Crab Kissing

One of my more favorite movies when I was younger was Top Gun. That movie is ripe with one-liners, suspense and fast, fast jets! What more could a little geek want?("He's going ballistic Mav, go get 'em!") It is hard to think of the 80s and not think of Top Gun...and neon shoelaces...and Alf, but I digress. Being 10 or 11 when I saw the movie, I remember the major distraction in what, in my mind back then, could have been the greatest movie of all time. Don't pretend that you don't know what part I am talking about. "Take my breath awwwwaaaaayyyyy!!!!!" You with me yet? I just remember thinking, "That must be how lizards kiss."

Well, fast forward that Betamax to today. There we were, watching some sort of totally innocent movie with our kids - I think it was of the latest Disney variety, something like Enchanted or whatever - when a kissing scene comes on. Well with five little boys in the house, Kim and I hear all kinds of "ewwwwwws" and "groooosssss!" whenever there is a kissing scene in a movie. However, this particular night Aiden exclaims, "Yuck, they're crab kissing!"

Not familiar with the mating habits of crustaceans, I asked my 7-year-old to elucidate the matter. He says, "Well their mouths are going like this (he makes little claws with his hands and starts clicking them together) kind of like crab claws, Dad." Kim and I laughed hysterically - at the same time, though, I quickly canceled any mental plans I had to visit Sea World with the boys any time soon. There will be no crab kissing on my watch, thank you very much!

Happy Memorial Day

This is a picture from the airshow in 2006 - That's Jace not Cooper, but how can you really tell? It seems every time we go to the airshow, Kim has a child strapped to her.

As I was watching the annual Memorial Day concert from Washington DC last night, I realized that one of the main things our society is missing these days is reverance. We could all benefit from showing a little bit more respect to one another. Apparently the boys didn't enjoy the concert broadcast as much as I did, but they do love each other.

Popsicle Boy

I'm guessing by the faces he makes, it's a love-hate relationship. Cooper actually is a little mooch, especially if we are eating something yummy like a popsicle.

Cooper, the Phantom Menace

Our sweet little Cooper is quite mobile now. He crawls all over the place and occasionally gets into mischief. We think that Darth Jace has taken Cooper in as his sith apprentice. (Can you tell that our boys are really into the Star Wars movies right now?) We're just holding our breath for when he can start climbing. We'll need to muster all the power of the force to survive the onslaught.

Aspiring Author Aiden

Aiden entered Reading Rainbow's book contest a few months ago. Locally, he was selected as a semi-finalist and received a brand new book along with a certificate from Channel 10 (PBS) and Reading Rainbow. You can read his story here.

Of course his entry didn't have the photoshop embellishment of backgrounds, etc. that were added by his dad. That just wouldn't be fair, but all that was added was the colored backgrounds and the cover. Everything else was Aiden. We're so happy for our little author/illustrator!

The Rage

Weekend before last, we had one of the tougher times we have had with Gage. It was not a happy time for our little 4-year-old or his parents. It started on Saturday with his freaking out over a certain shirt that he was to wear to our friends' baptisms. He would not put it on at home or in the car. So that meant he and I spent the first 20 minutes of the baptism out in the car. What ended it? He finally said that the tag inside the shirt bugged him. As soon as I cut it off, we were merrily on our way into the building.

The following day, Greyson got some candy for being spotlighted or is it spotlit :) in Primary. Gage really wanted one of his "gum pops". How do I know that he really wanted a gum pop? Because he told me - for the next 45 minutes that he and I spent in an empty classroom instead of sacrament meeting. The little veins would pop out of his head and neck as he would stamp his foot repeating "I really, really, really want a gum pop." Then he resorted to things like, "I'm never going to know what a gum pop tastes like." That's right, not acting like that you're not.

Oh it was a wonderful weekend. Thankfully he got it out of his system before Mother's Day. By this last weekend he was mostly angel. Well, at least some.

Mr. Smarty Pants

We're so happy for our little first grader! At the awards assembly today, Aiden received certificates for A-honor roll, perfect attendance and citizenship. The only let down was that in each class, a special award was given to one student. All of Aiden's friends in other classes were selected, however, in Aiden's class another little boy was selected by his teacher for the award. Kim saw the tears well up a little in Aiden's eyes, but he hasn't said anything about it. Poor kid. He is such a pleaser that it really gets to him if he is not at the top. We love him regardless of what recognitions he is bestowed and are just so grateful for such a great kid!

Way to go buddy!

Buns, Buns, and More Buns

We had a ward activity yesterday, and let's just say that my boy scout husband was more than prepared! We had bags and bags of buns left over. We have given away 4 or 5 bags, and we still have loads. We made french toast this morning (which the boys adored, even Cooper.) with the hamburger buns. Now I am going to venture in making some bread pudding. It is one of my favorites and apparantly one of my Father's as well so in honor of his 64th on Tuesday(I think he is 64 this year.) I am making some bread pudding. He lives in Reno, but Dad, we will let you know how my first stab at it goes! Bon Appetite!