Fistful of...

Since you've been back at school, and I've been working from home, I've been able to pcik you guys up from school way more frequently than the "extremely rare" occurence of it when I was working from the office. Another silver lining of this whole thing. 

At any rate, y'all got in the car, we pulled over to buckle up and hand sanitize, and I say "Okay kids, give me your hands to I can put in hand sanitizer."

Aidan, you had your fist closed and looked at me reluctantly.

I said, "Okay, buddy, you can put down whatever's in your hand so I can give you hand sanitizer."

You looked at me reluctantly again, but then slowly complied. You turned your fist over, hovered it over the door handle/arm rest, and released....a fistful of WORMS!

You, me, and Julia looked at eachother in shock. And then...you said "Dad, These are the Worms I DIDN'T want to feed to the chickens!"

And the three of us erupted in laughter.

Gut busting, tear-inducing laughter. 

It was a GREAT afternoon, and an Epic Story. And I'm happy to report that all of the worms were released into the wild in our front yard, and lived happily ever after. 

The Things You Say 2019 - Edition

You all both are growing up before our very eyes. I wish I could capture your youthful curiosity, hilarity, sweetness, depth, emotion, unintentional humor, very intentional silliness in a bottle so we all can re-visit it later in life together. I guess it's why I keep this blog, and it's definitely why I write down from time-to-time when y'all say something particularly awesome. I don't get 'em all... and some of them are lost in the ether like specs of dust floating through a sun beam...floating out into eternity. Some of them are here, to give you a snapshot of what you were like and what you said and what was on your mind in 2019. No matter what you say, what words you're learning, I want to say one thing: I love you to a million, billion, trillion pieces and I'm excited to keep this conversation going forever!

I love you!

Dad

Officially I can read!
Aidan 1/19


Is Pops a herb or a Weinstein?
Aidan 1/19


I want to challenge myself!
Aidan 2/19

Julia: these are my favorite pajamas!

Dad: I know! You must have worn them for the last three days in a row!

Julia: Not three days dad! It’s more like..... 10 days!



I didn’t need instructions. I just thought of it and DID it!
Julia 2.19



I always stare at the news at baba's house... and wait for the commercials to come on!
Julia 2/19

This is the best birthday present ever.... video games AND rocks!!!
Aidan 2/19

If you stick out your middle finger the devil gets stronger. He lives at the top of the sun. He’s invisible. For real. Daniel told me.
Aidan 3/19


Zoe got a haircut just like mine... a pixie ... a kebab!
Julia 3/19



I’m going to punch you in the cronk-nockle.
Aidan 3/19



When i grow up I want to be a kid....why? Because I don’t want to die...
Aidan 3/19

You see that old man on the restaurant with the white hair and white beard? He reminds me of Baba!
Julia 3/19 (referring to a KFC)



How are you feeling mommy? Oh...your heart is beating! That’s a good sign!
Aidan 3/19

<looking at the UPS delivery man, calming the dog>
Don’t worry, it’s just the zoo keeper!
Aidan 3/19



JV is mean. She says ‘high on drugs’ to me. That means your mean and you’re up in the air.
Aidan 3/19

Once I was picking bluebonnets in our backyard... good thing there were no police officers around. But they might not have arrested me... I was only 2!
Julia 4/19




My vagina was itching so bad last night! Like there were a million trillion fire ants in my pants!
Julia 4/19



I was singing ‘shalom chavarim’ for Pa.
Aidan 4/19

She looks like that Star Wars lady- what’s her name? Princess Armadillo?
Julia 4.19

What’s an ant’s favorite medicine? ANTi-biotics!
Julia 4.19



You know what my favorite sparkly thing is? The ocean when the light hits the water!
Julia 5.19

When can we go to breakfast? I’m hungrier than a giant!
Julia 5.19


Move up day was awesome! But we wasted all of our time in the afternoon doing Eco-lab and Art! I wanted to work on the crystal work!
Julia 5.19

I can’t believe it! I beat Bowser!
Aidan 5.19




My favorite thing in the whole world is art- and I’m good at it!
Julia 5.19

Dad will you help me find a big snake to impress uncle joe?.... No snakes. Will these grubs impress uncle joe?
Aidan 5.19

Shouldn’t it be called ‘sunner’ since it’s always sunny?
Julia 5.19




Dad... be nice to your dad!
Aidan 5.19

Math can actually help you know what cards to pick! It’s called cheating!
Julia 5.19



Dad it’s fine for me to get my teeth pulled before my ballet recital! We dance with our mouths closed. We don’t sing. See you tomorrow with four gaps in my mouth!
Julia 5.19

Every time I try to see the tooth fairy I can’t! She only comes when I’m asleep! And some people say she’s just a speck of dust!
Julia 5.19




I like pooping in the dark. It helps me concentrate.
Julia 6.19

When I grow up I want to be a rock scientist... but a boss... so other people bring me the crystals and gems I’m studying.
Aidan 6.19





Why don’t birds’ feet get electrocuted when they stand on the wires?
Aidan 6.19

Daddy: have you heard of William Shakespeare?

