JAMES-ISMS

Buster is missing some fur on his tail where he's been chewing on it (due to fleas/ticks) and James tells us that we can fix it by blowing cold air on it. (because when you're cold, you wear a coat, and if Buster gets cold, his hair will grow) 6/19/16

James was making nasty slurping/hacking noises in the shower and I asked him if he was doing alright in there. He said "I'm OK, I'm just getting old. I have the mouth boogers like daddy." Apparently 7 is the new 39?... 4/10/16

7-years-old

"I don't want to talk Cora. And I don't want to tell stories. I LIKE going straight to sleep." (while sharing his room during Cora's room remodel) 11/17/15

On the way to soccer, eating breakfast in the car, James says "Ugh, I'm SO thirsty!" When I told him that the cooler was in the trunk and all I have up front is coffee, and he'll have to wait until we get to the fields, he says "Fine, but I'm gonna moan and groan all the way there!" 9/26/15

James got out of the van and it took him 3 tries to get the door to shut. He said "oh come ON" EXACTLY like Jay says it. Then he walked inside and tried to open the door ahead of me, realized it was locked, and said "my bad"... and I’m still laughing! 9/17/15

"I'm a grown man" (in response to my remarking how tall he's gotten) 9/12/15

"I guess it doesn't hunt heads after all." (commenting on the lack of direct hits by the Head Hunter paper airplane he made) 8/30/15

Finished the first Magic Treehouse book, where they travel back to the Cretaceous, and now the kids are running around with "portal" books about dinosaurs. Good thing we don't have a treehouse, or they'd be pretty upset not to be transported into their books... 8/29/15

"Lunch box kids" is apparently what Ms. Currie calls the kids who don’t eat the hot lunch 8/20/15

"Mama is incredible! Because she's a super mom!" James 7/12/15

"That bursted my bubble!" (after riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) 6/14/15

6-years-old

I mentioned that it's really foggy outside, so foggy I felt like my eyes were fogged up, and James said "Maybe your brain is fogged up!" 3/1/15

“Buster made a mouth fart!” 2/15/15

After Jay scaring me so bad I screamed for 5 seconds straight at the top of my lungs, then retreated, James came to find me and make sure I was ok. AFTER hitting daddy and telling him not to scare mommy. He hugged me and told me I should always stay by daddy so he can't hide and sneak up on me… 2/12/15 

“Then we're just right. In the middle of time!” (said with glee after I stated that we weren’t late to school, but we weren’t early like I’d planned either…) 2/10/15 

Yellow VW Bugs are called "Old School Bumblebee", per daddy’s teachings. 1/8/15 

Checking on James at 4:00am (because Cora got up) he turned to me with half-opened eyes and said "Oh princess!", then proceeded to stick out his arms for a hug, then pucker his lips for a kiss (and hold the pose a remarkably long time while I quietly giggled and tried to regain my composure). After I finally kissed him he said "I love you!", then turned around and went back to sleep. This kid is a sweetheart 24 hours a day... 1/7/15 

"Cora took away my happiness..." (in response to the difficulties of having a younger sister who is quite stubborn and demanding...) 1/1/15 

"That burp tastes good!" 12/20/14

"Why does Gramma have bacon on her Christmas tree?" (after noticing her glass "candy" ornaments) 12/19/14

The kids were sweet as pie to each other this morning on the way to school... James said that he's getting hot chocolate at his kindergarten Christmas party, but it isn't fair if Cora doesn't get any, so he's going to bring her some to her class (if Ms. Tina lets him). Cora said "Aw, thanks James!" The discussion then moved on to sharing and love and helping each other get back up if they fall down. I told them they are so lucky to have each other and that I hope they will always be best friends. That sure was a great way to start the day! 12/16/14

Apparently wild bedhead is now termed "Party Hair" by James... 12/16/14

As we pull into the parking lot next to Five Guys, James yells "Ooh yeah! Five Man!" 10/24/14

Watching an episode of Paw Patrol where there is a bunny infestation at a vegetable farm, I tell James that those bunnies are being naughty stealing carrots and that they're gonna be in trouble with the farmer. He replies, deadpan, "But every bunny loves carrots." When I crack up laughing he has no idea why... 9/13/14

Driving around town, Cora randomly starts speaking in monotone. James immediately cuts her off with "Cora, don't talk in that voice!" Innocently, she says "What voice?" And he replies "That one. It sounds mad." Now she's offended and yells at him "It's not mad! That's my beautiful voice! Like Ariel!" 9/5/14

"Now you've done it!" (in response to my getting in trouble with Grambot for saying something semi-naughty) 8/2/14

"I just wanna relax!" (said while ON VACATION) 8/1/14

Jay was teasing James about eating him up and James yelled "Daddy! We don't eat people meat!" 7/29/14

"Uh, why don't I have cup? When I want cup? When I need a cup?" (after noticing Cora had a water bottle in her cup holder and he didn't) 7/29/14

I was baking banana bread and from the back hallway James stopped what he was doing and told his daddy "I smell something that I love!" 7/22/14

"Oh good, I just need two more days of smiley faces!", said excitedly as we looked at his daily report, after he asked about going to Orange Leaf. 7/16/14

After James said something witty I told him through laughter "You crack me up dude. That was pretty smart." He replied "Yeah, that's cause I'm a Lego genius." 7/12/14

When James discusses hail storms or driving up a hill, it all sounds the same: "hell". He's such a southern boy sometimes... 6/9/14

We were watching something on TV (I forget now) and James made a wrong statement about something pertianing to it, so we told him he was incorrect. He replied "No I'm not! I'm outcorrect!" 6/7/14

James had to get a prednisone shot for systemic poison ivy last week and I when I noticed a bruise on his bottom after bath and asked him how he got a bruise there he said, very seriously, "That's where I got shot. And I didn't even have a tear." Poor Bub Bubs. I know those shots hurt. So proud of him for not crying! 5/25/14

James tells me that his nickname at school is "Bud" and his friends Manu and Adrian are nicknamed "E" and "E", so that makes them "Bud-E's" 4/28/14

Checking on James before I go up to bed, he has obviously fallen out then climbed back in perpendicular, so I lift him a little to rearrange him back on his pillow and tuck him back in. In his sleep, he smiles, then says in a near whisper "ya-ta-ta-ta-da-ta-ta-tada!" with a bit of flare... When I quietly giggle at him, he semi sits up and claps his hands quickly 7 times, eyes still closed, then gi...ggles out loud, smiles, and lays his head down. At this point I can't help but laugh out loud and I accidentally wake him up. He looks at me confused, so I apologize and tell him it's ok, that mama is just tucking him back into bed, and he instantly closes his eyes and goes back to sleep. I'm still laughing at the whole crazy exchange! 4/26/14

