Best friends

Yesterday Benji declared Zachary his best friend.

When he declared this, I was kind enough not to bring up the fact that he BIT his best friend that very morning at the library. We'll have to work on what being a best friend actually entails. But it's still sweet.

Pottery Barn Kids

I leafed through the summer Pottery Barn Kids catalog this evening. Very dangerous. It makes me want to buy everything. If you're not familiar with their prices, you won't understand how very dangerous that would be. But it's oh so cool looking...

Pie for breakfast

Here is the blueberry pie Benji and I made this afternoon (I love blueberry season!). I read up thoroughly on berry pies and pastry dough in my well-used copy of "The Joy of Cooking" (my favorite all-purpose cookbook given as a gift from my dad years ago). You would be amazed at how much is written on the topic. Or if you're a food science major, like Kristin, maybe you wouldn't be surprised. There is a lot of science that goes into a pie crust. In case you're ever bored at night, just google it and I'm sure you'll find plenty of reading material. Anyway, while doing my extensive research in "The Joy of Cooking," I learned that 200 years back people used to eat pie for breakfast and dinner, and it was not unusual for a household to bake a dozen pies every week. All I can say is, sometimes I wish I was born 200 years ago! Forget whole grain bran flakes for breakfast, tomorrow I'm having a slice of pie!

New milestone

First there's rolling over. Then sitting up. Then walking. Then talking. And then come the really important milestones in every child's life. Today was Benji's first time cleaning the toilet and he is thrilled! Right afterward he ran to Daddy to tell him the big news. It's right up there with potty training, folks.

He has wanted to help me use the toilet brush for years, but despite the fact that we use natural cleansers, I just didn't want him cleaning the toilet in case he went wild with the brush or something of that nature.

So those of you with younger children, just sit back and wait for the major milestones to come. Then you can truly sit back, kick back, and watch your kids clean the bathroom. :)

War

Last week we watched the movie "Joyeux Noel" on Thursday night and "In the valley of Elah" on Friday night. "Joyeux Noel" is the true story of WWI soldiers who took a break from fighting to celebrate Christmas together in 1914. "In the valley of Elah" is a tale of how the Iraq war changed several soldiers into people who did things they never imagined they would do (purposely vague description so it won't spoil the plot for anybody who hasn't seen it and plans to). Two war movies in two nights. The combined effect made me deepen my hatred of war and maximize the futility of most (all?) wars.

Is it unpatriotic to pray that my sons never join the military? Because if it is, call me unpatriotic.

Firefighter Zac

A first

Zachary fell asleep in the car yesterday around nap time, but I hadn't changed his diaper yet. So when we got home, I decided it really needed to be changed - so I did it ... and he stayed asleep the whole time. I guess he was a little bit tired!

Father's day gift

I went into the laundry room this morning to start a load of laundry (a daily event around here) and saw Shearn Yoong's father's day gift from the boys sitting in its' Target bag. Oops! Completely forgot to give him his gift yesterday. That is the danger of the laundry room - once something goes in, sometimes it never comes out! Sorry sweetie - you will be receiving a gift this evening! :)

Father's Day

We took a train ride from Springdale to Rogers and back. It was a nice leisurely way to spend part of our Father's Day celebration. Here are two pictures from the trip of Daddy with his boys.

Benji and Shearn Yoong were having a sweet talk about what Benji would be when he grows up. Shearn Yoong is already giving him the good message that he should do whatever he enjoys rather than just following money. Benji's current choice? Builder. Maybe we can get a custom built home out of that choice! :)

How fitting that Zachary fell asleep in Daddy's arms on Father's Day. The lull of the train's clickety-clack just was too much to resist.

I hope one day our boys know what a special father they have. Maybe they already do. He is so involved with them every single day. I pray that my three boys will always be close.

Negotiation

I hate negotiating to lower a price. I'd rather pay an obviously too high price rather than haggle. I would not do well in Malaysia (or many other countries) because it is expected to haggle on every single price posted. Which is why it's great that I have a Malaysian husband. He does a great job in that department. But yesterday I got my chance to prove that I can do it.

I went to see a bunk bed for sale by one of my mom's friends. I thought it cost $100 but when I called her that evening it turned out it was $200. Though more than I expected, I still felt like it was a good deal because it's in very good condition. But when I asked Shearn Yoong if that was okay with him, Shearn Yoong said, "Ask if she'll take $150." Now for a normal person this would not be a big deal. Just ask. If she says no, then we pay $200. Not the end of the world. But my adrenaline started pounding and I looked around for an escape. Why am I so terrified that this stranger might think I was trying to take advantage of her, which I'm sure she wasn't thinking. I honestly don't know. But in the end, I did it! I asked the simple question, "Will you take $150?" and she said yes. Now that I have proven that I can indeed haggle,  I will still give that role to Shearn Yoong because I don't know if my heart can take that much adrenaline on a regular basis.

I hope the boys are happy to know that they will soon have a new bed that their mother negotiated a lower price for - which means I can spend the $50 saved on some new sheets for them. Or maybe 2 new dresses which I mentioned in the last post. Probably dresses! :)

There is only one problem with weaning

And that problem is that it means you NEVER, EVER breastfeed again. 

Yes, I know I'm a genius. But it's a big deal! 

Last week I woke up one day and decided, "Enough. I'm done with nursing. Zac's 20 months old and that is pretty good." But I do have some compassion so we have not stopped cold turkey. We are currently down to 1-2 nursing sessions a day.

But back to the problem. That means we will soon not be breastfeeding at all. Not for owies. Not for naptime. Not for anything. Good in theory but in practice could be tricky - especially as you're balancing a demanding 3 year old on top of the 20 month old. Nursing Zac has been my vehicle to read Benji books the last 1 1/2 years. If I wasn't nursing Zac, I have no idea how I would have kept up all our reading. Nursing has been a great "occupier" for Zac when I have done activities or talked with Benji. So where does that leave us now? We'll see... I'm sure we'll make a new rhythm but in the meantime there are a few things that are beginning to cause me a little anxiety - not the least of them being naptime. Today was okay. I know there will be not okay days too, but I will be thankful for today's okay day. 

Anytime there is change, it can be difficult - even if it's a good and natural part of growing up. Just as a parent whose child uses a pacifier to go to sleep knows - eventually the pacifier has got to go. But that doesn't make the process any easier.

And to end on a totally trivial and selfish point, I am very excited to finally be able to wear dresses again! It's been 4 years, folks. That's a long time! In fact, I might need to treat myself to a few new ones to celebrate.

"Because I told you so"

I have discovered that "Because I told you so" is a perfectly reasonable response to a child. I told that to Benji today during naptime after he tried yet another stalling tactic. Sometimes I add, "Because God made Mommy and Daddy the boss" or "Because God said you need to obey Mommy and Daddy" but today I just said "Because I told you so" and that was enough. So you parents of young babies, before you promise that you will NEVER, EVER say such a simpleton phrase - just don't make the promise because I guarantee that you'll break it - and it's okay if you break it.

Silly pose

This picture of Zac makes me laugh

Big boy bike

Going for a walk with his big boy bike

Dancing brothers

Some birthday party pictures

We attended a fun birthday this past weekend. Here are some pictures taken by the Daddy of the birthday girl.

Benji's favorite part of birthdays are all the balloons (oh yeah, and the cake too!)

Zachary enjoyed drawing on the paper table cloth - fun idea!

Zachary and Mommy have places to go - watch out world!