The other night Rudy was upset with Paul, over something horrible Paul did, like make him clean up toys by himself. After getting over the crying, but still not happy with Paul, Rudy leaned in to him and said, "You're breaking my heart."
Rudy was telling me about his day at school and I asked what he was doing during the day when he wasn't listening to the teacher. His response, "I can't tell you. It's shameful." (NOTE: It was laughing instead of listening to the teacher. As you can see, he can be very dramatic!))
On the way home from school Rudy was trying to convince me to stop at Wawa for a snack. When that didn't work he started in about wanting ice cream, which we rarely have in the winter, mainly because I get cold eating it in the summer,so there's no way I'm eating it in the winter! So he said, "I like ice cream. I miss ice cream."
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Where Do We Live?
I am starting to think the US has shifted and we are farther north than we originally were. We just had our third snow storm of the winter - with more on the horizon. This time we really only got about 2 inches, but all the schools were closed.
After a lazy start to the day, we headed out to shovel at Paul's mom's house and my dad's house. This was the first snowfall this year where the snow was easily packed, so snowball fights ensued as we shoveled.
A silly pose...
A nice pose. Paul had sunglasses on so Rudy insisted he needed his.
After shoveling, we decided to stop at the playground for some more fresh air. The play equipment was a little too wet and snowy so we took a walk around the pond instead. I put Rudy's clothes out for him, but he always manages to add his own flair- today's fair was his long johns on the outside. The worst part is, they are kind of big so he kept asking for help to pull them up.
We had fun looking at the snow tracks and trying to figure out what animal had been there. And then we had to make up animals that might have been there, like a turtle duck.
After a lazy start to the day, we headed out to shovel at Paul's mom's house and my dad's house. This was the first snowfall this year where the snow was easily packed, so snowball fights ensued as we shoveled.
Rudy likes to try making "tongue prints" in the snow. He has such a fascination with eating snow, sometimes it is like having a toddler around because he's not always discrete about where he tries to eat snow!
A silly pose...
A nice pose. Paul had sunglasses on so Rudy insisted he needed his.
After shoveling, we decided to stop at the playground for some more fresh air. The play equipment was a little too wet and snowy so we took a walk around the pond instead. I put Rudy's clothes out for him, but he always manages to add his own flair- today's fair was his long johns on the outside. The worst part is, they are kind of big so he kept asking for help to pull them up.
We had fun looking at the snow tracks and trying to figure out what animal had been there. And then we had to make up animals that might have been there, like a turtle duck.
The partially frozen pond. You can't see too well, but on the other side are many, many ducks and some geese hanging out in the water and on the ice.
As we rounded to pond to the other side, the ducks came charging from the water toward us. You aren't supposed to feed the animals here, but obviously people do since they were excited to see us. They came right up to us and followed us for a while. Paul took a video of the ducks following us and Rudy saying, "Sorry, we have no food. Go find someone else."
Yes, they really were this close. Paul crouched down and held the camera low to take this picture.
As we rounded to pond to the other side, the ducks came charging from the water toward us. You aren't supposed to feed the animals here, but obviously people do since they were excited to see us. They came right up to us and followed us for a while. Paul took a video of the ducks following us and Rudy saying, "Sorry, we have no food. Go find someone else."
Yes, they really were this close. Paul crouched down and held the camera low to take this picture.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Smart
At dinner the other night, Rudy told me that, because we were being Batman and Batgirl, we were eating fried bats. I asked how he knew that's what they ate and he said his friend, S, had told him. "S is pretty smart," I said. Rudy replied that S is smart about Batman stuff but not other things, like Rudy knows about. When I asked about the other things, Rudy said,"S isn't smart like me about why the leaves fall off the trees." I asked him to tell me why and he told me that when it's cold the leaves shake because they are cold and then they fall off the trees.
Such a smart boy!
Such a smart boy!
The Best Laid Plans
Saturday was supposed to be a fun day. Rudy and I were supposed to meet my best friend, Vincie, and her boys for a late-birthday and Christmas gift exchange. We had attempted this get-together first in December, and then I was sick the day we were supposed to go. So we rescheduled for this weekend. I knew it was a bad sign when, earlier in the week, Vincie's husband and then kids all had stomach viruses. But we were still hopeful they would recover in time. Sadly it wasn't meant to be; the boys still weren't 100% better and then Vincie caught it, so Rudy and I had to fend for ourselves on Saturday, since Paul was working.
Next plan was to go to the library, maybe do some shopping, and clean. Then Paul left for work and called me almost immediately to tell me I had a flat tire.
Before calling AAA I went out to look at the tire. Rudy soon followed - having put my sneakers on so he could get out the door quickly.
Next plan was to go to the library, maybe do some shopping, and clean. Then Paul left for work and called me almost immediately to tell me I had a flat tire.
Before calling AAA I went out to look at the tire. Rudy soon followed - having put my sneakers on so he could get out the door quickly.
Within 20 minutes of calling AAA, my car's tire had been changed - surely a record and, I hoped, a good omen. The man who came told me the tire should be able to be patched for about $25. I had the name of one place, but decided to head out to the mall, since we would then have something to do while we waited for the car.
