]> http://www.garyndenise.org en http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2947 This morning as we were waiting for Laci's school bus to come, laughter broke out. The kids love to sing the Ghost Busters song and it frequently comes on the radio station that we listen to. They have learned that they can shout out "GHOST BUSTERS" and it's fun. So this morning being no exception the song came on and singing began, only a little different this time. Laci and I realized that Daniel was not shouting GHOST BUSTERS, instead he was shouting GO MUSTARD! It was hilarious and we laughed and laughed, of course after that Daniel had no interest in singing the right words, but it was funny none the less. My little comedian. Daniel's Diary Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:21:58 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2946 Today mommy has been very sick and not able to move around much. I believe that I ate something "bad" at a local restaurant yesterday. In any case mommy spent much of the day not moving on the couch and sleeping. Both kids were on their best behavior as it is not often that mommy goes down. As I was dosing off this afternoon, I realized that I had Daniel beside me for comfort. It was not long before I there was something gently placed into my hand. It was Bear Bear! Daniel's beloved cuddle item. He was sharing Bear Bear with me because I did not feel good. He left Bear Bear with me until I woke up again, but it was such a sweet gesture, that it made me smile. Daniel is so sweet, I guess he thought that if I didn't feel good Bear Bear could help, because Bear Bear always makes him feel better. Daniel's Diary Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:16:14 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2948 In the past few days, we have all taken a turn at being sick. So mommy has introduced a new drink called Gatorade, since no one will have anything to do with pedialite. I had to laugh the first time Daniel asked or some alligator. I was confused because I didn't realize what he wanted until I gave it a little thought. Daniel asking for alligator, meant that he was asking for gatorade. It was so cute and Ioved the idea of having him call gatorade alligator, but I did make sure he understood the truth. Still one of my favorite moments. Daniel's Diary Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:07:46 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2945 This evening was Christmas Eve and as usual Laci was very excited about that. As we were visiting with relatives, Laci asked a question that embraced mommy. I guess remembering that she is innocent and inquisitive should help the situation but at the time it didn't. Laci asked a male relative "Is there a baby in your belly?". Luckily it was taken well and a lot of laughter was shared, but I was not expecting her to ask that question. Out of the mouth of babes. Laci's Journal Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:12:36 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2899 This evening Laci got a bit of news that she has been anxiously awaiting. Laci has a LOOSE TOOTH! Laci has watched as all around her friends have lost tooth after tooth and much to her dismay her own teeth were not cooperating with that scenario. Laci told Santa that she wanted a loose tooth for Christmas and she also made a wish on a star that she would have a loose tooth, so to say that she was overjoyed with the discovery of her first loose tooth would be an understatement. Laci had gone to bed and after being there for a while she came to me and told me that inside her mouth felt squishy. Upon further discussion of squishy, I narrowed down that it was just behind her tooth on the lower level just to the left of center. I wiggled it and sure enough it is just barely loose. Laci is so excited that she just can't stand it! I gave her the special "tooth holder" that had been hand made for me so many years ago and explained it's purpose. Laci and I also discussed that it was probably better that she not put the tooth under her pillow (after it falls out) as she is an all over the bed sleeper. Laci's Journal Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:09:30 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2898 Why is that children wait to the most inopportune moment to say some of the strangest things? Tonight, we did some shopping at the local Home Depot. Daniel was bored by the end of the trip and ready to go home. As we reached the check out counter, Daniel announces "When I get home, I need to Start Drinking". Mommy and daddy stepped back and stared at him in confusion, as the girl behind the check out desk laughed hysterically. We are not frequent drinkers in our house, so I have no idea where he picked up this phrase. He did repeat the phrase several more times and when I asked Daniel what he wanted to "Start Drinking" his reply was "Orange Juice". We were just amazed and confused by this new phrase Daniel decided to share. At least we were at Home Depot and not at church. :) Daniel's Diary Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:47:32 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2897 Daniel has a favorite cuddle item that we lovingly named Bear Bear. It is a small square of fabric, velvet on one side and silky on the other side and a teddy bear head in the middle. Daniel has had these since he was an infant and they still outrank any other toy. So today Daddy took one (of the many) Bear Bear's, cuddled it to his face, closed his eyes, smiled and said "Bear Bear". Daniel smiled and insisted on having the Bear Bear returned to him. Then Daniel disappeared up to his room, when he returned he had with him another Bear Bear that he presented to daddy. He gave daddy the Bear Bear and said "Here daddy for you". Daddy melted at the thought that Daniel was sharing with him and that Daniel had made the trip upstairs to get a Bear Bear for him to cuddle too. Such a sweet boy! Daniel's Diary Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:40:58 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2896 This afternoon as Laci was doing her homework at the kitchen table, Daniel was very intrigued. Once Laci had finished practicing and spelling her words for the test, Daniel decided it was his turn. Daniel came to me and wanted to first tell me all the letters, then sound them out and then with my help pronounce the word. He was very happy with himself and very into this project. Following this activity Daniel got very upset when I tried to put it all away. So I gave him some paper, a pencil and the list of spelling words. Daniel sat very poised for quite some time as he wrote each of the spelling words. Mommy and daddy were