Inasmuch as this blog serves as our unofficial baby book for all 3 kids at once, we've been reflecting on the last few words that remain from Cecilie's early vocabulary:
"aminals"
"prentzels"
"bonk beds"
"bollyball"
this doesn't count all of the hilarious interpretations of song lyrics - a whole blog in itself - but it is quite sweet that our stickler for pronunciation (Daddy gets corrected most often) hangs on to these few.
Lars doesn't have as many noticeable words like this (AMINALS seems to have worked its way through to him too), but our favorite is "gubblegum". Makes me smile just typing it...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Staying up late
We had a wonderful family & friends evening tonight - happy hour turned in to four, turned into a simple cook out, turned into the kids staying up late and fighting the British from the tree house (C: Let's pretend it is the war of 1812 and that the British are coming, and we're the sisters saying nyah nyah nyah boo boo!), catching fireflies, the whole nine yards...
As we finish brushing teeth, we have this conversation:
C: We are staying up late, aren't we?
Daddy: Yes we sure are...
C: We are staying up SO late, even later than God!
D: Yep, even later than God
C: Well, He has to get up really early in the morning.
So on good authority then, God doesn't last much longer than 9.30...
As we finish brushing teeth, we have this conversation:
C: We are staying up late, aren't we?
Daddy: Yes we sure are...
C: We are staying up SO late, even later than God!
D: Yep, even later than God
C: Well, He has to get up really early in the morning.
So on good authority then, God doesn't last much longer than 9.30...
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Just some every day Nilsen pictures
Party on Wayne. Party on Garth.
Yummy Jonah Jam: Jonah C's 3rd Birthday Party
A show of nationalism and orphans
A collection of pool memberships
I have this theory about surviving the Maryland summer: you're either a Water Person, or a Land Person. I was at dinner with some friends early in the spring, and when the subject came up, the table was neatly divided: 2 of our fivesome groaned and declared they couldn't think of anything more tedious than spending the summer poolside. 2 of us admitted that we were counting down the days to chlorine-scented towels and whistles blowing 'adult swim'.
No value judgements here: I am just a water person. I've spent my whole life in the water: beaches, lakes, rivers, pools, puddles... So pool life was just a given as far as I was concerned, when it came to embracing Suburban American Life.
And this excessively long lead-in is to give back story to the fact that, through the unique (read: sloppy) machinations of Nilsen Household Management, we found ourselves joined up at not one, but TWO pools this summer. Short version of the story is that we thought we'd never move up the two year waiting list at the Catonsville pool, so joined Grandma's pool for a last season.
So here is our girl doing the super hero jump in to the pool...
...and the back stroke
The day these pictures were taken we got the call that we had actually made the top of the list in Catonsville. Good for us, not so good for grandparents wanting swimmers down south.
Here's a sweet girl who is also turning in to a bit of a swimming nymph (although not quite doing the superhero jump yet...)
No value judgements here: I am just a water person. I've spent my whole life in the water: beaches, lakes, rivers, pools, puddles... So pool life was just a given as far as I was concerned, when it came to embracing Suburban American Life.
And this excessively long lead-in is to give back story to the fact that, through the unique (read: sloppy) machinations of Nilsen Household Management, we found ourselves joined up at not one, but TWO pools this summer. Short version of the story is that we thought we'd never move up the two year waiting list at the Catonsville pool, so joined Grandma's pool for a last season.
The day these pictures were taken we got the call that we had actually made the top of the list in Catonsville. Good for us, not so good for grandparents wanting swimmers down south.
Ballerinas galore: Cecilie's First Ballet Recital 5/31/08
She's an enthusiastic dancer, and let's just say... marches to her own beat. (In the following photos, just look for the girl doing the opposite of everyone else..)
Family Nilsen rolled up on the Big Night having forgotten the tights, the special socks, and worst of all - the bouquet for a special ballerina! However, the universe, and the Coopers specifically, were looking out for us, and had extra tights/socks and Torbjorn made a last-minute dash to get flowers.
The recital was adorable, and we couldn't have been more proud. When asked what her most favorite part was, she thought for a minute, and said "getting the flowers from Daddy & Grandpa." [whew! it was SO worth it!] And then added "oh yeah, and the ice cream after!"
