Overheard: One for Each Kid

The other night I taught the 12 year old Boy Scouts about Personal Fitness for the second week in a row. They are good kids, but it's such an eye opening experience working with them. It's hard to believe that a rather short time ago I was one of these rowdy, immature and sometimes weird young men.
Afterward, I was talking with Rachel about it and came to the conclusion that if our kids were weird and immature it would be because of their weird dad and certainly not their mother. Shortly after I caught myself once again being my weirdo self (I think I was referring to Olive by her new nickname, Goos Mung Wong Shin Tsao Li) and exclaimed: "No! My kids are going to be weird!"
A few minutes later, a teary-eyed Hannah was walking toward our room.

Me: What's wrong Hannah?
Hannah (in the verge of a breakdown): I don't wanna be weird.

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Olive, running naked after a bath: I coldie! I coldie!

Happens almost every bath.

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I took Heber with me to play basketball Saturday morning at the church. We got there a little early so I started teaching him how to play defense. Later, I started playing ball and Heber kept calling for me from the sidelines to tell me something. I kept telling him to wait until we were done, thinking he was just being a needy little kid. Finally it got to be too much and I asked the guys if they could stop while I addressed Heber's concern. He quietly reprimanded my defense:

Heber: Dad you're not blocking them.

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Happy Mother's Day to Our Mothers!!!

Hopefully you're not tired of our videos this week because we have a couple more for you.

Happy Mother's Day to Claudia!!!

Happy Mother's Day to Susan!!!

Thanks to all the women in our life who mother us, to our moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, and sisters-in-law. Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Happy Birthday Talmage!!!

T-ball

Swing batter batter swing

Warm up and stretching with team

Heber got to play pitcher which doesn't consist of actually pitching but it does consist of getting the ball a lot.  He was so quick at getting the ball so many times. And each time we kept yelling at him to through it to a base. But he would just lift it in the air triumphantly and smile.

Dugout

More Dugout

The week before he got to play pitcher for an inning as well. He wasn't very focused and kept turning in circles. He started turning faster and faster. I was getting nauseous just watching him. Then it dawned on me that he might need to go to the bathroom.  So I pulled him out and it wasn't a second too late.

Grabbing snack after game

Most importantly, he is having a lot of fun and seems to enjoy playing T-ball.

Happy 15th Birthday Talia!!

Hannah's Half-Day of Work as an Engineer with Dad

It's amazing how much time we spend at work. A less demanding job might require 40 hours a work, while others even more. I usually leave the house before our kids wake up, so I see only them in the evening for 2-3 hours before they go to bed. Sometimes when they catch me in the morning they'll ask why I have to go to work? Well this day I decided to show Hannah what I do and took her along for the afternoon.

Finishing up her Plans as she sips her water

Doing some additional research

This was her rough sketch which her boss then red-lined. Can you see a building, tree, road, flower garden, sky, etc.?

Then we beefed up her design to make it more presentable to her clients.

And her personal escort and treat after a hard day of work.

Things I Say Over and Over Again on a Typical Week Day

"Daddy's at work... He left when you were sleeping."
"Let's get your hair done...You look so cute/handsome."

"Get your shoes on and we'll go to the gym... Yes, you can watch cartoons at the gym if no one else is already watching a show." 

"No playing in the pool unless your wearing a swimsuit. Are you wearing a swimsuit's .... Then you can't play in the water.... When it is summer time we can swim more."
"Come on Olive let's go."

"Don't get in the fridge... It is not lunch time yet."
"Everyone sit on the couch for preschool."
"Put the crayons away and put your picture on the fridge."
"Get a book for story time and sit on the couch."

"Wait for the prayer before you start eating"
"Try again... Say 'Can please I have ___.'"
"If you get your room clean before the timer goes off then you can have a nickle, if not mommy will help you finish your room but you don't get paid."

Heber Photo-Bombing Hannah and Fancy Nancy

'"No throwing sand."
"Shoes and jackets go in the closet, not on the floor."
"Give each other a hug and say your sorry."

"Toys stay in your room."
"We can go to the park once you do your laundry or clean up the living room... Yes, I'll pay you a nickel if you get it done in 10minutes, before the timer goes off. "
"You can play ABCmouse your room is clean."
"It's not time for dinner."

"We'll eat when dad gets home."
"Daddy's Home!"
"Eat over your bowl/plate."
"Wipe your hands on your napkin. Not on your shirt."
"Put your pajamas on."
"Stay in your bed. No getting out of bed."

But my favorte things to say my kids are:
"Thank you for ______."
"I love you."