A Leary Outlook

All In How You Look At It

2012-01-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

Aiden (9.5): Are you stealing my ranch?
Chloë (4): No, I'm just dipping your ranch.

Willie Nelson

2012-01-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

Robert: Look how old he's getting.
Aiden (9.5): Yeah, he looks like Sasquatch.

Not Supposed To Like It

2012-01-12T20:54:00.000-08:00

While eating her Subway sandwich she noticed an onion:

Chloë (4): Here mom, you eat this onion. I'm still just a little kid. I'm not suppose to like onions yet

The Truth About Mario

2011-12-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

Chloë (4): What are you playing?
Aiden (9.5): Super Mario Brothers
Chloë: I think Mario really likes money.

To Tell A Lie

2011-12-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

Sarah: Chloë, why did you do just do that?
Chloë (4): ...
Sarah: Are you trying to think of a lie?
Chloë: Can I do that?

Faith Like A Child...With Candy

2011-11-28T18:45:00.000-08:00

Sarah: Where'd you get that candy?
Chloë (4): God.
Sarah: God gave you that candy?
Chloë: He let me have candy. He's my perfect God.

Hic - cups

2011-11-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

Chloë (4): Do you have hyphens?
Sarah: Yes, I have hiccups.

Dog Buffet Or Kitchen?

2011-10-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

Aiden (9): When Chloë eats in here its like a dog buffet floor for Archie.

Paternal Semantics

2011-10-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

Chloë (4): Who's my father?
Sarah: *pointing Robert's direction* He's right there, silly!
Chloë: He's not my father, he's my Daddy.

Becoming A Big Girl

2011-10-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

Robert: When did you get to be such a big girl?
Chloë (4): If I was 14 I would be.

Getting Married, Part 2

2011-09-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

Chloë (4): Well then, I'll marry Daddy.

See: Getting Married, Part 1

Getting Married

2011-09-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

Chloë (4): I'm gonna marry Aiden when I grow up.
Sarah: You can't marry your brother. You'll have to pick another man.
Chloë: But I love him!
Aiden: Chloë, that's just wrong.

Age Appropriate

2011-08-24T15:31:00.001-07:00

Chloë wanted to play beach ball with some kids at Klineline Park so she went right up to the dad:

Chloë (3.75): Can I play with your kids?
The Dad: Of course you can.
*He told his daughter to kick the ball to the "little girl"
*Chloë interrupted him:
Chloë: *Excuse me, I am turning 4 soon, so I would prefer you call me a "big girl!"

Castle Protocol

2011-08-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3.75): Do you dance in that castle, or just walk in there?

It's How You Say It

2011-08-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Aiden (9): I'm not buying that for you.
Chloë (3.75): No, you're buying that with me.

Truth Be Toe'd

2011-08-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

Sarah: Chloë, how did your toes get blue and pink?
Chloë (3.5): Um...Um...Um...I don't remember the truth!

Situational Awareness

2011-08-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

Aiden (9): That girl was eyeballing my ice cream.

Good Advice

2011-07-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

Aiden (9): Don't wear underwear with decorations on them because you might get embarrassed.

How To Put Your Child In A Car

2011-07-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

Rule #1:

Chloë (3.5): Don't bonk me!

2D Tune

2011-07-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Robert: That singer sounds flat.
Aiden (9): Yeah, she only sings in 2D.

Trade For Water

2011-07-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

Sarah got RC Cola. Chloë opted for water. Then it came to the table:

Chloë (3.5): Mommy, let's switch!

Spontaneity

2011-07-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3.5): I want you to take me to a dance party.

I Want To Ride The...

2011-07-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

"...Roaster Coaster." - Chloë (3.5)

Boundaries

2011-06-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3.5): Daddy, don't squish me.
Robert: I won't.
Chloë: Well, you can squish me a little bit.

Goodnight Names

2011-06-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Robert: Goodnight little girl.
Chloë (3.5): Goodnight big daddy.

Lookers

2011-06-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Regarding the two paintings of birds in our house:

Chloë (3.5): They don't sing. They don't fly. They're just lookers.

Opening A Puzzle Box

2011-06-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3.5): Daddy, you have GOT to check this out.

Spicy Food

2011-06-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Robert: Here's some sauce for dipping.
Chloë (3.5): Is it the hurting one?
Robert: No. It doesn't hurt.

It "Bacons" The Question

2011-06-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8.75): Who doesn't like Bacon?
Robert: ...
Aiden: Probably not vegetarians.

Grill Master

2011-06-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sarah, starting up the grill for some outdoor cooking:

Chloë (3.5): Umm...maybe you should let Daddy do that.

