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! :)