SING! Sing a song...

I have always admired the way a child can hear a song and almost immediately knows the words. Of course, my children are no exception. I am one of those "people" that always has music on of some sort, especially in the car; A Very Lady Gaga Thanksgiving Special is playing in the background as a type. We drive about a half hour each way to and from school daily and, thanks to Sirius radio, we are able to quench each of our musical appetites. I also have quite the diverse collection stored on the jukebox in my car. Green Day, Glee, Miley Cyrus, Ceelo Green, Bruno mars, The Killers, The Jonas Brothers, High School Musical soundtracks, Christmas music, Train, P!nk, and the list goes on an on.

Until recently, I never really listened to what my kids were singing-Aaron and I were driving to the mall and the Selena Gomez song "Love You Like a Love Song" came on the radio and he sings: "I-I Love You like a Zom-bie Bab-y!" at the top of his lungs. After I told him the the words he was singing were not right, he told me that because it was Halloween time, the words that he was singing were the right words. I have not heard the song in it's correct way since. Lucas is no exception: the song is "Replay" by Iyaz and the line is "It's like my Ipod stuck on replay" but, Lucas has his "eyeballs stuck on replay" although he made a pretty good argument as to why he was correct, he lost and now sings it correctly.

Random Funny Stuff

March 6, 2010

I was diagnosed with "Seasonal" flu yesterday and have spent all of my time in the living room watching T.V.. Lucas came into the room and changed the channel (not unusual for this house after all, my show was probably not that important anyway). He turned on Cartoon Network and the show "Chowder" was on. For those not familiar with this show, it is about a creepy little boy/monster thing that does nothing but eat (everything in sight). It is not my favorite show to say the least, but I humor Lucas and let him watch because I could use the company. He sits for about a minute, gets up to leave and says, "I will leave Chowder on for you because it made me feel better when I had the sickness last week". So sweet. And yes, I did turn the channel as soon as he was out of ear shot.

March 10, 2010

Today is Riley's Birthday and I took her and Janet to get their hair done. Lucas also came along. For the last few weeks, Lucas has been "milking" a loose tooth and today it is just hanging by a thread. One of the stylists noticed this and after some coercing was able to yank that baby right out--he was shocked to say the least. After the girls were all dolled up, we picked Aaron up from the babysitter and we met sister J and her husband R out for dinner. As we are sitting and looking over the menu, Aaron looks at Lucas, who is sitting across the table and says, "Oh no, Wucas, your mouf is broken!" I calmly told him that his mouth was not broken and that his tooth fell out and it would grow back. he responded by putting his head in his hand and said: "it's tragic". Tragic. Such a big word for a boy that refuses to be potty trained.

April 16, 2010

Janet reminded me recently of a funny story about her; when Janet was almost 3, we went to Hershey, PA to visit Steve's family and on the way back, we stopped in Clarion and went to an Eat N' Park for dinner. Because Janet was such a mature 3 year-old, she ordered her own food. It was always the same: Chicken tenders, fries and a side salad with blue cheese dressing. Yes. That's right, blue cheese dressing. After a few minutes, the waitress brings our salads, Janet puts the dressing on hers, looks at it, looks at it, smells it, scrunches up her nose and says: "Excuse me, Miss? This is RANCH dressing. I asked for BLUE CHEESE." The waitress looks at her and (bless her heart, she has NO idea who she is messing with) and says: "Honey, you must be confused, you wanted RANCH, little kids do not eat BLUE CHEESE." That was all Janet need to hear and she was out for blood, well blue cheese anyway she was only 3 after all.

After a few minutes of haggling between the two of them, I finally stepped in and explained to the waitress that, yes, my 3 year-old child does indeed eat blue cheese dressing on her salad and has since she was able to eat lettuce. That poor woman, she was put through the ringer by a toddler and then (rightly so) made aware by said toddler's mother that she should listen to kids when they order and question the choice at the time instead of taking it upon herself to change the order. Needless to say, we have never gone back to that Eat N' Park.

My Hero

At some point in every child's life, he or she has a "superhero" introduced into their life. For girls, it is usually a father figure (I learned that in my Psych class at Mercyhurst) and when asked who her hero is a girl will most likely reply, "my Daddy". For boys, superheros are usually the ones that they come across on T.V. or in comics (now a days, it's movies most likely); you know, Superman, Batman, Hulk, Ironman, the list goes on and on. I, myself had a superhero as well. The Incredible Hulk. I had a Hulk doll that I carried around with me,(it was larger than an action figure and made of soft rubber instead of hard plastic, hence it was a doll) the memory is vague at best, but I do have pictures of me with it.

