The War of Northern Aggression

It has come to my attention that Jon has been telling people that if they want to find out what is new in our family, they should read my blog. 

I wish he would have told me that.  I would have SERIOUSLY cut back on the amount of space I dedicated to whining about Gabe's sleeping habits.  Or poop.

So, for those of you who believed Jon (SUCKA!), this post is for you.  Enjoy! 

First, here's what Ethan and Elijah are up to:

Those are the Civil War caps that their mom bought for them last summer.  For some absolutely unknowable reason, they started wearing them again last week.  This is strangely appropriate for a number of reasons.

First, Elijah is wearing the Rebel cap.  Yeah.  Rebel.

Second, Ethan is wearing the Yankee cap.  As in, "Hey!!!! You can't do that!!!!  Uh-huh.

Third, you know how one of the tragedies of the Civil War was that "brother fought against brother?"  Yeah, we've had a lot of that around here lately.  So, when I wandered out to check on their homework and saw this scene...it was all I could do to keep a straight face.  Instead of laughing, I gave thanks for the table between them, because it takes a giant wooden barrier to keep them from going at it these days.

Here's some boy-specific news...

Ethan is still playing the viola in the school string orchestra.  He's improving A LOT.  I've really enjoyed having him learn to play the viola because it's been good incentive for me to play the cello--the cello and viola are strung the same and so we can practice together.  He complains A LOT less about practice this way. 

Also, Ethan is starting to show some interest in photography.  My untrained eye thinks he has some potential, so we're keeping an eye on him and letting him explore this new interest.  Let us all pray for the safety and well-being of my camera.  Here's his handiwork:

Because Elijah can already play the guitar (snort*), he's working on his mad art skillzz.  He seems to have inherited his dad's artistic ability.  It's awesome, especially when you put it together with his love of dinosaurs and tanks, as demonstrated here:

Gabriel continues to be off the charts.  In an attempt to prove to Jon that I don't hold him ALL the time, I give you....

Also, because we have an ongoing joke about Gabe beating my freakazoid brother's "walking at seven months" milestone (heavens, please NO, not that early...my cupboards aren't ready), I feel the need to document this...

He's pretty good at standing, although obviously needs some help balancing.  He's also pretty stable sitting, but  by the time I took the standing/tummy time pictures he was pretty much done with being a circus monkey, so there is no photographic evidence.  You'll just have to believe me.

So to sum everything up, things are good around here.  The boys are still alive and kicking, which is a testament to Jon and I remembering all the garbage that we did as kids and OUR parents didn't kill us...so we should pass on the favor.  Not to mention that they're really good boys.

And, Jon?  YOU WERE BORN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.  You can either say "dude" along with the other surfers, or continue to hate the Yankees for their aggression.  Not both.  I love you!  Happy early anniversary!

This post is dedicated to Elise, because without her baby swing, Gabriel would NEVER have given me this much time to "myself."  Thanks, Elise!

* I snort because Elijah INSISTS that he knows how to play the guitar.  SNORT.