My work brother James

Richard has created his work brother, James, who calls him on the phone often.  All though James is imaginary, he has many requests and opinions.  For example:

Mommy:  Richard, please put your clothes on.  We need to leave for the grocery store soon.
Richard:  My work brother, James, called and said that I can wear my pajamas to the store.
Mommy:  Richard, PLEASE put your clothes on.  We don't wear our jammies to the store.
Richard:  My work brother, James, said that you said the wrong words, and we CAN wear our jammies to the store.

This quickly downward spiraled into a time-out-- for Richard and James both.  Mommy had to "call" James and put him in time out via the phone.

1st Sentence comes with a "Sentence"?

Christopher made his first 2-word sentence over the weekend.  SUPER exciting milestone!!! 
Unfortunately, it was "Sorry, Mommy."  Oh, sweet Christopher.  The offense was biting Mommy, again.  You are quite the handful these days, but you can count on Mommy to always love you.

Easter Day is Here!

Happy Easter!

The boys were so excited that Easter, the Bunny, came to see them!

Grandma and Grandpa joined us for the fun!

Christopher shared his basket with Betsy.

Richard's favorite Easter treat, M&M's.

Easter was such a busy day!  The boys did a great job at church, then home to see what Easter, the bunny, brought for us.  Most kids say "Easter Bunny."  At our house, he is a bunny named "Easter."  Therefore, he must be called "Easter, the bunny."  The boys found new books, bathing suits, and swimming shoes in their baskets.  Oh, and lots of candy too.  Then, it was off to Rhys and Harper's house for brunch and playtime.  We are so fortunate to have good friends and family with which to spend the holiday.  We love you Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Kim, Uncle John, Rhys, Harper, and Nana Elaine.   Thanks for a great day!

Ear tubes = new little boy

Christopher had a rough Winter and Spring.  With many viruses with throat ulcers, strep throat, sinus infections, and adnovirus, there were many ear infections that followed.  On April 1, 2010, Christopher finally got his ear tubes.  He went into the procedure very bravely, and hardly cried when he came out.  Mommy and Daddy were very proud of him.  After a couple of sleepy days, Christopher is a new little boy.  He is finally his happy, shiny, funny self that we've missed.  We are so glad that you feel better, Christopher!

"Cooking" Easter Eggs

Richard's favorite color was green?  Not red or blue? That's new!

Christopher looks handsome in his giant t-shirt/smock.

Richard was very patient as the eggs were "cooking."

The boys were so proud of their hard work.  Now to add the stickers!

Sprouts Egg Hunt

Saying "Thank You" to the Sprouts bunny lady.

Egg hunting in the bakery section.

Christopher went to the Sprouts Egg Hunt for some little kid fun.  The hunt started at 8 am, and Richard did not want to wake up for it.  Christopher was ready to go with his basket in hand.  Grandma and Grandpa helped him find eggs and got their shopping done.

New Friends

Richard, Carl, Christopher, and Russell

The "baby kids" sleeping in the pack n' play.

Christopher joined the baby kids in the pack n' play.

Grandma's Easter present to us was Bitty Baby Twin Brothers!  Richard promptly named them Carl and Russell (after characters in the movie "Up").  Ever since, we have taken care of the baby kids.  They go everywhere with us and change into their jammies for bedtime.  We love our new brothers.

2nd Annual Egg Hunt

Pre-Hunt Anticipation

Vaughan, Katharine, Christopher, Richard, Nash, Victoria, and Caroline

After-Hunt Brunch

The 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt

We gathered with our swim class friends for the 2nd Annual Egg Hunt at our house.  We were so grateful for everyone who could make it-- especially since they brought wonderful food.  The egg hunt lasted less than 5 minutes, we ate brunch, and finally, we played and played.  The adults were able to catch up and enjoy each others' company.  Thanks to our friends for making it a special day!  We can't wait for the 3rd Annual Egg Hunt!!!

We Love You, Grandma-Grandma

Richard and Christopher were especially fond of their Great-grandmother, affectionately called "Grandma-Grandma."  She went to heaven to join her husband today.  She was an accomplished woman; receiving a college degree and teaching first grade for many years while running the family farm.  She taught Mommy a lot about what it meant to work hard and the value of an education.

We were leaving in two days to San Diego for a visit with her.  We are very sad that we won't get to see her one last time. 

Grandma-Grandma with Christopher

Grandma-Grandma with Richard

We love you , Grandma-Grandma (Grandma Krause).

