Fun Fridays

Bobby and I started a tradition of Fun Friday when he was 2. Every Friday, we would go to soccer and then he could pick where we would eat lunch. Now that he is getting older and will start going to school on Fridays, Fun Friday will consist of a treat after school on Friday. We are starting that tradition today since he is in camp through lunch. he had his choice of picking ice cream, candy or fruit smoothie --- and he picked the fruit smoothie. He informed all of his camp counselors that he was getting a fruit smoothie after camp. Years from now, I will remind him of his choice of treat and also that he used to ask to go to Luby's for his Fun Friday lunch :)

Brothers' Outfits

Bobby and Timmy wore matching outfits today. Not my idea - Bobby's. He and Timmy got them as a gift. He was SO proud to be dressed as "twins" and show off the matching outfits at camp. When I tried to take pictures - Timmy was not into it as shown in the pictures. Bobby's expression is priceless!

Super Hero Poses

Not gonna do it

Not gonna smile for the camera Mom

And we have the first smile!

Pictures to come....as soon as I capture it on film!

Deep Thoughts by Bobby Strauss

At bedtime tonight with Rob:

Bobby- Daddy, I wish I could stay like this forever

Rob- I wish you could too

Bobby- But I will have to grow some

Rob- Yes you will but you will enjoy that time too

Bobby - I just want you to know that you will always be my Dad and I love you

Rob- Aw - thanks Bud - I love you too

Bobby- You are my favorite Dad and best friend, Timmy is my favorite brother, Mommy is my favorite Mom and Ruff is my favorite uncle.....

Rob- Well we all love you too

Bobby- But I just want you to know that I love you....Daddy...will you sleep in my room tonight?

I admire his technique and effort!

Wolverine at Beauty and the Beast

Yaya and I had a great day taking Bobby to see Beauty and the Beast the musical at the Winspear Opera House - very nice! He really liked it and made sure to distinguish himself as an active audience member by making Wolverine claws at the Beast when he came on stage. Also - we discovered on the way home (with the many questions coming from the backseat) that Beauty and the Beast has a complicated plot line to follow if you care very little about the love story and the pretty princess dress :)

Bakugan in the Plant

Yesterday, we had 5 boys in the house all under 5- Bobby, Timmy, Spencer, Drew and Zachary. My cousin Clifton and his wife Julie were in town for his high school reunion and we had a play day. Today, I found a Bakugan in the kitchen plant - a clue on how active a day it was around here! :)

Neck Basket

We were watching a morning cartoon this week and a spoof commercial came on about a "neck basket" - not a real product. Basically, it is a wire basket that you can wear around your neck to carry things around. Bobby turned to me and said excitedly "wow - that would be GREAT for my Bakugans! That is so creative! Can I have one for my birthday?" I may be creating a neck basket in the next few weeks :)

Picture Day Adventure and Funny One-Liners

So today was cousin/brother picture day! After much coordination, the day had arrived and we had to be up and out by 8:15 to get to our session at 9 in Garland. After stopping for a special treat of a breakfast biscuit, we were on our way loaded down with coordinating outfits and a selection of blankets to spread out on the grass for outdoor pictures. The session overall went fine - just a little more hectic then I thought it would go. Spencer was a champ - cute pics and no fussiness at all. Bobby got a grumpy and didn't want to pose with the babies after awhile. I realize in hind sight that we should have saved his "super hero" picture that I said he could take for the end of the session as an incentive to keep following directions. For a boy that used to LOVE taking pictures, those days are pretty much over unless he can really ham it up. An then there was poor Tim - 4 poopie diapers, a throw-up and pee-pee all over me. After all of that - I think we got some great pictures and came home wiped out! Pictures will be online in 5-7 days.....

Funny moments - Bobby saying "enough is enough" and "I wouldn't stand for that Mommy"when Timmy kept having dirty diapers. Tonight after following Rob to the bathroom - returnign to the living room saying he was back because Daddy didn't want an audience.

And we have a milestone....

Timmy rolls over!

Nothing Like Cousins and a Busy Weekend

Last night, we enjoyed a great dinner out at Moo Yah with the Hill's. Bobby loves being with his cousins so much - it is great to watch. After dinner, we all came back to our house and the kids immediately went upstairs to play. It was pretty entertaining to watch them play together. It is also very cute to watch the girls with Timmy. I think Timmy has become the little brother of the group. They all will look after him. Bobby can't wait until he can play again - hopefully another round of zombie slayer!

Friday was a busy day of going to get donuts, a hair cut, mall to help pick out a dress for me and then the dentist - all before 1. It's amazing what we accomplish in the mornings since we get up so early! Bobby enjoyed helping me pick out a dress. When I had bought my dress and we were leaving - I saw another dress that I liked. He sighed, crossed his arms and said - mom, you are only getting one dress and now it's time to go. :) My words coming back to haunt me. Bobby had a good dentist appointment too. He loves going to his "fun" dentist. With all the toys and treats, the dentist has come a long way from the days when I went. If I got marshmallow flavored fluoride, I would probably have looked forward to going too! I am fortunate that Timmy is a very laid back baby or Friday would not have been possible. He slept most of the time :)

Timmy also came with me to class (at home)- good thing we are not using the web cam! Then it was off to a baby shower yesterday. He was doing great at the shower until his diaper leaked poop all over my new dress - then it was time to go!