One of those nights where little hands hold my arm protectively at bedtime and a small voice asks "Mama, can you stay for a little while?" Anytime sweet little man, anytime. And don't you ever grow out of needing your mama now and then! 4/16/14

"I'm a loving machine and I love YOU!" (He just busted out with that as I was driving him home from school.) 3/25/14

"When you feel a bump in your booty, that means it was you!" (In reference to figuring out who tooted...) 3/20/14

5-years-old

I set out shorts in the kids' outfits for the first time this season and when James went to put them on, he looked at me like I was crazy and said "Hey, these pants aren't for me. They're too tiny!" Um, those are SHORTS buddy... 2/16/14

Apparently Legos don't come with instructions. They come with "constructions". 1/7/14

"I guess daddy can deal with that." 12/29/13

As he completed the gingerbread house train with his daddy and Uncle Jamie, he exclaimed "It's a Christmas miracle!" Come on buddy, it didn't take THAT long... 12/21/13

I handed James a new toy while eating dinner at a restaurant on vacation, to distract him in hopes of having a peaceful meal. When Gramma asked jokingly where her toy was, he told her "Here's a ghost toy." and held out his empty hand. I guess he didn't want her to feel left out. 11/8/13

"I'm scared of Cora's darkness." So are we, buddy, so are we. 11/7/13

Jay missed the bedtime song tonight due to a meeting, and James decided he would help me by standing on his bed and singing (and dancing) with me. When we were done and I was tucking him in, he told me "Don't tell daddy I standed on the bed because he will say 'oooooh' and that's a bad word when daddy says that so just don't tell him ok and it will be a secret ok?" (So Jay, you didn't see this, ok?) 10/29/13

On a field trip today, James looked at a pair of mules and pointed to one saying "That's the girl". When I asked him how he knew (dangerous question, I know), he said "Because she has eyebrows!" 10/23/13

"I love you. But not when you're scaring me." Said to daddy amidst all the Halloween spooking... 10/19/13

“Jude, run for your whole life!" as his sister is chasing her around the house... 10/16/13

Driving on the highway with James this morning... "Whoa! It's so froggy, soggy, foggy! I can't see out my window!! Whoa! Even the signs can't tell about it 'cause they're froggy. Oh! Oh, the line leaders are going into the fog! But not us, we can see to drive. Whoa. Don't roll down the windows mommy, or it will get all soggy in here." 10/11/13

"James! Get your fingers out of your nose!" James: "But it's a booger drill!" Eewww... 9/22/13

James has now told us twice "I really wish God would make a puppy for me". When asked what kind of puppy he wants, he says "A cute one". I think we have a potential Christmas or birthday gift in the wings (a little earlier than we expected, but we always said we'd get a dog once one of the kids asked for one, so...) 9/12/13

You know your 3-year-old talks too much when you're not even halfway to school and after her repeated questions go unanswered by her brother she admonishes "Daaaames! Talk to me!", only to be told "I don't want to talk to you. I don't want you to talk anymore. It's quiet time in the car now. That means no more talking. Be quiet Cora!" 8/16/13

Tapping on Cora’s shoulder while driving home after school… “I’ve got something to tell you, I love you Cora.” And Cora replies with “I love you too James!” We are definitely doing something right… 8/1/13

“Awww, I bet Cora’s up to no good…” (Because I mentioned that Cora had been quite for a while.) 7/21/13

“Is it soggy outside?” (On a foggy morning drive to school.) 7/9/13

Looking out the airplane window… “Whoa! I can see the whole wide world!” 7/1/13

“Oh, it’s giving me the shakes!” (Talking about his first ever Slurpee) 6/29/13

“Hey, we beat them! Because we have penises!”(In response to he and daddy taking a shortcut on a walk and beating us to the corner. Awesome.) 6/28/13

“The girls with the black shirts saved us…”(Reminiscing about how he and Cora got locked in the bathroom at Jenny’s wedding… I’ll never live it down.) 6/22/13

After being told that we’re driving to the high desert… “Oh, are there camels up there?” 6/20/13

“No peoples goes in daddy’s tummy.” (Cora) “Nope, only food goes in daddy’s tummy.” (Jay) “And coffee. And juuuuuice! Oh, and you forgot beer.” (James) Touché bud. 6/10/13

James just pointed to a candy bar in line at the grocery store and said "H E R S H E Y S". Lucky for me he doesn't understand candy bars yet. Didn't know he knew the letters other than his name that well though. 5/31/13

I asked James to stop talking and pay attention to me. His response? “OK mommy, I will close my ears.” Pretty much the opposite of what I was asking of you buddy… 5/15/13

“Put your hand up over your ear mommy, like a seashell. Can you hear the ocean? I can hear it. It sounds like foundering. I think it’s storming there…” 4/15/13

I told James that’s he’s right about 95% of the time (because he is). His response? “I’m always right too. Cause I have my eyes on animals.” (Perhaps a reference to keeping my eyes on the road while driving so I don’t hit animals, since we always tell him how observant he is?) 4/13/13

At dinner tonight when we asked James what he did today at school he said "I only had to sit in the hot seat just one time." Just once, eh? And why was that? "I don't know. Sometimes that just happens." 3/19/13

James was petting my head so I obviously asked him why. His reply? "Because you're a good mama." Thanks bud, I needed that! 1/3/13

Driving out of the military park, we turn around to see James buckled but with the straps hanging loose. We look at each other, wondering who forgot to check James' buckles before starting the car. James chimes in with "Gramma was the one!" (I suppose it was her job in his eyes, since she was sitting between he and Cora in the backseat. Cracked us up!) 5/27/13

At the conclusion of the Memorial Day parade, James admonishes "Hey! They didn't give us any necklaces!" and Cora complains "I wanted a treat!" Apparently all parades are expected to provide beads and candy... 5/27/13

Getting ready to head out for an adventure, I sit in the backseat between the kids, singing silly songs and clapping my hands and snapping my fingers while the doors to the van are open. James fusses at me and says "Stop it mommy! You're scaring the whole world!" 5/27/13

James got some new shirts from his Gramma. A couple of them are V-neck shirts. He ran up to me and told me "Hey mama, look at my V-head shirt!" 5/26/13

James peeks under a rock to look for bugs and finds a large cluster of roly-polies. He excitedly tells us "They wanted to come to a party! It's a roly-poly party!" 5/24/13

We wake up, yet again, to find an opossum stuck in our garbage can. So of course we bring the kids outside with Gramma to watch us set it free. Jay tips the can and it doesn't budge. We check for babies and there are none, so we dump the can and expect it to go running. Instead it plays dead. We make noise and prod it to try and get it to move out of the driveway, and James pipes in with "Go on with yourself possum!" 5/23/13

