Slowin' Down..

Let me clarify that slowin' down for us is not really that slow:)

We've been getting back in the routine....staying home at night, getting to bed eariler (reason for lack of blog posts....they only happen late at night.), really just getting used to being up moving early every morning.

Since my last post, we celebrated Pop's birthday with dinner at "the place that makes the big fire" or as the adults call it, Sumo, followed by ice cream at Treat Yourself....come on Yogurt Mountain-Hoover...we're eagerly awaiting your opening! Happy Birthday Pop! Hope you are enjoying the BIG skeleton...and robot claws! (The boys picked out presents this year- so if your day is coming be warned!)

We're playing outside quite a bit now...since it's finally under 90 degrees! I think we'd had like 50 days straight of 90 degrees or more- so we've been avoiding anything outside! The boys are finally getting into baseball (thank you Lord- Brad was about to have a breakdown). We get out the bats and gloves and Daddy plays all time pitcher. One night we even had the neighbors' kids over and played a "game" in our driveway, complete with a sidewalk chalk drawn field. Good times for sure!

Carson up to bat



Parker "playing" centerfield



Wyatt (our triplet) in the bleachers



We've had a couple weeks of catching up with friends...including The Thompson's, Zach, Ellen and little Henry, who just moved back to Alabama after a 2 year stint in Orlando. We've missed them and are so glad to have them closer!

The boys are really enjoying having our friend Wyatt over to play. This past weekend he stayed for lunch and naptime too! It's cute to see them all together....and makes me think that maybe we could have handled triplets......naaaaaaaaahhh!!!

Here are some cute pictures of the boys all carrying a pizza across the street to Wyatt's house....they were saying, "Pizza delivery!, Pizza delivery!" Wyatt then got his piece of pizza and brought it back to our house to eat with the boys-they have a great time together and are so blessed to be building friendships already!





The boys are enjoying school and say they are having fun and still like being butterflies. It has been such a smooth transition- which is such a sign of how they are growing up! We are finally getting over the exhaustion of back to school days so hopefully I'll get better about blogging again!

Carson's story of the week:
He continues to "mock" me when I try to discipline him. Ever since the "butterball" incident (see previous blog post if you missed out on that story) he will repeat EVERYTHING I say, right after I say it. Me- "Carson, stop it." C- "Stop it!" Me- "Dont' back talk me" C- "Don't back talk me!".....oh, buddy, will he make it to 4??

Parker's story of the week:
Wyatt, our little neighbor from across the street comes over to visit. He has on only a pair of Lightning McQueen underwear. Parker immediately pulls his pants down, outside on the sidewalk, and shows his underwear to Wyatt. He turned like he was going to "moon" the neighbor's house, pulled his pants down and said, "Look, I got Mater!" One of my proudest moments yet....it keeps getting better:)

School, Work....back to Reality

Wheeewwww....

Just days after a clear bill of health from Dr. Brasfield (the pulmonologist), we got back to our "normal", coughing, waking up during the night, snoring and breathing treatments:( Poor guys...I guess the trip to the doctor's office gave us some good ol' germs that we'd been missing! They just started feeling better in the last few days....at least it was a short stint this time.

Last weekend of summer brought us a fun little trip to Alabama Adventure with the boys. We went last summer with the Aranda clan, and that's the last time we went, so the boys were immediately looking for Jake and Ashlyn. Once they realized it was just us, they settled in and actually had a great time! They really enjoyed it this time...slides, lazy river, kiddie area and the rides at the main park, slushies, funnel cake..WOW. They stayed all day...10:30- til 5! Carson took a short nap under the umbrella, but Parker just kept going strong. We are considering season passes for next year--I never thought I'd be saying that!

Fun on the slides





Time for a snack



Swimming



Was that fun, or not?


Someone was sleepy



Monday the boys officially became "Butterflies". I just kept thinking about the first week of school last year....and the crying and holding on to my leg, being pried away from me each morning...so we began talking about our new teachers and new classroom a week or so prior. You know me and my belief in social stories! They both said they didn't want to be Butterflies, so I had a good bit of anxiety about them changing classes. Well, we walked in with them saying they didn't want to go to the new class. They saw one of their friends, Matthew, in the hallway and they all 3 walked in without a hitch! They looked at me and said, "Bye Mama!" Matthew's mom and I got out of there as quickly as we could...we didn't want them to change their minds!