Julia: is he a milkshake?

Julia 6.19




Daddy, your mind is gonna blow your head off when you see this!
Julia 6.19




Why does poppy’s feet smell like candles? Ours are not cute!

Aidan 6.19






Me: Aidan, thank you for being you.

Aidan: ...That means the world to me, dad!

Aidan 7.19





Dad, your eggs are the best! We Should sell them!!!
Julia 7.19

Dad I wish you could retire so every day could be a daddy fun day!
Aidan 8.19




J: Hey Aidan, can you look in the back of my pool noodle... there’s like something stuck in it like a bug or something. I can’t blow it.

A. Sure!

J: blasts water in his face

All: laughter

Julia 8.19

Dad... when aunt Deborah was a little girl was she British?
Julia 8.19

This is mouth control to Major Tongue!
Julia and Aidan 9.19






In the mornings, I gotta get to it!
Aidan 9.19





I was born to be in an art room! I was made to do art! I was made to be friends with pipe cleaners!
Julia 9.19

(Looking at his pocket watch he got in London)
Let’s see what time it is in London...
Aidan 9.19




When I grow up I want to be a pilot! They get to push LOTS of buttons!
Julia 9.19

I need to keep my arm elevated.
Aidan 10.19



My favorite songs are Gorillaz... Dance Monkey... and 100 bad days.
Aidan 10.19

Rainbow Pizza is caring and sharing ....

And smoring ... and snoring!

Julia 10.19

After a Julia fart


Mommy: That sounded wet. I hope you didn’t poop your pants.


Daddy can’t help contain his laughter


Julia: yay! Daddy laughed! He’s one of us!!!


11.19






You know what Miss Newman says when she has a croak in her throat? She has a frog in her throat. It’s a saying.... she didn’t actually have a frog in her throat!
Aidan 11.9






What’s ‘hobo go?’
Julia - looking at ‘HBO Go’ 11.19

Aidan teaches us to be kind because he is so kind ... he just cares so much... he had such a big heart.
-Miss Newman 11.19





Daniel and Wells dared me to step in the poop... and.... I did. To flatten it! But it was in my mud shoes.
Aidan 11.19

I’m not going to be marrying anyone. I want to stay with you!
Aidan 11.19






J: dad, do you love your parents for getting you those ginger snap cookies?

A: I love my parents for lots of things! I love them all the time.

J: oh. Then why do you like tell your dad he makes bad jokes all the time?

A: well, that’s just sort of the way I show my dad I love him! We joke around together... and he makes bad jokes!

J: I think he makes some good jokes!

A: okay... but should I be nicer to him?

J: just a little bit. He’s old. He’s an old man... like an ooooooold man.

Julia 11.19

Dad- no one believes me except Ella! No one believes me but her... probably because I’ve known her my whole life! But no one else believes me.... poop and pee and farts ARE funny but they’re also really important for the body to do! And no one believes me!
Julia 11.19

Julia it’s your time to shine!
Aidan 11.19





Dad I’m gonna read you ‘Are You My Mother?’ Just attach your ears to my book!
Aidan 11.19






Dad ... me and Ellie and Zoey and Isla are making a band called ‘Victoria Diamonds’ and we know you make a magazine and we were wondering if you could put a picture of our band on the cover and that’s how we’re gonna get famous. Can you? Can you put us on the cover?
Julia 11.19

I wish that pizza was the healthiest food in the world instead of like salad...
Aidan 11.19






I’m not going to get married... because I want to be with you guys forever!
Aidan 11.19

Miss G and Miss B were having a rough week and they were reflecting on what their positive was. They came to you, Aidan, and remarked on what an positive and integral part of their community you’d become. And how much they’ll miss you..:






Dad, I’m just saying. What if you were a homeless person and you like lost your tooth and then the tooth fairy came? And what if you did it again and again and you kept losing enough teeth until you had enough money for a cab ride and to stay in a hotel?
Julia 12.19

I would live in China because they eat Chinese food everyday like duck meat!
Aaron 12.19

J: Ringo and Paul are still alive.

A: but Yoda is dead.