James got in trouble at school for throwing rocks. This has happened quite a few times, and this time his teacher actually called me immediately to discuss punishment since he hit a little girl in the face. After discussing the situation with Jay, we realized that time out, threats and consequences, and reprimands weren't getting the message through. So Jay called the director and told her to send him outside with a bucket to collect all the rocks and move them out of the play area. That should teach him… 5/21/13

We went for an after dinner stroll around the neighborhood tonight. When we got back to our cul-de-sac, Jay noticed some hawks circling overhead and asked me what they were. I told him happily that our pair of Mississippi Kites were back for the summer. James turned and looked at me, and said "No mama, those aren't kites, those are BIRDS!" Time to start the ornithology lessons… 5/20/13

"Hey! I see bush letters!" (Any time James sees letters at overpasses shaped from flowers or bushes, he calls them bush letters. Cracks us up!) 5/17/13

Driving home from the gym with daddy, paused at the stoplight, James pipes up out of the blue with "We don't eat there. That's a greasy spoon. It's yucky!" Totally baffled Jay. (Of course, James had asked me about the place, a Waffle House, the day before on the way home from the gym, so he was basically repeating what he'd heard from me as to why I wouldn't take him there for dinner.) 5/9/13

James calls capital letters "bigger case" and lower case letters "little case", and I just think it's the cutest thing! 5/7/13

James is going on and on about some random goings-ons and crazy-sounding things, so Jay and I finally interrupt him to ask what on earth he's talking about. His response? "I'm just making up stories. Ha ha ha ha ha!" 4/27/13

We're watching a movie that has a moody 14-year-old in it ("We Bought a Zoo") and I tell James "Don't grow up so fast. I want you to stay 4 for a while." and he tells me "I'm growing up mommy. I WANT to grow up. I want to grow up and be like you!" Melt my heart boy, just melt my heart. 4/27/13

James is in the habit of asking us to watch everything he does, to look with both eyes, not look away for a second, and comment immediately upon completion of whatever it is he is trying to show us. This is all well and good, except when we're in the car. The other day he was asking me to look at the letters that he was drawing on his Leapster drawing pad, and I answered him with "Mommy can't turn around to look right now because I'm driving and I have to keep my eyes on the road." And he answered me with "Yeah, like I have to keep my eyes on the soccer ball!" So yeah, he gets it. But it doesn't stop him from asking me to turn around 20 times for every car ride... 4/19/13

Jay is talking to James about soccer strategies after the game and James shuts him down with "I'm painting right now." Jay is quite offended... 4/13/13

James was playing in our room this morning, and out of no where we hear him yell "Dammit!" Since we say "Dagumit", we have no idea where he learned it. 4/2/13

Following the Easter egg hunt, James opened an egg to find two tootsie rolls. He immediately showed me and said happily "Look! There's two! One for me and one for Cora!" I couldn't be more proud of my sweet, sharing boy. (And this was repeated multiple times throughout the weekend, every time he found an egg that had two identical treats on the inside.) 3/31/13

At dinner tonight when we asked James what he did today at school he said "I only had to sit in the hot seat just one time." Just once, eh? And why was that? "I don't know. Sometimes that just happens." 3/19/13

I had asked James at least a dozen times to get dressed for bed, yet he blissfully ignored me. Finally, I yelled to him (playing less than 5 ft from me) "James, put your pajamas on NOW!" And what does he do? Stand up and walk over to me, then say loudly "Stop screaming at me! This is not a yelling house!" Oh is that right... 3/10/13

It's raining during dinner and The Walking Dead is on tonight. I ask Jay whether there have been any episodes with walkers out in the rain. James hears me and says "Rain troopers come out in the rain!" (Apparently making a round-about connection between the rain storm and Storm Troopers from Star Wars) 3/10/13

4-years-old

After his first soccer practice, heading home in the car, we asked James if he heard us cheering for him. He replied "No, you gotta yell louder, like YAAAAAY!" Duly noted dude, we'll scream as loud as we can at the game tomorrow. 3/1/13

At bedtime James was "reading" me one of his superhero books. When I commented that Wonder Woman has cool stars on her pants, he told me "Mommy, those aren't pants. Those are her undies." I asked him where her pants were and he said "She's a superhero, she doesn't need pants." I really do love 3-year-old (almost 4-year-old!) logic. 2/27/13

Driving down Bourbon Street in NOLA after breakfast at Cafe Du Monde, recapping the weekend (in which one thing James mentions is the cheerleaders, or "dance girls" he saw at the expo) and reading random shop signs, James puts two-and-two together (however inappropriately) and pipes in with "But I didn't get to see the dance girls. Let's go see the dancing girls at the Boogie Woogie!" 2/25/13

We are staying with the Kennedy and Sanchez families in a NOLA apartment for the weekend. James and Manu are apart for all of an hour, and as soon as we walk in the door Manu runs up to James saying "I've been looking for you!" and James replies with "I'm so glad to see you!" 2/23/13

James: "It's snowing!" Me: "No baby, those are rain drops. It's not cold enough for snow." James: "Oh. Well, when it does snow, we can catch it in our hands, and we will build a snowman, and put it in his eye, and it will have a twinkle in it!" 1/9/13

James was petting my head so I asked him why he was doing so. His reply? "Because you're a good mama." I'll just go ahead and take that complement and ignore the fact that he was petting me like he pets the cats... 1/3/13

James wants to marry me. Last night he told me he liked my ring (my wedding ring), and that he's going to wear the black clothes and I'm going to wear the white clothes, because he loves me. When I explained to him that he couldn't marry his mama, he said "OK, I will marry Cora then." When I told him he couldn't marry anyone in his family, and that he has to be much older than 3, he said he'd marry some of his buddies from school. He even mentioned his teacher. Not sure how many people he thinks he gets to marry... 1/3/13

I was getting ready to clean house and I put my hair up in a messy bun on top of my head. James said "Hey what is that on your head? It's a star! You're a Christmas tree!! Ha ha ha ha!" 12/28/12

James is assigning roles for his school Christmas program in the car this morning... "I'm gonna sing the Avengers Ironman song because I'm Ironman and I'm strong. Manu is gonna be the Hulk. Jaidyn is the guy with the hammer, what's his name mama? Thor? OK. And Coley is gonna be Hot Guy (AKA Hawkeye) with the shooting arrows. We're all superheroes!" --- #1 This is going to be a very interesting Christmas program if they are indeed singing superhero songs (which I doubt). #2 Ironman doesn't actually have a song, does he? 12/19/12

