Who's Who?

Which little monkey:

• Loves to draw geometric designs?
• Has found a love of all things competitive including sports and games and has a unique talent for turning uncompetitive things into a competition?
• Can shimmy up a 15' pole with no hand or foot holds?

Jack

Which little lovebug:

• Hand-fed wild squirrels at the playground before I found out and freaked out?
• Likes to pack for a trip several days in advance (which is completely different than the rest of the family that packs minutes before we are supposed to leave)?
• When told that I would not be accompaning him to college so he needed to learn to tie his shoes, said, "That's okay...I'll just get a wife!"

Logan

Which little peanut:

• Who had hiccups but forgot what they were called, said "I'm making a noise!"
• Asks to have her hair done so she can look at pictures on my phone and watch videos on the ipad?
• Is obsessed with ballerinas which just means anyone wearing light pink leotards and flowy tutus?

Bri

Which little chickpea:

• After I get her dressed in the morning, promptly undresses herself and puts on a costume when I'm busy with the other kids?
• Has an insanely infectious giggle?
• Can dribble a basketball for quite sometime?

Des

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Is the only one of our kids to always sleep soundly through the night, every night?
• Loves to be read to and learn new things?
• Declined to participate in his school's "mixed-up clothes day" because he can't conceive of wearing his clothes backwards or incorrectly?
  

Jack

Which little lovebug:

• Takes credit for every single new thing his sisters do (even the naughty ones) by saying, "Yep, I taught her that!"?
• Wakes up in the middle of the night in a full blown tantrum because he was unfinished with it when he fell asleep?
• Likes to wear sleeveless shirts so everyone can see his big muscles?
  

Logan

Which little peanut:

• With the help of her sister, gets a bowl and messily serves herself a snack from the pantry when Mama is preoccupied?
• Does a happy dance every time she spots a baby?
• Carefully watches my lips when she is trying to say a new word and grossly (and adorably) over exaggerates her lips to mimic mine?
• Absolutely hates to smile for the camera (see below)?

Bri

Which little chickpea:

• When is injured, has me kiss her hand instead of wherever her boo-boo is actually?
• Wakes up several times every night and now realizes that if she stays quiet she can sleep in bed with Mama and Papa all to herself?
• Has recently learned to say "no!" and is making good use of the word?
  
• Loves, loves, loves to dance?

Des

And yes, these are current photos. Our weather has been crazy good in January...

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Frequently asks which food choice is healthier?
• Wanted to start on his birthday wishlist before he even opened his Christmas presents?
• Offers Des his earlobe to calm her down when she is upset?
  

Jack

Which little lovebug:

• Can eat his weight in broccoli?
• Regularly shreds and destroys cardboard boxes, crayon wrappers,
• Would stay home all day in his pjs (just like his mama) if he could?
  

Logan

Which little peanut:

• Says, "More, more, more!," when looking at pictures of herself on her mama's computer?
• Can sit and "read" books for hours using sign language to label everything she sees?
• Asks me to swaddle every doll and stuffed animal we have (including the hippo) several times a day?
  

Bri

Which little chickpea:

• Does a 'happy dance' every time she is nekked?
  
• Looks at her mama directly in the eye and smiles sweetly as she openly breaks rules?
• Runs to Jack's classroom door every day after school to scream and jump up and down the moment she sees her brother?

Des

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Asked, "If there is a Little Ethiopia here (in Los Angeles), are there Little Americas in other parts of the world?"
• Gets himself dressed first thing in the morning before anyone even sees him?
• Gives away his coveted sillybands to friends at school if they don't have any?

Jack

Which little love bug:

• Said, "Which Ethiopia did the girls come from?" (as in Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles or Big Ethiopia in Africa)
• At bedtime, says, "I've got stuff to do at night, Mama. I'm nocturnal."?
• When caught and scolded for cutting his sweatshirt, said, "But Mama, I'm using the fabric scissors!"

Logan

Which little peanut:

• Loves to get comfort by laying her head on our chest to listen to Mama or Papa's heartbeat?
• Has an easy smile?
• Seems to be trying to imprint details of Mama in her brain by nuzzling, sniffing and even licking her at bedtime?
• Keeps pointing to herself and saying her name because she loves to label everything?

Bri

Which little chickpea:

• Worked up all her courage (because she is scared of dogs) to get close enough to Marley to lick her?
• Said her first two English words: "Papa" and "Oh uh!"?
• Loves the swing (even the big kid swing) so much that she cries when she falls off...not because she's hurt but because she desperately wants back on?
• Is frantic to kiss other peoples' earlobes when she is upset?

Des

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Has been working on his Christmas list for three months?
• Gets himself dressed every morning before he even comes out of his room?
  