From Aiden, On Mother's Day

2011-06-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Probably should have posted this a little closer to Mother's Day...

But Really, Pug + Cavalier = Archie

2011-05-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

Again, artwork courtesy of another 5 good minutes from Spaceman Design.

See previous post for more context.

Falcor + Toothless = Archie

2011-05-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

Artwork courtesy of 5 good minutes from Spaceman Design.

Who Ya Like

2011-05-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

After she waved goodbye to Sarah:

Chloë (3.5): I like her.

Drama Queen

2011-05-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Robert: You're a drama queen.
Chloë (3.5): Then you're the drama queen daddy.

Aiden Saves

2011-05-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

Just another important contribution to another WS Cheetahs victory.

Dog Park

2011-05-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3.5): Where are all the slides and swings?
Sarah: They don't have those things at dog parks.
Chloë: I don't like this dog park.

Table Talk

2011-05-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3.5): Poop is disgusting!
Sarah: Ummm, Chloë, we don't talk like that at the table.

Face It

2011-04-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

A girl from down the street, upon meeting Aiden and his dad together:

Girl: You two have the same face.
Aiden: ...
Robert: That's because I'm him from the future.

Changing Clothes

2011-04-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3): I'm a changed woman. Don't worry, Daddy.

Princess-Speak

2011-03-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3.5): *Putting her forehead on mine* "Oh Daddy, you're so lovely."

Backwater

2011-03-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8.5): What's in your drink?
Robert: Lemon.
Aiden: Oh good. It's not backwash.

Imminent Concern

2011-03-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Robert: Archie's just dying for someone to sit with him.
Chloë (3): Oh no! Is Archie dying?
Robert: No, he's not dying. That was just a figure of speech.
Chloë: ...*still concerned*
Robert: It's just a joke - no, it's a saying - no, Daddy was just pretending.
Chloë: ...
Robert: Don't worry, Archie fine. I shouldn't have said that.

Myth

2011-03-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8): I'm pretty sure that Chupacabra is not real.

On Spilling

2011-03-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3): *Spills her drink on her shirt* "Ah, sick!"

Spray the Ice Cream

2011-03-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

After putting flavor sauce on her ice cream:

Chloë (3): Daddy, did you spray my ice cream?

Normal Food

2011-03-08T10:58:00.001-08:00

Robert: Here, I made this special oatmeal with goodies in it for you.
Chloë (3): *tastes a bite* Can I have some normal food?

On Giving Gifts Early

2011-03-06T15:19:00.000-08:00

Robert: Let's give mom her birthday gift now.
Aiden (8.5): A gift and no party? That would be cheap.

Jewelry

2011-03-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

Chloë (3): Jorelly

Damnage

2011-03-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

Robert: Be careful with that package, you don't want to damage it.
Chloë (3): Don't worry, I won't damn it.

Toilet Talk

2011-02-16T09:08:00.000-08:00

Chloë (3): Alright toilet paper, get ready, your not gonna like this.

Textulator

2011-02-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

Chloë (3): *punching keys on a calculator*
Robert: What are you doing?
Chloë: I'm texting.

Probably

2011-02-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

Robert, procurring a cart to go into the store with...

Chloë (3): We don't need a cart. I probably won't run away.

Warm Sun, Bright Sun

2011-02-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

Sarah: Thank you for all of this warm sun, God!
Chloë (3): Dear God, please make the sun go away. It's hurting my eyes.

More Than A Friend

2011-01-23T19:26:00.000-08:00

Man At Church (MAC): *To Aiden and Chloë* Are you two actually friends?
Aiden (8): ...
MAC: Are you brother and sister?
Aiden: Yes.
MAC: And you actually like each other?
Aiden: Yeah.
MAC: That's great!

Aiden: *To Dad* What?
Robert: He's impressed that you and Chloë are friends with each other.
Aiden: Ok?
Robert: You know...that you two actually like each other.
Aiden: But it's much more than friends...
Robert: Really?
Aiden: And MUCH more than like...

(Oh man, best thing I've heard in a long, long time.)

Accurate Logic

2011-01-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

Robert: Chloë, are you sorry now?
Chloë (3): Yes.
Robert: What are you sorry for?
Chloë: Because I was in time out.
Robert: Why were you in time out?
Chloë: Because you told me to.
Robert: Why did I tell you to?
Chloë: Because you were mad at me.
Robert: Why was I mad at you?
Chloë: Because your feelings were hurt.
Robert: Why were my feelings hurt?
Chloë: Because you had me in time out.

I have been bested by a child...

Just A Girl

2011-01-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

Sarah: Are you going to be tough like a big kid?
Chloë (3): But I'm not a big kid. I'm a girl.