Bobby's Life Plans

Bobby's Life Plans-

He will go to SMU for college -but specified only during the week (not weekends)- so that he can see his Daddy and they will have lunch together every day. He plans to come home for dinner, sleep at home and leave his dirty laundry at home (this part I can see happening :) )

He plans to marry a woman named Bobbie. Together - they will have 6 boys. Some will be named Bobby and others Theodore (or other names depending on the day). He will be a firefighter and save people during the week and his wife will take care of the kids. On the weekends - he will take care of the kids and his wife will coach soccer. He has changed her mind about his wife just laying on the coach all day- no more of that. If they are both working then he will get the kids a babysitter.

First Board Meeting

Timmy had his first Board meeting (via conference call) today. I accidentally left the mute off at one point and - when the Board Chair asked if anyone objected - he left out a little cry. I guess he is expressing an opinion early!

Being a Hero

Good quote of the day - Kids think of you as their hero so act like one. To Bobby and Timmy - I hope I am always their Wolverine :)

Goodbye Newborn - Hello 0-3 months

It's official - Timmy has started to grow out of his newborn outfits. I noticed - and Rob did - that they are becoming a little snug. I am hoping to get one more wear out of each outfit but - after this week - I think they will have to be retired.

Lazy Days of Summer....

My favorite memories of summer as a child are not eventful moments necessarily. Yes - I do have fond memories of road trips and Wet-n-Wild but my favorite memories are just doing simple things in the summer - trips to the library to do summer reading club, getting a snow cone treat on a hot day, swimming in a neighbor's pool or just having nothing planned - just playing in the backyard, making chalk houses on the driveway, riding bikes around the neighborhood and seeing where the day takes you. I am lucky to be enjoying those moments with Bobby and Timmy - just playing tag in the front yard, car races in the living room, having a lunch picnic and probably swimming this afternoon. Nothing too eventful. Nothing that costs money. Just a fun day being together. As Bobby said - I like the days when I can just play at home with you. :)

Also - Timmy has started to be able to imitate sounds and faces. Bobby loves when he sticks his tough out and Timmy does it back. I have yet to capture that on camera but will try to be quicker this afternoon.

When Life Hits You with a Tennis Ball....

Bobby had quite the day yesterday. In addition to multiple mosquito bites, bruises and scratches on his legs from a week of outdoor fun, Bobby got hit in the head three times yesterday at baseball. When he got hit the third time, he started crying. The only thing that cheered him up - sitting next to his baby brother with Daddy on the other side :) I guess when life keeps hitting you with tennis balls - having a baby brother helps make you feel better. Poor guy - so much for a "non-contact" sport!

Happy One Month Birthday!

Timothy is one month old today! In celebration, I took the boys - well Bobby - to get Sonic slushes and then a trip to the library to pick out - what else - super hero books. Bobby had a fun morning going to see Toy Story 3 - again - with Meaghan and her sisters. I had some quiet time with Timmy while he was out - singing and reading before he drifted off. Still raining quite a bit but it has brought some welcome relief from the heat. More to come....

Bedtime

Rob and I are downstairs and start hearing lots of thuds and noise upstairs. I go upstairs to check it out. Here is how the conversation goes:

Bobby (coming out of Timothy's room as I get upstairs) - Mommy, I was just about to go potty

Me (thinking yeah right - you are so busted) - Ok - go potty and then it is really time to get back in bed

Bobby - OK (gives Timothy a hug,kiss and beep on the nose and then goes into the bathroom)

In his bedroom -

Me- What have you been doing up here?

Bobby - (shrugging) just readin'

Me- Really? Daddy and I keep hearing all of this noise

Bobby - Well, I jump out of bed and hop to get more books off the shelf

Me- (trying not to laugh) Ok - well-you can read for 5 more minutes and then it is time to turn out the nightlight and go to sleep

Bobby- OK -(jumps off the bed again and hops to add one more book to his large pile on his bed)

Rob and I think that he should keep up this method of sneaking around when he is a teenager :)

Good Night Batman

This is a picture of Bobby (aka Batman) asleep in the guest bedroom bed.

Family Time

Last week, Timothy and Bobby had lots of fun times with family. Grandma, Grandma's Bob and Uncle Adam were in town! The boys enjoyed trips to Nordstrom, the Nasher Sculpture Garden, playing soccer, swimming and having fun. Bobby loved sleepovers with Uncle Adam. Then, Yuyu came! Timothy met Yuyu and got to spend some quality holding time and Bobby enjoyed going to see Toy Story 3 and having sleepovers. It was a great week ending with a fun Fourth of July party at our house with family, lots of food and an outside soccer and baseball game.

July 3 - Yuyu's Great Idea

Thank you Yuyu for this idea! I am looking forward to sharing the day to day moments/pictures/video of Bobby and Timothy with the world. More to come.....