Julia and Aidan 12.19





My sister’s afraid of mistletoe

Aidan 12.19





That’s what I do. I save lives.
Aidan 12.19 after taking a bumblebee outside

Dad I read the whole thing! I’ve never read so fast in my life!
Julia 12.19 after the ‘opening crawl’ from ‘Star Wars: the Rise of Skywalker’



Pops... you were born with white hair!
Aidan 12.19

Proverbial Treasures: The Things you Say- 2016 Edition...

You two are amazing. You are growing up to be remarkable children, and amazing people.

Aidan, you are earnest, sensitive, funny, loving, passionate, smart, occasionally defiant, and so sweet.

 Julia, you are clever, cerebral, able, goofy, energetic, occasionally stubborn, creative, and so much fun.

That's not to say that those lists of superlatives couldn't be applied vice versa, but I just wanted to let you know that you are so complicated and interesting and amazing. So much of what I chronicle here are our adventures and milestones met. But, just like I said last year, some of the most interesting insights into your minds are what you say.

Aidan 2016

Julia 2016

I take notes occasionally when you say things that tickle me, touch me, or I generally find so "you" that I don't just want them to go out into the ether without finding a permanent home.

Here are some of the highlights of your words in 2016- windows into who you were, what you were thinking about,  and pathways toward who you are.

***

Jules, look at this poop! Aidan 1/16

Daddy I don't want any kisses because my tushy hurts. Just blow me a kiss. I'll put it under my pillow where the tooth fairy can't get it. Julia 1/16

Ow... You're hurting me. You win you win you win. Aidan 1/16

Aidan: I found the morning light!Julia: I found a Lego on our bed!1/16

I'm the teacher... I learn my kids all the stuff. Julia 1/16

Chuckle bread... Aidan always

Daddy, you're my best friend. My best buddy! Aidan 1/16

Daddy, your name is not poopoo daisy any more! Aidan 1/16

Q: why do you like pockets?
J: because I love them! I like to put in my Legos...and treasures...and necklaces!
Julia 1/16

When there's a tornado you have to watch something on your tv!
Aidan 1/16

Daddy can you put some good dreams in my head? Dragons...ninjas...and Jules.Aidan 1/16

Do you want some Chapstick? It makes you fancy!       Julia 1/16

Dream requests:
A- darth Vader and darth maul together...and the bad one
J- shiny rainbows and crystals and diamonds...and hearts
1/16

Don't make me call the police!
Aidan (when we were giving Julia medicine) 1/16

It's taco Wednesday!
Aidan 1/16 (on a Monday)

I brush my teeth all night!
Aidan (at the dentist) 2/16

Julia you are the cutest thing ever!
Aidan 2/16

Preston said good night with his tongue...
Julia 2/16

Aidan lets play what we played yesterday. Get naked and get the star bed... Okay?
Julia 2/16

I don't want  to be tall... All my costumes are so little!Julia 2/16

My favorite part was the ketchup!
Julia 2/16

Daddy I was so proud of you when you sang!
Aidan 3/16

I'm your girlfriend!!! ( to ladies at the playground)
Aidan 3/16

I was two for a little bit but now I'm three... Daddy I can't wait to be four!Julia 3/16

I dream of me and Julia and mommy and daddy and Rebekka and ross and Molly... Flying!
Aidan 2/16

Compost is my favorite job. I like to go outside and see the world! Esteban the magnificent!Aidan 3/16

If someone makes a mess, someone helps clean it up!
Aidan 3:/16

We are the bosses of ourselves...mama is the boss of the house.
Aidan 3/16

I want to sit next to you because I love you!
Julia 3:16

J: dad, smell my butt!Dad: Julia, that's not appropriate.J: dad, smell my butt PLEASE!Julia 3/16

J: "I had a dream that aunt sham was here and she gave us presents.
Then I woke up and the dream disappeared. I really wanted those presents!" 3/16

J: when I was little I couldn't climb it but now I can do it all by myself!
4/16

A: remember when you told me not to run off?
Daddy: yes. You are very special and we don't want anything bad to happen to you...so please don't run off.
A: yeah...cuz I'm made of stardust...
Aidan 4/16

Mommy will you put pizza pockets in my lunch today so Michael will be proud of me?
Aidan 4/16

I want pizza very badly.
Aidan 4/16

We're not going to Mars. It's a hot planet; we might get cooked up!
Aidan 4/16

Re: package on doorstep.
What is it? A doll? A toy? Or something delicious?
Julia 4/16

I love you mustache man!
Julia 5/16

If you laugh like that again I will comb your hair with your teeth!
Julia 5/16

If you laugh like that again I will take a banana and squish it on your hair and your hair will turn yellow!
Julia 5/16

How 'bout this? You get up and feed us breakfast and turn on the long episode and then you can go back to bed?
Julia 5/16

