Happy Birthday

Wednesday was Bryon's birthday. He turned down an evening out with the family at Luby's so after dinner I put a candle in a 2-day-old chocolate chip cookie. Sam carried it to the table singing Happy Birthday. Sam loves blowing out candles so Bryon let him do the honors. Bryon asked him what he wished for. "A cookie!" Sam squealed. He's either very smart or very lucky.

Going To the Chapel

Sam is betrothed to Audrey. Audrey's mom and I have decided that Sam and Audrey should marry one day. We've also decided that perhaps the best way to make this happen is to forbid Sam and Audrey from seeing each other. Surely, reverse psychology and the urge to rebel will work their magic and make Sam and Audrey do exactly what we tell them not to ...

Little Red Corvette

If you read this blog often you know that many of my great conversations with Sam take place in the car to and from school. Some may think that is unfortunate. I think it is reality. If God gives you lemons ...

Sam initiated the conversation last night, after a quiet start.

"You should drive a red car."

"I used to drive a red car, before you were born."

"Where was I?"

I was stumped. In my belly was both wrong (this was three years before he was born) and could require an elaborate explanation. In heaven? Too creepy. A twinkle in Daddy's eye. Cheeky but carried the risk/reward of Sam repeating it somewhere. Somewhere inappropriate was most likely.

"I was in your heart," he suggested.

"Yes, that's right. You were in my heart."

"What about Jakey?"

"He was in my heart, too."

"The both of us can't fit in there."

"Yes, you can. My heart is very big."

"I want to be in Daddy's heart."

"Why don't you want to be in Mommy's heart?" I asked, hoping for a revealing answer.

"You should drive a red car," he offered.

Star Light, Star Bright

Things about my kids I envy:

1. Sam routinely wears a red Superman cape to school.
2. Nap time, need I say more.
3. Warm, soapy baths every night.
4. Their natural, consistent good smell ... even when they sweat.
5. Sam's picture-perfect, tiny teeth.
6. No bad hair days.

Wonder Woman?

Sam is slightly obsessed with superheroes these days. It's amazing to me how quickly he went from trains and racecars to superheroes and Power Rangers - or action 'figgers' as he says.

Since superhero-dom is his territory, he gets dibs on his alter-ego. He is Super-Batman. Super-Batman is blessed with the coolest attributes of both, you guessed it, Superman and Batman. Batman couldn't fly, but Super-Batman can. Superman doesn't wear a mask, but Super-Batman can.

To play superheroes with Sam you have to also be a superhero. After some prompting and creative revisioning, we have come up with our own superhero family, akin to the Incredibles.

I give you ... the Romines.

Whisker Man - the patriarch. Although he doesn't fly, he distracts his enemies with a game of 'pull my finger' and then destroys them with his razor-like beard and deafening snore.

Sleepy Girl - the matriarch. Again, not so 'super' superpowers, but she brandishes a pillow that can be used to smother her enemies. Her weakness, warm milk, which could render her unconscious in seconds.

The Drooler - the youngest of the Romine family. His superpowers are still being honed, but his ability to drool in large pools that ensnare his enemies is highly refined.

Last but not least, Super-Batman. He can fly, jump, spin, write his name, swing a bat, use the potty, sing You Are My Sunshine and make his brother laugh. A Superhero indeed.

Like Father, Like Son?

Apparently a man's fascination and amusement with bodily noises (yes, the 'other' f-word) begins early. The mere mentioning of the word 'toot' sends Sam into hysterical laughter. Yesterday, we spent the better part of our drive home listening to an 8-second sample of a They Might Be Giants song that featured a keyboard that Sam thought sounded like a bird tooting. It would've been annoying if it weren't for the squeals of laughter coming from the backseat. And when Sam laughs, Jake laughs ...

Later that night, after I told the story to Bryon, he admitted that the night before he and Sam had played a rousing game of 'pull my finger.' Aahh, it's all coming together now ...

The Best Medicine

We were sitting at a stoplight on the drive home last night when I tried to stretch. Sam asked me why. I said it was because I was my arms and legs hurt. He said, "That means you're sick." I didn't want to tell him, but I agreed. It was that familiar aching that, for me, always comes with a cold or flu. He said, "If you're sick, I will give you 'nedicine.'" I told him that would make me feel better. He replied with, "I will take care of you because I love you."

Bless His Little Heart

Yesterday, after an exhausting game of 'Racehorse,' Sam took my hand and said, "You're my best girl in the world."

Things That Go Bump In the Night

Sam and I were getting ready for bed recently when he looked out the window near the bed and said he doesn't like the darkness. When I asked him why he said because there are things that will creep up and get you in the darkness and because the trees are spooky. I tried to downplay it and say I was afraid of spiders, Daddy of snakes, and Grandma Becky of mice. He got very quiet, leaned in close and whispered, "You know what else I'm afraid of? Lobsters."

Jake

This is Jake. He is 9 months old. Jake is ticklish, stubborn and very fond of his big brother. Fascinated would be a better word. That is one of the best parts of having more than one child - your kids can really enjoy each other's company. Jake is amazed by Sam's energy and mobility, and Sam is impressed by Jake's ability to giggle at just about anything.

Sam

This is Sam, our oldest. He is 3 1/2. Sam is goofy, cheeky and headstrong. I am proud that he is all these things. I think they will serve him well. He can also be very sweet, usually when you least expect it. Today he had an eyelash on his cheek. I put it on his finger and told him to make a wish. When I asked him what he wished for (he doesn't know yet he's not supposed to tell) he said "You."

Welcome

This blog is for our widely dispersed circle of family and friends. We hope it allows you to keep in touch with our family while we share our minutia and milestones with you. Be warned, however, that this blog will also likely offer unsolicited, often heated, sometimes substantiated perspectives on working mothers, families, children, day care, violence on television and the poor state of education and health care in America. Welcome.