Sledding - An Oddessy

What Happens When You Give a 3yr Old a Camera?

Grown Up

Conversation with a 3yr Old

BW: How long am I going to go to Kimmy's house?
PW: Probably until you are 5.
BW: I don't want to turn 5. That is when you are a grown up. I don't want to be a grown up.
PW: Oh.
BW: I want to be 10.
PW: You know that 10 is older than 5 and by your earlier statement that would make you a grown up?
BW: Yeah, I know. I still want to be 10 but not 5.

Watch out world, a whole generation of kids will now be Grown Up's when they turn 5.

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday Mama Wonder!!!! We love you very much!!!! Have a great day!!!!

Did It Have to Happen So Soon?

Baby Wonder is officially crawling! Crawling?! Yes, crawling!

Why do my kids feel the need to be so mobile? Boy Wonder crawled at 6 1/2 months. If she keeps following in his footsteps, then she will be walking by Valentines day. Wasn't she just born? Oh, yeah, I guess that was 7 months ago.

I could see this happening and knew it was just a matter of time. She has been rocking on her hands and knees and scooting/flopping/wiggling all over for the place for a few weeks. Tonight was different. She spotted the her target and decided to go for it. As with any milestone I am so proud of her and excited to start the next chapter. What is really neat is that as she is getting older I can also see she is proud of herself too.

So if you don't have any plans this weekend, do you want to come and help us baby proof the house?

Sweet Talker

Mama: Something smells bad. Baby Wonder did you poop?
Boy Wonder: I want to smell her. (Sniffs her butt)
Mama: What does she smell like? (Knowing full well that she had a load full of poop in her pants)
Boy Wonder: She smells like a flower. (Smiling like Eddie Haskell)

Even at 3 1/2 he already knows what the ladies like to hear.

The Great Debate - Part II

Do they look a like?

Is There Anyone Reading Who...

Has woken up to find the Christmas tree laying across the floor, and shards of broken glass ornaments EVERYWHERE?

The real mystery is how did we not hear a 7 foot tree with all the fixings fall over and crash to the ground?!

I'm off to decorate the Christmas tree for the second time in 12 hours. Hopefully, this time is the last until next year.

A New Way To Tell Time

Boy Wonder was taking a bath and I gave the two minute warning that bath time was going to be coming to an end. Two minutes later, at 7:50, I announced it was time to get washed up. Boy Wonder looks at the clock, then with a very puzzled face says "But the big had isn't on the 2 yet, and you said two minutes."

I Guess It Does Look Like...

We have been working on letter recognition with Boy Wonder. We often ask him what letters he sees, and play I Spy looking for different letters. The other day we were driving by McDonald's and I asked Boy Wonder what he saw. He thought for a moment and then announced that the "Bent french fries look like an M."

Not sure I heard him right, I asked "what looks like an M?" Boy Wonder responds as though he is now for the first time seeing the sign as, dare I say, most of us do. "Mom, the two bent french fries look like just like an M!" Have I mentioned that Boy Wonder loves french fries? I think he sees the world through french fry glasses.

Happy Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving is a day for reflecting on all the blessings we have been given. And I have been given many. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for my wonderful and healthy family, fabulous friends, and everything else God has shared with me. Please know how thankful I am to to be able share these smiles with you.

Happy 30th Birthday Auntie Susan!

Mama I'm a Big Girl Now

And now she sits up...

Can I Get A Clorox Wipe?

Picture it...the bathroom at the Wonder house.

Boy Wonder: Mom, I need some help in here.
Mama: What happened?
Boy Wonder: I was aiming straight down, but it went straight out instead.
Mama: (Sighing while examining the damage)
Boy Wonder: So I peed allover the toilet. Sorry mom (patting Mama on the back), sometimes its hard to aim.

Sit Back Relax, and Enjoy the Show

Recently Boy Wonder went to his first movie. As he settled into his seat to watch Madagascar 2 he looked so old. He looked like such a little man as he intently watched the movie and occasionally asking me to pass the popcorn. When the movie ended and the lights came up, the red fruit punch he dribbled down the front of his white shirt was a nice reminder that he is still my little boy and there are so many memories we have yet to make in our story.

First It Was Shoes, Now It's Hats

The First Snowfall

You should have seen Boy Wonder's face when he looked outside and saw the snow. The look for excitement was quickly followed by "Does this mean we can go snowboarding today?"

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Grandma and Grandpa Wonder. On 11-11-08 they celebrated 36yrs of wedded bliss. Can you believe it has been long? What are the secrets? Thanks for being an inspiration to Mama Wonder and myself. We look forward to celebrating many, many more with you.

6 Months

Can it already be a half a year since Baby Wonder came into our family? She is rolling and scouching all over the place. She watches Boy Wonder with sheer awe, and follows his every move, and laughs at everything he does.

The baby who slept all the time for the first three months is now the same baby who is starting to wake up during the night and wanting to play. The other night she was smiling and rocking up on her hands and knees. When do babies learn to tell time and recognize that it is 2am?!

She has started eating veggies and can't get enough of them. At her well baby visit last week she weighed 17 lbs (75% percentile) and is 26.75 inches (85% percentile).

The past six months have been so much fun watching her. I know that she is going to change even more in the next six months, and while I am excited for that, I hope that changes of the crawling/walking/running kind don't happen for a while.

Happy Halloween, Just a Week Late

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to Back Seat Boy who is 2 years old! It has been so fun watching you grow.

