"Front Runs"

Every child at some point learns to call "dibs," or "shotgun," or whatever term they are taught. However, I did not expect my three and two-year-olds to come up with a term on their own, and attach to it the normal rules associated with say "shotgun" (the rule being-whoever calls it first gets it without any further debate).
I noticed this when the kids were racing trucks around the house and Audrey suddenly shouted "Front Runs" (or "Front Ones" it is kind of hard to distinguish between O's and R's in a toddler's vocabulary) and Derek immediately relinquished his coveted dump truck. A few minutes later Derek yelled "Front Runs," and the trade off occurred again. Since then they have been using it for everything. Where do kids learn these things?

Bustin' Makes Me Feel Good!

We the Marinos' are doing our part to keep our neighborhood safe by playing the parts of heroes and ferocious beasts. Elizabeth: Wonder Woman, Christian: Ghost Buster, Derek: Dinosaur that breaths fire and has wings like a dragon, Audrey: Tiger

Derek was tired long before the Trick-or-Treating began.

Audrey was very excited to put make up on with her costume...until she looked in the mirror. Then she hid her head in my shoulder and cried "I don't want that...wipe it off" (She was transformed into a tiger so ferocious that she scared herself)

Audrey was the super "tricky treater." Derek was tired and ready to go home after about one hour, but not Audrey. She wanted to tricky treat all night. After two and a half hours, when it began to rain very heavily, I convinced her that it would be okay if we went home. We had so much fun! Happy Halloween!

Derek's Girlfriend

Her name is Callie. She is the girl next door.

She is very accepting, as she even likes him when dressed as a dinosaur.

Derek serving snowballs to his California cousins (mmmm)



Devon serving some snowballs to Derek (believe it or not, Derek wanted him to hit him in the back!)



The lovely Myah sporting her new pink snow suit.



Snow at the beginning of October was a little soon for me, but the kids had a blast, and I'll admit that I am a little excited to build a luge in our front yard again.

Grabbies

I had to give my kitchen tongs to Derek as they are his new favorite toy. He tells us, and anyone that visits, "they carry heavy things...and pick up toys." Three is one of my favorite ages.

With the Jurassic Creatures in Redmond

Give a caption to this photo that describes what

you think is happening.

Winnie the...

You know your child has reached the next level of intelligent humor when they realize that Winnie-the-POOH is a funny name for a bear?

Derek's deduction:

"Winnie-the-pooh"
"Pooh?"
"Poop?"
"Ha ha ha ha"
"Winnie-the-POOP! Winnie-the-POOP! Silly silly little old bear...Winnie-the-POOP!"