First we had lunch at Johnny Rockets.
After seeing the servers dance, he had to show off some of his own moves. I think this would be the perfect place for him to work - he loves to pretend he's a waiter and always has great moves!
After eating, I looked for some shoes, we visited the pet store, where Rudy told me he used to have a chihuahua when he was little but it got taken to the pound He later recanted the part about the pound. I always wonder if there is some measure of truth/memory to his stories. Then he played in the play area for a while.
W went back into the department store, where I did a little more shopping, then headed to the rest room. While in the restroom, fortunately, Rudy had a little accident. At the same time, I got a call from the automotive department. After having my car for over two hours, they discovered that there were three hole sin my tire and the most they could patch was two, so I needed a new tire. I wanted to take Rudy home, and didn't feel like waiting longer, so I told them I needed to go home and we headed up to get my car. As we drove home, I kept trying to figure out what my nest step was- I could wait but I wasn't sure many places would be open the next day, Sunday. I could try to do something later when Paul got home, but again, I wasn't sure how late places would be ope. There was one automotive place, right near our house, that I was aware of but had never been to. I decided to just stop in on the way home and see what they could do. I arrived at 2:45 and they closed at 4:00, so I wasn't too hopeful. However, the workers there were amazing, said that was plenty of time to do the work, especially because everyone seemed to work faster when it was almost time to go home. Rudy had fun watching them through the door as my car was put on the lift,
and within half an hour I had a new tire and was heading home. I also now have a great, very close, auto place to go for tires, oil changes, and other work that may need to be done, so at least something good came out of the day!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Rudyisms
"What do you want to be?"
Paul and I are asked this phrase several times a day. We have to be careful how we answer because Rudy could be referring to what kind of dinosaur we want to be, and we might answer a Superhero. He doesn't always give us enough clues the first time he asks this questions, so often one of us is asking, "What are my choices?" In any given day we could be a wild animal, a dinosaur, a superhero, a monster and a villain. And just answering this question is not enough, there are always follow-up questions: "What do you look like?" "What powers do you have?" "Are you the mommy or the kid?"
One day after school, Rudy got in the car and was very excited to tell me this:
I finally learned "Meenie meenie miney mo. Meenie meenie miney mo touch a tiger on his toe." I actually like his version better than the original!
Paul and I are asked this phrase several times a day. We have to be careful how we answer because Rudy could be referring to what kind of dinosaur we want to be, and we might answer a Superhero. He doesn't always give us enough clues the first time he asks this questions, so often one of us is asking, "What are my choices?" In any given day we could be a wild animal, a dinosaur, a superhero, a monster and a villain. And just answering this question is not enough, there are always follow-up questions: "What do you look like?" "What powers do you have?" "Are you the mommy or the kid?"
One day after school, Rudy got in the car and was very excited to tell me this:
I finally learned "Meenie meenie miney mo. Meenie meenie miney mo touch a tiger on his toe." I actually like his version better than the original!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Some Recent Dancing Videos
I have had no luck with adding videos to blogger, but I'm going to try yet again!
Dancing cousins
Our dancing fool
Dancing cousins
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Random Pictures
Rudy usually snuggles on the couch in the morning while I get his breakfast ready. One day, he decided to snuggle on the ottoman instead.
Showing his drawing of Spiderman.
Another Snow Storm?
Last weekend we got more snow. It's beginngin to look like we're going to have another long snowy winter. Rudy wasn't very interested at first in going out in the snow when we told him we were going to go out and shovel. He told us he would just stay inside and watch TV, but when we told him he could stay inside, but not watch TV, he changed his mind. In fact, Paul and I were still getting dressed when we discovered he had headed outside already (glove, scarf and hatless no less).
Here he waits at the back door to throw a pile of snow (it didn't pack well enough to make snowballs).
Rudy found a big branch and he and Paul played Snow Ball.
As you can see it was still snowing pretty good when we went out. And this time our faithful snow dog decided he wanted to take a walk, too.
Here he waits at the back door to throw a pile of snow (it didn't pack well enough to make snowballs).
Rudy found a big branch and he and Paul played Snow Ball.
As you can see it was still snowing pretty good when we went out. And this time our faithful snow dog decided he wanted to take a walk, too.
We Three Kings
Our church's Christmas pageant was the beginning of January this year. It went very well considering there was only one day of rehearsal. Rudy was VERY excited to be a king this year. After being a sheep and a camel the past two years, upon hearing he was a king this year, he said, "I get to be a human!" He played his part perfectly - he really is growing up!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Christmas Chaos
Because of a big snow storm the day after Christmas, our celebration with my side of the family was postponed until New Year's Eve. But once we were together, chaos reigned , as usual, and we all imagined the greater chaos that next year would bring when these two are both over a year old next Christmas. You can see they are already planning all sorts of mischief!
My family has always had a tradition of opening presents one at a time, starting with the youngest. So we let the kids open some presents, then we ate, then they opened more presents. The big kids (Max, Rudy, and Lucy) were very excited, but did a great job of waiting their turn, and even volunteered to help the babies, and later the adults, open their presents. The excitement was all in the unwrapping.