First Day of Butterflies (3K)- WOW...they look happy:)



They have had a great week and come home with stickers all over their shirts (and legs, right Parker?) everyday! When they make all green choices during the classroom activities, they earn a token to put in the treasure chest, which then spits out stickers! They come home saying they like school and their new teachers, so I am relieved!

I'm back to work and Brad's in town, so we've been adjusting to all of that this week too. It's chaos for sure, but it's semi-organized and we're glad to have the opportunity to live it TOGETHER:)

We had a fun time at a Birthday Party for their little friend Emma yesterday. It was at Parties on the Move...an indoor place with blow-up moonwalks, slides, etc. They loved it and had the best time! As they were eating pizza and then cake, they looked back to me and said, "Mommy this is so much fun!" "Yea, mama, we like it here!" If only little kid birthdays were everyday, right?!?

A funny story for each boy from the week:

Carson was playing with the train track and broke it apart. I told him to stop and he said, "No! I won't stop!" It was loud and snappy toward his mama. I snapped my fingers and said in my loud snappy voice, "Hey! You don't talk to your mama like that!" He immediately made a mad face and said, "Hey! You don't talk to your butterball like that!" I'd been calling the boys Butterball and TatorTot quite a bit lately....and asking, "Are you my little TatorTot? "Are you my Butterball?" Needless to say, I cracked up laughing at him....and now he's saying it everytime I tell him not to talk mean to me!

Parker was hiding under the rug and some grass gets on the floor. The next thing I know, he's in the laundry room getting the swivel sweeper. He says, "Mama, I spilled some grass on the floor, but I'm gonna clean it up with this broom, ok?" Umm, yea...anytime you want to clean up a mess, please, be my guest!

Some more fun pictures from summer

Got Milk?



Carson is a Rockstar



Swimming at Letson Farms

Back to School

Last Friday afternoon was graduation at Mitchell's Place. The boys' teacher had asked that they come back for the entertainment portion of the graduation. Their class came in and sang, "Hip, Hop Alphabet". They looked super cute...and you could tell that they hadn't been in school all month...but at least they didn't cry the whole time like they did at the Christmas program!

This is pretty much what they looked like the whole time:( Please notice the dollar sign "bling" they wore. So cute.





After graduation, the 3 of us (Daddy in GA) headed to the mall to make a return. We ended up buying some clothes, riding the carosel, eating dinner at the food court, and having some dessert at the pretzel store. It was quite a night, but they were great. When we arrived home, what do we hear? Mama, is that the....ICE CREAM TRUCK?!?!?!? Can we get some?? Huh, Huh?? Summer is almost over, right?? Why not? And so we experienced our first trip to ice cream truck. They both got a sour bomb pop...they chose by color--they were green, orange and purple....our favorite colors.

If I don't eat it fast it might melt in this 100 degree weather!



Savoring every last drop!



The weekend was totally uneventful and low-key....just the way we like it. Not that we show that very often, but we do like a little down time now and then!

Brad was out of town all week and didn't return home until late Friday night. He got up with the boys Saturday morning, after a bit of tapping shoulders and 2 boys crawling all over him:) When I got up I escaped for much of the day....started with a mani/pedi and finished with some back to school shopping! I was so very proud of myself for saving $360 that day! Don't ask how much I had to spend to save $360....you'll ruin the fun (like Brad ALWAYS does....boooo!) I got the boys some clothes and pjs, me some shoes, Brad, well.....oops, I didn't get him anything.

That night we met up with BeBe/Pop, LeLe/Guncle/KJ, and Aaron's parents to eat at Sumo, one of those japanese restaurants that, quote from the boys, "Make a big fire!" It was per request of the boys....they LOVE that place. The chef was great with them...both boys tried to catch food thrown from his spatula, and after lots of food thrown across the table- I'm happy to report that Leah and I were the only winning battery of the night...me throwing and Leah catching....go us! Parker kept asking for more fire....should we be worried?

