The Tickle Monster

Cole and Dad had a great time this afternoon playing. For awhile, Cole was a little pig building his house in our coffee table and Dad was the big bad wolf. Dad apparently had some of the language wrong, though, because he forgot "not by the hair of my chinny-chin chin". We're still not sure where that was supposed to be added. After Cole tired of that, he started racing around trying to escape the tickle monster. He wasn't always successful.

A Captive Audience

After playing Wii, having a snack, helping me in the kitchen and having supper, Liam finally settled down to do a little reading. He brought home two chapter books in his book baggie yesterday and we thought we should return them sooner than last time (six weeks?). First, he read another Amelia Bedelia book. What a silly woman! He then started in on Viking Ships at Sunrise. I apparently wasn't paying enough attention, though, because he stopped after one chapter and decided he should wait for Grandpa and Grandma. Now he'd probably happily read all evening, aside from the pesky little fact of bedtime in a few minutes! He's very much looking forward to reading to them again tomorrow. I'm so glad he enjoys books as much as Jeff and I do.

Very best friends

Jeff and I were working on Christmas cards (yes, still) while the boys were playing in the playroom. Cole came running excitedly out and announced, "Liam said we're friends!" Apparently, Liam was making a list of his friends on some scrap paper and put Cole's name at the top. A minute later, Cole ran out and announced he was Liam's very best friend. I'm so glad. I hope they feel the same way five minutes from now!

No Gopher Zone?

The Gophers were in town this evening for the Mavericks' first home game in nearly two months. Both boys went with us and were very excited. They gave away free T-shirts which won't fit either of them for years and fans behind us (who we know as the Kalinskis since they wear that former player's jersey) gave the boys an anti-Gopher sign. Cole went down to watch the Gophers warm up and flashed it at each of them as they skated by. It was really quite cute; everyone around him got a kick out of it.

The game itself turned out to be just as exciting. The Mavs scored early in the first, but were then tied fairly quickly. They went up again and again, with the final 3-2, ending with an empty net for the Gophers and the Mavs on the penalty kill. The boys did great, and paid attention to most of the game. Liam talked with Dr Scott the entire third period and Cole managed to stave off sleep, although he was very, very close by the end. Jeff and I were more in tune by the end. Go Mavs!

Happy Birthday Cole!

Cole turned four today, but it has been a multi-day celebration. It started with his birthday party at preschool Friday, since they don't have school this week. He requested a Dairy Queen cake for snack, and our local DQ came up with a great Scooby Doo cake. The preschoolers loved it, as did Liam, who's had leftovers a few times.

Yesterday, we had his official birthday party, again with a Scooby Doo theme. His cousins and some friends came over, as well as Grandpa & Grandma Engelhardt. The kids had fun hunting for Scooby Snacks (Milk Bones), opening presents and eating cake and ice cream. Cole did an awesome job blowing out the candles - all four with one puff from halfway across the table.

Today, he and Jeff went to Godfather's for "lunch with the guys", some of Jeff's former coworkers at Gustavus. To top it off, he received birthday wishes by phone from Grandpa & Grandma Beecher, who told him they like Star Wars Legos, too, which apparently made his day.

Mini-Mitey Bulldogs

Liam has played hockey for the past two seasons, and this year, Cole has joined in. I must say, hockey practice is very enjoyable. Jeff & I get the boys ready and then all three head out to the ice. I go sit in the stands and knit. Yay me!

Liam seems much faster this year, which is fun to watch. I was a little concerned since he barely skated at all this summer, but his stride is longer and smoother.

Cole has spent much of the eight practices thus far practicing standing still, but he does get places, albeit slowly. I was very proud of him today, though, because he is now able to get up all by himself, and quickly. He was very proud of himself and even more happy that Grandpa & Grandma Engelhardt were there to see him.

Halloween 2010

With the exception of last year, the boys have always been coordinated for Halloween. In 2007, they were Clifford and T-Bone. In 2008, Liam wanted to be a black widow spider and Cole to be a fly. Morbid, but okay. This year, Liam was a knight and Cole was a dragon. We went back to the old neighborhood to visit with friends and trick or treat.

While walking around, Liam ran into another friend that he didn't even recognize through her costume. That got them talking about what to be next year. Cole has mentioned being Darth Vadar, but Liam thought that sounded cool, too. He ruled out R2D2, and then decided to be a storm trooper. Cole said, "I'm going to be Darth Vadar. I'm gonna be your master, Liam!" Wouldn't that be a turn of events?