This is Not a Still Life

Bowling: It is the small things in life.

2018-09-26T20:22:00.002-05:00

Our kids love to bowl. In case you are not aware there is a fantastic summer program where kids can bowl free all summer. We took advantage of the program a couple of times and all we paid for was shoe rentals. Chase (5) really gets into bowling and throws the ball with his whole body. The last time Chase bowled there was a boy a similar age one lane over. Chase being the friendly guy he is started talking with this boy. A few minutes into the conversation Chase became really excited and pointing down to the ground said "look, we have the same shoes!!!"

Can I have a drink?

2016-10-21T08:38:00.000-05:00

Walking to school this morning with my kids my daughter Bryce (8 yo) asked me, "When I am older, can I have a drink once in a while"?

I was a more than a little shocked by the question. My wife and I occasionally have a drink when we are out but never at home. I wondered where she learned about "having a drink", and in my head blamed her friends, and the media. I regained my composure and asked her, "What would you drink"?

Calmly she said, "Sprite or Lemonade".

I responded, "Yes, once in a while it's okay to have Sprite or Lemonade".

You know from birth some people will be okay

2015-10-30T13:01:00.000-05:00

My now three year old son Chase was late to talk, as was his brother. When the doctor mentioned he should say 20 words at 20 months, my wife and I counted on our fingers hoping to get to the 20 number and he was probably close but no where near where we thought he should be. Yet being our 5th child we did not panic and had the past experience that his older brother Cooper was the last to speak relative to his triplet sisters and yet was first to read. Surprisingly, now a year later, Chase speaks volumes and it is hard to get him to turn off.

Speech is interesting in that we do not know what a person can do until they vocalize what they think. Chase picks up little things we say and then tries them out, shockingly usually appropriately.

Chase loves ice cream and thinks all meals should start with ice cream.

This is how our dinner starts.

Chase, "can I pleeeeassse have some ice cream"?

Me "No, after dinner".

Chase, " I did say pleeeeaaaasssee".

Me "No, after dinner".

Chase, "Just a little bit?"

Me "No, after dinner".

Chase, "a TINY bit?"

Me "No, after dinner".

Chase, "just one spoon", with his little finger in the air, (just to make sure I understand).

Me "No, after dinner".

Chase, "I'll get it myself"

Exasperated, I think , that's not the point, as I watch him saunter over to climb into the freezer to get the bucket of ice cream and a spoon and eat right out of the tub.

Darcy, the Dentist and Permanent Molars

2014-09-17T09:10:00.000-05:00

Darcy, the Dentist and Permanent Molars

Darcy,(6 years old), went to the dentist as it was recommended that once her permanent molars come in they should have sealants applied. Audrey (mommy) and Darcy were surprised when the dentist who came in to performed the procedure was not the regular dentist but a much younger dentist, our dentist's son, who had recently completed his training. Darcy was a champ and he procedure went great. After the procedure, Audrey saw an opportunity to set her friend up with this young dentist and talked with him if he was willing to be set up on a date - and he agreed to give it a try. Darcy not knowing what was happening ask her mom what's up. Audrey replied,"Mommy wants to set the dentist up with our friend". Darcy was still a little confused asked," So he can check her permanent molars?"

Passover Classic: Finding the Afikoman and more

2014-03-25T13:59:00.001-05:00

I know this video is embarrassing for my kids, yet still too funny not to post. With the upcoming holiday, thought I would share this classic holiday movie about Passover and the Afikoman.

Best Passover Movie Ever

Pharrell Williams - Happy: Trombone Loop

2014-02-19T10:08:00.001-06:00

Not from my family, but such a great version of the song, I had to add to my blog.

I would love to be able to do something like this - on my bucket list

Best Ice Cream and Sundae Parlor Ever

2014-02-05T13:07:00.001-06:00

Houston Marathon 2014: Best Part of the Run.

2014-01-30T09:05:00.001-06:00

2014 Houston Marathon. Best Part of the Race.

2014-01-29T14:41:00.000-06:00

Click on the link below to see the video

2014 Houston Marathon: Best Part of the Race.

Comments welcome.

Parenting Concern: Who gives you Presents?