Sunday we hung out with the guys from the Foundry and then headed to BeBe and Pop's house to eat and swim, along with Aaron's parents who were in town from Ohio. Parker and Carson were both "jumping in", well, Parker jumps, Carson kinda falls:) They kept saying, "Hey everybody, watch this!" and "Mrs. Paula, watch this!" They are getting more comfortable in the pool all the time...such a wonderful change from last year! It was a bittersweet Sunday....my last of the summer:(

Monday was our last day of summer celebration...the boys got to run the show. They played, inside and out, we went to Publix for a cookie (and some groceries), ate lunch at "chips and salsa"- I offered McDonalds and Chick-fil-A....they wanted chips and salsa....home for a nap...then swimming at BeBe and Pop's house. They were great all day:)

We had a visit to the pulmonologist this week, who was surprised and proud to get a "no major breathing events" report for the last few months! They are only on medicine once a day and haven't needed ANY breathing treatments for nearly 2 months..they have FINALLY been well for a good stretch! Knock, knock.....
She decided to increase their daily steroid medication for the fall just to get their little lungs a boost for back to school germs, snot, slobber, you know.....we may look at weaning them off some of the medication if they do well!

Today was my first day back to work and the boys enjoyed a fun day with Ms. Angie here at home. She'll be staying with them again tomorrow, as they don't start school until Monday. We're so lucky to have Angie-the boys absolutely adore her and look forward to her coming. I couldn't get out the door fast enough for them! We'll have a big transition come Monday when the boys move-up and become "Butterflies" at school. We've talked about it quite a bit and I keep telling them, it's the same friends, just new teachers....please start praying for a smooth transition, I know we are!!

Some end of summer pictures of my sweet boys....


Sorry, can't help it....at ANY moment I look up and see this.....



And then turn and see this.....


Ok....now those sweet ones I was talking about....

Pretty Quiet Week...Happy Birthday Mom:)

Let's see....we've actually had a pretty quiet week.

We headed down to Calera to see my friend Tracey who was recovering from surgery. She was up for some pool lounging, so we met her at the pool. I unload the boys out of the car, Parker first, and as I get Carson I out, I see Parker pants down, peeing in the parking lot. These little redneck boys just don't know when to ask for a bathroom anymore....wonder what they will do once it starts getting cold again?!?! We had a good time swimming with Tracey, her sister Kim and nephew Ian. The boys were asleep before we got out of the subdivision:)

We enjoyed a trip to the McWane Center with my friend Cj and her little girl Emma. We saw the IMAX movie Animalopolis. It started out good...and the boys were interested...but after about 30 minutes they were done. The kids played for quite awhile and we finished with a trip to the Mellow Mushroom...yummy! I can always count on Cj to go to the Mushroom with me! After eating, Cj showed off her new pimped out minivan....and actually made me want one! I can just see how much easier my life would have been (with 1 carseat on each arm) with automatic opening doors!! The boys LOVED it! Now, if I can only convince Brad.....

Our weekend was filled with catching up with friends and a little bit of shopping. We were actually looking for "big boy" beds for the boys. We are leaning toward bunk beds. Let the fighting over who gets the "top" bunk begin. We really just went to see if they could even get up and down the ladder. I took Parker to be a bottom bunk guy...he likes "hiding" and putting the covers over his head before he goes to sleep and I thought he'd like the darkness that the top provides, but instead his daring side won out and he wants the top. Any bets on how long until he jumps off? Carson loved that he could get up and down the stairs "all by himself"...he kept saying "Don't help me, I can do it!" We didn't purchase yet...they said we could tell Santa that they wanted that bed. (can you tell I'm using that to get out of Target these days??) We're not sure what will happen, but they agreed that they would take turns on who got the top. We'll see how that goes. I see Boardmaker calendars and countdowns in my future.

Parker upped his game this week- trying to outsmart his mama. I told the boys to finish their breakfast while I finished getting ready. They both had 1 piece of waffle and a few blueberries left. Pretty soon, Carson comes into my room and tells me he is finished. I believe him and go on getting ready. A few minutes later, Parker comes in saying he is finished.

Me- "Did you eat everything?
P- "Yes"
Me- "So your plate is empty?"
P- Shakes his head yes.
Me- Are you telling the truth? Your plate will be empty if I look at it?"
P- "Yes, mama, wanna see?"

