The last of the celebrating!

On Sunday we celebrated the twins' 3rd birthday with lots of family.  It was kind of a crazy day so their cakes got pushed to the last minute...which meant they didn't have time to cool properly...which meant the layers were sliding all over the place.  Oh well, at least they tasted good!  They were loving being the center of attention, and they sure are lucky to have so many people who love them!  They really loved showing off their underpants & potty skills; since they are now potty trained.  Thanks grandma Thomson for the two packs on unders...they were much needed! Guess what finally did the trick for getting them to seriously potty train...diapers weren't an option, and they got to pick a two pack of starburst every time they went potty.  If they didn't want to go...or wouldn't in Joshy's case...I ate the pack in front of them.  Really mean, I know, but it only took twice for him to get it together!

 On Monday night, Maggie picked playing Parcheesy for FHE.  I couldn't get over this funny kid.  He'd roll the dice and make his moves then put his hands up on his face while waiting for his next turn.  

 

How did they turn 3 already?

 This morning started off very different than it did 3 years ago! (Click older or newer at the bottom of the page for more about their story) It began with this little cutie wandering upstairs asking for some cereal and milk.  This is his favorite thing right now, of course in a green bowl...it's his most favorite color...he'd eat cereal for lunch and dinner too.  We had some unique quiet time together before the rest of the kids joined us.  It was quite nice.

 Josh is such a funny little character.  He is very stubborn...which leads to tantrums and slow going sometimes, but he's also very independent...he can put his shoes and socks on by himself, and buckle his car seat. He's also extremely loving and kind.  He loves to help and is very clever.  He surprises me all the time with the things he comes up with.  

 Then Jack joined us.  He is such a funny kid.  When they were little Josh was way more outgoing and social and Jack would either cry if anyone outside of our family looked at him or just stare.  Now he's our little social boy.  He loves making people laugh and he's quite the little charmer.  Jack is very loyal; he defends his siblings.  He is our goof ball...he's always giggling and being silly.  Jack is very good at putting his feelings into words.  He can tell me exactly what he's thinking and it's so fun.  I can tell by the look on my kids faces what they are feeling, but Jack is especially an open book.  He is super sweet, but doesn't like to be stroked or soft tickled...at all.  It's very rare for him to let me tickle him when we snuggle.

 I had picked up some little tub toys for them for this morning and they were a big hit! Look how much change two years brings.

 Man I love these two!  I can't even imagine our life without them.  I can't believe we've all survived 3 years together...there have been rough patches, but mostly, we have pretty awesome days...who wouldn't with these cute faces smiling at them?

 They definitely have a special little bond that's unique to twins.  I love hearing them talk to each other.  They are getting to be quite eloquent and it's my favorite to listen to them.

"How old are you today?"

Monster unders are so exciting for a 2 year old

Today is the first day of Christmas break and we are loving it.  No school or gym and we have been snuggled in all day.  The kids have been on a Harry Potter kick, so we've watched 2, 3, and now #5. This morning Jack came running in to me saying he needed to go potty...a wonderful thing I wish he did more of.  Basically, he was potty trained about 3 months ago...even on shopping trips he'd be dry all day. Then, he just decided not to.  So I was excited when he was interested. We jacked up the heat and the boys are sporting their unders today. How cute are those hinies! See if you can guess who's is who.  It's really pretty easy.

So far no accidents.  We talked about not peeing or pooping on the cute monster...we shall see.

Josh has actually been going a lot more than Jack lately...my motto is don't push them and it will happen, but I'm starting to get a little impatient with two very capable little boys who hold going potty for ransom!!!  Maybe today is the day?

The every day struggle!

Last night we had spaghetti for dinner, and for some reason Jack cannot eat it without smearing it all over his face.  So every time, we go through the same process...and he hates it!

"Man I'm having fun, I've got a dirty face and I'm loving it!"....lovin' all those teeth.

 "Oh no, Daddy's pulled out the wipes."

 "Ah crap, now I have to get my face wiped!"

 "I won't go down without a fight!"  That's what they were both thinking.

 "Oh man, daddy's winning."

 "Oh fine, if I have to do this, I may as well look cute!"

 "Starting to get concerned here, you've been wiping a little too long daddy."

 "Okay, now you've definitely crossed the line!"

 "FIGHT!!!"

 "STRUGGLE!!!"

 "Ta-da...now everyone's happy!"

 "I don't like having a clean face!!"

 "Triumph, now daddy's covered in my spaghetti sauce..ha ha!"

 Man we make cute kids...if I do say so myself!  Josh is much more obliging to get cleaned up after dinner.

Mmmm...Honeydew

The other day at the grocery store, Maggie desperately wanted to try one of the "weird looking balls." I don't like cantaloupe, so we settled on honeydew.  It's been sitting on our counter for a couple of days, taunting the boys to "play with ball."  Today was the day we cut it open.  I gave Jack a taste and his face lit up!  He loves watermelon and definitely loves honeydew.                                                                                                              

 Then Josh got in on the action.  They were so funny...they'd scarf it down and mumble, "mmmm, good."  Then say, "Thank you mommy," followed by a quick, "more please!"

 They kept racing to see who could get their fork the highest so they could get the first piece.

Honeydew was definitely a big hit!  What shall we try next?

Squirmy wormies in the sand

We had such a great Conference weekend.  Kendall was able to work on our car so we can get it registered and there was also a lot of lazing about listening to all the speakers.  To help with the monotony, these boys had to blow off some wiggles out in the sand pile.  Lately, all the kids love finding worms and they find them everywhere too...yuck!  When I went out to check on the twins they each had a worm and were lining them up on the shovel handle.  I thought it was so clever and really funny.

 Jack tried to steal Josh's worm, but Josh was having none of that!

So Jack decided to give it back.

 So gross and fun.  Keeps them entertained for hours.

 This weekend was my niece Jessica's wedding shower and my sisters and I decided to throw her a spa night shower.  It was just for girls, but Jack got to come with Maggie and I so Kendall could work on the Suburban with a few less helping hands.  Consequently....Aunt Laura painted his toes....at least they're blue right?  So naughty.  He kept showing everyone and telling them "Oh, pretty."  I told Laura that Kendall was going to give her a hard spankin', but she said she wasn't afraid of him!

Little Psychos!

In a previous post I mentioned that this was the season of my life for colored on walls...and I meant it!  I can't tell you how many times I've given spankins, done time-outs, confiscated all crayons and anything that marks, and repainted walls...this is what my walls look like right now!

 There are many more walls with many more drawings, but what can ya do?  With two older kids that love to color and draw, there are always crayons and pens out and about.  I guess we will just have some extra artwork on our walls for now! Plus I'm really not complaining because it's kind of a reminder that there are toddlers in this house. They are growing up way too quickly, so it's kind of nice to have little evidences of them all around.  Fingerprints on the windows, dirty marks on the door jams, muddy foot prints on the floor from having fun outside.  I'm a terrible house keeper, you may be thinking, and lots of days that's really true, but for this season I've decided to embrace the crazy instead of trying to stay completely on top of it.

These two are so silly.  This morning while eating yogurt they decided they needed to sit closer together.  Cute little farts!