James was eating an apple at the table, called me over to see it, then handed it to me saying "Ha ha! It's a happy pumpkin apple!" (he had chewed eyes and a smiley face). 12/9/12 (still thinking about all the fun he had with jack-o-lanterns during October, I suppose)

Cora is playing so cute over on the slides and I say to James "She's such a sweetie pie, isn't she?" His reply? "Sometimes." 10/21/12

Why is my 3.5-year-old still wide awake at 9:30pm, an hour after bedtime? He nearly gave me heart failure when I went into his room to check on him and out of the dark he said "What are you doing in here mama? Are you checking on me? What are you watching? Are you going upstairs now? Is daddy still in school?" and on and on until I told him I was too tired for any more questions. Why isn't HE tired?! 10/16/12

After dinner we asked James to strip, put his clothes in the laundry room, and go start the bath water (yes, he is old enough to be trusted to do all these things now - it's AWESOME!). He comes running in from the laundry room, totally nude, and yells "I'm NAKED! Oh yeah, oh yeah!" while doing a little jig… 10/15/12

When I get home from work and ask James how his day was, he says "It was good". When I ask what he did at school, he replies "I didn't throw rocks. And I didn't have to go to time out!" (We'd had a long talk the day before about how throwing rocks can hurt someone, since he'd been in time out for that offense when I picked him up from school. Glad the lesson lasted at least 24 hours!) 10/12/12

Heading into the Carter's Outlet to buy Cora's Bubble Baby a preemie outfit (to cover her creepy cloth-body-meets-plastic-appendages interface), James asks me "Hey, we're going shopping? Do you have big money?" Um, no bud, but I have a little money... 10/09/12

Your 3.5-year-old may have seen The Incredibles too many times if he leans over to his daddy during dinner, runs his fingers up his shoulder, and says "You have to be more than Mr. Incredible", reenacting the wedding scene... 10/08/12

Holding up his giant pajama bottoms (we have to buy him 5T now in order for the shirts to cover his belly, since he has a long torso and PJs run small), he proudly tells me "I'm big. I'm twenty dollars!" (Apparently in reference to the "big money" we counted from his piggy bank earlier in the day?...) 10/07/12

We tasked James and Cora with helping us put ALL the toys away in the living room. James was a pretty good helper until the commercial break for his movie ended. Then he told his daddy "Oh, my movie's back on. I gotta go!" 10/07/12

We had some buddies over and one of them was being a wee bit whiny. Jay and I almost choked on our dinner when James told him "Hey stop! Hey, you're aggravating my daddy. You're aggravating me too!" 10/06/12

I was showing Cora the cute new bows she got in the mail today (My Little Ponies, Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty, and a monkey) and James says "Hey, you should buy me a Dark Vader bow!" HILARIOUS! 10/03/12

I told James that I needed to brush his hair before school and he replied "No, I don't want you to brush my hair because I'm fancy and I'm turning into a boy." What logic is this? 9/26/12

I was snuggling James after dinner and told him "You're mommy's boy." He said "No, I'm daddy's boy!" So I said "OK, but you're mommy's boy too, because I made you." His reply? "No mama, God made me." Touché little man. But I did a lot of the work too… 9/21/12

I was grabbing a shirt out of the closet for James to wear to school (a plain blue shirt), and he walked up to me and said "Oh, that one doesn't have nothin'. I need something!" Apparently blank shirts are not OK anymore. He ended up picking his blue shirt with the Silhouette train on it. 9/10/12

Reading a book about what you want to be when you grow up, at the pediatrician's office with James. It shows about 50 cool occupations. When we're done, I ask James what HE wants to be when he grows up. His answer? "Dark Vader" 9/06/12

James was trying to convince Cora to pass him a toy in the back seat and she wasn't cooperating. After a few failed attempts, he said (in a very exasperated tone) "Just trust me Cora!" 9/04/12

When I went to pick James up from the babysitter, he didn't want to leave (because he was hanging with his buddy Coltin). At one point in my attempts to round him up to go, I found them in the closet. Coltin said they were eating chocolate. "MY chocolate", according to Coltin. James chimed in with "Yeah, but it's SPICY chocolate!" Nope. Not chocolate. Bouillon cubes. 8/29/12

You know what tops having your son tell you he loves you out of the blue? When he says "I like you mommy!" because he's simply having fun hanging out with you. Fun afternoon with my little buddy! 8/24/12

James told us a joke (I think): "Which spider is the jumpy spider? The HAPPY spider! Ha ha!" 8/23/12

After walking Aunt Sandy to her car and telling her goodnight again, James walks into the house and says "Ohhh, but I just love her too much!" 8/12/12

James: "After we watch the Olym-fix can we watch the boat movie?" Me: "Sure, we can watch a little bit of it." James: "No! Not a little bit! Lots of bits! A whole big bits!" 8/10/12

Some of our least favorite sayings of his lately: "Don't worry about me Mommy" and "No, I'M dealing with it!" 8/07/12

So many James-isms from our camping weekend... In the campground surrounded by grandaddy longlegs: "Did you see the spider wave at me with two hands?!" In the cave, pointing at various formations: "Hey look, is THAT cool?" And after misinterpreting the cave guides talk: "Let's go down in the cave and find some treasures!" 8/06/12

We sold our changing table to a sweet family that just had triplets. And they also have two older boys. When I said to James "That's FIVE kids! What would you think about having such a big family?" he simply replied "If you build two more babies..." while holding up four fingers... 8/01/12

Me: "James, you are SO funny and smart!" James: "No I'm not, I'm cute!" Glad he has his priorities straight… 7/27/12

James gets out of bed and stands at his door: "I need to give mommy a big squeeze!" Jay: "Buddy, you've already had lots of squeezes and hugs and kisses. Go to sleep." James: "Aw, just give me a chance!" Me, walking down the hall toward his room: "How can I argue with that?!" James: "I like you!" Oh. My. Goodness. Could he be any sweeter? 7/26/12

When Jay tucked James into bed tonight, little man gave his daddy his biggest, strongest hug and told him "I'm getting big! When I get big like you and I'm the daddy, I can give really good hugs like you!" That boy sure knows how to melt his daddy's heart! 7/23/12

Driving to school this morning, Cora was playing with the LeapTop Laptop, randomly pushing buttons. I heard it say "You have an email from Gramma, let's read it!" then "Let's reply: Hi Gramma, I miss you, have tentacles!" (Obviously Cora pushed buttons in quick succession and the LeapTop moved into 'animal quiz mode') James immediately got very stern and said "Gramma does NOT have tentacles. Only octopus have tentacles Cora!" 7/22/12