When I get out to the kitchen, all of his blueberries are in his cup. Yep, plate was empty, but he didn't eat EVERYTHING!! That little smarty pants thought he'd pulled it off....for that I made sure he ate every last one of those blueberries though!

A conversation I heard in the car this week:

P- "Mama, I see a lake."
C- "What's awake?"
P- "I see a lake."
C- "What's awake, Parker? Is it a bear?"
C- "Is there a bear Mama? Insert screaming here "The bear is awake, oh no!! It's gonna eat us up and we'll be gone for ever and ever!!!"
P- "It's a lake Carson, and I don't think it can eat us."

Brad headed back to Georgia this week. We've had him home for a few weeks (minus the 2 nights last week), so I guess I can't complain too much. We've just been hangin' at the house...which has been a nice change. We met LeLe, Guncle and Kerrigan last night at Habaneros for dinner....and then to the cookie store for dessert:) We just can't get out of Habaneros without visiting that place!

Happy Birthday to my Mom who will....dare I say it....turn 60 tomorrow! We love you and hope you have a fantastic day!

Vacation Week and Recovery:)

We returned home from Illinois via the Atlanta Airport with Granny as our houseguest! She was heading up to spend some time with Jen and Dad, but we were excited to have her for a night:) She had not seen our new house and, of course, the boys wanted to show her all their toys! She spent the night with us and we met with Jen, Troy and the kids in Gadsen the next day for dinner to make the drop-off. Here are a few pictures of GGma with her great-grandchildren...

GGma...Look at our stuff!!



Playin' Checkers with GGma at Cracker Barrel...



GGma with the Greats...



Granny with the girls...


Sunday night after dinner we began our first Vacation Bible School. The boys weren't too sure the first night, but as the week went on they enjoyed it more and more. The boys really liked singing songs and dancing and learned to play duck-duck-goose...thanks Monica! The last 2 nights we took our neighbor Wyatt with us for the ride...it was kinda like having triplets!

Wednesday we had the pleasure of babysitting little Kerrigan while Leah went to the doctor. She slept most of the time, but when she woke up, the boys were sure to entertain her. They gave her lots of hugs and kisses (with their mom saying gentle, careful, easy...about 100 times each) and taught her about all the farm animals. They held up each one, about a centimeter from her nose, and named the animal and told her what sound it made. LeLe and Guncle...that tutoring session was free, but I'm going to start charging!



Thursday morning we boarded a plane in route to Anna Maria Island, Florida for our long awaited trip with the Aranda family. WoooHooo! The boys did great on the flight. Brad sat in one row with Parker and Carson and I sat behind them. We did some passing back and forth of many items and snacks, but got more compliments as we got off the plane! Go us again! When we arrived in Tampa, we weren't able to get our bags due to a lightning delay- so Brad waited near baggage claim while the boys and I ventured out to get some food!

I guess I was feeling confident after being in an airport last weekend--but this time I didn't have GGma or Brad. We headed up the escalator...to find that we had to go up another one. We then found a Burger King:( Oh well, it's food, right? As we waited in line, Parker did his acrobatics on the poles in the line...and Carson kept asking if we could get ketchup, louder and louder and louder...like 1000 times at least. Ok, maybe 10, but it feels like 1000 when you are trying to get my other child to quit doing flips- oh yea, and EVERYONE is staring at you. Come on people- it's two 3 year olds- give me a break! Or maybe they were just staring because they are so cute......yea, that's it:)

As we load up with the food and drinks...we head back to baggage claim. The boys were unable to help me carry anything....So picture this...I balance their bottle of milk (which they totally could have carried) on top of the Diet Coke that Brad and I will share (I was thinking ahead) and have the bag of food in the other hand. I figure I should stay between them, so I have Carson step on the escalator first, then me, and I am SURE that Parker will step right on behind me....WRONG. He freezes and immediately starts screaming, "Mama....don't leave me!!!" I tell Carson to sit down, he does (THANK GOD!), I set the drinks on the next step and then run back up to get Parker. Good thing we are the only people on the escalator because those things are quicker then you think! We end up getting back to Brad, who now has our bags, unscathed. Geez....can these escalators please give me a break!!