2014-01-29T10:56:00.001-06:00

In our home, my wife is the one that distributes presents/rewards to our 5 children, (our triplets are 5 years old and we have a 3 year old and one year old). I was talking with my wife to voice my concern that the kids think the gifts only come from her and they do not see me as involved in the gift giving process. I did not want the kids to think I am always only the "Bad Cop". To prove my point, I took my wife to ask our daughter Bryce (5), "Who gives you presents?" She responded, "Super Target." :)

Optimist or Pessimist?

2013-10-01T13:45:00.001-05:00

Is The Glass half full?

Our family went to a great park and were playing happily. Avery, now 3 years old, told her Mom, Audrey, "I have to go to the bathroom". The only option was the parking lot porta-potty. Reluctantly, Audrey took Avery to the bathroom. Unfortunately, the generally well-kept porta-potty was especially stinky. While in the stall, Avery looked at Audrey and said, "It is going to smell really yummy when we get out of here".

Olympic Diving Preview

2013-09-25T14:51:00.001-05:00

Shiny Sidewalks

2013-09-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

My daughter Avery, (3 years old), and I were walking outside a museum and she was staring intently on the sidewalk. She looked at me and said, "This sidewalk is shiny". I had not noticed and looked down to see there were reflections coming off the rather smooth grey sidewalk beneath our feet. As we continued to walk and look at the sidewalk, I said, "The sidewalk is different than other sidewalks, maybe it is because it is made with granite". She nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, like pomegranate".

Audience of One

2013-09-20T13:47:00.001-05:00

Same Trick - Different Day. Enjoy

2013-09-17T09:34:00.001-05:00

Baby Sitting Buster

2013-07-26T08:28:00.001-05:00

A friend of ours, Alex, was staying at our house while his house was unlivable. He brought along his Beta fish, "Buster". Our kids love Buster and fight over who gets to feed him.

Alex moved back into his house but we kept Buster while things in his house settle down. Tonight, Alex came over to pick up some things he left behind and asked Bryce, our 5 year old daughter, "How's Buster doing?" Bryce answered, "He's not dead, yet!!"

Independent Thinkers

2013-07-25T15:44:00.001-05:00

Our kids are all very independent thinkers.

Our daughter Bryce is 5 and thinks outside the box. The other day I asked her, "Are you smart like Mommy, or smart like Daddy. She answered, "Who do you want me to be smart like?"

Our daughter Avery is very precocious. Last weekend we brought olives to our picnic. We divided some of the olives equally amongst the kids. I was shocked when all the kids ate the olives. Avery asked for more and I gave her the container with about 15 olives left. A minute later, I looked back and Avery had eaten all the olives and was in the process of drinking the brine from the container. I just shook my head and rolled my eyes.

Later that day I was talking with Avery and said, " Maybe you have bad poop because you ate too many olives." She replied, "I did not eat too many olives." I was not sure to say as I earlier I had just seen her eat the container of olives. I also knew she was overdosing on blueberries, so I asked her if she was eating too many blueberries and she nodded and said, "Yes, I eat a lot of blueberries." I can only imagine the amount of blueberries she had eaten.

Later in the week, for fun I asked Avery, "What do you like better, blueberries or olives?" She answers emphatically, "Steak!"

Helping Out

2013-07-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

Helping Out

Cooper, now 5 years old, is not our best helper when it comes to cleaning up - he much prefers running around and playing, (who knew). Our girls, and Chase, were all upstairs getting ready for bed and Cooper and I were left in the kitchen together. I had to empty and refill the dishwasher and Cooper asked it he could help. I agreed and gave him the "instructions" on emptying the dishwasher, mainly to match up like items. He started with the plastic plates, then the plastic bowls and cups and lastly went to tackle to silverware. We have two sets of silverware and the forks have different number of tines. So he intently counted the tines, sized up the fork and put all the silverware in the correct spot. Before finishing the task, he stopped, looked at me and said, "Thanks Dad, this is great fun."

Averyisms: Two year old chatter

2013-07-17T14:29:00.001-05:00

Our 2 year old daughter Avery is very talkative and has a great vocabulary for someone who is 30 inches tall. These are some of the tidbits we heard on our short 4 day vacation.

