God Bless America

Ok, by request, here's Amelia singing, "God Bless America."

Amelia's Instructions to Max

Amelia was playing with her cousin Max, when he wandered away to a corner to do some business (with grunting). She shouted, "Max, just POOP. I KNOW you can do it! C'mon Max!" What a nut.

Amelia's feelings on bedtime

When we put Amelia to bed in our hotel during a recent trip to North Carolina she said, "I don't want to go to bed. That's CRAP!" Mike frowned and said, "Amelia, that's not cool!" She replied, "Oh, it's cool!" Yikes! I'd better curb my use of the word crap now!

Red Day

Amelia had "Red Day" at preschool earlier this week. She wore this cool Chinese outfit that we bought at the Chinese Cultural Center in Phoenix. Also, today as she was hugging me she told me, "Mommy, today is going to be a loving day." What a great day!

Colin on the Piano

Colin's musical contribution to the blog is some excellent piano playing. He takes it very seriously!

More Singing

Aunt Karen requested more songs, so here is a video of Amelia singing, "I am a Child of God." I took this video just today, and I think she sings much more clearly here than she did in the last video, which was shot in May.

New Portraits

Here are some portraits that we had taken of the kids a couple of weeks ago. The serious one of Colin makes me laugh! The one of Amelia sitting up is funny because she strikes that pose all the time.

Graham Crackers

This morning I gave Colin a graham cracker during breakfast, and out of the blue, as clear as a bell, he said "graham cracker" in his funny low voice. It was amazing! This kid never says ANYTHING (except "no"). Recently he's said, "bye bye" and "doggie" but the words are few and far between. I didn't imagine that he was even capable of saying two words together with so many syllables. What a funny, mysterious little guy! I wonder what else he could do if he wanted to...

Surprise for Sarah

Recently we were ambling around Walmart and I was planning to pick up a little gift for Sarah, who was having a bad day. I asked Amelia what we should get her and her first suggestion was "baby toys." I asked her if she had any other ideas, and she suggested flowers. We set off for the flowers and on the way we passed some absolutely atrocious Tinkerbell pajama pants. Amelia, being a major Tink fan, was instantly in love with the pants and thought Sarah needed them. Even though they were hideous, I thought it would be nice to get her something that Amelia picked out, so we bought them. Later, Amelia was talking on the phone to Sarah and said, "Sarah, we got you a surprise." I told her not to tell Sarah what her gift was so she said, "It's in the shape of... jammies!" I am entirely unable to keep a secret of any kind (just ask Mike, who gets every gift early) so I guess she takes after me in more than just looks!

San Diego

Here's my favorite picture of Colin from our trip to San Diego a couple of months ago. It reminds me of the calm baby that he used to be! He's gotten a lot more opinionated and vocal now, which is great too, but sometimes I miss that relaxed attitude. Today he's been fighting with me over the buttons on the TV. I won't let him play with them and he gets pretty mad! Fortunately, angry Colin is pretty darn cute.

Memories!

I came across this picture today of Mike and Amelia when we were living in Virginia! Can you believe it has been more than two years now? Even Mike looks different! I really miss that place right about now- it's too hot here!

Tiny Chair

Here's a picture of Colin sitting on a tiny antique doll chair. I wanted to include this photo because sitting on this chair is one of his favorite pastimes! His bottom really doesn't fit! His other favorite activities are eating graham crackers, playing ring-around-the-rosies, pounding on a toy piano, sticking out his tongue, and throwing his University of Virginia basketball. WahooWa!

Reawy Beautiful Song

Every day Amelia says to me, "Mommy, I sink you're reawy beautiful" in the sweetest voice. Isn't that wonderful!? Here is video from a few months ago with her singing the song "Little Purple Pansies."

Daddy's Undies

Mike just went back to work today after being home for 5 days straight. Amelia was asking about him and when he would be coming home today, and she was very excited when he came home shortly after lunchtime. When he was putting her down for a nap, he was still wearing his work clothes and shoes. She said, "Daddy, I want you to go put your underwear on! I want you to stay!" Amelia knows that when Daddy hangs around the house in his underwear that he'll be staying all day!

Hind Sight

Max and Sarah came over this morning and the kids decided that they needed a bath! They look like piggies at a trough!