Soon after we finish eating, Mike Aranda, our limo driver, picks us up and we head to the island! We spent the rest of the evening getting set up at our vacation house. Jess and I headed to the store...$68 on groceries (thanks to all the stuff she brought from home!) and $98 on adult beverages....we had our priorities straight. We took the kids swimming in the pool in the backyard...that thing was HOT....and then grilled some steaks and spent some time catching up.

Our vacation was fabulous:) The kids played well together...yes there were some reminders to share and be nice, but that's everyday anyway! We spent time on Mike's boat- and even found a little island to spend the day on. We played on the beach and at the house, ate, drank, played games, including golf (Thanks Hokansons!) and spades...remember Brad, hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades....all the 2's count;). It was a great time with friends...lots of relaxing and laughing. Can't wait 'til next year!

Chillaxin at the Vacation House






Kids Eating...they have syrup in Florida!!



Beach time!!









We've spent this week unpacking and getting back into the routine....Brad was home most of the week...just a couple of nights in Georgia. We had an appointment with the physical therapist about Carson's AFOs. He is better, but not off those toes, so she recommended a few more months in them before looking at something like casting...so we'll be annoyed for a little while longer.

Cute story (NOW, I can say that)...Monday afternoon the boys refused to take a nap (imagine that, after being on vacation). I had pitching lessons and needed to leave by 3:00 to get them over to Bebe and Pop's house. From 1:00 until about 2:30 they just kept talking and getting up. I couldn't get them to close their eyes....I tried everything I could think of, but nothing was working. Finally I put them in separate rooms....still nothing...they both ended up in trouble, sitting in the corner, in separate rooms-which is where they fell asleep at 2:40...really? Come on guys! I couldn't help but take these pictures...





Looking forward to a relaxing weekend:)

Gearing up for July...wait....it's July!

So this will be a 2 part post....so get ready for some reading. I started to update just before the 4th of July weekend. Here is what I had written:

My high school friend Brett had brain surgery to remove a brain tumor this week. It went well, but they were not able to get all of the tumor. Further tests are being run and treatment options are being discussed. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

We had our last 2 days of swimming lessons this week. The boys have definitely made progress over the last 3 weeks and while they aren't Michael Phelps yet, they do actually like the water now:) We'll probably do another session of lessons once school starts back....we have some traveling to do!

Both nights after swimming lessons we went out to eat with Pop....BeBe was out of town for work, so we figured the abandoned folks should stick together! I'm not sure if Pop will want to do it again though....

Wednesday night, Parker had a ROUGH night. He told Pop that he didn't like him anymore because he was mean. He refused to eat...pizza! When I got up to take Carson to the bathroom, Parker ran from the table in the restaurant to the bathroom door--screaming and crying like crazy! I heard the screams from the bathroom and then realized, "Holy $*#!...that's my kid!" I briefly thought about letting him scream, but then knew I had to own him and brought him in the bathroom where I could at least muffle the screams. After we finished eating, we ran into some friends, Lynn, Farah, Eric and their boys. Parker gave them the same treatment- and screamed, "Roll my window up RIGHT NOW!!!'' as I tried to get him to wave goodbye. Sorry guys...at least you know it wasn't personal!

To follow up on that dinner disaster... Parker fell asleep as we pulled in the neighborhood....got out of car and staggered to the patio furniture, where he slept for about 5 minutes as I unloaded the car.



Poor guy. I tried to just put him in bed and then put a pull-up on him as he slept, but it completely backfired. He woke up screaming...."Mama!! I want my love-love!! Now!! I want it!!" As I tried to get Carson dressed in the other room (hoping he would just go back to sleep), he walked down stairs screaming-came back upstairs where I was and told me that he was out of bed because he wanted me to hold him! What?!?!?!? Poor Carson just laid down in bed and covered up and said, "Mama, can we take a bath in the morning?"

This week we got to eat lunch with some old friends, the Pfitzers. Loved seeing them:) Kat was one of my softball pitchers from a few years ago...and now plays competitive volleyball...and she's a senior! Geez...I'm getting old!

We spent the weekend in Chattanooga watching Tyler play ball and to celebrate an early birthday with my mom. We spent Friday and Saturday at the ballpark. After the games finished up on Saturday, we headed to Jen's where the boys slept about 4 hours! Catching up I guess! When everyone woke up, we got ready and went out to eat dinner downtown and watch fireworks. The kids really enjoyed it. We also got to meet Tyler's girlfriend this weekend- hopefully our crazy crew didn't scare her off!

