Not good reasons to break bones...

While walking home, Matthew asks if I'd get him a nintendo game if he "accidentally" broke his leg. (Hmmmm?) I said no, that wouldn't make it better. He then leaped to his next thought: "Mom! If I broke my arm, I couldn't write and then I couldn't go to school!" I told him that was not true. I said if he broke every bone in his body, he'd still have to go, even if he was in a wheelchair. He answered, "Yes, but someone would have to push me there or I'd get run over."

The best place to be...

After getting into a bit of trouble, Matthew informed us that he wanted to live in another house. We said fine - go find one. After 15 minutes of alternative plans that included trying to sneak in the back yard and requesting a tent, he finally declared that from now on he was going to live in his imagination.

What I Like About You...

The other day, Matthew was singing "What I Like About You" and being a general goof. Julia overheard him and asked, "What do you like about me, Matthew?" Without missing a beat he answers,

"Nothing."




["Did she beat him with HIS chair?" - Julia - private joke]

Wisconsin Weekend

This is actually a post from a month ago. Blogger was messed up and wouldn't let me post it. It finally did - just late :)

Traveling to California

Only one flat tire, lots of brake testing, lots of really interesting signs along the way, and we are in our new home in California. It has a few quirks, and we need to fix a few things, but it just wouldn't be one of our moves if it were easy!

Some of the signs on the way were just funny. Is there ever an appropriate time to pick up people who look like prisoners (like if they are hiking down a country road, or hanging out at Starbucks?) And, "No Name" for an exit. Did they just run out of ideas or give up? Similarly, "Zzyzx." ?!?!?! Is that a word or a 2-year old playing on a sign machine? I don't know about you, but how can watch for wind? And, finally, I never thought I'd see a sign that said I could go 80. If only my car would have cooperated...

We're glad to be in our new home and welcome anyone who wants to visit :)

Saying Goodbye to Rochester

Goodbyes are not fun. I usually say it's easier to be left than to leave, but leaving stinks too. We made a lot of very good friends here that we will miss (and remember that California is a LOT wamer than New York in the winter and we love visitors!!!)

Thank you to everyone who made our time in Rochester so much fun and we will miss you all!

Kelly, Todd, Amanda, Julia, Allison, Matthew, and Bucky

Apologizing to inanimate objects...by Matthew

After being told he could not open a bag of chips, Matthew turned to stomp away in frustration ...and walked straight into the wall (and nailed the wall switch in the middle of his forehead). He spins with a slightly suprised look on his face and exclaims, "OOPS, my bad!"

Ouch

Walking to the bus stop, Matthew stumbled on some rocks and landed on a rather tender area of his anatomy. He bowleggedly stands up, proceeds to pull down his pants (in someone's front yard, in front of everyone), bends over and asks in pain and loudly, "MOM, IS MY BUTT BLEEDING?!? IT HURTS!!!!"

Family Health History

(Julia) "Mom, are there any sicknesses in our family, like back problems or cankles?"

Amanda Rescues Dogs

I was walking home after school and about to turn on our street when I saw two familiar faces: the chocolate labs. I didn't think this was their first escape, so I started to run as fast as possible after them. Running pretty much a quarter of the way back to school next to the busy road with what felt like a 500 pound backpack flopping in all directions, I finally caught up with them and got hold of the one who was trapped by a fence. They must have thought we were playing tag and I was it. When the other came over to say hi to me, I couldn't grab its collar because I was busy on the phone asking mom for help. Thankfully, someone who was taking a walk (she also turned out to be a teacher) had seen me and came over to help out. After mom came, I was surprised how eager they were to spring into our van. After a few phone calls, Daisy and her buddy were safely delivered back to their yard.

Next time I chase after dogs, I'm dropping my backpack first.

(This was written by Amanda, NOT mom)

You talkin' to ME???

Matthew, under the influence of laughing gas, was being instructed by the dentist about what she was going to do to pull his teeth. About 20 seconds into the explanation, he looks up at her and (channeling his inner DeNiro) says, "Are you talking to ME?"

Matthew's Door Sign

It was a tough day for Matthew. The sign says it all!

Apparently, mom needs botox...

Matthew just came up to me, touched his forehead to mine, stood back, got a strange look on his face as he seemed to fixate on my forehead and said, "That's wrinkly up there. Are you doing to do something about that?"

Safety-conscious Matthew

Only Matthew would think to use his safety goggles to keep the soap out of his eyes while showering.

Flashback...2002

First, a quote from Julia tonight: While watching AFV, a video came on that appreared to show a toddler lifting up a full-sized car. Shocked, Julia said, "Is it in neutral?!?" Next, is our flashback feature. It is a little-known commercial that ran in Japan in 2002-2003 that stars 4-year old Amanda Linskey! According to her "fake" dad, she was adorable.

Quotes for the Day...

While looking at a map of Turkey last night, I asked Julia if she knew what that area was called in ancient times. Without missing a beat, she answers, "Chicken?"

Matthew has a new term. Before "stepping on a frog", he yelled out "Burning in the hole!"

What the.....!?!

So, we're at the orthodontist consult for Matthew today. And, after much fidgeting and screwball antics Matthew finally earned the right to dig for a toy from the toybox. After 5 minutes, he had been unable to find the right toy. The woman working with us brought out a different toy he hadn't seen and put it on the desk. He looked at it and said incredulously,

"What the hell is that?"

Sigh....

We also found out he needs 7 teeth pulled. We're debating about whether or not to tell him that this is what happens to boys who reference "hell."

Also included are a few copies of Amanda's latest artwork. They are entitled "Going Rabbid" and "Gobbledygook."

Matthew's First Grade learning...

When asked to write a short story starting with "If I caught a leprechaun...", Matthew answered, "...I would ask him where the gold is, and he will tell me where it is. I will go git it and bring it home." He included a snazzy picture of himself holding the pot of gold.



Matthew, tasked with coming up with original sentences, included this among his answers: "I'm free, I'm free!"

Running in circles...

Matthew came inside and made a production of being out of breath. He exclaimed, "Whew, I'm tired. I was exercising." I asked what he was doing and he answered, "Running in circles." He is now back outside (without a coat, temperature 38 degrees) literally running in circles.

Flashback...

Last night, for whatever reason, we were trying to remember what that funny little phrase was that Matthew used to run around saying. Finally, after way too much time, Todd came up with it:

"Me-Me-- Yo....."

I remember that he even got Lexi to start doing it. To this day, we have no idea what it meant. He has no memory of it and thought we were nuts when we asked him about it. I guess that's a good sign...