August 06, 2008
July 18, 2008
"I solved it without crying"
Yesterday at school, there was a birthday party in the class and each child got a different toy. Isaac got one of those "magnetic" doodle pads where you lift up the top sheet and the drawing disappears. Aaron got a bubble wand.
My mom just called to tell me that both boys were both claiming ownership of the doodle pad, and asked me who it really belonged to.
Just a few minutes later I got a voicemail from Aaron:
 | Voicemail You'll Love Share this ... |
Apparently, he was able to relinquish ownership of the doodle pad without crying!
If you can't listen to the audio clip, it says "Hi Dad, I solved it without crying. I left a message for you. Love, Aaron"
July 17, 2008
Extra chair?
Aaron and Mom-mom were talking on the phone last night. When she told him that Dr. Joy was joining us for Shabbat dinner, Aaron asked if she had an extra chair. Mom-mom told him we did have an extra chair and that Joy's whole family was coming. He asked if it would be more people than we had for Passover. I was surprised that he thought back to Passover and remembered that the table was full. Mom-mom told him that there would be even more people than Passover and everyone would have a chair. He seemed satisfied with that.
June 27, 2008
Gay marriage
The boys were talking about who they wanted to marry when they grew up, and I explained why we can't marry people that are already in our family. We started talking about gay marriage, and Aaron said:
"It would be easier for a boy and a boy to marry because they could just have a Batman cake. A boy and a girl would have to split the cake, half Batman, half Pocahontas."
April 25, 2008
Time Machine
Isaac told me he invented a time machine and went into the future. I asked him what was different about the future. Here are his observations:
1. There are no cars, only flying insect cars.
2. Hot dogs are the same, except they come with robots.
3. There are no animals, except rats, mice, cats, and dogs. No big animals.
4. Everything costs $1 except some things cost $100, but you can get $1 for free from a ... machine [I didn't understand what he said].
So there you have it, the future looks pretty good, unless you're a big animal.
April 24, 2008
April 21, 2008
Passover
This weekend was the beginning of Passover, so we had a Passover Seder at Mom-mom and Pop's house. Usually Isaac is the little Rabbi of the two, but this night was different from all other nights, as Aaron took the lead and read much of his Sammy Spider Haggadah to the group.
We flipped things around a bit this year and let the boys each hide half of the Afikoman. Aaron hid his under a couch cushion, and Isaac hid his under a table in the office. I think the boys had fun watching all the grownups searching around the house.
When Aaron opened the door for Elijah he said "I see Elijah's car!" While the boys were at the front door, we secretly drank some wine out of Elijah's cup and tried to convince the boys that it was Elijah who drank it, but they were too smart for that.
March 17, 2008
My love changed
We were eating tacos for dinner one night this week, so I had the hot sauce out. The boys usually try one drop of hot sauce and dislike it. But this time Isaac put a lot of hot sauce on his taco and took a bite and liked it.
I commented, "Wow, you put a lot of hot sauce on your taco."
He said, "Yeah, I used to not like hot sauce, but now I love it."
I said, "Looks like your tastes changed."
He replied, "No, my taste didn't change, my love changed."
February 12, 2008
Walrus Truck
Isaac saw a utility truck carrying two stacks of upside-down cones on the front.
He said, "Look, a walrus truck!"
February 11, 2008
Fortune Cookies
For Chinese New Year, the boys each got a fortune cookie at school. Aaron's fortune said something about expecting a "financial windfall." He asked me what "financial" meant and I explained it to him.
He immediately said, "I'm going to buy gum!" to which I replied something like "You can buy whatever you want with the money you save."
I could see the gears turning in his head as he thought for a second, and then he set his sights a little higher: "No, I'm going to buy every toy in the world."
January 27, 2008
Red Blood Cells
A story from Pop:
I was burning some junk mail in the fireplace yesterday. Aaron came by and wanted to keep the embers going so I suggested that he get the bellows to add oxygen to the fire. After pumping the bellows for a few minutes Aaron turned to me and said: "This is just like the way our bodies add oxygen to the red blood cells."
January 17, 2008
Some quotes
Waiting at the bus stop...