These days you would be hard pressed not to find superheros everywhere you look, they seem more popular now than ever before. Christian Bale is Batman (Michael Keaton used to be,Val Kilmer & George Clooney were too and before him was Adam West on T.V.). Toby McGuire is Spiderman (before him was just animated Spidey). Robert Downey Jr is Ironman (AHHHHH). Superman most recently, in the movies, was an actor who's name escapes me (before him it was Christopher Reeves and George Reeves on T.V.) And lastly, The Incredible Hulk-my childhood favorite-is now played by Edward Norton (Some other actor played him in the first film, but was not very memorable and the T.V. Hulk himself was played by Lou Ferrigno-Bill Bixby played Dr. David Banner) Of course these Superheros are actually the altar-ego of an average everyday Joe and of course, they all have a sidekick to their hero and a damsel who swoons over them; this would be the same lady that they are secretly in love with and cannot have or the one they have but cannot tell their secret too. They must also posses the ability to be strikingly handsome, be it as the hero or the Joe. It must be so hard and confusing to be a Superhero. All superheros come equipped with super powers as well: web slinging, Batmobiles, turning big and green and scary, turning into a walking automobile, the list goes on and on.

My Superhero is no exception to this rule, he is handsome and strong with great hair and a beautiful smile. He has striking blue eyes and a laugh that is contagious. And his "Joe" name is, Lucas Vaughn Wychock. His superpower? Too many to list.

I did not notice at first that Lucas was an actual superhero. I mean, I knew he was special the moment I first laid eyes on him--but how special I would later come to find out. A few years ago, we had a porch put on our house that encompasses about 3/4 and it has a roof as well. Off of mine and Steve's bedroom we have a large deck that butts up against said roof. Every so often in the Summer, I will let the kids play out on the deck while I read in the sun or do work in the room--the deck has a railing all around it and the kids know not to climb or stand on the railing.
On a particularly warm Spring day about 2 years ago, I was cleaning the house and all of the kids were playing, but Lucas was nowhere to be found. I called for him in the house. No answer. I called for him outside. No answer. I asked the girls if they saw him, they said they had not. I searched all of the rooms and when I got to mine, I noticed that the door that leads to the deck was slightly ajar; WHEW, he's just playing on the deck. I peeked out the door, no Lucas. My heart begins to pound and I start to sweat, where could he be? He fell off of the deck! Panic has settled in me and I go outside and call his name:

Me: LUCAS! LUCAS! Where are you?
Luke: I'm right here Mom.
I look to the left and there he is, on the roof, walking toward me from the front of the house. Walking ON THE ROOF.
M: What are you doing? Didn't you hear me calling for you? How long have you been out here?
L: I heard you. I was sitting up here and I saw you in the yard. I waved at you, but you didn't wave back.
I am now begging him to come to me. You see, I am afraid of heights and was literally frozen in place standing on the railing, reaching for him. He walked to me as if he was walking down the stairs, hopped the railing and was in my arms.
M: What were you thinking? You could have fallen and broken something, your leg, arm, neck. (I just hugged him tighter) Please don't ever do this again. I was so scared that something happened to you.
L: It's okay Mom. I won't fall. I can't fall. If I would feel myself falling, I would just use my webs and pull myself back up. (Yes. He even poised his hands just like his Superhero Spiderman). And Mom, besides, if you would get scared out here, I would save you because I'm your Superhero.

And he is. So move over Hulk, there is a new Superhero in my life and he goes by the name, The Woog.

Potty Training 101, 102, 103 and 104

Oh yes, it has finally arrived...Aaron is ready to be potty trained; well maybe "ready" isn't exactly the right word. FORCED. Yes. Aaron is being FORCED into potty training. And so am I-Again.