We're getting ready to leave Grady's birthday splash party, our cue being the start of rain that drove everyone inside, and Jay and James are nowhere to be seen. I assume they are upstairs. After 10 minutes or so, I start to wonder when they're coming back down so we can go. I peek outside and it's raining harder. Obviously nobody is out there. Just as I decide to head upstairs with Cora and collect my boys myself, Jay comes walking in from outside. Naturally, I panic and ask him where James is. "Not with me!" he says, "I thought he was with you!" We check the basement, peek outside again, then Jay runs upstairs. Jay starts calling on his way up the stairs "James, where are you?" and James replies happily with "Up in here!" with his arms appropriately pumping the ceiling. Needless to say, we sang random rap lyrics to him all weekend long... 7/22/12

James is sucking up bath water and spitting it out (gross) so I ask him why he's doing that... "Because it makes my lips feel happy! I can't drink the bath water, but I can spit it out!" Ummm... 7/10/12

My son is gonna have the best pick-up lines when he's older... He just walked up to me with a bucket on his head and said "I'm a astronaut, you wanna go for a ride in my spaceship?" Ha! 7/08/12

James just put Cora's baby doll to bed in the cradle, covered her with a blanket, and told me "It's her bedtime. I just wanna snuggle her. I'm the daddy now, with the baby. Ni-night baby!" then he laid on the floor next to her and rocked the cradle saying "I'm gonna lay here with her ‘til she falls asleep. I a good daddy!" LOVE him! 7/05/12

James was naming the fruits pictured on his Squeezie Fruit this morning... "Apples, cherries, pears, strawberries, strawberries, peaches, strawberries... Hey! There's lots a stuffs in this! I like this! This is a tasty Squeezie Fruit!" 7/02/12

Cora is singing herself to sleep... "Skiddery-doo, I wub you! Wub you in morning. Un-duh a moon! A B C D EFE. I wub you!" and James is chiming in with "Skiddermerinky I love you when you're shiny! I love you when you're silly. I love you! Skiddermidoo!" 7/01/12

Oh wow, James is full of them today... He just walked up to the Gatorade machine at the gym and asked me if I wanted to push the button and get a beer... And apparently the snack vending machine is called a "cookie machine" 6/28/12

Driving past a group of motorcycles... James: "Hey I saw motorcycles. Those are my buddies on motorcycles!" Me: "They're your buddies?" James: "Yeah. They're motorcycle mans!" 6/28/12

Pretty sure James doesn't have a clue who Batman is. I sang him the theme song, and after repeating me once, he proceeded to sing "Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh Cora! Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh houses! Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh trucks! Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh trees!" and etc. all the way home about everything we passed. 6/26/12

Here comes our first use of that five-letter word. Spank. James has been extremely sensitive, dramatic, and sassy since he turned three. On a few occasions lately, he has received spankings (for ripping the vinyl trees off Cora's walls, back-talking his mama and daddy, and hurting Cora). We never thought we'd be parents that spank, and we certainly hope this trend ends soon. Time outs don't work, counting to 3 doesn't work, nothing works. Even spanking doesn't work. How do I know? Because after counting to 3 and threatening a spanking tonight, he simply told me "No! I'll wash it off!" while wiping his booty in a sweeping motion. Good thing the tried-and-true method of distraction still works 50% of the time, since consequences seem to mean nothing to him. 6/25/12

James came into the air-conditioned house from playing outside in his kiddie pool in the 95+ degree heat, soaking wet, and told me "I'm cold mommy. My lips are brrr-ing, see? I need a towel!" 6/24/12

Me: "James, why are you taking off your swim trunks?" James: "For a reason." Me: "Thanks, that really clears that up." 6/24/12

Playing outside in his kiddie pool, he suddenly had some ants crawling on his legs. His response? "These ants are frustrating me!" Pretty sure he learned that word from his mama. He's also learned the meaning of "aggravating" lately... 6/23/12

We were driving to school when James noticed some construction equipment out his window. He said "I saw a bulldozer! A great, big, yellow bulldozer!" So I asked him what it was doing, and he replied "It was tractoring around." I suppose if the president can make up words, so can James... 6/19/12

James finished his dinner and announced "I have a clean clate club! Cora have a dirty club." 6/18/12

After the gym, I politely asked James to climb up into his carseat so we could head home and cook dinner. His sassy reply? "No way mommy. No way in this wide world!" 6/18/12

Me: "James, what did you do at school today?" James: "Miss Reece didn't get me to have my cupcake. And I peed on the broken fence." Me: (just trying to keep a straight face...) 6/18/12

Cora was sweetly singing and humming to herself in the car. James was apparently not in the mood. He told her "Be quiet Cora. Stop talking! Because you're getting on my nervous!" 6/16/12

Cora was being naughty. Jay told her "no" about something, and she got mad, did her usual turn-my-back-on-you-and-glare-over-my-shoulder-why-saying "Uh!", then took a step to walk away from him and slipped on a book, effectively faceplanting onto the hardwood floor. James' immediate commentary? "That's what you get for being bad!" (By the way, he learned that statement from his Daddy, not his Mama!) 6/11/12

It was my turn to hang out with the kids until Cora fell asleep. It was almost 10:00pm. James was STILL talking and being goofy. After asking him nicely, at LEAST 20 times, to stop talking and kicking the walls, I raised my voice to a yell and told him to be quiet, close his eyes, and let his sister go to sleep! And you know what my sweet boy said to me in reply? "Mommy, I want you to stop screaming at me!" (I had to count to 10 after that...) 6/03/12

James has recently been using a few words and phrases that we don't condone. Not bad words, but things such as "shut up" and "stupid" to name a couple. And he uses them correctly, of course. EVERY SINGLE TIME that I've stopped him, told him that I don't want him to say that, given him an appropriate word/phrase to use instead, then asked him where he learned that from, guess what he says? "Aunt Sandy!" No hesitation, no shame. No blaming it on Cora or some kid at daycare or a TV show or movie. Nope, Aunt Sandy is who he calls out. So, I suppose she's either a bad influence, or simply at the forefront of his memory on a daily basis, or we need to have a talk with him about lying and owning up to his own naughtiness! 5/21/12

As we then neared our exit, a chicken truck drove up beside us. James noticed it before I did, saying "Hey Mommy! Look! A chicken truck! It's gotta go to the barn and drop off the chickens!" And sure enough, it WAS a chicken truck. How did he know that? I asked Jay about it when we got home, and Jay said they talked about it once. Like 6 MONTHS AGO. Mind of a steel trap. 5/31/12

Today on the way home from the gym, as I drove up the on-ramp to I-20, James says to me "Hey Mommy? Is that Manu's house up there on that hill?" We've never talked about seeing Manu's place from the interstate before, though you clearly can. And apparently James made the connection easily. 5/31/12