Daddy's Home

Christopher loves his "Dada."  Days at home with Christopher usually go like this...
CJ - "Mama?"
Mommy - "Yes, Baby."
CJ - "Dada?"
Mommy - "Dada's at work."
CJ - "OH."
Repeat approximately 100 times.

When Daddy gets home, Christopher is a happy boy...

Playing Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek has been a popular game in our household lately.  Mommy doesn't mind being "it," because toddlers really aren't that good at hiding.  Richard usually hides in the bed.  Christopher closes his eyes and thinks that he's invisible.  Gotta love 'em.

I am interested, but not ready.

Another photo that will someday become Exhibit A for Christopher's therapist.

Christopher wants to sit on the potty this week. 

He just doesn't know what he's supposed to do when he gets there.

BACON

Christopher has discovered BACON.  It's confirmed.  He's our kid!

Circus!

When the circus came to town, we thought it would be fun to take Nana and Papa.  And boy are they good sports!

We met clowns.

Mommy and Christopher rode the elephant.

We ate popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, and drank TONS of lemonade.  Thanks Nana and Papa for a great experience.  We had so much fun!

Very Richard...

Yesterday was a particularly good day for us.  Richard, Christopher and Mommy were all in good spirits.

First thing in the morning, Richard looks out the window, puts his hands on his hips and says, "Isn't this a beautiful day that God has made.  God is a nice guy."  Mommy's heart smiled.  Yes, God is a nice guy to bless this family.

We spent the day playing teachers.  Richard is Teacher Princess Miss Tania, and Mommy is Teacher King Miss Martha.  We took care of Baby Zita, Baby Stella, Baby Alex, Baby Beluga, Baby Wanza, and, of course, Kid Christopher.  All of our Babies (except Kid Christopher) are imaginary, and thank goodness, because there were so many diaper changes.  We take our class everywhere with us.  It takes quite a while to strap everyone into their car seats and strollers, so we don't move quickly.  Mommy never thought that she would have SEVEN children.

Valentines Fun

We did lots of fun things for Valentines Day. 
Richard and Grandma made cookies together.

Richard and Christopher both had parties at school.  We wore our red monkey shirts for the festivities.

We visited a new resort in San Antonio for the weekend.  Although it was too cold to swim, the hotel had duck races in the pool!  We got to take our ducks home to live in our bathtub.

Mommy and Grandma took us to the zoo while Daddy and Grandpa played a little golf (their Valentine's Day present).  We went to the "Lion's House" to visit him and his friends.  Richard got to take pictures with Mommy's camera.

Resort life suited Richard very well.  He would not let anyone sit on or lay in HIS bed.  There was only one rolling desk chair in the room, so the boys shared.

Everyone had a great Valentine's Day.

Note to Richard

Dearest Richard,

I am writing this because I want to remember how funny you were at 3 years old.  I laugh daily, and sometimes when I shouldn't.

On Valentine's Day, you took the balloons that Grandma gave us and let them go on the high ceiling of the living room.  Thinking that the wind of the fan would blow the balloons back down to you, you turned it on.  Uh oh.  The balloons and balloon strings tangled into the fan, and you ran into the kitchen to get me.  You led me to the scene of the accident and very thoughtfully said, "Sometimes I do naughty things.  But I do nice things all of the time."

You are right, sometimes you do naughty things.  But accidents happen, and we always fix them.  Usually laughing along the way.

You are thoughtful and wise for your years.  Stop growing up so fast!!! I love you very much!
Mommy

Note to Christopher

My Funny Christopher,

I find myself saying a lot, "This fits you???  Richard didn't wear that until..."  It is hard for me to believe that you are a toddler, not a "Giant Baby" as your brother had named you.  

You are happy, funny, dancy, wiggly, opinionated!, and cuddly. 
Your way of telling me that you are done with your meal is throwing your plate, cup, and placemat on the floor.  You know what you want, and you make sure that everyone else knows it too.

You love to say "hello!" and "bye bye" to everyone you see. 

Everything that is not human is a "dogdog."  Cat =dogdog, squirrel =dogdog, cow =dogdog, tiger =dogdog.  But this week a duck is a "duck!"  Hooray!

You are our funny bunny, and I love you so much.
Mommy

Richard's Dictionary

Acrobat - A mad grandparent bat with wings that fly like a bird on Halloween.