Playing Pool with Bode Quotes

While playing pool with Bode, he had some cute things to say:

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Bode: The littlest person goes first.

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Bode: I like to be the solids.

Me: Why?

Bode: Because I've been the stripes before and it's really hard.

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Bode: It's on, like Donkey Kong.

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Me: Aww, I scratch every time I get to the 8 ball.

Bode: Just like Gramma.

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Cole's Birthday Party Fun

We celebrated Cole's birthday on Monday the 22nd (his actual birthday). I'm not a big party planner, so a few days before his birthday I contacted his friends to see who was available. Lucky for us his close friends were all available to hang out with him. Cole wanted to see Kung Fu Panda 2, which was playing at the cheap theatre, so we all met there. The kids loved it, and even the moms had a good time laughing. (There was also someone in the audience snoring, giving us added entertainment, and annoyance).

Our section of the theatre.

Then we headed back to our house for playtime, lunchtime, and cupcake time. Cole loved having his friends over. He's the real entertainer of the family. And we loved celebrating with his friends.

Yum! Happy 8th Birthday!

Say Cheese!

Now be silly.

Frosting...yum.

It's so peaceful when the kids eat cupcakes :)

Opening presents.

From Us

Gramma and Grampa also celebrated with us. We had dinner at Musashi the Friday before Cole's birthday. We had yummy food and great entertainment watching them cook in front of us. Then Tuesday after Cole's birthday, Gramma and Grampa came over and took Cole shopping for his birthday. He got Heelies, which he had been wanting for a long time. He's loving them and has been wearing them everyday.

Thank you everyone for celebrating with us. We love you Cole!! Happy Birthday!

Random Quotes from Bode

Bode: Mom, can I have $50 for my birthday?

Me: Why do you want $50?

Bode: Because I want to buy something expensive.


* Funny guy. His birthday isn't even for another 6 months, lol.

Happy 8th Birthday, Cole!

Eight years ago (yesterday) we were blessed with the birth of our second son, Cole. Cole has been keeping us on our toes since he was born. On my last day of work before my maternity leave (6 days before my due date), I was experiencing contractions on and off all day. That evening we went to dinner with my parents, during which I continued to time my contrations. Casually I announced that we'd have to go to the hospital after dinner. We dropped Ian off at my aunt and uncle's house and then headed to the hospital where my parents (and aunt and cousin) later met us. I was only dilated a few centimeters and the nurse was going to send me home, but I asked if I could walk around instead. The next day was going to be my mother-in-law's birthday and I didn't want Cole to have to share his birthday. So after walking around for an hour, I was much further dilated and they admitted me. I also declined any medications or epidurals because I didn't want anything to slow my contractions. I even told the doctor he had to be born before midnight. Time was ticking away. I got stuck at 9 centimeters and they finally broke my water for me. After that things happened pretty quickly. Cole entered the world at 11:29pm, August 22nd.

Cole has been a joy to watch grow up. He has a strong personality and is a natural leader. He's funny, carefree, adventurous, agile, strong, sensitive, curious, smart, cute, and confident. He learns things quickly and is a natural athlete. He's also very comfortable with himself. He knows that he's small for his age, but it doesn't affect him. He's also been keeping his hair on the long-side for the last couple of years, and is frequently called a girl by those not paying attention, but he doesn't let it bother him. We call him a monkey because he can climb anything practically. He is also a great snuggler and loves to have fun. We have enjoyed these eight years of having him in our lives and look forward to watching him continue to grow and develop.

Here's a look at Cole through the years:

Baby Cole at the Hospital
(I don't think hospital photos are meant to be flattering.)

Cole at 3 months, with very red hair.
(Reminiscent of Conan O'Brien or Donald Trump? lol)

Cole at 1 year old - now a blondie.
Where did the red hair go?

Cole at 2 years old - doing his two favorite things:
Sucking on his fingers, and holding his blankie (which he called an Ah-ja).

Cole at 3 years old - already our little Monkey!

Cole at 4 years old - with his brothers.
Gotta love that cheesy smile :)

Cole at 5 years old - It's fun to play dress-up.

Cole at 6 years old - The beginning of the long hair stage.

Cole at 7 years old - loving having long hair

Cole is 8 years old today!
And he has yet another hair style - still keeping some length.

Happy Birthday, Cole!! We love you very much and are so very grateful to God to have you in our lives. You are truly a blessing. Thank you for the incredibly sweet, loving, fun, and kind boy that you are.

Bode's Bee Lesson

As we're walking to the car from the library next to some flowers, Bode is walking behind the big boys and me. "Mom, I caught a bee," Bode said excitedly. I didn't realize he was serious until a few seconds later..."Oww!!!" cried Bode, with a stinger sticking out of his finger. Poor guy.

Bode's new lesson learned: Don't catch bees. They don't want to be caught!

Update: Bode has informed me that the first bee he caught didn't sting him. It was the second one that did it. LOL

Beach Trip - Leo Carrillo in Malibu

Last week, the boys and I enjoyed a lovely day at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, CA with some friends. It was slightly overcast, but the temperature was perfect. We tried to get there close to low tide to check out the tide pools, but we weren't able to get there early enough. But the boys had a great time hanging out with their friends, digging in the sand, collecting seashells (and parts of lobster shells?), climbing on the rocks, running an obstacle course, playing in the water, and just having a good time.

Quotes from Ian and Cole

Random morning conversation between the boys...

Cole: Ian, what kind of Praying Mantis would you want to be?

Ian: A girl.

Cole: Me, too. Because the girls eat the boys heads off and I don't want my head to be eaten off.

* Too funny! It's always fun to hear what random thoughts come into their heads.