`Light in the darkness

Last night Taylor and I went in to brush his teeth before bed. The lights were completely off so it was pitch black as we walked to the bathroom. Taylor said, "I wish Jesus were in this room". Why? "because then He would be a light". Oh, how precious is the faith of a child!

Saturday morning fun

What more could you ask for on a Saturday morning than a picnic with "Bob the Builder"? The kids like to have "picnics" sometimes as a special treat.

The Doctor is in!

Popsicles in the shade

On these hot summer days in Nashville, Taylor and Autumn enjoy eating their popsicles in the shade of this tree in our backyard. (I couldn't get Taylor to look at me for this pic...sorry)

The Diaper Helmet

As you can see from the previous post and this one, sometimes the kids like to be creative with their undergarmets.

Taylor Rocks the Drums

Taylor insisted that we all wear our "rockstar hats". Autumn and I were quick to oblige him.

Mommy's Helper in the Kitchen

Taylor likes to help Mommy in the kitchen. Tonight they made brownies. Taylor looks pretty tough with this brownie batter gotee.

As of today, these are Taylor's four favorite songs:

1. Meant to live - Switchfoot

2. Choas - MuteMath

3. Diverse City - Toby Mac

4. Harder to Breathe - Maroon 5

Taylor's Trailer

Taylor came up with this one all by himself.

Recent Pics

I caught Taylor "reading" Autumn a book today. Pretty cute.

Taylor and Molly looking proud.

The grumpiest girl ever. This is the face she gives me every morning when I wake her up. Just kidding. Not sure what this face was for. Her little buddy, Ahna Rosenau, looks on with bewilderment.

Sibling Affection

China Music

Today I took the kids to the Nashville zoo. At the zoo they have a specific section dedicated to animals that live in China and Japan, etc. When you are walking through they have oriental sounding music playing. Taylor quickly noted:

"Dad is that China music?"

"Yes", I said.

"Dad, I think we should move to China cause they have pretty music"

I said, "I'll think about it."


BTW - Autumn has started to say "icky" very clearly now.

Baby Ruth

I have been home by myself with the kids for a few days since Kim has been on a mission trip. To kick off our special "Daddy time" Autumn left a couple of presents in the bathtub for me to clean up on consecutive nights. Maybe this is her protesting Mommy being gone. Whatever it is, we better not go 3 for 3 tonight or I am going to have to make an emergency call to Kim to have her come home right away!

The Fountain Park

Yesterday we went to "The Fountain Park". Basically it is just a very interesting series of monuments dedicated to the state of TN near the state capital. Close to one of them there are all these different sizes of fountains that shoot up from the ground. On a hot day, children of all ages come out to play in them and it makes for a great free activity for the kids. Here are the pics...

Taylor the T-Rex

For all those who haven't seen this yet...

They never cease to amaze me

A few minutes ago I was working a bit on my computer. Autumn was in her room waking up from her nap and Taylor was in another room doing who knows what. Suddenly Taylor comes bounding into where I was like Tigger and exclaimed, "I got Autumn out of her crib by myself!!!" Shock and horror instantly filled my mind as I envisioned a broken neck at worst and some bad bumps and bruises at best. But then again I didn't hear a screaming child or hear the sickening thud that usually accompanies your child taking a bad spill. Right then around the corner, Autumn walked in happy as can be. I said to Taylor, "How did you do that?!" Captain obvious said, "With my arms". Classic.

I couldn't let it go just like that; I had to see him actually do it because I couldn't believe he actually could pull this off. I marched them back into Autumn's room and said, "Ok, show me how". Keep in mind that he probably weights 40 lbs and Autumn is right around 30. Think about lifting another human being that is 3/4 your body weight over a barrier that is at about the same height as your chest and then stepping down about the length of your leg. It's quite the task.

He really did do it. I didn't know whether to give him a time-out or a high-five. I think I just said, "Dude, you are amazing".

I had to document this on video, so I made him do it a third time. You can see the result below.

Blocks

Taylor is very into playing with blocks these days. This a method that Papa Lynn taught him. Looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright house to me.


Towers are very popular for him. He was very excited about his tallest tower ever here.

Rockstar

The other day I asked Taylor who his favorite rockstar was. Usually he says Switchfoot, or Matthew West, etc. Today he said, "Myself".

rocket toes

Taylor told me today that he had rocket toes. They help him run fast and jump far. Pretty cool!

Coloring

Taylor has started having quiet times instead of naps. One day I let him take his markers and paper into his room to color during his quiet time. I was so proud at how well he was doing and how long he was being quiet without being reminded until I went in and saw this. He was doing a great job coloring, just on the wall instead of his paper. Thank goodness for washable markers!