Then she went on to clarify:

Chloë: Aiden's the big kid and Daddy's the tough guy.

Sweat Sample

2010-12-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

Fred Meyer had some French soft cheese on a cracker to sample:

Chloë (3): I don't like this cheese. It stings my throat.
Aiden (8): I don't like it because it tastes like sweat.

Naughty Girl, No Santa

2010-12-24T10:42:00.000-08:00

Chloë (3): I don't think I like Santa anymore.
Sarah: Why is that?
Chloë: Because I've been naughty and I don't think he's gonna stop by this year.

Appreciation And A Christmas Party

2010-12-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

Sarah went to Aiden's school Christmas (ahem, "holiday") party:

Aiden (8): *Runs up and hugs her* I'm so glad you came! I'll never forget this!

Swiping Witch

2010-12-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

While watching the Wizard of Oz:

Chloë (3): I don't like this movie - it has scary's.
Sarah: Scary's?
Robert: Do you mean the green witch?
Chloë: Yes. She's trying to swipe the dog!

Archie Turns 1

2010-12-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

Today is Archibald's first birthday. He's still a rambunctious little pup, but he's learned the rules of the house and is getting better all the time.

Past Archie Posts here

Some things Archie is good at

Ringing his bell to go to the bathroom outside
Sniffing around for a looooong time before doing his business
Stealing dental floss out of the trash can
Getting stolen toilet paper stuck in his jowls
Playing with toys that aren't his
Having lots of energy
Obeying pack-leader Robert
Mostly obeying Sarah and the kids
Doing tricks for treats
Going to his kennel for bedtime
Watching TV
Growling at birds on the back porch
Curling up next to people on the couch
Licking feet
Plays with mouth, but never bites
Wrestles with kids
Fetching tennis balls
Playing with Sarah's shoes
Not stealing food that's not his

Slide Show
Newly updated, mostly in chronological order - the best ones are at the end.

Dental Destruction

2010-12-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Sarah and Chloë (3) went to the dentist. Chloë got to help the hygenist by putting the suction tube in mommy's mouth...

Sarah: Tell Daddy about helping with the suction in Mommy's mouth.
Chloë: I got to help with the destruction in Mommy's mouth!

Swimming Lessons

2010-11-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Chloë (3): I already know how to swim, Daddy.
Robert: Really?
Chloë: Yeah from when I used to swim around in Mommy's tummy.

Missing Medicine

2010-11-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

Robert: *hugs Aiden* I'm glad you're home.
Aiden (8): I'm your medicine for when you miss me.

The Couch

2010-11-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Robert: Chloë, you took my spot.
Chloë (3): ...
Robert: I guess I can sit over here.
Chloë: Yes you can.

The Beast

2010-10-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

While watching Disney's Beauty and the Beast:

Aiden (8): Is the Beast halfway between a mountain goat and bear or what?

Walk Like A Girl

2010-10-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

Robert: C'mon, Chloë. You're a slow poke.
Chloë (3): I'm not a slow poke!
Robert: Well, you're walking like a slow poke.
Chloë: Daddy, I'm not walking like a slow poke. I'm walking like a girl!

Bluetooth

2010-10-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Robert: Whoa, who's that guy talking to? There's no one there!
Aiden (8): It's probably one of those earplugs that you can hear out of.

Banana Bread

2010-10-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Sarah: I love baking.
Aiden (8): I love to eat your baking.

LAnguage

2010-10-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8): Do people speak a different language in Los Angeles?
Robert: Uh, not really.
Aiden: So they speak like us?
Robert: Uh, not really.

Bringin' The Pain

2010-09-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3): What did you bring home?
Robert: A new propane tank.
Chloë: You brought home the pain?

School Policy

2010-09-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

After 2 weeks of second grade:

Robert: Aiden, why don't you have any homework yet?
Aiden (8): I don't know. They just changed their policy or something.

Lego Castles And Serfs

2010-09-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8): Dad, did you see my lego castle that I built that can control people?

Just Gotta Dance

2010-09-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Chloë (3): Mommy, I need my music so I can dance!

Lava Face

2010-09-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Small child screaming loudly in store:

Robert: Man, that kid was mad!
Aiden (8): Yeah, his face was hot-lava red.

Can't A Girl Get A Break?

2010-09-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

After a slightly perturbed exchange about some inane detail in daily routine between her parents:

Chloë (3): Ugh. I need a break.

Things My Girls Say

2010-09-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

What a husband wants to hear from his wife:

Sarah: You look hot in those jeans. Have you lost weight?

What a dad does not want to hear from his daughter:

Chloë (3): Daddy, I want more stuff.

