A helping....mallet?

Today Daniel was caught running towards his 1.5 year old brother Matthew with a mallet saying, "Hey Matthew, come here!  Let me help burp you!"

Bibles stories NOT to tell your four year-old at night

As I tucked Daniel in the other night, he asked me to tell him a Bible story.  I drew a complete blank.  For the life of me, I couldn't think of any quick, nice, uplifting Bible stories to share just before bed.

As I paused for a moment, the only story that popped into my head was the story of Job.  Really?!  Out of ALL the 1,001 stories in the Bible, the one I think of to tell a four year-old at night - in the dark - is the story of Job?!

Daniel took it pretty well.  I went light on details.

Squeaky

Daniel confessed today:

"Sometimes Squeaky makes me do things I don't want to do."

Well, this is definitely not the way I want to start a conversation with my 4 year old.  For those of you who remember, Daniel's imaginary friends have caused trouble in the past.

"Well, uh....what is it that Squeaky is making you do?"

I start dialing 9-1-1...

"Well, I really wanted to put the numbered magnets on the fridge but Squeaky made me put the alphabet magnets on instead."

Phew.  Dodged that bullet.

P.S.  For those of you who don't know who Squeaky is, he's a cute little mouse from Richard Scarry's Busy Town series.  He, apparently, is also quite persuasive.

Don't be fooled by his innocent look.  That's one mischievous mouse.

Robot skills

Today one of Daniel's teachers at St. Alphonsus commented to me that she was very impressed with Daniel's "robot speaking skills".

We're so proud.

Thanks and epic picture post

A big THANK YOU to all the family and friends who have given us dinners, prayers, babysitting, and support while we welcomed Aaron into the world.  You have all been so kind to us and given us so much.  We truly appreciate everything, and keep you all in our daily prayers.  God bless you, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

As it's been a while since we've posted, enjoy some recent photos over the past month.

Daniel, the working man.

Play time with the Stamschrors!

Aaron meets Brynn!

Crawl Race: Maximilian and Matthew

 

Aaron takes the Australian wonder-bed "Amby-Baby" for a test drive.  Thank you for the loan, Bernsteins!

Though the sun was out, it's surprisingly difficult to smile in 25F weather.

The family picture smile bribe.

So comfy.

Daniel drops in on one of Aaron's pictures.

It's the night of the big Christmas program at St. Alphonsus, and Daniel pays close attention.

The beautiful sound of 30+ preschoolers singing in unison.

Playing house at the annual Goff Christmas party.

Caitlin and Daniel playing "wedding" with bridesmaid, Cora, in tow.

Role Reversal: now it's time for Daniel and Cora to get married.

The big day with friends, Nick and Caitlin.

The annual kid Christmas picture at the Goffs...but sadly we forgot to take it until after the Marcus left.

Best gift ever: the box.

Daniel reads Aaron the book "Angel in the Waters".  If you have kids and don't have this book, get it.  It's adorable.

Daniel warms up for the big concert with his brother.

Gotta tune before you play.

Daniel and Matthew rock out on their "tu-tars".

Blocks are the best; courtesy Matthew's Godfather, Fr. Jordan.

Merry Christmas, Fr. Jordan!

Aaron grabs a nap on Uncle Victor.

Auntie Laura gets some snuggles from Aaron and Matthew.

Aaron's Godparents: Matt and Katie Eusterman.  Thanks again for making it out to Seattle guys!

Play-date with the Eusterman girls, Ellie and Cecilia.

Daniel and Ellie read together.

PLAY FORT!!!!!

Ellie and Daniel get ready for the Aaron's baptism.

Buddies!

A Foggy Morning on Sunnyside

One benefit of always being awakened at 4am - good fog pictures.  Here's our street "Sunnyside".

Daniel the cook and Aaron's first bath

Mom's purple heart

So we were getting Daniel ready for bed tonight when...

"Daniel, Mommy is going to tuck you in tonight, OK?"

"Oh no, not Mommy!  She smells like barf because of Aaron!"

Michele:  *sigh* "It's true, I can't deny it."

We haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

The victim (left) and the accused (right) share a moment of olfactory peace.

Sensitive nose

Daniel made the following comment over dinner today:

"Dad, did you know that I can smell you before I can see you?"

Flattering.

I also noted that my wife did not come to my defense but just turned her head to laugh.

A random picture of Matthew and Daniel "building" things.  Daniel is sure to mention that Matthew is the assistant.

Brotherly defense

I started a juice diet about 6 days ago - well, a mostly juice diet.  I was inspired after watching the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on Netflix the other week.  Basically, for 10 days all you drink is fresh vegetable juice (64oz a day).  I figure if I can drop 15 pounds, I'll come out net zero after Christmas.

Daniel tried a sip of the juice the other night and, with a disturbed look on his face, declared it "bad".  He calls it "sludge" now.  If I ever ask him to try it again, he emphatically declines.

Last night, with Daniel about 10 feet away, I decided to offer a sip to Matthew for the first time.  Daniel was going to have none of that.

Chris:  "Matthew, would you like to try a sip of Daddy's juice?"

Matthew: "Yethsh." (yes)

Hearing this from the other room, Daniel came running into the kitchen and literally threw himself between me and Matthew, and with one hand covering Matthew's mouth, looked at me and shouted:

"NO!  Dad, No!  Do NOT give that to him!"

What a good brother.  Protecting him from the evil of vegetable juice.

Enjoy some pictures of the brothers.