Grilled Cheese, Boy Cheese

Me: What do you kids want for lunch? Kate: I want a grilled cheese and Ethan wants a boy cheese.

The mind of a 2-year-old Packer

• They’re really interested in where animals live. Some of their answers are funny to me, like horses live on the grass. The other day, we were talking about what animals live in the forest and I suggested bugs. They both were laughing at the absurdity and when I asked where they lived, Kate responded, “the park!”
• Along the same lines, where things belong is a big deal for them. Kate was laughing once in the car when she saw a horse in a trailer on the freeway. “Horses don’t belong on the freeway!” Ethan gave the same response to seeing a bulldozer on the back of a truck. Those belong in the dirt, of course.
• They have been talking about Disneyland a lot. For about 2 months now, they’ve asked every day if we can go. Ethan decided to take things to higher sources when he said his prayers. “Please bless that we can go to Disneyland on Thursday.”
• They don’t really understand the idea of birthdays. They think a birthday is a gift. They give me “birthdays” all day long where they put a few toys and cars into a small bin or wrapped up in their blanket. My favorite part is when they immediately take it back.
• We went downtown one evening to pick something up from Greg’s office. The whole elevator idea was a real puzzle. There was a nutcracker outside the elevator on the ground floor and they were so confused when we got out and he wasn’t there. It’s only weird to me because they spent the first 2 years of their lives living in an apartment building with an elevator.
• There are 3 options to solve any problem. 1. Go to the store and buy more. 2. Batteries. This applies to almost anything broken, including but not limited to, sticks and burned out lights. The interesting thing is they do not own a single toy that requires batteries (I know, we’re old school like that). I just don’t know where they got the idea. 3. Daddy will fix it. Even the giant blow up dinosaur on top of the gas station we always drive by. Ethan asked Greg last night, “Daddy will you fix the green dinosaur up on the roof? You won’t be scared.”
• They only vaguely get the idea that phone conversations are two-way. They will answer a question, but they mostly just talk and talk random stories and ideas, both at the same time.
• I do believe they kinda get this whole baby business. They know that a baby is in mommy’s tummy, he’s growing bigger and when he’s big enough, he will come out. They know it’s a boy and although Lightning McQueen is still the best option for a name, they have opened the field to Strawberry (Ethan) and Minnesota (Kate) and a very few other options that we’ve given them. But not many. They love to talk about what we will do with the baby: bring him blankies (they both offered to share theirs. So sweet. We’ve assured them that we will get the baby his own blanket), and softly touch his head, and give him kisses, and be really quiet.

It is truly amazing to me how their minds work and how quickly they are learning. This has easily been my favorite stage of motherhood.

the Zoo

So we got season passes to the Houston Zoo. It’s quite a zoo. Not that I’m a zoo expert or anything, but compared to the LA and Hogle Zoos, this one is top notch. We’ve been a few times and I think this time, we finally figured out how it’s done. Lots of time at each exhibit, very few exhibits. The weather was absolutely perfect, so it was so nice to just enjoy the day. First stop is always the aquarium. Crush, the Jellies, Gil, Nemo, and Dory are all there waiting for us. Every time.

They played lots of peek-a-boo.

Sat on lots of benches.

Chased birds and squirrels. Found sticks. Climbed on fences. We practically went to Africa- we played African drums, saw some baby giraffes and chimps and rhinos and antelopes maybe? (didn’t see a sign) We played in African huts (but not all of them because one hut was occupied by a woman feeling the African spirit and nursing her 2-year-old! Without a cover.)

This pic is actually from the last time we went, but I felt this post was getting a little Kate-heavy. Not that she’s heavy. 

We did see a few of the animals we paid to see. I present to you, the Texas Longhorn.

Consider this fair warning: This may turn in to the Disneyland of California, so expect lots of posts about it. I’ll try to make them interesting.

Christmas

You know how it went down. Christmas Eve, we opened the Christmas pjs. They were thrilled (no really, they were. Our kids love their jammies).

Then, we set out cookies for the fat guy and carrots for the reindeer.

I think we messed up on the whole Santa thing this year. First, we had this problem. Then, we told them that he would come while they were sleeping and try as we might, we couldn’t convince Kate that he would bring toys and then l e a v e. They woke up early the next morning, Ethan in excitement, Kate in fear. She did not want that fat old man in our house ruining our Christmas morning. It was actually really sweet. She was trying so hard to put on a brave face, but she just didn’t know if it was all going to be worth it...

Once she came out and saw that he did, indeed, bring presents, and did, indeed, LEAVE, she was a happy camper.

Strangely, of the 3 million presents the kids opened, I only took pictures of Greg opening presents. But how cute are their aprons? Made by grandma, of course.

Later that night, we went for another round of Christmas lights. Really, it was just an excuse to wear these hats. Thanks, Aunt Alisha for MAKING them!

Oh, and I know I promised some of you belly shots in this post. You’ll have to get on Greg’s case about that one. He refuses to take pictures of me. I guess I can’t really blame him. I have been packing on some holiday weight.

Okay, so he doesn’t really refuse, he just never thinks to do it and I’m not going to force it.