So for a first time out, a happy time was had by all, and she seemed quite pleased. We're signed up for next year!
Family Nilsen rolled up on the Big Night having forgotten the tights, the special socks, and worst of all - the bouquet for a special ballerina! However, the universe, and the Coopers specifically, were looking out for us, and had extra tights/socks and Torbjorn made a last-minute dash to get flowers.
The recital was adorable, and we couldn't have been more proud. When asked what her most favorite part was, she thought for a minute, and said "getting the flowers from Daddy & Grandpa." [whew! it was SO worth it!] And then added "oh yeah, and the ice cream after!"
So for a first time out, a happy time was had by all, and she seemed quite pleased. We're signed up for next year!
Baby soup
Larsisms (he's 3, they're never ending!)
We've been working with Cecilie on 'ladylike' behavior (you know, the basics: wearing underwear every day, not stripping on the pool deck, etc.). So one night at bathtime, she wondered "Mommy, do you ever show your underpants to the world when you're wearing a dress?" I responded with the requisite negative, and Lars, hopping into the tub, tossed out "NEVER SAY NEVER!"
(at this point of course, I thought of my friend Jen's chapel story...)
****************
C: Hey Larsie, let's play piggie back!
L: Yeah, let's do that!
[much hilarity as big sister totes him around the kitchen]
C: Okay, let's switch.
[3 seconds of grunting, Cecilie giggling as he collapses under her dead weight]
L: [grumpy] I don't wanna be the piggie.......
*****************
Lars' increasing need for independence is best reflected in his favorite phrase "by my own". This is used when wanting to do something himself, or when wanting to be left alone, or objecting to being left "all by my own!"
One morning Cecilie was the Garbo, 'vanting to be alone', and her devoted brother wanted to play with her. Cue much shouting, whining, etc. and Cecilie yells "I thought you wanted to be all by my own!" and Lars shouts back "NO! I want to be all by your own!!!"
(at this point of course, I thought of my friend Jen's chapel story...)
****************
C: Hey Larsie, let's play piggie back!
L: Yeah, let's do that!
[much hilarity as big sister totes him around the kitchen]
C: Okay, let's switch.
[3 seconds of grunting, Cecilie giggling as he collapses under her dead weight]
L: [grumpy] I don't wanna be the piggie.......
*****************
Lars' increasing need for independence is best reflected in his favorite phrase "by my own". This is used when wanting to do something himself, or when wanting to be left alone, or objecting to being left "all by my own!"
One morning Cecilie was the Garbo, 'vanting to be alone', and her devoted brother wanted to play with her. Cue much shouting, whining, etc. and Cecilie yells "I thought you wanted to be all by my own!" and Lars shouts back "NO! I want to be all by your own!!!"
Cecilie can plan a PARTY, baby
One Sunday evening, when Cecilie got wind that Grandma & Grandpa were coming for supper, she got busy setting the table, finding a centerpiece, planning her outfit - the works!
As we all sat down, she made her big announcement:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome, to the Family Communion Princess Party, with hula at the end!"
and she didn't disappoint: there was hula at the end, sans underpants. (Thus, no photos. Apologies to our dear readership.)
As we all sat down, she made her big announcement:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome, to the Family Communion Princess Party, with hula at the end!"
and she didn't disappoint: there was hula at the end, sans underpants. (Thus, no photos. Apologies to our dear readership.)
I'm with Lars on this one...
At bedtime recently, we discussed a family member who was heading off to Iraq.
C: Mommy? Grandma says X is going to the war
M: Yeah, he is.
C: I think the war is scary.
L: I think the world is scary.
C: Yeah. That's why you go out there with your Mom & Dad.
-long quiet pause-
L: Hey Mommy? Tomorrow, let's skip the world.
M: Ok bud. Let's skip the world.
C: Mommy? Grandma says X is going to the war
M: Yeah, he is.
C: I think the war is scary.
L: I think the world is scary.
C: Yeah. That's why you go out there with your Mom & Dad.
-long quiet pause-
L: Hey Mommy? Tomorrow, let's skip the world.
M: Ok bud. Let's skip the world.
