Samuel-isms

People don't actually know how well our 3 year old talks.  In fact, they believe he doesn't talk at all.  He's quite shy and quiet in crowds and classrooms, but get him alone and he'll amaze you with his words.

After getting off the phone with his Mimi, Samuel turns around and tells Daniel,
"Mimi's busy right now.  We can't go there.  She's going to the firecracker.  Okay, Daniel?!"
Firecracker = Chiropractor

Speaking with his Daddy on the phone,
"Daddy, is Mema gone to Heaven yet?"
Daddy is staying in West TN with Mema until she passes.  Prayers appreciated.

Explaining what he'd like to do,
"Can I color?  I mean, with a marker.  That would be good."

Telling Daddy about his day,
"Daddy, Mills and Rowdy and Henry came to play, and I shared."

After tracing his letter Ff's, he decided to draw on the back of the sheet (with a marker), and this is what he said,
"Hmmm, what did I forget?  Oh, I see.  Ears.  (draws them)
Earrings too.  (draws them)  Hmmm, what else did I forget?  The sun.  I'll give the sun eyes and a mouth, and now, it can talk."

Samuel Says...

Samuel will be turning three next week.  No way.  

I asked him a few questions to remember him like he is right now!

Photo Credit:

Kimberly Maness 

of Picture Perfect Photography

What's your name?

Curly S.  Samuel Lebi Johnson.

When's your birthday?

In May twenty-fird.

How old will you be on your birthday?

This many (showing me his fingers).

How many is that?

(counting) one, two, THREE.

What's your favorite color?

Green.

Who is your favorite person?

Grandpa.

What do you like about him?

His truck.

What's your favorite thing to do?

Paint.

Why do you like to paint?

Because I want to.

Who's your teacher?

Mrs. Rochelle.

Who's your best friend?

Mimi.

Where do we go on Sundays?

To church and to see Mimi.

Why do go to church on Sundays?

To sing and because we love God.

What's your favorite food to eat?

Macaroni and spaghetti.  Chicken nuggets and dips.

What's your favorite snack?

Green beans.  

What's your favorite thing to do outside?

Ride in my red car.  

What else do you like to do outside?

Drive on the tricycle.

What about your jumper/trampoline?

Yes.  Can I go outside?

What's your favorite movie?

Elmo singing.

What's your favorite song?

O My Soul (which is 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman).

Where's your favorite place to eat?

At McDonald's.  

I thought you liked Mexican?!

Oh, yeah, I like Mexican.

What's your favorite thing to drink?

Um, chocolate.

What's your favorite show to watch on t.v.?

Elmo with Ernie and Bert.  Oh, and Hey Jessie.  It feels like a party everyday (that's actually the theme song - lol).

What do you like to play with?

Ambulance and fire trucks and cars and trucks.

Do you like to pretend?

Monsters.  And I like to roar.  And be spooky in the dark.

I thought you were scared of the dark.  Do you like the dark?

No.

What do you like to wear?

Umbrella.

WHAT?!  What clothes do you have that are your favorite?

Pajamas.

Who gives you the best hugs?

Mimi. 

Who loves you the most?

Mimi.

An Interview with Our ALMOST 4-Year-Old

Last Saturday, Daniel and I were the only ones awake during our ride home. Samuel and Elias were snoozing, and I looked in my rear view mirror to see him singing the words of a Christian song on the radio.  My heart filled with such joy as I realized how quickly he was growing up.  In a week, he'll be four, I thought to myself, and with that, I started asking and listening very closely as my sweet, almost 4-year-old answered my questions.

What's your favorite color?  Blue...  and green.  Well, all the colors.  I like when they're rainbow.

Favorite food?  Hmmm, all the food.  But I like Lunchables.  I like gummies the best.

What's your favorite song?  "Carry Me Now" (as he breaks out in song) by Josh Wilson

Favorite sport?  Oh, all the sports.  I like soccer the best though.

Favorite movie?  Day of the Diesels.

Favorite toy?  All of my tracks.  The ones for my trains, and for my cars, and the ones at Mimi's house.  I really like tracks.

Who's your favorite person?  Daddy.  Mimi.  You.  Grandpa.