101-Potty Training the First Child

Janet was born in November of 1998; a beautiful 7 lb, 15 oz blue-eyed girl. She was what one might refer to as an "easy" baby. She kept to her schedule, eating, sleeping; she did everything by the book: rolled over, sat up, walked, talked, you get the picture. So in the Summer of 2000, we found out that we were expecting an addition to our family in the Spring-PANIC-two kids in diapers? NO WAY! When my Sister-in-law, V suggested that we potty train our toddlers together, I jumped at the chance. Never mind that my nephew M is a good 3 months older than Janet and a boy, I wasn't even thinking that there would be a difference. I was going to have a potty trained child before she turned 2. Yeah, right. You see, what I did not realize at the time was that boys can go to the bathroom anywhere, ANYWHERE and they do. At a picnic? Find a tree. At the beach?Find a tree. In the living room? Find a tree. (He had a dog and would only pee outside with him--that is V's story so I won't steal it from her)

I asked Janet's doctor what he thought about this and he told me that Summertime is a much better time to potty train than the Winter; no more than that. Oh, and he does not believe in Pull-ups. Underwear from the start, diaper at bedtime, until the child wakes up dry for 1 month. Okay.I got this. I went to Toys-R-Us after leaving his office and bought a 30 pack of diapers, a potty chair and 2 books, "Elmo Goes Potty" and "I Can Go Potty All By Myself", for Janet not me. Although, I did enjoy the Elmo book more than the other.

Girls, they are different. There is no "drop and go" with them. Everything has to be planned out, to the minute. You have to stake out the restrooms at all of the stores and restaurants. You have to know where all of the rest stops are along the highway. Mapping trips into town based solely on where all of the convenience stores are, with "usable" restrooms. Vacations? Pack the potty chair-yep, potty in the back of the van. It took about 4 months, but by the end of the year, she was potty trained. It was actually uneventful, with the exception of a few minor "accidents" here and there and I learned one valuable lesson from this experience, they make Pull-ups for a reason.

102 - Easy Peesy I am a Pro - Potty Training the Second Child

In March of 2001, Riley was born; about 3 weeks early and full of spunk. She weighed an even 7 lbs and, like her sister, had big blue eyes. She also was by the book; 2 perfect children, who could ask for anything more? In December of 2002, we found out that we would be welcoming yet another member into our home in June of the following year. I had my work cut out for me. Riley would be turning 2 in March, the baby would be here in June, it takes about 6 months to potty train, I better start now. She was 21 months-old when Training Day arrived. I went out and bought the biggest pack of Pull-ups that Wal-mart sells, dusted off the old potty chair and was off!

I remember when my niece S was small, she went to a babysitter during the day and when she was 18 months-old actually asked to go potty and that was it. She went potty. She never looked back; she put on her big girl panties, got out her potty ring and well, you know the rest. I had visions of grandeur with Riley. She was the second born, I had experience, she wanted to do everything that her big sister did. Almost everything. You see, no one bothered to tell me that the second child is TOTALLY different from the first. I should have known when Riley, at 3 months, decided that she would not nap; Janet napped for 3 hours in the morning and afternoon and still went to bed at 7:00 and slept for 12 hours. Not my precious Riley, no more naps and she went to bed at 8:00 and slept until 6:00. She was different, in more ways than one...

First off, Riley refused, yes, refused to use the potty chair in the bathroom. I thought it was the potty chair, so I went out and got a potty ring (the ones that go on the toilet and are cushioned for little hineys). Nope. She refused the ring too. It was the bathroom. She hated the bathroom. So my brilliant husband saved the day and suggested that we put the potty chair in the living room. It worked. Riley is a very social girl, always has been and apparently in her little toddler mind she must have thought that by being in the bathroom she was missing something exciting in the other room. Perhaps those quick 3 minute parties that we are famous for?

This was good. Riley was progressing nicely for the first 3 days or so and then I noticed something, she had not pooped yet. Not in the potty. Not in the Pull-up. Nowhere, no how. No poop at all. Off to the doctor...the doctor informed me that she will go poop when she is ready and if nothing happens after 5 days, give her a little prune juice and that will get things going. NOPE. NOTHING. NOT A THING. Day 7 (2 days of prune juice) and finally she went, everywhere BUT the potty. I will not be defeated. I will not give up. Day 14, I went to Wal-mart and bought a pack of diapers. In March, she turned 2 and we decided to give it another try. Almost without incident, she jumped back on the proverbial horse and had the potty mastered in about 2 months (for the most part). She was a big girl now. And in June Lucas arrived. Uh-oh...

New baby. No more attention for Riley. I know, I will go potty everywhere except on the potty. Oh yes, on the floor, in her pants, on the bed, in the car, outside EV-ER-Y-WHERE, except the potty. She would not wear a Pull-up, or underwear only a diaper. Now I had 2 kids in diapers. One of my worst fears. By the end of the Summer, however, she had re-mastered going to the bathroom and has not looked back.