Out of nowhere, James turns to me and yells "You the ma'am Mommy!" (We've been having a lot of discussion of he/him/his/sir vs. she/her/hers/ma'am) 5/13/12

Since neither kid had paid me any attention in the 10 minutes I'd been home from work, I called to them out in the sunroom, asking if they were going to give Mama a welcome home hug and kiss. James' reply? "You can come out here and get it!" Luckily, when I walked out there, he climbed off his trike and gave me a heartfelt squeeze and smooch. Cora, on the other hand, said "I don't want to!" and ran away from me... 5/07/12

When confronted for jumping on the bed with Coltin and Cora, James says "We're being angels!" 5/05/12

On the bus down to the coast today, James asks me for a book. When I ask him which one he wants (of the 4 that we brought), he repeatedly asks for books that we did NOT bring with us. So I keep asking him to choose again. After 3 or 4 tries, he finally just says, loudly, "Ugh! Just get me a book Denise!" Wonder where he learned THAT from?... 5/04/12

Driving past a pond with a tree in the middle, James points to it and says "Hey, there's a tree in that pond. I gotta get it out!" 5/04/12

It is so endearing the way that James always says "I love you Mommy", then after I tell him I love him too, he tells me again "I love you too". I hope he never stops doing that. 4/24/12

James grabs his LeapTop and tells us "I need my computer. I'm doing homework like Daddy!" 4/22/12

James wakes up so happy that he's dancing around and singing his "La la, la la, la lots of giggles" song. Then he notices how dark it is outside and goes over to the window to investigate. Suddenly his joy is gone, with an "Ohhhhh! Oh man! It's raining! I can't get to go outside and play!" Poor little dude... 4/17/12

Cora licks her plate and tries to eat her yogurt like a puppy, so James tells her "No Co-wah, you're teaching me bad habits!" Guess he's been hearing that a lot lately... 4/15/12

Finding his Leapfrog LeapTop "laptop" in his dresser, he takes it out and tells me "I'm gonna work on my computer. Mommy, go to bed!" Then he goes over and lays on his belly in the spot by the door where we lay at bedtime (on our bellies, while playing on our cell phones or Kindle) as we wait for Cora to fall asleep. Is this flattery? Or is he mocking us?... 4/12/12

The kids did NOT want to wake up on the last morning of our trip, so after 10 minutes of sweet coaxing, we gave up and Jay let the air out of their air mattress. James sat right up and said "Hey! What you do to my bed? You popped my bed?" Good thing he wasn't mad at us, since we couldn't stop laughing long enough to answer him! 4/09/12

James was using my legs as a "tunnel". A common occurence. Suddenly he stops, puts his head back, looks up my skirt, and says "I can see your pajamas!" Awesome... 4/08/12

In response to getting a cake pop at a Starbucks stop on our road trip: "Thank you Daddy! It tastes good! And I'm so happy too!" 4/05/12

When asking James "What's your name?", he'll reply "James Lindsay the forf!" And if you ask "What's Sissy's name?", he'll tell you "Co-wah Lindsay the Changer." We have no idea... 3/27/12

James is trying to tell me something as we're driving home from school and gets stuck on a word, repeating it 4 or 5 times. He stops trying and says "Grrr! It's not working!" When I ask him what's not working, he says "My mouth's not working! I can't say anything!" 3/07/12

3-years-old

James has so many silly phrases these days... Here are a few of our favorites: "What in the WORLD?", "That's freaking me out!", "How cool is that?", "Holy Geez!", and "Good gracious!" 03/01/12

This morning James woke up with a runny nose and he doesn't feel good. On the way to school he told Jay "We need to get Gramma from GG's house." When Jay asked him why, he said "'Cause Gramma makes me feel better. Make Co-wah feel better too." How sweet is he? Wants his Gramma to make him feel better when he's sick, is concerned for his Sissy too (who also has a cold), and even remembered that Gramma is not at home but at GG's house. 02/22/12

Yesterday Jude caught a lizard (a green anole) in the living room, and after I screamed for Jay to come rescue it, he took it upstairs to release it off the balcony. Well, at dinner tonight he asked us "What's upstairs?" And when we told him our bedroom and the computer room, he said "No, the iguana is upstairs." Good memory AND good word association, eh? 02/13/12

Anytime Jay or I say something that we shouldn't (not necessarily a bad word, but perhaps an underhanded comment or something in a snarky tone - and I don't mean to each other, just in general in conversation), James always calls us out. He'll say "What you saying Mama?" So obviously, rather than repeat the bad deed, we humbly tell him that "Mama said something not nice. I'm sorry. I won't say it again." And I'll freely admit that I love how he keeps us in check. 02/12/12

I ask James "Will you always be my baby boy?" and he answers me with a "Yes Mama", complete with hug and kiss. The boy melts my heart. He really does. 02/11/12

At dinner, James is being goofy and telling us silly stories, then out of nowhere he looks at me all serious and says "I not a bad guy, I a SWEET guy!" 02/02/12

Singing his ABC's for the first time: "A, B, C, D, EFG, eye-tch, JK, elehlenohpee, cue, R, S, T, ooh, bee, dub X, Y and Z. Now I known my ABC's, next time you sing with me!" 01/29/12

I hear giggling, then serious talk in the bathroom and I go to investigate. James has moved Cora's little pink potty to the middle of the room, has pulled her pants down, and is trying unsuccessfully to remove her diaper. When he notices me standing there watching, he tells me "It's stuck. I can't get it. Co-wah need to go potty." All this while Cora stands there patiently and expectantly. Maybe WE won't have to do the potty training for child #2... 01/27/12

On his way out the door this morning Jay asked the kids "Are you going to be good for mommy this morning?" Cora: "No." Jay: "At least you're honest." James: "Least yo honest Co-wah." ..... 01/26/12

To his Daddy, James said "Stop it, yo freaking me out." 01/26/12

The best part of my night? Right after I'm certain Cora is asleep, when I crawl over to tell James "Goodnight baby. Sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning. I love you very much." Because he ALWAYS puts his arm around my neck, gives me a big squeeze and sweet kiss, and says "Goodnight. I love you too Mama." 01/20/12

Driving home from school we were playing the "so-and-so says" game, where I go through a list of animals and vehicles as ask "What does the ___ say?". Sometimes I throw a person in there, just to switch things up. So I asked James "What does Pawpaw say?", and he replied "Little kitty, sad kitty" in a singsong voice. I tell ya, the kids' mind is a VAULT. He forgets nothing. NOTHING. 01/18/12

While trying to get the kids down for nap, Cora is fussing, so James says "It's ok. It's ok Co-wah." So cute, right? But after a couple minutes he resorts to "Co-wah, lay down. Lay down now. Be quiet!" 01/16/12