• Keeps imagining that the girls' baby talk is really talk ("Hey Mama, Des just said sarcophagus!")?
• Needs to eat a pear everynight before he goes to bed?

Which little lovebug:

• Said, "Mama, that is not what I ordered!" when I served dinner one night?
• Refers to Bri and Des as "his girls?"
  
• Gave me a big smooch and said, "When we kiss, I get your germs and you get mine!"?
• Said, "Nice guns, lady!" to a female police officer?

Which little cutie pie:

• Refuses to drink from a sippy cup but insists that you unscrew the lid every time she wants a drink?
• Loves popcorn (just like a true Ethiopian (and her mama))?
• Puckers up so big when she comes in for a kiss?

Which little cutie patootie:

• Kissed her reflection in the stainless steel dishwasher?
• Gained two pounds in two weeks?
  
• Left quite the impression (pun intended) at a local park where she walked through (and fell face first in) wet cement?

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• When the girls had only been home one day and a waitress commented sadly that Des and Bri had no family, said "Well, now they do!"?
  
• When asked to give Bri a good night kiss said, "Mama, I can't kiss her. She moves too much!" as Bri ran away from him laughing?

Which little love bug:

• Couldn't get enough time with his sisters so he climbed up in their bed and took a nap with them?
• Calls his sisters "his babies?"

Which little cuties:

• Can out-eat their brothers and almost their parents?
• Wake up in the morning talking and giggling with each other?
• Refused to eat Ethiopian food but only french fries on the day of their embassy appointment (as if to say, "We are Americans now!)?

Thank you to everyone that has already signed the petition to save my kids' preschool. It means so much that you took the time (though it is really quick) to try and help us. The school and the friends I have made through it have been my sanity for the past 3 years and I need that to continue. If you haven't already, please sign this for me and our kids...
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ranchocoop/

Thank you!

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Tore apart our office supplies looking for an envelope so he could send his friend a cell phone while she was on vacation?
• Loves eating injera (an Ethiopian sour pancake served with every meal)?
• Was worried that the fireworks on the 4th of July were hurting the Earth?
  

Which little love bug:

• Was man enough to take a baby doll to show and share?
• Still, at 4 years old, insists that he was never in Mama's belly, nor was he a baby, but was a big boy from "the neighborhood?"
• Told me that his shorts were "striping wet" which apparently meant they were so dripping wet that he needed to strip out of them?
  

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Told me that he knew who he was going to marry and was given half of a heart pendant necklace...apparently Cameron has the other half...
  
• Has an invisible friend (to which I thought "oh, how creative and imaginative!") and when asked the friend's name, he said, "Jack!" (to which I thought "so much for creativity!")
• Frequently starts off his morning telling me "today is not going to be the best day ever!"

Which little love bug:

• When I told him we were going someplace new and I'd have to leave him for a little bit but his brother would be with him so not to be nervous said, "I'm not nervous. I'm fabulous!"
• Said "One day I'll be your age. And I'll drink soda."
• Frequently tells me "today could be the best day ever!"

Which brothers actually feel asleep in the middle of the afternoon like this?:

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Said "When I'm a grown-up will you still be alive?" "Yes." "Good! Then you can do The Amazing Race with me!"?
• Thinks that Up! is scary but Star Wars is not?
• Said that he took a rocket ship to the future and was excited to report that the future has McDonald's and they serve healthy food and let you pick your own happy meal toy?

Which little love bug:

• Woke up with a scratchy voice and when I commented that he had lost his voice he said "Mama, will you help me find it?"
• Whenever I talk about his cute little tushie says, "Ugh, Mama, enough with the tushie!"?
  
• When he sees me holding a friend's baby comes running up to ask if he can hold the baby and then reminds me that he would like "a sister baby" of his own?
  

Which family moved up a spot and is now #:

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Asked, "Do you think Marley (our dog) is a secret agent?"
• Said, "I think my new underwear is making me (run) faster!"
• When asked if he'd like some smoked almonds replied, "No because I don't like it when smoke gets in my eyes"
  

Which little love bug:

• Asked me to rub his belly at bedtime and then as I did he said, "Mooooooskaaaaa. Mama, mooska means ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
• Greeted one of the girls in his class with "Hello, Gorgeous!"
• Takes his shirt off nearly everyday afterschool on the playground because he wants "to feel the sun and wind on his skin?"

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Declined the offer of some smoked almonds because he says, "Smoking is bad for you."
• Shouted, "Woohoo! I finally got an email!" when I told him a letter (from the postman) came for him?

Which little love bug:

• Said, "When someone loves you, your cheeks get red." (Think he's been watching one too many cartoons?!?!?!?!)
• Climbed down from his chair in the middle of dinner and said, "Look! I can chew and jump!," while doing just that?

