaining things to us.
Both boys love to jump. They will stand in place and just start jumping, or they will jump off something. Owen doesn’t really like to walk. Even running is too slow for him. So he will jump and hop and skip as he walks along. Owen has also decided that walking down the stairs is too slow. Instead, he turns around and slides down on this stomach (feet-first, fortunately!).
We went to Powell’s Books last night. I picked up a basket, so both of the boys had to pick up a basket as well. Andy made a beeline to the children’s section, which is pretty good since you can’t see the children’s section from the front of the store.
Their memories are getting much better. They remember when things are going to happen, and they can remember specific things, like going to Astoria or where we bought a particular toy.
Pictures
Andy in Astoria with Mimi and Papa
Andy grinning
Andy walking with Mimi
Boys sitting in front of the Columbia River
Boys walking
Owen with the Astoria bridge in the background
Owen and Mimi in front of the big anchor
Owen and Mimi reading
