Loser.

Although I won the push up contest, I lost the sprint race. Now I am taking out the recycleables (for a week) while my 11 year old gloats. He can't help his awesomeness.

Speaking Your Mind.

I've noticed lately how difficult it is to get Max to share what is on his mind. He holds back more often than ever. Yay for pre teens! This change in the game has just required more strategy on my part, but it usually pays off in him spilling his deep vault of secret thoughts. Yesterday was another one of these days. He was being evasive as to why he didn't want to join the new track team at school. He had an answer for everything and it still didn't satisfy. I asked who was on the team...most of his good friends. I asked who coached the team...one of his favorite teachers. I asked if he liked running...yeah. I told him he could do it for fun and not compete...no. Was there a bully...no. Was he afraid of losing...no. A zillion questions and answers later I gave up and Max then looked at Leon and I and said, "I just don't like running in circles." Enough said.

Since I am on the topic of speaking your mind...

While I was in Lowe's the other day with the little boys, we took an emergency detour from the hardware section to the bathroom. Why do all of my boys wait until the very last second?!!? While I was waiting with Zac outside the stall, I could hear Sam inside the stall hitting his legs and laughing! Being under some serious time constraints (8 1/2 minutes 'til pick up for Max) I told him to stop playing and finish up. Sam then yelled, "But, Mommy! My legs are squishy and bouncy like yours!" Nice. And yes, all of the other women in the Lowe's bathroom found it amusing as well.

Where Love Is.

Heart shaped dinner.

Sharing.

We have been working a lot on sharing.

So far bath time has been the only hour there is full cooperation.

Style.

Track pants...check.

Race car t shirt...check.

Reversible vest...check.

Spider Man gloves...check.

Self expressing 3 year old...check.

Winter Break 2010.

Honestly, it doesn't feel like the holidays until we take a road trip up to visit family in Napa. While we were there, we went ice skating on polymer "ice" in Yountville. It was actually quite fun and came with the occasional slip and fall...even being that it wasn't real ice.