The one thing I learned from this experience? When they are ready, they will go...

103 - Finally. No More Diapers - Potty Training the Third Child (the one you thought was the last)

Lucas was born in June of 2003, 10 days early and weighing in at 8 lbs, 6 ozs also with big blue eyes. This was it, our last child. A boy. Almost immediately, I began fantasizing about my world without diapers...3 beautiful children, hand-in-hand skipping down the sun strewn beach...

Slap! That would be reality. And it hit me HARD 3 years later. Back to 103.

Jump ahead to the Summer of 2005, Lucas is now 2 and his cousin J is also 2. Again, I am in cahoots with sister-in-law V and we are potty training our 2 kids together. This time, they are both boys and I got this...they can go anywhere! Anytime! Yea me! Yea Lucas! SLAP! Damn reality. It was NOT easy. He had a "thing" for bathrooms. He was not afraid of them, he just needed to go into them. All of them. Every place that we went: "I have to go potty". Not really, he just had to go and check out the facilities, talk to the ladies, use all of the soap...needless to say, we did not dine out or shop often with Lucas during this time.

While I was in the midst of training Lucas, I caught a report on the Today Show where Ann Curry was interviewing this mom that began potty training her infant at the age of 6 months. "What the...6 MONTHS!" "That's preposterous!" Apparently, there is a whole cult of women out there that devote their lives to literally holding their infants over the toilet to make "tinkle" and "poo". Again, what the...? So, I watched and listened to this crazy explain in great detail the reasoning behind this concept...it saves on landfill space. What the...? So do using cloth diapers nimrod. But then again, who has time to wash all of those diapers when you are too busy holding your infant over the toilet every fifteen minutes; wait, you could wash those diapers if you weren't holding your infant over the toilet. It gets better. When Ann asked the tough question, "how do you know that the baby has to go to the bathroom?" The mother simply and quite frankly, replied, "you can read it on their face. They tell you by the look on their face." What look would that be? The one of shear terror as you are dangling them over the toilet? Whack-a-do!

Needless to say, it was too late for me to try this little "trick" ,Lucas was 2 and weighed almost 40 pounds. It was on to plan B. Except there was no plan B. Just wait it out. It took forever and yes, I asked the doctor about this. His reply this time? No child ever went to college wearing a diaper. So I paid my $15 copay and continued on my journey...a journey that spanned almost a year. Finally, in January of 2006 I had all 3 of my kids potty trained!

And in May, I discovered that I was pregnant yet again. No lesson this time, just tears.

104 - I Have Been Changing Freaking Diapers for 11 Years - Potty Training the Fourth Child

Aaron was born in December 2006 weighing 5 lbs, he was a month early. He was tiny and beautiful. He was also a mirror image of his big sister Janet--everything by the book. That is, until he began to walk and talk. We are just beginning potty training him. He is a tough one. Very head strong and opinionated. When his babysitter had a new addition to her family in 2009, Aaron lost his status as the cute baby and has done everything in his power to regain that status with her and with us. The journey has begun and is going okay so far...this is where I end the entry. I will post the final results when they come available. Oh yeah, he has not pooped for 3 days, I'm off to buy prune juice and diapers...

I Shop. Therefore, I have children.

Anyone who knows me, knows of me, has met me once or even heard my name, knows that I LOVE to shop. I will shop for anything. I have not met a store that I did not love, well except for Kaufman's (they did me wrong, REALLY WRONG and they have paid the ultimate price in the end--you are welcome Macy's). When I cross the threshold of any store, it is as if I am transformed into a shopping goddess: Leighann, Queen of the Mall! People know me in stores, they help me shop; when a store gets a new manager they always seem to know who I am. It's as if they have a picture of me in the stockroom (like schools have a picture of the current President of the USA displayed in the classroom; not that I am comparing myself to the President, but if the designer shoe fits...). For instance, this past May I was in Vegas with my friends, shopping at Cesar's Palace when we ventured into the Michael Koors store and when the salesman was ringing me up, he checked my ID and remembered me from 18 months prior when he sold me a pair of shoes at a different shop in the same mall. Even gay black men with fabulous taste in shoes and handbags know me.

