Judy Blume

Eric just read Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and then got the set of Fudge books for Christmas. He told me "mom, our family is just like the family in my books... Crazy and late for everything."

Ellie Goes to Jail

Ellie went with the girl scouts to see the fire station and police station and then to Papa Gino's for dinner. She came home asking me if I ever got arrested and went in a cell before. Then she said it looks boring in there but she would bring some markers with her if she had to go.

Koalee

One of James' many favorite stuffed animals is koalee the koala bear. Tonight when we were tucking James in he said "I can't sleep without koalee daddy."
Daddy asked "well where is it?"
James "his name isn't 'it' daddy, it's koalee."

Ellie

Today Ellie asked me "mom, what to the people on the radio do if they have to cough while they're singing."
So I launched into a big description of recording studios and lost even myself in the conversation!

Soccer Pic

One of our soccer stars on picture day

Door Slamming

Clearly James has learned from the masters Eric and Ellie how to slam his door. He slammed it yesterday and I said "I'm sorry but if you do that again Daddy will have to use his tools and take off your door for a while."
He responded "Well then I'll take Daddy to Home Depot and get a new door and then I'll slam that one."

Dreams

I checked on all the kids before bed and James thrashed around a little bit saying "I can't see the train."

Then at 5am I heard James screaming and thought it was another bad dream. When I went in there he was half asleep so I asked what was wrong and he said "I don't like spicy dinners and you almost always make spicy dinner."

Missing the cousins

Eric can't wait until we go to Asheville to see Marley, Ally and Ayden. Tonight he said "why do we have to wait till august, why can't we just go right now."
I said "Well... daddy is in California." and he responded "but you know how to drive."

Love from James

"Every time I come to this house moms and dads are mean."

Kids' Take on the Royal Wedding

Eric and Ellie watched some of the royal wedding. Eric said "prince Harry looks like a really cool guy." and Ellie said "prince Harry is the handsomest guy I ever saw... If he asksme to marry him when I'm a grown up I'll say yes."

Jamesisms

Mommy "love you James."
James "mama you're on my team."

What's your name? "Jamesy Drew Gregory"

Happy Dirt-Day

Just celebrated James and Eric's birthdays. Love how James sings "Happy Dirt Day." Eric had a bunch of boys over for a beyblade celebration and James had a few friends over for pizza and cupcakes. We had a family party for them combined over the weekend. James blew out the candles like a pro. He was adorable running around in his new construction vest and hat fixing everything in the house.

Little pumpkin

James is getting so big! In a month he'll be 3. We finally took the side off crib to make a
Toddler bed and he loves it. It was a big moment the first time he walked
In to get me out of bed instead of calling for me to get him.
Tucking him in the other night I said "good night little pumpkin."
He said " I'm not a pumpkin mama I'm james Gregory."

Monster Jam Minivan

Today Andrew said maybe we should have the plugged tire moved to the back so in case the tire went flat the car wouldn't go off the road. Eric "that would be soooo awesome... just like Monster Jam."

You Mean

James "Daddy.. you mean."

Mommy "James, that's fresh, we don't say that."

James "Daddy you not cute."

Townie

was just driving through Norwood Center and Eric said "I'm probably not gonna move out of Norwood when I grow up cause I'm definitely gonna wanna see what it looks like here in 30 years...." Oh boy....

Prince and Princess

Andrew was being funny and put a screensaver of Prince William and Kate Middleton on my computer. James thought it was Auntie Lindsay and Uncle Jon. I guess that's a compliment!

Funny Day

The kids had some finny stuff to say today:

Ellie -- "When I am 17 and James is 16 I bet he's gonna talk a lot better than he does now."

Eric -- "Mom, how many liquor stores are there in Times Square?"

Christmas Vacation

What an awesome week we had hanging out as a family. Andrew was home all week and we really didnt have a lot of plans but ended up having so much fun.

Thursday- Took James to lunch at Panera and LLBean while the big kids were at school
Friday- Eric went bowling, Ellie spent the day baking with Nannie, Xmas Eve dinner at Lindsay and Jon's
Saturday-CHRISTMAS... barbie house, beyblades, monster trucks, wonderpets beanies, trains... breakfast at Auntie Carole's, Dinner at Nannie and Papa's
Sunday/Monday-big blizzard, 18 inches, they loved making snow balls and looking for animal footprints
Tuesday-Kids go to work at Oracle with Daddy
Wednesday-Sledding, Afternoon movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Thursday-watched Madison, Ellie playdate with Leanne, Eric playdate with Mikey
Friday- Train to Boston for First Night Sculptures, Westwood Fireworks, Lindsay and Jon's party
Saturday- Rob and Anita visit
Sunday-Patriots Party