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Always asks me the tough questions while I'm driving (like "do parents ever die before their kids?")?
• Wouldn't stop watching TV though his show was over because he couldn't turn the TV off and if it's left on with no one watching it he considers it wasting electricity?
• Draws his mama treasure maps where "X" marks a treasure chest with cookies?

Which little love bug:

• Went out for an after dinner walk in a huge winter jacket, a pair of shorts, a baseball hat, an adult length scarf and Elton John style sunglasses (though it was after dark)?
• Said his mama was "the best toast maker in the whole world!"?
• Loves to vacuum and do laundry?

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Was re-telling me about the time he went swimming in a river and said, "Mama, I saw a whole school of fish! But I didn't see their teacher"?
• Gave his special sticker from his teacher to his brother because his brother didn't earn one?
• Got so excited when my tooth (crown) fell out because he thought I could put it under my pillow and get a visit from the tooth fairy and then was so disappointed to find out that grown-ups' teeth have to be put back in their mouths?

Which little love bug:

• Exited school, took off his baseball hat and offered me the cucumber that he had been keeping on top of his head since snack time?
• Refers to the new kids at school, less than a year younger than him, as lil' fellas?
• Whenever he is called to make a wish (on a star or with a coin in a fountain), wishes for a steak?

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• When driving in the car, said "Mama, are you lost again? Did you try to take a longcut?"
• After I explained that because it was the last day of the summer I was going to let him and his brother have ice cream for lunch said, "Mama, you're acting very strange!"
• While on the long drive to his grandparents house, said, in all seriousness, "I wish we were there already! Logan, I have an idea! We should build a giant slingshot and then we could just 'boing' ourselves there!"

Which little love bug:

• Said "I love lizards. They're my friends. If I get one, I'll name him Fuzzbucket."
• Asked his Nana if he could pee in her houseplant (because he is potty training and outside I let him pee in the bushes).
• Wanted to take the chopped peanuts from a McDonald's hot sudge sundae and plant them in the backyard in hopes they would grow watermelons.

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Has spent ALL summer drawing...people, cars, a dog, trees and swings
• Said to his brother, "Some people like me are called models!"
• Always watches out for his friends' younger siblings at the park and tells their moms if the toddlers are doing something dangerous

Which little love bug:

• Grabbed me by the hand and pulled me to his room saying, "Mama, can you help me build a waterslide in my room?"
• When asked if I could get a little love (like a kiss or cuddle) said, "No, Mama. It's not your birthday anymore."
• When I said something about him being born, got very upset and said, "I wasn't born. I was in the neighborhood!" When I asked him what happened in the neighborhood he said, very matter-of-factly, "I walked up to you and asked if you wanted to be my mama!"

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Replied "yes" when Scott asked if he wanted to have one of his mini burgers. Once it was placed before him he scooted back in his seat, made a scared face and cried, "But I'm a vegetarian!" which was a surprize to us...
  
• When asked by a cousin to pose for a photo, he did a yoga pose
• Said, "Mama, because it's your birthday, I'm not going to throw anything at you."

Which little love bug:

• Came into the room wearing a baseball hat and annouced that he had "apples in his hat." Um, excuse me? He had placed his apple slices on his head and put a hat on so he wouldn't lose his snack...
• Wakes up often in the middle of the night begging for apple juice and string cheese but was consoled last night with my singing of The Slumber Boat while rubbing his belly
• Said to his brother, "You are my pit crew and best friend."

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Uses the term "humans" instead of "people" as in "Mama, what are those humans doing?"
• Asked how the treasures got in the sand. When I said, "The treasure fairy put them there," he looked at me like I was stupid and said, "There is no such thing as a treasure fairy! Only a tooth fairy!"
• Thinks the security cameras in Target are for raccoons..."because raccoons steal stuff!"

Which little love bug:

• Sobbed uncontrollably and kept saying that he missed his new "friend" when the skunk, who spent a very long time visiting our campsite, finally decided to leave
  
• Asked "what does a duck rooster say?" When we said "I don't know," he said "Quackadoodledooooooo!"
• Wears two superhero capes at the same time

Who's who?

Which little monkey:

• Asked if I would marry him one day.
• Determined that his cherry flavored lollipop was healthier than his brother's chocolate flavored lollipop (because fruit is better for you than chocolate, of course).
• Loves babies so much that he'll spend hours on the playground with them
  

Which little love bug:

• Said, "Tank you for licking me!" to Marley, our dog.
• Can be found wandering the house nekked except for gloves, a watch and a fireman's helmet.
• Said, "Don't be shushing me, Mama!" as loud as possible.