A Hostel Crisis

2010-09-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Sarah: Did you have fun on your trip with your grandma?
Aiden (8): Yeah.
Sarah: Did you get to stay in a hotel?
Aiden: We stayed in a hostage place.
Robert: Do you mean a hostel?

Magical Land

2010-09-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

While in the store, Chloë can be quite conversational with others:

Hi there! What's your name? I'm Chloë. Do you live in a magical land? Are you a princess? I am. Do you have a husband? Where is he? My mommy has a husband - he's my daddy. Do you have kids? Are they here? My mommy has kids and one's my brother. Are you a grandma too? I'm not a grandma, I'm a sister. I live in a magical land and I like to sing and dance and jump...do you want to come to my Birthday? It's on September 6th and I'll be 3 years-old...

Chloë Turns 3

2010-09-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

September 6th, 2010 - Chloë's 3rd Birthday party was an affair of tea and cake fit for a princess (or a whole lot of little princesses for that matter). Once again, Sarah was in form with another smashing cake (or a whole lot of little cakes for that matter).

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

More pictures coming as soon as we track them down!

Birthday Cake Planning

2010-09-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

Sarah: What kind of cake do you want for your birthday?
Chloë (2.75): I want flavor.
Sarah: I know, but what flavor?
Chloë: A good flavor.

Archie At His Best

2010-08-25T22:18:00.001-07:00

Runaway Bride

2010-08-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

When the bride and groom at a wedding we were at were pronounced and they left down the aisle, there was concern to be heard:

Chloë (2.75): Oh no! She's getting away!

nk = ng

2010-08-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Chloë (2.75) has taken to a certain pronunciation quirk that's as cute as it is weird:

Monkey = Mongy
Winking = Winging
Tinkerbell = Tingerbell

All Day Potty

2010-08-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

Robert: Chloë, did you go potty yet?
Chloë (2.75): Yes, I already went.
Robert: When? I don't think you did.
Chloë: I pottied all day long!

Payment

2010-08-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Robert: Aiden, please finish up that job I gave you.
Aiden (8): Are you gonna pay me for this?
Robert: Are you gonna stop eating all of our food?

Helping Athleticism

2010-08-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8): What are those things over there?
Sarah: They're blocking sleds - the football players hit them when they're practicing.
Aiden: Yeah, so it can help with their athleticism.

Turdy-what?

2010-08-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8): Chloë, can you say teriyaki?
Chloë (2.75): Turdy Wocky

Oral Exam

2010-08-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

Chloë (2.75): Daddy, let me see in your mouth.
Robert: *opens mouth wide*
Chloë: *peering in at point-blank range* Oh! You have a tongue in there!

When You Get Neutered...

2010-07-25T17:42:00.001-07:00

...this is the face you'd probably make when you got picked back up again from the vet:

Technology

2010-07-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Archie barking at a dog on TV:

Robert: Archie, knock it off - it's not real, it's just TV!
Aiden (8): Yeah, and it's probably just green screen anyway.

Lady Friend

2010-07-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Chloë (2.5) was having a conversation with another little girl at the store when Sarah attempted to call her over to leave:

"Not now, Mommy. I'm trying to talk to my lady friend."

Too Busy Too

2010-07-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

Chloë (2.5): Where's Aiden?
Robert: He's busy with something.
Chloë: Yeah, well I'm busy too. Very, very busy.

Slug Bug

2010-07-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Aiden (8): Slug Bug!
Sarah: Where?
Aiden: Over there, the Dune Buggy - it's a classic.

Encouragement

2010-07-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Chloë (2.5): Daddy, I want my drink.
Robert: *hands it to her* Here you go.
Chloë: Yeah for Daddy, you did it!

Morning After

2010-07-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

The morning after Chloë's (2.5) first camping trip in a tent, the very first thing she said right before this picture was snapped:

"Mommy, I did it!"

Birthday Shark

2010-07-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

From Aiden's 8th Birthday trip to the Aquarium, via Sarah's phone:

Happy 8th, Aiden!

2010-06-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

The Weekend of Birthday

On June 22nd, Aiden turned 8 years-old. The following weekend we had big plans for some partying:

Saturday = friends to eat icecream Clown Cones and open gifts with.
Sunday= drive to the Oregon Coast for camping by the beach (complete with tents and fire and s'mores).
Monday = explore tidepools, search out sea lions, get clam-digging and crabbing lessons from a Park Ranger (complete with "Junior Ranger" badges visible in the last photo below), culminating in a trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Before we left we told him our plans:

Aiden (8): It's like a weekend of birthday!

Happy Birthday, son. It was one of the most fun weekends we've ever had. You're a good boy and we love you so much. Let's do it again next year!

Archie @ 6 Months

2010-06-26T10:24:00.000-07:00