What the Kids Look Like Now

Dad pushing the boys like a madman. What's not to like about this scenario?

When Howie plays dinosaurs he really means it. Notice the straining blood vessels and intense roaring going on. It's a sight to behold (and of course hear).

The boys and their good friend Caroline

Mom, do you mind? Even in my crib?

The closet is a fabulous place to hide

Honking the horn on this tricycle at Grandma and Grandpa's is the best part of my day

Howie, Justice, and cousin Pax visit Tanners Apple Orchard in Illinois. The apple cider! The apple cider donuts! The pumpkins! The goats! It's just too much fun!

It's so hard to get a pic where they are both standing still and looking mostly normal... even if part of Howie's head is cut off!

A Funny Conversation

Context: Howie is fascinated by watching live music. He loves hearing music at home too but enjoys it even more when he can watch people play, and he wants to learn himself. To that end we're hoping to enroll him in suzuki music lessons. Suzuki is a method of teaching music that even very young children can learn- they are taught to play by ear first and then read music later. I don't know how many instruments you can learn through suzuki, but I know violin and piano are commonly taught. Hence the purpose of this conversation.

Me: Howie, would you rather learn violin or piano?

Howie: Saxophone.

Me: That's not a choice, Howie. You have to be bigger to play the saxophone. Would you rather learn violin or piano?

Howie: Guitar.

Me: You have to have long fingers like daddy to play the guitar. Would you rather play the violin or piano?

Howie: Saxophone.

Me: (Seriously?) Howie, violin or piano?

Howie: Drums.

Me: Howie, violin or piano?

Howie: Guitar.

Me: (SERIOUSLY?) Howie, you have to be bigger to play the guitar. Violin or piano?

Howie: Saxophone.

Me: (How am I not getting through here???) Howie, you can only pick violin or piano right now. Violin or piano?

Howie: Violin.

There we go. Took about a million tries to get what I was looking for.