What's more fun than counting and sorting the colored Counting Bears? Climbing on the closet dresser and dumping them over the side repeatedly. According to James this game is called "Makin' a MESS!" Go figure... 01/13/12

I ask James whether he'd like juice or milk with his breakfast, and he tells me "Whatever." 01/10/12

Cora is fussing/whining at dinner, so James looks over at his daddy and tells him "Co-wah have a grumpy face." 01/07/12

James' newest thing? While laying in bed, stalling for time, he'll say something like "I forgot, I need to go potty." Or while eating dinner, he'll say "I forgot, I don't like this." I forget where he learned that... 01/04/12

For the past few days, every time James hears a strange noise (or even just a loud noise that he is familiar with), he walks toward the source saying "What's that noise? I gotta check out!" 12/17/11

At the hotel in Dawson, James is sitting on the potty, butt-naked, and is checking himself out in the full length mirror across from him. As I watch him suck his tummy in and out, I ask him "James, where'd your belly go?", to which he replies "It's in the tunnel!", followed quickly by a belly expansion, to which he states "Look my BIG belly!" 12/16/11

We're leaving the YMCA (checking the place out in prep for potentially joining in January) and James insists on pushing one of the huge glass doors open by himself. So I let him. And it takes almost a full minute for him to inch it open enough to squeeze out. When we get outside, he yells "I did it!" and I congratulate him, saying "You're so strong James!", to which he replies "I sure am!" 12/12/11

Driving in the car, James asks me to look at something. When I tell him I can't because I can't turn around, because I'm DRIVING, he refuses to acknowledge my "excuse" and continues to ask me to look. So after a half dozen explanations, I start ignoring him. When I don't respond after a few attempts, he tells me "Mama look at me when I TALKING to you!" Guess I've said that to him a few too many times lately... 12/11/11

On the way to school this morning, stopped at a stoplight that apparently set the morning sun directly into James' eyes, he yells "Go Mama! Don't stop! Turn off the light! Help! My eyes!" Dramatic much? 12/09/11

Seeing the heavy frost on our neighbors' lawns out the window this morning, James yelled "Snow! I see snow over there! Right there! It's covered!" 12/08/11

We're almost to the Christmas light show, and James suddenly says from the backseat "I need go baf-woom." I tell him we're almost there and that he needs to hold it, and he responds "Poop's coming!" Needless to say, I drove that last mile FAST! 12/06/11

Driving past the old hospital, James says "That's my favorite castle!" 12/01/11

After spilling his milk on the kitchen table... "Dang it, I make a mess!" 11/21/11

A great way to start my day? Having my 2.5-year-old tell me "Aw, so pretty Mommy!" as he watches me get ready. I praised him for the compliment, told him thank you and that he was such a good boy, and let him know that being sweet like that would get him everywhere in life and he'll get his way far more often when he's nice. Then, that afternoon I pulled into our outlet mall, where he knows the ice cream store is, and he immediately says to me "Ice c'eam! Mommy so pretty, get some ice c'eam?" And when I laughed and told him he was too smart and such a little sneak, he said "I not a sneak, I a good boy!" 11/17/11

Jay is watching James palpate Mouton's belly while saying "It's OK. It's OK Too-ton.", then James turns to his Daddy and says proudly "I Dr. 'Mithing Too-ton!" 11/17/11

If James asks you to "Sing the NGO song!" he is not asking about non-governmental organizations. He is, in fact, asking you to sing BINGO. 11/16/11

James decides to feed Cora her milk sippy while she's laying on the couch, intermitently removing her paci to give her sips, then replacing her paci. She thinks this is great. The first 3-4 times. Then she gets annoyed. When I tell him to stop because Sissy needs a break, he looks at me pleadingly and says "My trying to help!" 11/14/11

Excited to be heading home to see his Daddy, James tells me "I love Daddy. My gonna hug Daddy. To the rescue you Daddy!" 11/14/11

After spending a day being spoiled by his grands, I tell James "You're a stinkerpot!" and he replies with "I not a stinkerpot, I a punkerdoodles!" 11/07/11

Upon picking up his Grambot from the airport, James declares "Grambot out of the com-poo-ter!" 11/06/11

Asking James what he wants for dinner, he says "chicken". When I ask what kind of chicken he wants, he says "fish stick chicken". OK buddy, whatever you say... 11/05/11

As the ice cream truck circles the playground and I grit my teeth in anticipation, as this is the first time James has seen the ice cream truck, he simply states "I see a blue bus! A blue ice keem cone bus!" and goes back to playing... 11/05/11

James walks over and sits on the back of his little (teeny tiny) toy tractor and tells his Daddy "I going on a hay ride!" 11/03/11

'Singing' the 5 Little Pumpkins book with James (his parts in BOLD): 5 little pumpkins sitting on a "GATE!", the first one says "OH MY GETTING LATE!", the second one says "THERE WITCHES IN DA AIR!", the third one says "DON'T CARE!", the fourth one says "GONNA WUN AND WUN AND WUN!", the fifth one says "READY FOR FUN!", "OOO-OOH OUT THE WIND" and "OUT WENT A LIGHT", and "5 LITTLE PUNKINS ROLLOUTASIGHT!" 10/30/11

There is nothing more satisfying than having your 2.5-year-old come running into the room with his pants around his ankles, excitedly announcing "I made a BIG poop!", only to find that he did in fact poop, in the potty, all by himself. (OK, maybe a few things are, but this is pretty awesome!) 10/29/11

While sitting at the table after dinner, quizzing Cora on the words she knows, we get to the body parts, and James busts out with "Co-wah, can you say booger?" Thanks James. Teaching her the important things in life already. 10/28/11

While taking the kids on a tour of the "haunted hallways" at work tonight, James finds a skeleton in a coffin, grabs it's leg, and says "My hugging the bones!" 10/27/11

Passing a cemetary on the way home from the park with their Daddy... James: "Look at all the castles!" Jay: "Those are called tombstones." James: "Tumstones?!" Jay: "Tombstones." James: "Look at all the tumstones Daddy!" 10/25/11

On the way home from a solo trip to the park with their Daddy, sitting on wet bottoms after an accidental drop into a puddle at the end of the "tunnel slide" (for which all 3 of them rode together, train car style), James announced to Jay "I soaking wey-eht", southern drawl and all! 10/19/11

While spending some time outside after work/school, we ask James if he wants to go pee pee outside. Due to Cora's terrible diaper rash, she gets some air-time at the same time. For the first time (even though they've been bathing together for 6 months now), he notices there is something different between himself and his sister, and asks us "Where's Co-wah's penis go?" 10/17/11