Dad: I'm going for a runJulia: don't forget your shirt!Aidan: and don't run too far because you'll get lost in the woods...and there's a bear.5/16

I know how to get it because I have walking legs and hands!
Aidan 6/16

My eyes need a little sleep!
Julia 6/16

I love Angekula. I love to help her clean! I do dusting!Julia 6/16

Dad your toots are not lovely... Not cute
Julia 6/16

I learned it because someone didn't teach me... I learned it in my mind!Julia 6/16

Next time... I want to be on stage! But I won't be the bad guy...
Aidan 6/16 (after seeing beauty and the beast)

Daddy don't laugh during the movie... I don't want to be under arrest
Aidan 6/16

Daddy, your Nipples look like pepperoniJulia 7/16

Dad do you know what my best food is? French fries and ketchup. I love the way they taste together.
Julia 7/16

We are the champions! I'm Wonder Woman with no panties on!
Julia 7/16

When I grow up I'm gonna to have an Aiden. Aiden Powell Weinstein with an 'e'. I'm going to lay an egg... Did you crack me out of an egg?Aidan 7/16

It's a beautiful day.
Aidan 7/16

I picked a flower for you mommy! And if all the petals fall off, it's okay. I'll pick you another one!
Aidan 8/16

Daddy kiss me one more time. I just love your mustache when you kiss me.
Julia 8/16

Daddy I'm in love with your mustache!
Julia 8/16

I want to skip bedtime and just do another day!
Julia 8/16

Daddy can I borrow a bit of your ocean?
Julia 8/16

Oh no! I gotta poop! Like daddy! It's gonna take for a long time!
Julia 8/16

I love my school! At my school we do lunch in the afternoon!
Aidan 8/16

Did you push the rain button? I did accidentally. Because I love the rain!Aidan 8/16

Dad you know what? When you go to school you can bring me for show and tell!Julia 8/16

I wish I was a real kid... With no broken arm...Julia 8/16

Snakes don't have fangs... Only draculas.
Aidan 9/16

Mom...it's taking a long time to grow up!
Julia 9/16

Daddy. I see the world. That's an opinion. Aidan. 9/16

Don't worry dad... I'll still be your kid when I'm four. Julia 9/16

You know what? I'm going to be creative! I'm going to build a castle or a bomber...
Aidan 9/16

I'm so excited for show and tell! I've never done show and tell before! It's been a long time!
Julia 9/16

Daddy- nothing to worry about!
Aidan 9/16

I love these! I'm going to put them in my room so I remember! So I remember the fair! I'm going to tell miss Mary I went to the fair!
Aidan 9:16

I'm the queen of the rings!
Julia 9/16

This is my sister Julia; she's afraid of zombies.
Aidan 9/16

My momma is Holly Weinstein...and she hates grasshoppers
Aidan 9/16

My brother doesn't have tickets in his nose!
Julia 10/16 after daddy helped Aidan blow his nose and said 'that's the ticket!'

Aidan's not going to bed... He just reading a comic book!
Julia 10/16

Mimi's strawberries were covered in cotton balls!
Julia 10/16

Paper! Towels! Paper! Towels! Paper! Towels! Paper! Towels! Paper! Towels! Paper! Towels!
Julia and Aidan 10/16

A: why do you have your shirt off?
Me: because I'm going to get a hair cut
A: oh... Who's giving it to you?
Me: mommy!
A: oh... Are you going to bleed?
Me: ...no.
A: but you bled last time... Remember?
Aidan 10/16

I want to stay a kid forever!...I want to play in my room with my toys....
Julia 10/16

Does a man cut the moon in half?
Julia 11/16

Alright kids... One at a time!
Julia: but dad... You have two ears!
Julia 11/16

A: I like bugs. No. I like insects!
Sham: what about your 'ant' sham?
A: ...
...
...
 Who?
Aidan 11/16

A: where did we get this house?Daddy: mommy and I bought it!J: was it heavy?Julia and Aidan 11/16

J: daddy if you want to be Maui, you have to put stamps all over your body.
A: and no shirt!
Julia & Aidan 11/16

Do you know my favorite part of going to the library? Being quiet!
Julia 12/16

I'm a smistachio master. I'm a master at eating smistachios.
Julia 12/16

Wind... can you blow my hair cuz I'm a little sweaty?Julia 12/16

Dad, I just want to remind you this is a pool for kids only to practice swimming. No grown ups. Good thing you didn't bring your swim suit!
Julia 12/16

I don't want you to get old like Mimi and pops!
Aidan 12/16

Turn around Julia I can't see your beautiful face!
Aidan 12/16

Awww it's dead. Can we give it a card to make it feel better?
Julia 12/16