Coloring, not watching the ball games:)





We spent the 4th hanging out...eating and swimming at BeBe and Pop's house. Brad and Aaron got the pool volleyball set out (not sure who won?!) and we all ate some homemade ice cream. The fireworks display that night was quite impressive in our neighborhood. I had bought some sparklers for the boys...which Carson loved and kept wanting to do more and more and more! Parker...not so much. I guess they scared him:( We ended up on the sidewalk watching the neighbors shoot off their "party packs" and some big time-like major fireworks...so big that the debris was hitting us all the way on our sidewalk!

Sparklers!!





Ok....now that I'm caught up from what I was going to post from 2 weeks ago...here's what we've been up to this past week!

Monday the boys and I packed up and headed to Illinois with mom. Mom drove the whole way...while I climbed in the back to help potty (in water bottles:) ), get blankets, change movies, pick up dropped crayons, break up fights...you get the picture. 12 hours, 5 movies and 176 "Are we there yets?" later...we arrived at mom's around midnight. The boys stayed asleep as I transferred them inside (thank you LORD!) and actually stayed asleep all night!

We had a great, relaxing week (relative to what may be relaxing to you...3 year old twin boys only allow so much relaxation after all!) We got to hang out with mom and Granny/GGma. The boys enjoyed playing in the kiddie pool, blow bubbles, play tee ball (Parker may be a lefty!!) and baggo, riding tricycles and they could actually reach the pedals! The boys also found they could open the refrigerator in the garage and get a "drink." They are completely crazy over Lipton Green Tea! It was absolutely incredible how they would chug that stuff down...and stalk anyone who had one. It was definitely the find of the week for them!

We also got to hang out at my friend Holly's house and the boys really took to her parents, Paul and Theresa. I think they used the potty 20 times! Theresa decided that they really liked the guest towels and that's why they kept going...we don't have those here in Alabama Theresa! I made them use the hand towel on the rack! The boys keep talking about jumping all over Holly and how she and Paul colored with them:) It's so incredible to be able to see your children play in the same house you played in when you were little..and to share time with such important people. I am so grateful to have such true friends in Holly and her fam-even living hundreds of miles away...when I'm with them, I feel like I never left:*)

We wrapped up the week with some dinner at Moncial's with our cousin Kim, Aunt Sherry and Uncle Roger (Mom and Granny too!)--Carson had his moment of terror that night...also refusing to eat....pizza. What's up with that?!?! These are NOT MY children refusing pizza! After several trips to the bathroom and the loss of BIG JUNE....gasp...I know....I had to do it....he was absolutely horrible that night!...we survived the outing. The pizza was fantastic....but, geez...10 hours is a long way to drive for pizza!

Parker loves "that sticky stuff" --Salt Water Taffy



Teachin' GGma about the Aquadoodle



Teaching Grandma Sue about the Aquadoodle



GGma...We pee-peed in your bushes again!



Coloring with Grandma Sue



Playing with toys at GGma's house--notice all the CARS!!



Saturday morning we headed to the airport and Granny came along to help. We arrived in plenty of time (I'm always nervous about that). As we head through security, the 47 CARS cars that Parker chose to bring, gets scanned and re-scanned. The lady finally asks if it's mine...and tells me that there is so much metal in the bag that they can't see anything else in there. I think, "metal?..I wonder what she's talking about?" Then I think...CARS!! I'm carrying about 10 pounds of them, of course that's the problem! They re-run the bag of cars and my carry-on bag and determine that it is, in fact, safe for all that metal to be on the plane:) We then proceed up the escalator, where Parker almost rolls down the steps. He slipped and was laying with his head pointed down, feet up. I caught him with my leg and one arm...the other arm is holding the bag with all those dang cars! He's yelling, "Mama help!" Granny's saying, "Oh my God Meggie...get him." Carson is saying, "We're going up, up, up, mama!" Finally I get the bags set down on the stair and get Parker on his feet.....weeeew...crisis averted!

