The Election

Jackson got to "vote" for President at school last week in a mock election. When asked who he voted for, he gleamed, "Barak Obama." You have to understand that Nate and I haven't really talked politics in front of the kids. I was curious about his choice and asked why he voted for Obama and he said that he had heard more about him. (Is my kid listening to the news while I'm not watching?!)

So we're sitting at dinner tonight, listening to election results roll in on NPR as we eat. Jackson wanted to know how Nate and I had voted. (We both voted Obama - catch your breath, Dad, you'll live.) We told him that we didn't HAVE to both vote the same way; that each person has a choice and that's part of what makes this country so wonderful. We mentioned that Papa and Grandma had voted for McCain.
Jackson then asked Delaney who she wanted to vote for. She said, "I don't want to be President." Jackson said, "NOOOOOO, Delaney. (This is one of THE MOST often spoken phrases from Jackson) WHO would you vote for - John McCain or Barak Obama?" She said, with a sly grin, "John McCain."

It's hard to know if she choose McCain because he's the opposite choice from everyone else at the table, or because her Papa voted for McCain, or if she has some secret political savvy, of which we are unaware. I know her Papa is so proud.

Feel free to comment on the cuteness of the children, but comments related to our political choices will not be published. This means you, Dad.

Happy Halloween

We had a fun Halloween with a costume parade and party at school, followed by pumpkin carving and trick or treating with friends. Nate and I made Jackson and Delaney's costumes. I think they turned out pretty well for all materials coming from our garage, craft closet, or printed from the computer. Jackson was very excited to be the only Wall E at school. During the costume parade, one of our two-year-old friends tried to run out and hug him. Delaney enjoyed being Eve (using Eve's voice), but got tired of actually wearing the costume after a while.

Jackson with carpool-mate Nadia. Nadia's mom, Alexia, is very creative and industrious and made this beautiful costume for Nadia. I believe she was the only Indian Princess at the costume parade also.

 
Here's the Drew puppy dog. The kids wanted to dress Drew as the cockroach from Wall E, but I just couldn't find it in me to dress the baby as a roach.

 
Here's Eve. "Directive."

 
The pumpkins...Jackson designed the jack-o-lantern on the pumpkin and Delaney designed the little pumpkin with the shapes cut out of it. Nate executed the designs beautifully, I think.

Our oldest children

We don't always talk about the dogs. We do still love them and play with them and even take them for walks. They have been with us for more than 10 (Kobi) and 9 (Bear) years. If you've never met them, Bear is the big one. They're hips hurt them - it hurts me to see Bear get up from lying down. They sleep a lot these days. However, at least once a day its like they revert to puppies. Bear will fetch until he can't run anymore, lay down and rest, and then bring you the ball for more. Kobi doesn't play outside - she only plays inside. We often joke that she's the wisest creature on the earth. She frequently looks at us with an expression that says, "You people exhaust me - I clearly know the answer to your dilemma if only you were smart enough to understand me."

Anyway, I used to take many more pictures of them than I do now. I took these last week and thought they deserved the honor of being blogged (the dogs deserved the honor, not the pictures.)

 
 

Being 3 can be tough

 

Here she is, the pouty princess. Her mood can turn on a dime sometimes. I don't know if it's her, being three, or some combination of both. Most of the time, Delaney is lovely. I think she was probably sleepy and tired of waiting on Mom to go down the slide with her in this pictures. People often think she's four because she is such a clear talker, trying on words like "suspicious" in fairly odd ways. She is generally so helpful and mature that I forget sometimes that there's still a good portion of her that is baby. Even when she's being ugly or pouty, I just want to devour her whole. My husband thinks its strange that I want to nibble on the children. Maybe you understand what I mean. Sometimes I look at them and am filled with such love I just want to consume them - be filled with them; be that connected to them.