End of August

 

 

 

Labor Day weekend infirmary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutting down the 'squirrel bridge'

Walter, the tree guy, and his assistant came to cut down the tree on the side of the house. The kids and I were home, and Tommy was at work. To understand this, you have to know that Tommy hates ladders (and bees), and that he is a 'safety officer' at all times. We gave Tommy the play-by-play through Google Chat, and swapped photos... here's the recap:

Borrowing Tommy's ladder, stopping to wave to Joey while he's knocking on the window trying to say hi.

Tommy's worst day

the kids may stand at the window for the rest of the day, or at least until the tree is down...

Joey: 'they're going to pull on that tree and the extension ladder is going to fall down.'
Kelly: 'he's so your son, Tommy'

Tommy: 'free body diagram doesn't look good'
Joey: 'He's safe, right mommy? He's moving. A lot.'
Kelly: 'It is like standing next to mini Tommy!'

Joey pulled up a chair 'so he can see the workmen more easily'

he got one for Alex, too

 

Tommy's 'selfie', while viewing the photos at work

 

No ladder feet were down, he basically started falling out of the tree.

 

Tommy trying to not lose his lunch

The kids were glued to the chairs. Alex was chanting 'careful! Careful!'

watching the chipping and shredding in the big truck

Apparently this isn't as interesting to Alex as he decided to use Joey's head as a road...

Joey's 4th birthday quiz

I interviewed Joey to see what his response would be to the questions below. His answers are basically direct quotes from our conversation.

• How old are you? 4
• What makes you happy? the way Mommy be's my best friend
• What is your favorite animal? all the ones that live in the ocean -- whales, killer whales, sharks, and whale sharks that vacuum up the sea.
• What is your favorite thing to eat? blackberries, pretzels, hot dogs, cheese sticks, pasta, apple juice, and chocolate milk
• What is your least favorite thing to eat? vegetables - they're not good for my tummy
• What is your favorite thing to do? splash cars boom bang at the beach
• What is your favorite TV show? all of the TV shows, but my favorite is Spiderman but I can't watch that until I'm 7 (Note: we've never said that to him)
• What are you really good at? telling The Big Green Monster story
• What is your favorite movie? Finn McMissile and Monster Truck long movie
• What is your favorite color? purple, pink, and red
• What is your favorite song? the Lightning McQueen song
• Who is your best friend? Mommy
• What do you and your mom do together? play games
• What do you and your dad do together? play games, too!
• What is your favorite sport? obstacle courses like the one Abby made at our house
• Where is your favorite place to go? the park
• What is your favorite book? all the Lightning McQueen books
• What do you want to be when you grow up? a grown up who goes to work with you [Mommy] so you won't be alone without me or think I'm lost because I'm not there. 

Happy 4th birthday, Joey!

My best friend Joey,

You turned 4 today. When I said to you a few days ago, 'Joey, I can't believe you're going to be 4!', you replied, 'Mommy! I can't believe you're going to be 34!' without skipping a beat. That's you -- smart, quick witted, and well spoken. Kind, gentle, and never aware of how funny you are. The best little sidekick I could have, and my favorite 'big kid' companion. I learn so much from you: that dinosaurs are extinct, that volcanos 'erumpt' hot lava, that train tracks need stabilizers when you build them up high... the words to countless songs, which interstates to take on the way home... While you're trying so desperately to get older, I am trying to stop time. You will always and forever be my blondie. Happy birthday, buddy. You're 4... for real life! Woohoo!

Love,

Mommy