What's your favorite Bible story?  Um, I like them all.  I like David and Golias (GoliaTH).  I like Daniel too with all those lions.

What's your favorite snack?  Ha, Ice cream and gummies.

Do you have a favorite brother?  Sometimes.
Well, don't you love them the same?  Sometimes.  I like Elias the most because he's little and leaves me alone.  Samuel likes to play with all of my junk, and it's mine.
You know, they'll both be your friend forever, don't you?!  Two friends?  That's great!

How old will you be on your next birthday?  On my last birthday, I'll be this many.
How many is that?  Four.

What do you want for your birthday?  Ummm, some tracks.  A jumper for my backyard.  Sports stuff.  A big boy bed.

Who do you love?  You.  and Daddy.  and everybody I know.

Manners, or the Lack Thereof

After asking to be excused from the table, Samuel leaves the kitchen, returns, and boldly proclaims, "I don't wanna be excused. I just wanna sit here. I want to eat... and no laughing!"

Meanwhile, from the living room, we overhear Daniel, exclaiming, "Peanut mustache!"...  for no good reason at all.

(Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Mimi's house)

From the Mouths of Babes

I was wondering about a snack.  - Daniel, after coming in from playing outside.  3/21/13

For your birthday, I'm gonna get you an Ipad.  - Daniel, telling Samuel his plans for birthday gifts.  3/11/13

HEY Daddy!  - Samuel, when Brian stepped behind the pulpit during church.  3/17/13

You shouldn't do that.  You 'bout busted my face.  - Daniel, when I got him off the top of the couch, you know when he could have fallen off and busted his own face.  3/22/13

Mom, I can't handle this.  - Daniel, when he's in a hurry to get to the bathroom.

I need sweet tea.  - Samuel, when it comes to choosing what he wants to go with lunch.

Sweetest Words... Ever.

I'll be honest...  Daniel is definitely the most strong-willed, hard-headed, and determined child I know.  He's pretty difficult to handle at times because he is incredibly energetic and rambunctious.  He doesn't listen when things aren't his ideas, and he is set on doing the opposite of what I tell him.  He disobeys often, but when he is disciplined for doing so, he usually breaks and realizes his wrong.  I love how God made him.  His personality has taught me patience and love.  It's also reiterated the importance of direction and reinforcement.  

However, my favorite thing about Daniel is his sweet heart.  He says the most caring things, and often, it is through his words that he shows how he really feels about a person or situation.  There are days when he doesn't listen to a word I say, but there are times when I'm certain that he loves me.  Today was one of those days.

Sitting in the floor this morning with all three of the boys, Daniel looks up to me and says, "Mommy, when I get big, will you be married with me?"

It's easy to say that I am one very happy mom today.  I know I am loved.  It doesn't always feel that way, but God spoke directly to my heart through this sometimes challenging, always precious little boy.

Grinning while playing 

with his favorite Christmas gift

Thankful for his "merry-go-round" toy

Worn out after a long day

Oh, The Things Daniel Says!

While opening his Thomas Mega Bloks' set, he tells cousin Zach:
You need the constructions.
(which of course means instructions)

Early one morning, as I sat in the floor with the boys, changing diapers:
Mom, are you wearing a bra?
Um, no, Daniel, I just woke up.
You need to hurry up and get one on or your milk is gonna be spilling.

On our way to Mimi's, we realize that Daniel knows directions:
You need to turn left here.
Where?
At the red light, then you need to go right by Cracker Barrel.

Mom, may I have a cookie?
Maybe in a little while.

She said I CAN!  Right now!  My mommy said that.

Laying in bed one night, about to fall asleep:
You know, Mom, it sure is freezing.

Upon seeing his gifts:
Oh. my. goodness.

Seeing a strange commercial:
What in the world?!

When he found Elias chewing on paper:
Are you kidding me?!

On Christmas morning:
Look at my decorations!  They are yewtiful!
(decorations means gifts - yewtiful means beautiful)

Oh. My. Words.

Words.  Daniel at 3 years and 4 months old has quite the vocabulary.  However, I've noticed lately that there are a few phrases and words that he just cannot figure out.  He cracks me up with how serious he takes it if we try to correct him.  Instead, he continues to pronounce these wrong, and I cannot help but laugh out loud!