The boys were fantastic on the flight and we even got a, "I didn't even know they were there" comment! Go us! With Granny's help we made it through the Atlanta airport, on the tram, and to baggage claim where we met.....drum roll please....DADDY, who by the way had been home all week for the first time in MONTHS! Tell me how that works!?!?! Granny held on to Carson and I kept hold on Parker and we made it home! Thanks GGma for all your help!

Gearing up for another fun week....our annual Aranda/Douglas adventure sets sail this year to Anna Maria Island, Florida...stay tuned for all the fun details:)

A Week at Home...for better or worse

Monday I had sweet boys all day. We played cars, played outside, rode bikes, ate lunch together and then they wanted to build a house, so we got all the pillows, blankets and even the cushions off the couch. WOW, that was a big house, which, of course, lasted about 4 minutes at a time and was rebuilt about 12 times. After they took a nap, we all went swimming at Bebe and Pop's because my pitching lessons were cancelled:) The boys are really doing well....Carson went under water several times and Parker was getting in the pool by himself!

Tuesday the boys headed back to school. They BOTH woke up GRUMPY as all get out. They BOTH wet their pants at school...now I knew we were setting up for a historic day. We had swimming lessons again, and given how the rest of the day was going, I wasn't surprised that Carson cried the whole time saying it was making him too sleepy, hungry etc. Parker did great and actually got promoted for a short time:) He got moved back with the little kids because he couldn't (or was it wouldn't ?) hang on to the wall the whole time:( Later, Parker took his turn....I asked him to share his bike with one of the neighbor kids...he ignored me...and tried to go back across the street. I removed him from the bike and told him to walk back across the street and sit on the porch. He screamed and cried like crazy for several minutes. I'm trying to ignore him until I look over and he's ripping the flowers out of the flower pot on our front porch and throwing them on the ground....really?!? I'm beginning to wonder, will we make it through the 3s???

Swimming Lessons:)





The rest of the week was filled with 3 year old boy stuff...playing in the sprinkler, "washing" the car and mailbox with a paintbrush and a paint roller....and water...ha, I got your attention, huh?? This week was rough...and I started a new parenting technique...taking toys and putting them on top of the fridge....yea, it's been working wonderfully....I have so many toys I had to take them off the top of the fridge and put them in a rubbermaid container. CLEARLY I need different techniques to contain 3 year old twins and get them to follow directions and play nicely together....oh, and whining, when does it stooooooooppppppppppp?!?!?!?!


Fun in the Sprinkler!





I'm done with the sprinkler....this hose is in my way!!



A cute little note from the "week of terror".... One afternoon, it was thundering and threatening rain. The boys wanted to go outside and play, but I told them they should take a nap and maybe when they woke up it would be finished raining. Carson was walking around the house with a pencil and a dice popper, pointing them out the window yelling, "STOP raining!!, Don't rain!!" Finally, he said, "I'ma take a nap, but Mama, I'm gonna change the weather when I wake up!" Yea, good luck with that James Spann.

Sunday we had the 4th of July Celebration and children's parade....it's supposed to be a "wagon" parade, but the boys decided that they were too big to ride in a wagon. Carson wanted to ride in his Cozy Coupe and Parker wanted his trike (you know, the one that he STILL can't reach the pedals because he's such a peanut, so he pushes with his feet instead). We stopped by the dollar store and picked up some decorations...and while Brad and the boys napped (Brad NEVER naps, which is what makes it blog worthy)....I decorated the vehicles and when everyone woke up, we were off to church. We had a great time and the boys had a blast....their buds Sarah and Harrison kept up with them most of the night- even taking them to the bathroom for us! They even liked the fireworks this year! Parker named colors and said, "WOW!" the whole time , while Carson said, "The princess is dying in that big puff of smoke!" It was by far the best fireworks show I've seen in a while! Here are some pictures from the night...

Brownies and cookies on the same plate!!



Flirting with Sarah



Parade!



Waiting on the Fireworks!




Monday starts much like last week....apparently my sweet boys like Mondays:) I got more hugs and kisses today than I got all last week. I think it was a set up though....early afternoon I'm eating lunch and watching TV while the boys were down for a nap. Brad walks in the door. My greeting to him was, "Where are you going and when are you leaving?" His response, "Back to Macon, leaving tonight." Whatever....we got him for almost a whole extra day this week....WOW.