Preschool Graduation - aka ancient history
Thursday, June 26, 2008
When Lars grows up...
So , we have this theory that there is a little bit of Christan Slater in that Larsy boy...
The latest development is that we now have it on good authority from people with SOME authority in making celebrity connections that the guy to watch is actually Barry Watson:
I am fairly certain that there is no such thing as a Poor Man's Barry Watson, or Christian Slater for that matter, maybe Lars just have to blaze his own trail...
The latest development is that we now have it on good authority from people with SOME authority in making celebrity connections that the guy to watch is actually Barry Watson:
I am fairly certain that there is no such thing as a Poor Man's Barry Watson, or Christian Slater for that matter, maybe Lars just have to blaze his own trail...
Bumper stickers
...this literal way of wearing your beliefs on your sleeve may be fairly uniquely American, and I find it quaint and charming most of the time, but this week it really boiled over for me.
Largely the propensity for this expression is found on the political and religious fringes (not counting mainstream political campaigns and proud parents) below is some recent "favorites" I have come across:
"Barak HUSSEIN Obama for president - are you fucking kidding me?"
"Only half the people who go into an abortion clinic come out alive
"My dog is smarter than your president"
"My Other Car is a Broom"
"Focus on your own damn family"
Thursday night we watch the news and one of the stories is about the government housing manager of a neighboring county, who has been caught on camera with this little gem of a bumper sticker: "If you can't feed them, don't breed them".
The next day on my commute the camel's back was broken by the straw of being cut off...
I must let you know, cutting off, and being cut off, is a relatively common occurrence in my 100 miles per day commute. What really had me hacked off was that this wasn't just your regular dopey hippie "oops, I didn't see you..." kind of cut off, this was a "I am going to drive on the shoulder as far as I can and then cut you off..." cut off..., and then there was the bumper sticker: Choose Civility
I fully support the public' right to use bumper stickers as a proclamation of one's values, and I have even become accustomed to being cut off by cars with WWJD and Jesus fish stickers (after all he was all about forgiveness...), but when you put it out there as an explicit statement like that...!!!
Largely the propensity for this expression is found on the political and religious fringes (not counting mainstream political campaigns and proud parents) below is some recent "favorites" I have come across:
"Barak HUSSEIN Obama for president - are you fucking kidding me?"
"Only half the people who go into an abortion clinic come out alive
"My dog is smarter than your president"
"My Other Car is a Broom"
"Focus on your own damn family"
Thursday night we watch the news and one of the stories is about the government housing manager of a neighboring county, who has been caught on camera with this little gem of a bumper sticker: "If you can't feed them, don't breed them".
The next day on my commute the camel's back was broken by the straw of being cut off...
I must let you know, cutting off, and being cut off, is a relatively common occurrence in my 100 miles per day commute. What really had me hacked off was that this wasn't just your regular dopey hippie "oops, I didn't see you..." kind of cut off, this was a "I am going to drive on the shoulder as far as I can and then cut you off..." cut off..., and then there was the bumper sticker: Choose Civility
I fully support the public' right to use bumper stickers as a proclamation of one's values, and I have even become accustomed to being cut off by cars with WWJD and Jesus fish stickers (after all he was all about forgiveness...), but when you put it out there as an explicit statement like that...!!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Veggie tale
So my kids like their junk food as much as the next kid. A Happy Meal does indeed, make them happy. They never met a donut they didn't like. And they have been known to complete a 2-mile walk (not a stroller in sight!) motivated solely by the promise of an ice cream cone at trail's end.
And yet.... I kid you not, the following conversation is verbatim:
[the menu tonight was fried rice, with tofu, mushrooms,onions, and steamed squash & zucchini]
C: [inhales squash] shouts Can I have more squash?!?
L: Yeah, I want more squash!!!!
Mother, aka The Voice of Reason, insists that they must at least take one bite of rice before they can gorge on more squash.
C: what's in this? It looks really....brown.
Mom tells them it's tofu & mushrooms
L: mmmm, this tofu's deeeelisssshhhuss!
C: disconsolately I don't like tofu. The only thing I like about this rice is the mushrooms. Can I just eat the mushrooms?