On this recent vacation, after a dinner out, I brought a drink with me in a portable cup. On the drive back to our vacation condo, Avery sees me drinking, (lemonade), and she asks, "Daddy, why are you drinking and driving?"

All of the kids love candy. After a dinner out we took all the kids to a famous candy store and let them choose a small "bag" of whatever attracted their eyes. Avery guarded her candy and held it close to her body. She looked at me and said, "I am going to save some for next year." Soon after, she corrected herself and said, "I am going to save this candy for Halloween."

We chose to drive back from the vacation during nap time. We went out for dinner and then drove back to our house. When Avery got out of the car she was horrified and shrieked, "Noooooo, not this house."

Where do babies come from? 2

2013-07-17T14:24:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago our 5 year old triplets had a sudden interest in the topic, "Where do babies come from?" I will briefly recap the previous post and then add the follow up.

It so happened that at this same time Audrey, their mom, recently read a parenting article that detailed a good way to tell the kids how babies are made and said that we are at a good age to begin the discussion. One dinner, Darcy one of the triplets most interested in figuring out this mystery again asked, "Where do babies come from?"

Using her "parenting article" as her resource, Audrey told the kids, "Mommy has eggs, like a chicken, and Daddy has sperm, and when the egg and sperm get together, the baby begins to grow". Darcy frowned at Audrey and said, "no no no Mommy, I want to know where people babies come from".

Now a few weeks later Darcy is still struggling with the mystery of where babies come from. Again at the dinner table, out of the blue she yells, " Do babies come from eating a lot of food, or what?"

Strangers

2013-06-05T12:25:00.002-05:00

I still find it surprising and great that our kids freely talk to adults without any hesitation. This morning I was outside walking around with our 5 year old daughter Bryce and 2 year old daughter Avery. A random car was driving slowly down our street and Avery began waving and saying hello to the car. Alarmed, Bryce, generally not our best rule follower, said, "Avery, we do not talk to strangers!". Avery continued to wave and say, "Hello" and then looked at Bryce and said, "They are not STRANGERS, they are people!"

Medium

2013-06-03T12:24:00.001-05:00

Darcy our 5 year old daughter has been using the word medium in sentences and I thought it would be fun to ask her what her definition of the word is.

Daddy, "Darcy, what does medium mean?"
Darcy, "It's not big, and not small - it's medium."

No Pooping Zone.

2013-06-03T11:41:00.002-05:00

Having 5 children 5 and under is very busy and fun. Much of the children's humor centers around poop and the toilet. Just saying "toilet" is funny for our 2 years old daughter Avery. Last week I took the kids out for an "adventure", (which in our house is a walk around the block). The kids are also very into signage and are always asking what things say. On our walk, our 5 year old daughter Bryce saw a new sign on a lawn and asked what it said. I told her the sign said " NO POOPING ZONE" and had a picture of poop. Bryce looked a little confused. She looked up at me and said, "What if the dog can't read?"

Daddy you dress nicely.

2013-05-06T14:53:00.001-05:00

Friday night the family was on the way to synagogue. I was undoing the seat belt of our 4 year old son Cooper when we arrived and he looked me up and down and said, "Daddy, you always dress nicely when we come to synagogue". I said "thank you", and was surprised not ever thinking my son assesses the clothes I wear. I had an epiphany and I said to Cooper, "If you like the shirt I am wearing I can buy the same for you and you can dress like me". Cooper looked at me and said, " No thank you. I want race cars on my shirt".

Where do Babies come from?

2013-04-15T23:13:00.001-05:00

All of a sudden our nearly 5 year old triplets are very interested in knowing where babies come from. Audrey recently read an article that said that now is a good age to tell the kids how babies are made. Darcy, who is most interested in figuring out this conundrum asked again at dinner tonight. Using her "article" as her resource, Audrey told the kids, "Mommy has eggs, like a chicken, and Daddy has sperm, and when the egg and sperm get together, the baby begins to grow". Darcy frowned at Audrey and said, "no no no Mommy, I want to know where people babies come from".