And anyone who knows Steve, knows of him , or has heard of him, knows that he has quite the sense of humor. He jokes about everything and anything. He can make light of the darkest situation. Like when he was hit by a car 2 years ago, he made jokes when our friend found him by the side of the road, when the paramedics and the State Police arrived on the scene. He joked when his friend called to tell me what happened and even when he was being wheeled into surgery (I have the picture to prove it). He is a funny guy. Period. It was no surprise to family and friends that when Janet was born, Steve incorporated my love for shopping into how we would explain, in the future, to our children where babies come from. When Janet was born, he told people that we got her at K-Mart; Riley at Wal-Mart and when Lucas arrived, Target. (we are still not sure where Aaron came from, aside from being the result of one too many martinis)

When Lucas was born, Riley was a little over 2 years-old and not at all pleased with the latest addition to our family. She would not acknowledge him in any way, shape or form. In pictures of the three kids, she was always doing her best pose, cutest smile, but NEVER looking in the general direction of "that baby"; Janet, on the other hand, was the proud doting older sister, smiling, happily holding and kissing her baby brother (ah, the good old days!) We do not have a picture of Riley with Lucas until he was over 4 months old...that girl can hold a grudge! when strangers would ask her what she thought of her little brother, she would look at them and in all seriousness say, "I don't have a brother". Stubborn. Cute, but stubborn. Finally, she did come around and managed to put up with him (once she realized that we were not going to "take him back from where ever [we] got him from").

Jump ahead to a year later when Lucas was one: We were out one day (probably shopping), Steve, Janet, Riley, Lucas and I when an older couple approached us; "What a beautiful family." "You must be so happy. Two girls and a little boy. How perfect." (you know the drill) The wife looks at Riley and says, "You must be a good big sister. How do you like your little brother?" And precious little Riley looks right at the lady and says, "He's okay. Mommy and Daddy got him from Target." OH CRAP!!!!!!!!!!

If you could have seen the look on this woman's face! I swear she was reaching for her phone to call the FEDS; like Steve and I were involved in some underground black market baby selling ring out of the back of the Target store. I was speechless, but my quick witted husband swooped right in and saved the day; explaining the shopping euphemism and child bearing. To this day, I don't really know if she bought the story and every once in a while, I get nervous when someone tells me I have a beautiful family...we can laugh about it now.

Steak?

When I was 24 one of the most tragic events occurred in my life; I lost my best friend, my Mom. If any of you were ever fortunate enough to have met my Mother, you would agree that she was probably one of the most incredible women to have ever lived. She raised 6 kids (her own) and there was not a weekend that I can remember that there was not someone's child or children in our house. She was kind, caring, giving and would do anything to protect her family, especially her children and grandchildren. (Oh, who am I kidding? She did EVERYTHING for ANYBODY no matter who they were) She opened her heart and her home on many occasions to countless people over the years; she is truly my hero in life. I have tried my best to model myself after her; I do what I can. I have learned the art of being a Ring Leader from her, an art form I hope to one day master.

Seven years, three months and seven days after she died, I gave birth to my first child, Janet. She is named after my Mom. She looks like my Mom. Her eyes are a gray/blue color, just like my Mom. She acts like my Mom. She even has little mannerisms like my Mom. Sometimes she says things ("good gravy"), things I KNOW I have never said in her presence, just like my Mom. It's almost eerie at times. Anyway, I keep a picture of my Mom in the living room of our house and have always told the kids about her and what a wonderful person she was and how lucky my brothers, sisters and myself were for being blessed with her in our lives. It is just something I do; maybe it is so that I won't forget her. But whatever the reason, I enjoy the stories and the kids seem to as well.

When Janet was 5 she went to pre-school and had a little friend that she would invite over for play dates once-a-week. During one of these play dates the girls were in the living room, sitting on the floor and Janet was holding the picture of my Mom telling her friend some of the stories that I had related to her. It was precious! My heart was filled with so much love and joy at that moment; what I would have given for my Mom to be there! Then it happened...because at the Circus, we can never have a touching moment that is not followed by something that breaks the "mood". Janet, in all seriousness, looks at her friend and proclaims, "this is my Nana, I am named after her. She is my Name Steak. Like the kind you eat. My Mom really likes her Mom and steak."

I swear, I laughed so hard I really peed my pants! Not nearly, REALLY! Out of the mouths of babes!

Boobs, Gumballs and Levis

This is what I know about boys: they are messy, loud, mischievous, demanding, always touching themselves and, at times, completely obnoxious. I also have learned this about boys: they are sweet, kind-hearted, comical and, of course, messy.