The Wonder's would also like to say happy birthday to Grandma Sharon! Like only gets better.

He's Too Cool For Me

Tonight I was singing and Boy Wonder said "Please don't sing. See that sign (pointing to an imaginary sign). It says no singing allowed. Thanks mom for not singing."

As a side note Boy Wonder and Papa are playing Go Fish with animal cards. I just heard Boy Wonder ask Papa Wonder if he has crabs. Ha Ha Ha.

The Post That I Come Clean

I usually have my camera all the time. I love pictures to relive memories and to mark the changes that happen as life moves on. This past week the unthinkable happened. Friday was Halloween. Baby Wonder's first Halloween to be exact. And I hardly got any pictures.

Papa Wonder did take one picture of Baby and one of Boy that I will post as soon as I can. I am trying to get a few more pictures from a friend. Otherwise, the little pea pod and the hockey player will be making another appearance at the Wonder house for a photo opportunity.

It's the Great Pumpkin Wonder Family

We live just down the street from a family farm that sells produce in the summer and pumpkins in the fall. Because we live so close we usually walk over with the wagon to get our pumpkins. Going to the pumpkin patch as become a Wonder family fall tradition.

A Three Year Old's Perspective on the Election

Tonight Boy Wonder spotted pictures of both Senators McCain and Obama in the newspaper. Surprising he said "Hey look! It's John McCain and Barack Obama." It's amazing how much kids pick up through daily conversations. Perhaps Boy Wonder is a political prodigy and will change the world! At the young age of three and half he summed up what many of us have been thinking, but have struggled to articulate. With much enthusiasm he pronounced "Both of them look just like bobble heads."

We Live In A Zoo

Don't you think Boy Wonder sounds just like a turkey and Baby Wonder's impression of dolphin is spot on?

***Updated to include the right video***

A Call for Help

Does anyone have the number for the Pittsburgh Penguins or their coach Michel Therrien? When Boy Wonder found out they lost to the Washington Capitals on 10/16 he was very sad. Next thing out of his mouth, "Dad, we need to call the Penguins to see how we can help." I'm not sure how much untrained hockey watchers like us will be able to help but I'm willing to give it a try.

A Walk to the Park

Perfect fall days are a rare treat, especially in Minnesota. With warm summer days behind us, and impossibly gloomy and cold winter days just ahead, you have to take full advantage of a beautiful 70 degree day.

This past weekend was positively beautiful. When mother nature gives you a beautiful fall day, what do you do? You go to the park with your friends...

The Shirt Says It All

Do you think it comes in my size?

Baby Wonder Likes It, She Really Likes It!

Baby Wonder enjoyed her first bite of baby cereal. Today rice cereal, tomorrow pureed green beans. Yum.

Is There Anyone Reading Who?

Actually drives a Smart car? I was behind one on the way to work the other day and I have to say I was a little afraid the wind draft from the semi truck was going to push it off the road.

If you do have one, please post a comment and let me know what it's like. Is it roomier than it seems? What is the MPG? In the winter is your other vehicle a Hummer and you keep this thing in the cargo area?

A Sunday Afternoon

Sunday's afternoons are the best. Sunday afternoons in the fall are even better.

You can take a football nap with Dad.

Or you can have a leaf fight.

You can enjoy the day with the sheer excitement and joy that can only come from being three.

5 Months

Baby Wonder is five months old. She is growing and changing everyday. She has been rolling over from her back to her tummy for months now, but has accidentally starting rolling from her back to her tummy. She looks surprised every time she does it.

She is reaching for her toys and putting everything in her mouth. She has been drooling like crazy and we suspect that she may be working on some teeth. The past few weeks she has continued her diva training. She defiantly knows what she wants, when she wants it, and if we don't oblige her she lets us know. If she is eating and she decides she is not hungry she will arch her back, and cry until she gets her nuk. Then she looks at you and like "Finally. I am surrounded by incompetence."

Baby Wonder likes playing in her exersauser, hanging out in the Baby Bjorn. She thinks everything Boy Wonder does is hilarious. She likes to sleep on her tummy and no matter how often I roll her onto her back, she rolls right over onto her stomach.

She is starting to laugh when you tickle her on her belly and under her chin. It continues to be music to our ears.

How You Doin'?

Skating Lessons - The Beginning

Despite the fact it appears Boy Wonder it is trying to escape, he says he really likes skating lessons. More to come...

Arrr Matty...Walk the Aisle

On September 19th Bonnie and Jamie were married. The theme of the day was "Fishing Partners for Life." It was a beautiful day and you are both a great catch.

Boy Wonder and his cousin Darren getting ready to walk down the aisle.

Matron of Honor -Barb (sister of the Bride)

Best Man -Jeff (brother of the Groom)

Darren walking down the aisle. Missing from photo-Boy Wonder who at the time of the picture was having a "moment" in the back of the church. During the ceremony Papa did a great job filling in for Boy Wonder when he had to take the rings to the pastor-Way to go Papa!

Grandma and Bonnie - Sorry this is the best picture I have of them coming down the aisle. Rest assured professional photographers-I am not a threat to your livelihood.

I did get this great picture of Jamie watching his bride.

Here's a toast to many years of marital bliss.

Here is Boy Wonder before dinner in his fancy tuxedo.

Here he is after dinner. Did you know September 19th was national talk like a pirate day?

It was a great family gathering. In case you are wondering, Baby Wonder did have tights and shoes on earlier in the day, but when you poop on them, they must be removed.

These ladies were just so hot, the picture had to be included.