That's one fast squirrel

Driving through a city park I noticed lots of squirrels looking for food in the snow. As I was pointing them all out I commented on my surprise at the number of them. Monkey #1 reasoned "maybe you're seeing the same squirrel"!

Ready for some football?

Monkey #1 and Top Banana were playing on the living room floor. A football game was on TV in the background. #1 picked up a toy sheep, put a small plastic football helmet on it and announced, "Look! The Rams"!

Hard Rocker

Apparently Monkey #1 was channeling an 80's rocker today...

We visited a part of the Lake Metroparks - Penitentiary Glen - where there is an animal reserve. There are a few animals outside on display. In the warmer months there is a moose (of course we didn't see it today). As we were leaving we heard a little voice out of the blue; "it would have been freakin' awesome if we had seen the moose"!

Cover Story

This year Monkey #1 was in charge of decorating the tree. We selected a fairly small one, so it seemed like a good year to let him take on the responsibility. Today he was sitting on the couch admiring his handiwork. I heard him say "this tree should be in a magazine"!

More answers

Monkey #1: Mom, how come you don't go to a job?
Me: If I did, who would stay home with you and your brother?
#1: We could go to your job with you.
Me: That would have to be a very special job. Most jobs don't let you bring your children with you.
#1: Oh.... [off to think]

A little while later:
#1: Mom, I know. You could work when dad's home and dad could work when you're home!
Me: Oh, you've got it all figured out.
#1: Yep! I think you should be an animal doctor.
Me: I would have to go to school for a long, long time to do that.
#1: Don't worry mom, I can teach you everything you need to know!

Silly Monkey

Monkey #1: Mama, only I can turn off my silly muscles. Nobody else can. And, it's in the middle of my back where I can't reach it.

Imagine how much "fun" we had in the car after this conversation...

Weatherman

Last week the monkeys' twin cousins were visiting.  The living room showed evidence of a successful playtime.  Grandpa walked in and playfully asked "Did anyone get pictures of the tornado that went through here?"  A few minutes later Monkey #1 piped up "You mean TOY-nado, Grandpa!"

The Obvious

Monkey #1: Why do they call it cardboard?  They should just call it thick paper!

An advertiser's dream

At least once a week Monkey #1 tells me about some product or another that we "need".  He rattles off all of the wonderful and amazing things said product can do and lays out a whole argument for why we can't live without it.

For example, yesterday while driving in the car, out of nowhere, he began explaining to us why we needed to get Space Bags:

"We should get Space Bags.  You smash them down with a vacuum cleaner.  They keep out bugs, dirt and moisture - moisture is water.  If you get too much clothes you can put them in.  They save room!"

He has done this with so many products - Orange Glo, The Perfect Brownie Pan, The Shark Steam Mop...  The list is endless.  He is the perfect gullible consumer that advertisers dream about.

The faith of a child

The monkeys and I were able to spend a couple hours outside this morning enjoying the "not quite fall" day.  At one point, while #2 was napping, #1 and I were sitting in the shade under a tree.  Here's part of the conversation:

#1: Is heaven in the sky?
Me: Some people think so.  I'm not really sure where it is.
#1: God lives there?
Me: Yes.  But, He's always with you too.
#1: That's amazing.  But, I can't hear Him or see Him.  Because He's invisible.
Me: Yes.  But even though you can't see Him, He's always with you.

He snuggled in my lap and said "I'm snuggling with Him".  Then, he closed his eyes and was mouthing some words.  I asked him what he was doing.  He said he was praying.  He said he thanked God for all of us and for all the nature - the trees, the grass, the animals. 

Heart melting.

An answer for everything

Monkey #1 and I had an exhausting conversation about the seasons yesterday.  It went something like this:

#1: Does fall start on Monday because it's school?
Me: Not yet, but soon. 
#1: When?
Me: In a couple weeks.  What happens in the fall?
#1: The leaves change colors and fall off the trees and I get to jump in them!
Me: And what holidays are in the fall?
#1: Halloween, Thanksgiving, my birthday and dad's birthday...  But... I just want it to be summer.
Me: Why?
#1: Because I like going to the zoo.
Me: I know.  But, it's nice to have all the seasons.  And, there are other holidays in the other seasons.  And, other people have birthdays.
#1: How 'bout if we just have the holidays, my birthday and summer.
Me: But, someone has a birthday every single day.  They'd miss out on their birthdays.
#1: Then, they could just all have their birthdays on my birthday.
Me: But, then no one could come to your party because they'd all be having their own parties.
#1: Then we could just have one big party.
Me: Can you imagine how long it would take to sing "Happy Birthday" to each person?
#1: Then we could just sing "Happy Birthday to Everyone"

What do you do when they have an answer for everything?!?

Dancin' Fool

#1: "Look mom!  It's a 'Tie Cheese' dance"!

By any means necessary

As previously mentioned, Monkey #2 will not be left behind.  He proves this over and over again.  This morning's breakfast was no exception.  Top Banana (TB) was holding #2 while he was eating.  #2 tried his hardest to reach the plate.  Realizing he was getting no where he gave up using his hands.  Instead he flopped his foot right on the table and tried to reach the plate with his little monkey toes!

An oldie but a goody to get things started

A bathroom conversation with Monkey #1 when he was about 3

#1: Mom, I think my butt is like a chrysalis
Me: Wha...??? Why do you say that?
#1: Because a butterfly comes out of a chrysalis and poop comes out of my butt

We have conversations like that daily around here!

MONKeyin' Around

Welcome to our little corner of the jungle!  This is the place I decided to record all of the (hopefully) interesting things my monkeys say and do - maybe to bribe them with later?  Only time will tell... ;)  I hope the blog will be as interesting, funny, endearing and entertaining as our little monkeys themselves.  Grab a vine and swing along with us for a while.  I don't promise it'll all be smooth swinging, but it sure will be a lot of fun!

A little about us:
Monkey #1 is 3 months away from his 5th birthday.  He is very precocious.  He is a self proclaimed animal expert.  He loves to create - art projects, crafts, contraptions.  The majority of the time his creations center around animals.  He loves to explore new places, especially if they are animal related.  Sensing a theme?

Monkey #2 is almost 7 months old.  He is a very happy little monkey most of the time.  We like to say, when he smiles he smiles with his whole body.  Though, he definitely has no problem letting you know when he is unhappy.   He too loves to explore new places.  He loves being outside.  He absolutely adores his big brother.  He will not be left behind. 

My Top Banana :) and I have been married 10 years (11 in October) and we've known each other for 14 years.  He is the rock of the family.  He's the stable, level headed, "stop messing around and just get it done" one.  While I'm the scattered, overly dramatic, "what are we going to do?!" one.  We love to find new places to enjoy together.  We love to travel, though we don't get to often enough.  Our little monkeys are our lives and we'd do anything for them.

We all fit nicely together.