• Lappy Tappy (one of Daniel's favorite candies)
• Lemolaid (pronounced lim-O-laid; one of Daniel's favorite drinks)
• Chicken Lay (Daniel's favorite place to eat)
• Magetnets (pronounced mag-get-nets; things Daniel uses to hang his artwork on the fridge)
• Samulich (promounced sam-uh-litch; one of Daniel's favorite meals)

Daniel also has become an imitator.  He says things he's heard others say, and he now repeats them CONSTANTLY.  It is hilarious (and scary) when he talks because we have NO idea what he's going to come up with.  Here are a few things he's saying lately and where he's heard them:

• Hun (Daniel hears this from me all the time, and now, he completes most of his sentences with it.)
• Son (I say this to him when I am trying to get his attention, and he now calls everyone he knows, "Son.")
• Honey (He'll say this when he REALLY wants something.)

This happened one night before bed when Daniel wasn't wanting to go to sleep:

• Me:  I love you, Daniel. 
• Daniel (to Daddy):  No, she does NOT.

Daniel gave his thoughts on my Barbeque Cups one night:

• Me:  Did you eat supper with Daddy?
• Daniel:  No, you made them too hot.  I don't love spicy.

What Daniel says about school:

• "We didn't go to chapel.  Not today.  Ugh."
• "Isabel hit me in the booty.  I don't like that."
• "I ate my lunchable all gone.  See, Mom?"
• Me:  Daniel, what does bear start with?  "D."  Me:  No, it doesn't.  Try again.  What does ball start with?  "D."  Me:  Do you mean B?  "Yeah, Mom.  That's what I was trying to tell you.  Listen."

The Things Kids Say...

Lately, Daniel at three years old has become quite chatty and outspoken.  He seriously says things that people are thinking but would never say aloud.  I love his honesty, and his humor astounds me.  In the last week, Brian and I have found ourselves literally laughing out loud over things Daniel has to say...

• Mom, it's an ant!  RIGHT THERE!  Kill it fast with your shoe. - upon discovering some unwanted intruders in the house
• screaming at the top of his lungs - I'm a quiet mouse!
• while on a walk in the neighborhood - Ugh, gross.  Who did that right there?  Why'd they do that poop on the grass?  That's not good.  That is gross.  Why'd someone do that?  I explain that a dog must have done it.  He needs to go to the potty. 
• I don't like your booty at all.  Put some pants on! - details are not needed. 
• I am the boss, Mommy.  You are not the boss.
• exclaiming to complete strangers - I have a new baby brother at my house.  His name is Elias Joseph.  He cries a lot.  He shakes a lot.  He sleeps a lot too.
• I got a great idea.  See, isn't this a great idea?! 
• I can.  I think I can. - while trying to build a fort.
• We're making too much noises.  - upon hearing Elias crying.

From the Mouth of Babes...

Seriously, the things that come out of their mouths is too much for me at times.  Sometimes, I'm completely embarassed, while at others, I'm in total awe.

• He's got pick-ups.   - Daniel, explaining to me that Samuel has 'hiccups'
• I'm wearing a Roll-up.  I have a Roll-up diaper on.  I need to pee, but not in my Roll-up.  In the potty, okay?!   - Daniel, making certain he remembers for himself to NOT have an accident in his 'Pull-up'
• Top, Danyule.   - Samuel, telling Daniel that he should 'stop' stacking the couch cushions in order to build a tower
• It's a six, see?!  Right there, you can see it.  - Daniel, shocking his mommy beyond belief when he recognized the number 6 on our gas station pump
• Samuel's coughing, Mommy.  He needs to go to the doctor check.  - Daniel, being a really great big brother realizing Samuel wasn't feeling well
• Doctor Check, you make Samuel better?  You give him medicine?  He's got boogers in his ear.  Get them out, Doctor Check.  Daniel's not sick.  - Daniel, speaking to Dr. B then 1)calling her by the name he has given every doctor, 2) telling her about the ear wax in Samuel's ears, and 3) making sure she knew he didn't need to be checked as well.
• It's stars, Mommy.  Look!  He made them for me.  - Daniel, noticing the display in the sky, and remembering that God made them
• God don't change.  - Daniel, recalling a family devotional his Daddy gave a few weeks ago

Conversations with Cookie

It's overwhelming to have one very animated, chatty child in the house, but I'm quickly learning that we may have two on our hands before too long.  Case and point, I overhead 20-month-old Samuel carrying out an entire conversation with his Sesame Street toys today.  He literally was making each character talk and was giving them instructions as to what they were to do next.  Seems to me that he is just too little to be doing this so early!