When Steve and I found out that we were expecting our first boy, we were overjoyed; then reality set in with me and I began to realize that I did not know a whole lot about raising a boy-child. I knew a little. After all, I did have a hand in helping Sister E raise her two boys, TD and NM (you are welcome, by the way). How hard could this be? I will do what I did with my nephews: Take them shopping and buy them whatever they ask for...every little boy, no matter the age should have the top of the line sneakers, clothes, toys, etc. (I can do this!) I know what NOT to do as well, do not lay on the ground and "airplane" lift them above your head after they have eaten (check), do not let them eat a dozen doughnuts off of the floor, no matter how cute it is (check), do not take your eyes off of them while they are playing in a room that has open windows when you are in a house that is a two-story and made of bricks so that they can climb out of the windows and scale the house (check). I CAN DO THIS! After all, when I get tired of him, I can just give him back, right? WRONG! CRAP! I am totally SCREWED! But then we were blessed with Lucas and from the moment I laid my eyes on him, I knew...I was TOTALLY screwed! The following stories are short, that is why I have chosen to write them in the same entry.

*Important info to know: when Lucas was an infant (0-9 months) the girls and I often dressed him as a girl.

BOOBS

When Lucas was about 3, he was taking a bath (don't worry, not all of my stories involve bath time, I'm not some kind of germaphobe, OCD neat-freak that scrubs my kids everyday, I have been known to go days without bathing my kids), all of a sudden he started sobbing. Uncontrollably sobbing. I asked him what was wrong and he looked at me, with his big beautiful blue eyes and with the most serious voice he said to me: "I have small boobths." It was all I could do not to laugh, I mean here he is, in the tub, hands over his "boobs", crying. I decide to try and figure out why it is that he was so upset about his lack of boobs. Thinking to myself, did I nurse him too long? Not long enough? My poor baby, he was inconsolable. Here is the little conversation that ensued:

Me: "Honey, it's okay. Boys aren't supposed to have boobs."
Luke: " I want boobths. I have little boobths. Mama has boobths." (notice he did not say that Mama has BIG boobs)
"Honey, not everyone has boobs. Boys just don't have them."
"Why can't I have boobths?"
"Because boys don't have them. That's why."
"Why?"

Crap. Eventually, I got him calmed down and out of the tub. To this day, I am stumped over this one. I am just chalking it up to the fact that until he was about 4, he would try and look down any woman's shirt, lift up any woman's shirt, grab at women's "shirts" that he was just a "boob" man.

After about a month or so of his self-boob obsession, he never spoke of it again; he was on to bigger and better things...

GUMBALLS

Around the time the boob obsession died down a new obsession took its place. This new obsession would be: The self-exploration of Luke. (This is my favorite occurrence of this phase in his life)

Lucas was in the tub (Oh come on! Quit judging me!) and I noticed he was being VERY quiet so I peeked behind the shower curtain to see what he was up to: he was just playing. He had his head down and was playing. With something, but what?

"Hey dude, whatcha doing?"
"Nuffing"
It's something.
"Really. What are you doing?"
"Look Mom. I have gumballs and I can make them go away."

Crap. I am TOTALLY screwed.

Yes. That's right, he discovered that he can squeeze his "gumballs" and make them disappear. We still laugh about that one. Poor kid. Now it's in writing...

This final story is cute...that's all it's just cute.

LEVI'S

When Steve decided to have a roof built on the wrap-around porch that we have on the house, he hired an Amish man to do the work. This man had done work for us before, great work, so it was a no brainer to ask him to build the roof for us (he built the porch). The kids were all familiar with him and knew his name and would say "hi" to him every time they saw him. His name was Levi. The summer that Luke turned two was when the roof was being built and Levi was there everyday working. One day, after I picked the kids up from the babysitters, we arrived home to find Levi taking a break on the porch; he was not alone and Lucas noticed this.

"Wook Mama! Der are two moe Webis!" (2 more Levis)

Levi had his 2 brothers helping him on this particular day. And because Amish men all dress in black pants and either, green or blue shirts, straw hats and have a beard (when they are married) this can be the only explanation as to why Lucas thought that because Levi was "Levi" that they other men that were dressed exactly the same, must be "Levi" too. Levi and his brothers all thought this was very funny. Even after Levi's brothers told the kids their names, they continued to refer to them as the "2 Levis".

These are my stories and I am sticking to them!