L: Mommy? I don't like mushrooms unless they're cooked.
C: yeah, I really only like cooked mushrooms.
[we ponder the delisshussness of mushrooms]
C: hey, what's for dessert?
M: ummm, I don't think we're having anything for dessert tonight
C: WHAT??? NO DESSERT???? You mean we can't have a huge bowl of blueberries?
L: YEAH, BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBERRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M: sorry guys, you ate the entire box of blueberries for breakfast.
[heavy sighs, silence....]
C: ooh, I know! We can have oranges, a can of oranges!
L: YEAH, ORAAAAAAANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and thus peace reigned in the Nilsen home as those nutty kids slurped up mandarin oranges in pear juice.
And yet.... I kid you not, the following conversation is verbatim:
[the menu tonight was fried rice, with tofu, mushrooms,onions, and steamed squash & zucchini]
C: [inhales squash] shouts Can I have more squash?!?
L: Yeah, I want more squash!!!!
Mother, aka The Voice of Reason, insists that they must at least take one bite of rice before they can gorge on more squash.
C: what's in this? It looks really....brown.
Mom tells them it's tofu & mushrooms
L: mmmm, this tofu's deeeelisssshhhuss!
C: disconsolately I don't like tofu. The only thing I like about this rice is the mushrooms. Can I just eat the mushrooms?
L: Mommy? I don't like mushrooms unless they're cooked.
C: yeah, I really only like cooked mushrooms.
[we ponder the delisshussness of mushrooms]
C: hey, what's for dessert?
M: ummm, I don't think we're having anything for dessert tonight
C: WHAT??? NO DESSERT???? You mean we can't have a huge bowl of blueberries?
L: YEAH, BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBERRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M: sorry guys, you ate the entire box of blueberries for breakfast.
[heavy sighs, silence....]
C: ooh, I know! We can have oranges, a can of oranges!
L: YEAH, ORAAAAAAANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and thus peace reigned in the Nilsen home as those nutty kids slurped up mandarin oranges in pear juice.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
About a Boy
It's great to have the testosterone around here, really it is.
One morning Lars retired to the W.C. for some meditation time, and I was summoned to help him you know, clean up.
I walk in the bathroom, and he proudly points:
"Look at my thousands of poops Mom!"
"wow, bud"
"Yeah, but they're not really in a mountain like usual. They're more in a swirly line, like train tracks..."
Good to know. Glad he's thinking about these things.
And lest we think they grow out of this: yesterday evening we had some friends for a bbq in the backyard. Lars needed a pee, and we encouraged him to find the nearest tree. He chose the very nearest one (of course) so all were party to the ah, performance.
Dad A: woah, look at that arc!
Dad B: yeah, that really was high, wasn't it?
Dad B, laughing: yeah, very impressive.
Mom A (wife of Dad A): are we seriously talking about his pee?
Dad A: yeah.
Mom A: huh. it's just that really, in a 100 years, I would never talk about someone's peeing with my girlfriends.
Dad A: well you know, its not about the pee. Its about the ABILITY.
One morning Lars retired to the W.C. for some meditation time, and I was summoned to help him you know, clean up.
I walk in the bathroom, and he proudly points:
"Look at my thousands of poops Mom!"
"wow, bud"
"Yeah, but they're not really in a mountain like usual. They're more in a swirly line, like train tracks..."
Good to know. Glad he's thinking about these things.
And lest we think they grow out of this: yesterday evening we had some friends for a bbq in the backyard. Lars needed a pee, and we encouraged him to find the nearest tree. He chose the very nearest one (of course) so all were party to the ah, performance.
Dad A: woah, look at that arc!
Dad B: yeah, that really was high, wasn't it?
Dad B, laughing: yeah, very impressive.
Mom A (wife of Dad A): are we seriously talking about his pee?
Dad A: yeah.
Mom A: huh. it's just that really, in a 100 years, I would never talk about someone's peeing with my girlfriends.
Dad A: well you know, its not about the pee. Its about the ABILITY.
Monday, May 26, 2008
You know your parenting is going places when...
...the children sit on the time-out step singing "The sun will come out, TOMORROW...", pitch perfect.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The grand finale
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