Aaron: "I wish the world was full of love"
Isaac (who had just commented on how dirty the bus stop was): "I wish the world was full of Swiffers"
On poop...
Aaron: "Poop has corn in it. But not corn for eating."
And on MLK day...
Aaron: "I see Martin Luther King Jr. everywhere, even on our street!" (We live off of MLK, and he had noticed the street sign earlier)
January 13, 2008
Snowboarding
I took the boys snowboarding for the first time on Saturday. They did really well. They learned quickly, and more importantly they kept a positive attitude the entire time.
Here's a shot of Isaac trudging back up the Bunny slope to try again. There are a few more photos here
January 04, 2008
Where does he go?
Isaac and Aaron love Pee Wee's Playhouse. It's a special treat for us to huddle around the computer after dinner and watch an episode (have I ever mentioned we don't even own a TV?).
At the end of each episode Pee Wee gets on his scooter and rides away. For the longest time, the boys would talk amongst themselves, "Where's he going?"
Finally, last night, Isaac figured it out: "That house is just his PLAY house, so he must be going to his REAL house."
December 23, 2007
Shabbat Quotes
On Fridays, the boys and I have Shabbat dinner at Mom-mom and Pop's house.
After blowing the shofar, Aaron held it up and asked "In 1968 was this an antler horn?" Aaron had a harder time blowing the shofar that Mindy made as opposed to the factory made shofar so he said to Mindy "You should have been in the factory."
Then the boys got into the car and found their new booster car seats and Isaac said "We've been wanting these all of our lives! Now we are like real people!"
December 14, 2007
Everyone's Learning
I always knew there'd be a time where the boys got smart enough that the things they learned would also be new to me.
I didn't realize it would be now. Each boy got a science book from Mom-mom and Pop for Chanukah, and they've been so much fun to read together.
I've learned about the purpose of the colon and what the Strong Force is.
Hope everyone is having a great Holiday Season!
December 03, 2007
November 13, 2007
More of Aaron's wise words
Aunt Mindy came over for Shabbat dinner last week. Aaron asked her "What happens if you un-button your belly-button?" and he asked her if he could buy her some earrings when he grew up.
A few weeks ago, Pop was driving the twins to Amber's new home and he'd never been there before. He asked the boys how to get there, and Aaron told him "Just follow the moon".
November 08, 2007
Let's work on training wheels first
This morning at breakfast, Aaron asked me "When can I get braces?" which led to a discussion on the different types of teeth (front teeth "biters" vs back teeth "chompers") and why it's dangerous to stuff your mouth with too much food at once. We made a fake "mouth" out of my hands and made it "choke" by eating too many napkins!
September 02, 2007
E-Mail to Mindy
Aaron dictated this email for Aunt Mindy, who's coming back to Seattle for a few months, starting next week
Dear Mindy,
I love you. I wish you come back to our house on Saturday. And then I want you to play with me and Isaac and the whole family. And I like you to come to the grocery store to get Popsicles. I slept in the bunk bed and you can't go in it because it is only ours now. I'll let you sleep in it when you come to visit.
We are going to the JCC and I want to go outside first. Do you want to come to the ferry and tee-pee?
I love you one hundred days. And you can come to my house one day or not.
Bye.
Aaron
August 13, 2007
Old Quotes
Observant readers have noticed that the quotes section on the left side of the page got shut down. The service I was using to store them went belly-up. So for posterity, here are all the quotes that used to be over there. They're in reverse chronological order (newest first), spanning May 2006 to March 2007.
Isaac describes the digestive system
Food goes down my throat, into my tummy, and into my leg. Then it goes to the bakery and gets turned into MUSH!
Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:16:57 -0700
Isaac's bathroom habits
I flushed the potty while I was still peeing and it was TOTALLY COOL!
Mon, 5 Mar 2007 15:55:12 -0800
Aaron's future career
When I grow up, I want to be an opera singer so I can talk on TV.
Mon, 5 Mar 2007 15:17:47 -0800
Isaac asks a good question while having a dance party
How does the music get into the computer?