The scene went a little something like this:
Samuel:  Good morning, Cookie.
He puts Cookie Monster on the toy school bus.
Samuel:  Hi, buddy.  Let's go.   (as if Count von Count, the buss driver, was speaking)
Samuel:  You ok, Cookie?  Noticing that Cookie had fallen out of his seat when Samuel had tried to move the bus.
Samuel:  I sorry, buddy.  He lovingly reaches for Cookie, pulls him out of his seat, and gives him a kiss, as if to apologize for "hurting" him.  Places Cookie back in his spot, and moves the bus forward.
Samuel:  School is here!

The Stars Were Out Tonight...

As we were pulling out of Mimi's driveway tonight, Daniel exclaimed, "Look, Mommy, it's stars!"

His excitement was precious, and I immediately asked him, "Daniel, do you know who made the stars?"

D:  Daddy made them?
Me:  No, actually God made them for you.
D:  For me?
Me:  God made the stars so that when you see them you will know that God is there and that He cares for you and wants the very best for you.  He loves you that much!
D:  God made the stars for me?
Me:  Yes.  God made the stars.
D:  Baby Jesus help God?
Me:  Oh yes, Jesus was there helping God when they made the stars, smart boy!

Silence filled the car, and I soon realized he was in awe of the depth of either our conversation or of the stars themselves. 

D:  Thank you for making my stars, God.

List of Latest Words

Samuel's List of Latest Words

• No
• Towel
• Baf (bath)
• Yeah
• Coc-late (chocolate milk)
• Go
• Bye
• I hungee (hungry)
• Cookie
• Cwacker
• Cake
• Eat
• Mommy.
• Daddy.
• Danyule
• Baby
• Car
• Twactor (tractor)
• Diaper
• What're you doin'?
• I wanna _____ (insert what he wants as for food, drink, or to do).
• Night night.
• Yeah.
• No, Mom.  No, Dad.
• I pee-pee.
• Baz-ball.  (basketball)
• Biscuit.

Daniel's List of Latest Words

• What are you doing?
• Where are you going?
• Please, I want more.
• Please, give me more.
• I want a sandmich.
• I want butter jelly now.
• I love you.
• That's blue.
• I riding my bike.
• Samuel eat my apple.  Samuel hit me.  Samuel pushed me.
• Here you go, Dad.
• I a big kid.
• What's your name?
• I Daniel Benjamin.
• Awesome.  Amazing. 
• It got dropped.  It dropping down.
• The gate shut down there.
• telling scene from Toy Story 3...  The bridge broke.  The bridge on fire.  Oh no, the train is down.  Oh, no.  It's Buzz!  Buzz got the train! 
• Turn that back on!  Turn that t.v. back on! 
• Mimi play "Joy, Joy" on the piano.
• Ta Da!  I did it!
• I sleep in my bed.  All by myself.
• I wanna go.

Talking with his Da-da

Conversations with Daddy from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

Daniel's Famous Word...

He says "Heh-wo," all the time.  I mean, all of the time.  This was actually my first time to catch it on video...  Enjoy.


Hello! from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

Someone Has A Lot to Say...

Samuel Speaks from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

Look Who's Talking NOW!

Well, he's not exactly "talking," but Daniel sure is trying!

After being up all night, I was certain Daniel would sleep all day today, but sure enough, after trying everything... swing, pack n' play, bouncer, etc., I decided the playmat would tire him out. I left him on his playmat for just a little bit while I was painting and Brian was studying, and walked into the room to find him doing ALL of this:

Big Talker from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.