Waking up from nap, Cora and I wander into James' room to find him laying there awake with his Daddy. James exclaims excitedly "Hi Cora! Here comes Cora!", then, seconds later, after she climbs over him and makes her way to the train table, where she proceeds to bang things around and make a ton of noise, James looks at me and says with a annoyed look on his face "Co-wah make a loud! Quiet. Shush Co-wah!" 10/08/11

Before bed, I hear from the direction of the bathroom: “Come on Co-wah, gotta brush!”Yup, James is teaching his little Sissy how to brush her teeth. LOVE it! 10/06/11

“Uh-oh, my got ice keem on Sissy!”, said after he kissed Cora on the head while eating an ice cream cone. 10/02/11

Watching America's Next Top Model, the makeover episode, and James suddenly busts out with "I get haircut. I fancy!" 09/29/11

Running around with his t-shirt pulled back over his head like a bandana, he repeatedly yells “My funny! Ha ha ha!” 09/28/11

Riding a rocker-type swing with his Sissy, James tells me “We're on the rocket s'ip Mama!" 09/26/11

"Watch Co-wah, watch! Come on Sissy! Come 'ere! Mommy look! My got a car band-aid! Woo-HOOOOO!" said while pumping his fist in the air. 09/20/11

"Mommy, I don't want time out. I'll be nice to the couch!" 09/19/11

Jay is teasing James about something, and starts laughing crazily. James replies with “No Daddy, MY ha ha!” 09/17/11

This week we've begun singing a "marching" song to get the kids out the door in the morning. It's highly successful. And quite funny to hear James sing... "Hup, 3, 4, 6! Get your booty out the door!" Because he refuses to sing Hup, 2, 3, 4, even that would rhyme and be logical. And he only counts starting at the number 3. And even at 2.5-years-old, he still seems convinced that the number 5 is for "high fives" only, not to be included in the normal realm of counting. 09/14/11

Looking at the American flag, hung outside in remembrance of this day, James says “It’s boo-tiful Mommy!” Melt my heart! 09/11/11

James says to me "Gimme hand Mama". When I place my hand in his, he tells me "Nice meet you!" 09/09/11

If you ask James what his name is, he will tell you "James Lindsay". And if you ask him Sissy's name, he'll say "Co-wah Lindsay". And even though he knows my name is Denise (and calls me by name if I don't answer quickly enough to Mama!) and Daddy's name is Jay, if you ask him what our names are, he'll say "Mama Lindsay" and "Daddy Lindsay". Now honestly though, how cute is that? 09/05/11

James answers the phone in the play kitchen "Hello? Everybody? Happy Birthday to you. All done!" He answers it like that Every. Single. Time. Since forever. And it's hilarious! 09/04/11

Driving home from daycare, a time of day that lately has the sun at the least perfect angle for our kiddos in the backseat, James started to pitifully yell/whine "My eyes! My eyes!" Honestly, it was Oscar-worthy. 08/15/11

If James is in another room playing, then comes back to whichever room we're in, he will announce himself with "Here comes the James!" All we can do is smile and tell him "Thanks for the warning buddy." 08/15/11

A storm came through at dinner. James was not impressed. He kept repeating "Big funder go way! I don't LIKE it!" 08/13/11

This morning James didn't want to wake up, so Jay was trying to snuggle him awake by hugging, tickling, and pretending to eat his ears. James turned to him and said "No Daddy. MY ears. NO eating the James." 08/10/11

Jay was taking James to bed, and after a trip to the potty, James walked out, waved at me, said "Peace out Mama!", and went into his room. This kid is something else... 08/09/11

Cora was doing her wide-legged, drunken-baby waddle around the kitchen and James was literally walking RIGHT behind her (practically touching her), imitating her style. When I asked him what he was doing, he said "I walk like Co-wah!" 08/06/11

On the way home from daycare tonight, Jay and I were discussing dinner possibilities. When I mentioned making pizza, James piped up from the backseat with "That's good idea!" 08/03/11

Jay spent weeks teaching James to say the word 'unacceptable' so that he could get him to tell my Aunt Margie "That's unacceptable Auntie Margie!" when the time arose during our family reunion (because we knew that it would!) Unfortunately for Jay, when the opportunity arose, James turned around and instead said "No-accep-able Daddy!" 07/09/11

You know you live in the south when your 2-year-old spots an ant and says "Little bug. Ow. Bite you. Don't touch." Dang fire ants. 06/07/11

James is getting awfully bossy with Cora. In the past day he's said "Come on Sissy" (while trying to pull her up onto the couch with him), "Move Sissy" (while pushing past her to get to something), and "No, no Sissy" (when she tried to share a toy with him). Of course, he also had to tell her "Bad, bad girl!" when she bit his leg this afternoon... 05/08/11

James oh-so politely said "S'cuse you Sissy" while pushing her out of his way... 04/27/11

James just baited Cora. He walked over and put the egg beater down 3 feet from her. When she crawled forward to get it, he waited til the last second, then snatched it away, laughing hysterically and yelling "Mine!" 04/04/11

James was 'playing' in the bathtub, naming body parts and whatnot. Guess what he labeled "Meat"? 04/03/11

James' teacher was coughing and he asked her "You OK?" She replied "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." Then he said "OK. Checking." What a little sweetheart he is! 03/30/11

James is too obsessed with his 'Everyone Poops' book. He wants me to read it for the 27th time and is whining "Poop! Poo-oop! Pooooo-oop!!" 03/22/11

My heart just melted into mush. James gave Cora her usual kiss "Ni-night" then promptly told her "La luv you!" 03/12/11

Me: "James, what color is the moon?" James: "Geen!" Me: "No, the moon is not green. What color is the moon?" James: "Puh-ple?" 03/12/11

James keeps saying "Potty. Be back". Why? Not because he needs to or knows how, but as an excuse to wander around the pizza place. He thinks he's so smart... 03/06/11

2-years-old

I watched James waking up on the monitor this morning, and turned the sound on just in time to hear him say "Dada, are you?" in the sweetest little voice. 02/11/11

James' word of the day: "Funny!" Then cue crazy maniacal laughter... 02/08/11

James woke up crying in the wee hours of the morning. Jay told me that when he got to the gate to rescue him, he told James "go get back in bed Bub Bubs", and James climbed in bed and said "Sowwy". Poor buddy feels bad when he wakes up at night. 02/05/11

Turned my head for MAYBE 10 seconds at the end of dinner to supervise Cora eating and James managed to polish off the container of blackberries. He was sniffing the package insert and saying "Mmmm! Moh?"... 02/01/11

It is SO darn cute when James climbs up on the couch, looks at his Daddy, pats the cushion, and says "Seeet" (indicating that bedtime snuggle time has arrived). 01/20/11

1-year-old