very impressed. Who knew first grade spelling homework could be so inspiring to a 4 year old little brother! Way to Go Big DAN!!!!!! Daniel's Diary Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:51:37 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2895 We are so proud of Daniel. He has been writing his alphabet letters for quite some time now, however, he has also added the lower case letters as well. He does all of the letters so well and it has been an ambition all his own. Daniel has mastered writing his own name and is now moving on to other every day words. Daniel learned to spell his sister's name LACI after being told only one time how to spell it, so far it has been the same process with other words like mom and cat. I am so glad that he is so interested in words, this can only help him in the future. I am very surprised that he is remembering all of these words after only being told one time how they are spelled. It does not matter to Daniel what he uses to spell either, he is happy to write with chalk, markers or puzzle piece letters. Way to Go Smart Boy!! Daniel's Diary Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:47:58 -0500 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2894 In recent days, Laci has collected candy from Halloween activities. As I looked through the candy for inspection, Laci noticed that some things went to the trash. Laci questioned "why" were those pieces of candy going into the trash? I explained to Laci that just to be safe any candy that she receives in a twist on wrapper would go into the trash, unless we know the person that it came from. I explained it was too easy for some one to take off that paper lick the candy and then put the paper back on (keeping it simple for her benefit). Laci understood and that was the end of that conversation, that is until Halloween. As we went trick or treating on Halloween night Laci shared her new found knowledge with persons handing out candy. On more than one occasion, I heard Laci tell some one "I don't want to pick that candy, because that is the kind my mommy will put in the trash, it has a twist on paper!" I was mortified that Laci was sharing this tid bit, yet relieved that she had was not confused by our conversation. Laci's Journal Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:05:22 -0400 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2893 This afternoon, Laci had the best home work excuse ever told. As Laci was doing her assignment, she stopped and said "I don't want to do this, because I don't want to go away from you EVER!" Confused, mommy questioned Laci about her statement. Laci explained that if she does her home work that next she will have to go to college and then get a job. That she loved mommy and daddy so much that she never wanted to be away from us at all. We encouraged Laci to finish her home work so that she could be smart, to always learn as much as she can and that will enable her to be able to "work" from home, like daddy does. You could see Laci's gears begin to churn as she contemplated this suggestion. Laci loves to learn and she loves that daddy works from home, so I think that it all made sense to her. This obviously did not get her out of doing her work, but I honestly believe that she was concerned about growing up, even if only for a moment. I can only hope that she feels this way when those glorious teenage years approach. Laci's Journal Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:11:20 -0400 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2857 As Laci's first grade year approaches so does the inevitable question "Who is the teacher"? Even just having the name of the teacher is resolve enough. Laci has been excited ever since school let out for summer, for it to start again. Our neighbor is a first grade teacher at Laci's school and Laci desperately wanted that neighbor to be her teacher. Laci prayed all summer that her wish would be granted. Yesterday to her dismay the letter from school arrived announcing the first grade teacher's name. Laci was devastated and cried for several minutes, before asking if any of her friends would be in her class too. To mommy's surprise the arrival of this letter had the entire neighborhood in grapevine scurry to spread the news. Unfortunately none of Laci's friends were in her class until that fateful phone call. Laci found out this morning that her best friend from school was in the same first grade class that she was. Laci was over joyed and again regained her enthusiasm for school. Laci's Journal Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:28:28 -0400 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2776 Today Laci had determination and succeeded. Laci began asking yesterday to have her training wheels removed from her bike, so that she could ride a 2 wheel bike. Today daddy took off the training wheels and Laci was ready. Mommy explained how to get started and Laci gave it her best shot. After a few rounds of the cul-de-sac with mommy holding on, Laci was doing great. As I let go unannounced Laci did it all by her self. Laci took several strides before loosing her balance. This of course made her more eager to keep trying. Laci got better and better the more she tried. Eventually she did wipe out and that was the end of trying for today, but we are so proud of Laci. Our baby girl rode a 2 wheel bike all by herself. Laci's Journal Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:43:07 -0400 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2775 I have been asking Laci for years now if she wanted to get her ears pierced and she has always said "No, it will hurt". I was truthful with her and let her know that it would hurt a little. In the last few weeks, however, Laci has been asking me if she could get her ears pierced. I insisted that she wait a while to be sure that, that was what she really wanted. Today we went and Laci got her ears pierced. She was so brave, she did not cry, even though she wanted to a little after the first ear was done. All the pain was gone once Laci saw her pierced ears in the mirror, she was so proud. Immediately she asked to have kitty cat earrings next, so we will be working on that one. Congratulations Laci, we love you! Laci's Journal Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:25 -0400 http://www.garyndenise.org/node/2774 This morning as Daniel sat on the potty, he produced his daily deposit. Daniel looked down into the potty and announced "Smells like chicken!". This caught mommy completely off guard and I began to laugh. I am not sure where Daniel came up with that phrase and funnier yet is the fact that he won't even eat chicken. Daniel's Diary Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:21:04 -0400