a BIG kid

Have you noticed what has happened? Gage is not little anymore. He's a big boy and he'll tell you so.

He sleeps in a big bed. No stroller please and he's been wearing big boy underwear for over a month now.

A mama couldn't be more proud.

City kids

Noah wears his bus pass around his neck. Gage carries mine for me. They both wait for the doors to open, step up, scan the pass, and find a seat. They are professionals. Its the same on the MRT (subway). Noah reads the map and counts how many stops until ours. Gage is usually busy charming his neighbor. And to catch a taxi? They both know to stand on the curb, look for one with a green light and then stick your arm out. They're also really good at elevators. I have the feeling they could do all this without me.

On this day we were taking the bus home from church. The route drives past Little India so the bus always smells faintly of samosas and lightly jingles with jewelry.

We're heading to the U.S. next week. I'm excited to let these city kids play in the dirt and romp in the mountains. Catch a cousin and sit on Grandma's lap.

We'll see what they think about car seats.

Lost in translation

My kids love this game right outside the post office. Especially Gage. He giggles and giggles every time Minnie mouse jumps up out of the holes. And who doesn't love to hit stuff with a big rubber mallet? We never even put coins in it and the boys could be there all afternoon.

And I get a kick out of the fine Engrish. The instructions say:

Game is explained: Throw into once basic game beginning, small looable eight mice in reasonis in snccession slow hide in naughty pinck compliging with out in the hole. game person is prompt to hit the reaction abilitg ciming to jndge you rates a bit since the general mouse returning to a hde.

All misspellings are real. We see this a lot on tshirts, greeting cards, menus, signs, etc. Maybe I could make some money proofreading...