Mon, 5 Mar 2007 15:16:13 -0800
Aaron's thoughts on God
God has my heart but when she is all done with it, she will give it back
Mon, 5 Feb 2007 12:01:54 -0800
Isaac, explaining what happens to his vitamins after he swallows them
They go down there and play golf
Fri, 2 Feb 2007 14:31:28 -0800
Isaac, expressing his preference for elbow macaroni
I don't like the shells, only the lines
Tue, 12 Dec 2006 21:45:04 -0800
Aaron, explaining why he wasn't wearing his winter coat
Winter's gone, it melted away.
Mon, 4 Dec 2006 09:59:49 -0800
Aaron, after Thanksgiving dinner
Isaac, you should thank me for setting the table.
Sat, 25 Nov 2006 19:17:39 -0800
Aaron's reaction when seeing I'd shaved my beard off
Your chin got a haircut!
Wed, 1 Nov 2006 06:56:39 -0800
Aaron made a question mark shape out of train tracks
Look, I made a beauty mark! It's the shape of your thinking!
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:49:35 -0800
Aaron was upset that he was in trouble
They're going to put you in a jail!
Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:29:42 -0700
Aaron was upset that I was taking away toys that hadn't been cleaned up
Daddy, stop being a Takey Takerson!
Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:01:14 -0700
Dad was pretending to sleep, when Aaron farted
Aaron: my butt waked you up!
Wed, 6 Sep 2006 16:13:01 -0700
When Isaac grows up, Part 2
When I grow up I'll be a milk truck from the fairy farm and daddy will be the cow
Fri, 18 Aug 2006 10:53:02 -0700
When Isaac grows up, Part 1
When I grow up I'll be a fireman with a firetruck that talks like a man. Or a lady.
Fri, 18 Aug 2006 10:43:51 -0700
Isaac, after he burped
I'm a burp robot
Tue, 25 Jul 2006 21:33:07 -0700
When Aaron grows up
I want to be a honeybee when i'm all growed up
Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:54:54 -0700
Aaron
I snoozed 2 sneezes, not just 1!
Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:27:22 -0700
Aaron saw a plant with lots of bees buzzing around
"Hi bees, I'm Aaron!"
Later in the evening he went back to the plant...
"Hi bees, remember me? I'm Aaron!"
Sun, 23 Jul 2006 11:55:14 -0700
Aaron, singing A Day In The Life
"Somebody spoke and I went into a drill"
Sun, 23 Jul 2006 11:53:32 -0700
Isaac watching dad put on his belt
Isaac: what's that?
Dad: A belt, I got it for my birthday
Isaac: Did God give it to you?
Dad: No, just Ellen.
Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:04:19 -0700
Aaron didn't have to pee and he was frustrated
I don't even want a penis anymore!
Sun, 9 Jul 2006 19:55:36 -0700
Isaac, trying to name the Beatles
"...John, and....Curious George"
Fri, 23 Jun 2006 06:54:03 -0700
Aaron, looking at an outline of the USA
It's a giraffe!
Wed, 14 Jun 2006 15:52:27 -0700
Isaac, hiding behind a curtain at synagogue
I'm in the Torah!
Sun, 11 Jun 2006 18:11:17 -0700
Aaron to the Eye Doctor, after getting dilated
You messed up my eyes!
Sun, 4 Jun 2006 12:48:38 -0700
Aaron to the neighbor's dog
Bodie has a penis! Go pee Bodie, go pee!
Sun, 4 Jun 2006 12:39:06 -0700
Aaron likes to squeeze his nose in between his fingers and say 'honk'. he also likes it when you do it with him.
Mom! honk your honker, too!
Mon, 22 May 2006 13:35:16 -0700
Isaac, on a windy day
It's really blowy outside today
Sat, 20 May 2006 16:49:56 -0700
Walking into daycare, a red car passes by
Isaac: The Wiggles' car!
Fri, 12 May 2006 11:00:25 -0700
Using the toilet
Isaac: daddy, what's your penis' name?
Daddy: it doesn't really have a name. What's your penis' name?
Isaac: Charley!
