Ib's 4yr Christmas Program 2009

Play'n Together

Lately, Benjamin and Lauren are playing well together. It is fun to see them get along. Lauren is even able to keep up with Ben on the piano.

Don't Cry Gramma Boots

After a week-long visit, Grandma Boots and Grandpa Harley left for Illinois today on the trike.

Ib Megahed Graduates... from Safety Camp

This is graduation day at Ib's Safety Town Camp. Apparently they'll give anyone a diploma because here you'll see Ib riding on the wrong side of the street and ignoring the train crossing signal. Way to go Ib!

Eighteen!

Nina won't count past eighteen because that's how many wheels are on the big rig.

A Little Mozart

Lauren taught herself how to play the piano tonight. She is quite good for her age, but like any typical one-year-old she is easily distracted. Here she is playing a little Mozart.

Summer Sledding

The Mourning Dove

Finally the kids have a chance to spend some quality time outside in the evening. Benjamin likes to imitate the birds, especially the mourning dove. This dove is sitting up on the wires over our alley, and Ben spent a good hour calling back. Lauren thinks all animals are either puppies or birds. Sometimes even the birds are puppies.

Barber Benjamin

Benjamin's new toy reminds him of the electric razor used to give him his haircut. It is uncertain if he actually believes he is getting a haircut. What is certain is that even though he only pays attention to one side of the mongo mellon, he knows it is good.

Toddler vs Baby Olympic Games

Benjamin and Lauren are inventing a new game for the 2012 Olympics.  It starts with fierce judo, moves into freestyle, and ends with wrestling.  Lauren admits that although baby can get some points in during the freestyle round, toddler usually wins the other two.

Goodnight Benjamin

I set up the camera to record Benjamin at 9:00 p.m.  It is up by his radio, which is on MPR.  As the door closes he gets right to work eating his "nummies".  Then he jumps off the bed for a quick drink of "water with ice".  He plays with his toys for a long half hour, and then he starts winding down.  When he talks it is about Lauren.  What he says is, "Baby, come on.  No play with baby.  Uh, oh Baby...  No share, Baby?  Oh, Baby's crying... and is sad."  He gets some good scratching in and finally rolls over one last time before falling asleep 53 minutes after the door closed.

800 588 2300

Having the ability to choose whether or not to watch commercials with a DVR is a great time saver.  Well, usually.  Benjamin proves that sometimes it can be a great time waster.  You may thank me for not including the whole two minutes of this recording, but realize that Ben was at this for at least 15 minutes.  

Splashtime

Adam opening some presents

Adam eating his cupcake and party guests

On the morning of Adam's party, Amr fed him eggs which he is still apparently allergic to. So Amr had to administer a little benadryl to control the itching. Adam appears a bit out of it but seems to be enjoying his cupcake nonetheless!

Adam's Happy Birthday Song and Cupcake

Little Whistler

Lauren recently learned how to whistle.  

Actually, she is cutting one of her top, front teeth, and the fingers naturally find themselves in her mouth.  The whistling is another Steve Song.  Both kids try to whistle at the beginning of this song, but neither has come close to anything resembling a whistle.

Rocking Chair

Lauren is always willing to climb into the rocking chair, but once she is in and turned around, she searches for someone to get her back to "safety".  Watch what happens when Papa refuses to retrieve her from the chair.  Ben is in the background trying to give me the "black circle", which is the once lost lid from the black Play Dough container he just found.   

Lucy's birthday

Lucy's birthday is this Thursday.  She will be 15.  I thought it a good idea to get her on video before she starts showing signs of her age.  She may only have another five or six good years left.

Nina's animal sounds

Still no desire to walk, but her animal vocabulary is expanding.

Why does the action always take place when the boys are napping?

You can hear me talking to Erin on the phone while I'm recording this. Another exciting day in suburbia.

Happy 1st Birthday Adam!

Adam's birthday party will be on Saturday but Mommy couldn't resist getting a special cherry cake with Neapolitan ice cream on the official birthday day. Adam seemed to agree.

It's a Marvelous Day

Benjamin has a CD that he really likes called Steve Songs.  When the first song, It's a Marvelous Day, begins he gets so excited he runs in circles for the majority of the song.  When the first song ends he likes to go to the CD player to press the back button starting it all over again.  His sister ignores him, but he doesn't like it when she gets in his way.  All screams and tantrums have been removed from this clip.

Penelope the Pup

Sorry about the screaming...

Lauren Talking

Lauren is starting to talk now.  She is picking up many of her new words from big brother Benjamin.  She watches him closely and mimics him when she can.  Her vocabulary consists of about 20 words.  Here are some of my favorite.  

New Playroom

Erin and I decided to convert the rooms upstairs into a play area for the kids.  So far, so good.  Lauren likes it because it is carpeted, which cushions her fall.  Benjamin will soon learn that he can only use the room when Lauren is awake.  Hopefully this will encourage him to play with her and share their toys.

Nina's Christmas

I need a little practice with my camera angles, but here's a start! The end reveals Nina's lack of enthusiasm about an addition(s) to the family.