My family has always had a tradition of opening presents one at a time, starting with the youngest. So we let the kids open some presents, then we ate, then they opened more presents. The big kids (Max, Rudy, and Lucy) were very excited, but did a great job of waiting their turn, and even volunteered to help the babies, and later the adults, open their presents. The excitement was all in the unwrapping.
Max helping Charlie.
Lucy opening her pillow pet.
Lucy helping Paige.
Lucy barely finished opening hers while Rudy begins his.
Rudy relaxing between openings and reading one of his new superhero books.
Lucy watching Max and waiting for her next turn.
Strawberry "cortcake"!
Rudy was so happy to get two new 'coloring pads", as he calls them These are the Magna Doodle pads that you write and erase on. These were replacements for ones he's had for a long time. He uses them all the time. The little one is great for car rides and the big one for more elaborate drawings at home.
Lucy trying to figure out if Grandpa's gift has any interest to her.
Rudy getting some cat time with Maggie. Since Mario died, he doesn't have a cat to play with- Smokey won't let him within five feet of her, so he's been going through withdrawal, I think. All he wanted to do was lie on the stairs and pet Maggie. Thank goodness Maggie is such a tolerant cat!
The big kids with their pillow pets- Max and Lucy were completely cooperative for these pictures, I'm not sure why they look so miserable. Rudy was dragged away from the cat for this picture, so he decided to be goofy for the pictures.
Charlie checking out the presents.
A rare moment where all three big kids are sitting.
The handsome toothless biggest kid.
The usually very happy to comply with pictures girl making a silly face.
A rare nice smile from the crazy boy.
Paige taking it all in. She tolerated all the noise and chaos much better this time than at Thanksgiving. Maybe she's finally getting used to us!
Max got a dance game for his Wii. So the kids tried it out.
And then some of the grown ups gt involved. It was fun.
I don't have any pictures on my camera, but there was a little sibling rivalry contest between me and my brothers doing Kung Fu Fighting. It's amazing how little it takes to become a kid not wanting to be beaten by her brothers. I ended up in third place - I think one of both of them cheated somehow. :)
And then e took our annual group picture. Next year, we are going to do the pictures first - before the kids open any presents - to ensure they are more cooperative! The pictures, after several attempts, really turned out pretty good.
I don't know why I thought we should push it and attempt a family photo, but obviously I should have known better.
And after sitting for all the family pictures, Lucy wanted to play photographer for a while. These all turned out really good. I left out the one that ended up being just Renee's shirt and not her face. :)
As always, it is great to get together with everyone, and the kids had a lot of fun together (lately it's a crap shoot which way it goes), so it was a fun family day of chaos!
Lucy opening her pillow pet.
Lucy helping Paige.
Lucy barely finished opening hers while Rudy begins his.
Rudy relaxing between openings and reading one of his new superhero books.
Lucy watching Max and waiting for her next turn.
Strawberry "cortcake"!
Rudy was so happy to get two new 'coloring pads", as he calls them These are the Magna Doodle pads that you write and erase on. These were replacements for ones he's had for a long time. He uses them all the time. The little one is great for car rides and the big one for more elaborate drawings at home.
Lucy trying to figure out if Grandpa's gift has any interest to her.
Rudy getting some cat time with Maggie. Since Mario died, he doesn't have a cat to play with- Smokey won't let him within five feet of her, so he's been going through withdrawal, I think. All he wanted to do was lie on the stairs and pet Maggie. Thank goodness Maggie is such a tolerant cat!
The big kids with their pillow pets- Max and Lucy were completely cooperative for these pictures, I'm not sure why they look so miserable. Rudy was dragged away from the cat for this picture, so he decided to be goofy for the pictures.
Charlie checking out the presents.
A rare moment where all three big kids are sitting.
The handsome toothless biggest kid.
The usually very happy to comply with pictures girl making a silly face.
A rare nice smile from the crazy boy.
Paige taking it all in. She tolerated all the noise and chaos much better this time than at Thanksgiving. Maybe she's finally getting used to us!
Max got a dance game for his Wii. So the kids tried it out.
And then some of the grown ups gt involved. It was fun.
I don't have any pictures on my camera, but there was a little sibling rivalry contest between me and my brothers doing Kung Fu Fighting. It's amazing how little it takes to become a kid not wanting to be beaten by her brothers. I ended up in third place - I think one of both of them cheated somehow. :)
And then e took our annual group picture. Next year, we are going to do the pictures first - before the kids open any presents - to ensure they are more cooperative! The pictures, after several attempts, really turned out pretty good.
I don't know why I thought we should push it and attempt a family photo, but obviously I should have known better.
And after sitting for all the family pictures, Lucy wanted to play photographer for a while. These all turned out really good. I left out the one that ended up being just Renee's shirt and not her face. :)
As always, it is great to get together with everyone, and the kids had a lot of fun together (lately it's a crap shoot which way it goes), so it was a fun family day of chaos!
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