Fri, 12 May 2006 10:48:41 -0700
On walking vs. the stroller:
isaac: i want to walk by myself! stroller, go on your OWN walk!
Mon, 8 May 2006 16:58:54 -0700
Love Robot
Isaac: mommy?
Mommy: yes, isaac?
Isaac: i'm a love robot.
Mon, 8 May 2006 16:57:30 -0700
Aaron is a cautious child who often reminds you to "be careful" so I called him a "safety monitor' to which he replied "Yes, mama! I'm a safety monster"
Mon, 8 May 2006 16:53:58 -0700
Aaron: "I want to see daddy one time but hes exercising"
Mon, 8 May 2006 15:30:55 -0700
August 07, 2007
"Why does it say...?"
It's worth noting that Aaron can fully read now. It happened very fast. First he read simple words and his name, and then words he recognized, now he can pretty much sound out any word (with help breaking it up into smaller parts). Isaac isn't very far behind (he's more interested in drawing than reading/writing).
It's so strange to be driving and have Aaron ask, e.g. "Why does it say Super Car Wash on that elephant?"
July 27, 2007
4 year checkup
It was time once again for the yearly checkup. As always, the doctor was impressed at their good behavior, and curiosity about the medical tools. Aaron weighs 34 pounds (up from 30 last year), and is 40 inches tall (up from 37). Isaac weighs 31 pounds (up from 27 last year), and is 39 inches tall (up from 37).
They each got 3 shots, but they were quite brave during the ordeal.
July 23, 2007
Isaac has an ice cream face too
The "ice cream face" phenomenon is sweeping the country! Check out the whole ice cream face gallery.
July 14, 2007
June 05, 2007
Angry
Things that Aaron has threatened to do to me when he's angry:
- "I'm going to put you in a jail!"
- "I'm going to lock you in the basement!"
- "I'm going to throw you away in the garbage!"
- "I'm going to chop you up into 100 pieces!"*
May 10, 2007
Mushrooms
Another anecdote from my mom:
Yesterday the boys were helping me make the stew for dinner last night. As they helped me put in each ingredient, they each wanted to taste four pieces of each thing [nb: oh by the way, Isaac and Aaron are 4 years old now!]. When I got to the mushrooms and put four slices in front of each boy, Aaron tasted his and took the piece out of his mouth and said he didn't like it. Then he asked me for a little bag for the mushrooms. He put the mushrooms in the bag and said "Maybe they will taste better later", and put them aside. They both enjoyed the onions, green peppers, corn, peas and tomatoes.
April 26, 2007
Super Applesauce
Over the weekend, my folks took the twins and me out to dinner. The waiter asked Aaron what he wanted with his meal. The choices were "Salad, soup, or applesauce".
Aaron thought for a second and said "I want super applesauce".
(If this doesn't make sense, say the whole conversation out loud)
April 16, 2007
Just pretend
My mom sent me this touching story about her and Isaac looking at family photos:
Isaac had asked me earlier in the week to see the pictures of my Mom-Moms again. We went into the living room and sat on the floor in front of all of the photos and we talked about each one of the photos and the names of the people in the photos, even the photos of you and Mindy when you were younger. Isaac was beginning to notice that some of the people were in more than one photo. When I showed him another photo, he began naming some of the people. When I heard his cute little voice saying the names as I pointed to the people, the people who are no longer living, the people who will never get to see and know these precious little boys, it made me sad to think of that reality. I started to cry. Isaac looked at me and said "Why are you crying, Mom-Mom?" I said I was sad. He asked "Why are you sad?" I told him I was sad because I missed these people. He looked at me and he said "Just pretend." He said it so innocently and casually and naturally as if there was a simple answer for my sadness. It was so cute and so touching. Then he got up and ran back into the dining room.
April 11, 2007
Ask God
Tonight at bedtime, Isaac asked me "What does Hamotzi mean?" I was stumped, so before I could come up with an answer, Aaron suggested "Let's ask God". I ran with this idea, and added that they can each ask God tonight in their dreams. Aaron suggested that I do the same, and I agreed.
A few minutes later as the boys were drifting off, I hear Isaac mumble, "God, what does Hamotzi mean?"
