We Survived!

Thanks to a biennial business conference in Orlando for Chris, we got to take the boys for their first visit to the major theme parsk. Considering I'd only been to WDW once (at age 12) and didn't particularly enjoy it, I was not all that excited about going. But I must admit, taking young children was 100 times better. We had a ball!

The boys were absolute troopers. EVERYONE told me to take strollers, but I didn't listen and the boys walked all through Sea World (7 hours), Magic Kingdom (7 hours), and Universal (3 hours). We finally took pity on them and rented strollers at Animal Kingdom on our last day. All that walking did mean we had to stop every 10 minutes for snacks, but it was worth it.

What am I most excited about after our trip? We already have part of the boys' book character parade costumes for next year. After 2 years of making costumes for them, this year they'll be Thing 1 and Thing 2. Add some red pants and blue hair. Done!

No photos please

When we flew to Atlanta, we flew out of a very small airport. I'm pretty sure it only has one gate. Just putting things into perspective here, folks.
So 5 of us go through security. I'm taking off the boys' jackets and shoes and pulling out their quart sized Ziploc baggies. We put up all our bags including the boys' new Cars rolling backpacks. As we're waiting on the other side, one of the Cars backpacks gets pulled and I give permission to have it checked. Out comes 2 1/2 pint bottled waters. I had no idea they were in there and figured out they were leftover from a trip to the park with Gran.
So the next thing I know, an agent asks who the backpack belongs to and I explain that it's either Matt's or Will's. He checks the tag, asks for Will and explains that he will have to undergo a pat-down. Really?
Now my biggest fear on the planet is a pat-down. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm big into personal space. Even watching the new procedure on TV makes my palms sweat and my heart rate soar. But I'm a good mom. And I tried to explain that Mr. "I'm only 4 years-old" Will most certainly did not pack his own bag and I was responsible for it. The agent didn't buy it but proceeded to explain to me that they do a "modified" pat-down for minors. It's not as intrusive. Great.
So Will has his first pat-down and I can only standby and watch while trying very hard not to cry. The agent was wonderful and made it like a game for Will, so he didn't mind in the least. But the next thing I know, Matt is in tears. He's sobbing. Thinking he's scared for his brother, I scoop him up and ask him what's wrong. "But I want a pat-down tooooooooo!"
Wow. Totally did not expect that one.

90 Years Young

We traveled to Alabama this weekend to celebrate Nana's 90th birthday- a surprise party no less. Nana is Chris's grandmother and much, much more. She's a mom to 3, grandmother to 7, and great-grandmother to 18! It was quite a moment to see her shock when nearly all of the grandkids and great-grandkids greeted her for lunch at the country club (the parents were already there- surprises 1, 2 and 3). Definitely a moment to remember and so glad I forgot a camera (typical).
What is really fun to watch are Chris's 3 cousins, their spouses and 11 kids ranging from 2-16. Lots of fun, laughter and all around craziness, but what's incredible is that hardly anyone whines, complains or cries. All the kids had a ball.
Now, if I could only look 1/2 as good and be 1/2 as active as Nana when I'm 70, I'll be doing great!

Back in Business... for now

I'm resurrecting the blog in the hopes that I'll double my number of blog entries in 2011 from 2010. Setting the bar low, as usual.

Since I hardly even take photos anymore, don't keep a journal, and rarely blog, I decided to try the 1 sentence journal for the boys. I'll basically write one sentence (x 2) at the end of each day. Weeks ago I picked up two 2011 cheapo calendars to do just this. When I cracked them open tonight, I discovered I bought one weekly calendar (perfect!) and one monthly calendar (oops!). January 1 and I've already failed. Typical.

With the late fall/early winter we've had, I'm not wishing for a happy AND healthy New Year. At this rate I'd settle for healthy!

(Photo- Will enjoyed his chocolate pudding)

Then and Now

In August 2007 we made a trip to Alabama to visit family. Here's Chris with his cousin, Sheri, and her triplets. 5 kids under age 3.

And here they are now... (plus baby brother)

We had such a sweet time with everyone. It was pretty incredible to watch the boys play with their cousins without much need for parental intervention and so nice for the parents to be able visit.

Book Parade

The boys have a book parade at school tomorrow. They are supposed to dress up as their favorite book character. Matt has been obsessed with "The Fox and the Hound" since my mom brought it up a few months ago, and Chief is his favorite character. Will hasn't been as sure of his decision. In the last week alone, he's asked to be Chief, a mountain lion and a sheep. Since the sheep was the most recent request, I decided to go with it. I'm sure tomorrow he'll want to be something else, but for now here's a sneak preview of my sheep and Chief.

Matt and Will Interpret the Bible

We are studying Psalm 23 for the next several weeks and the boys are learning how a shepherd watches over his sheep. Here is what they learned last week.
P.S. My mom's Italian heritage is evident in Matt. He likes to talk with his hands.

Whiff!

I keep reminding myself that the boys have greatly improved since the first game. Check out Matt's big kick this week.

Redemption

Take two for Matt.

Quick on his Feet

Putting Matt and Will in together makes for a winning combination. Check out Matt's reaction time!

First Day of School

 
Last week Matt and Will began a two day a week pre-school program. This being their first taste of "organized care," you can imagine how anxious I was. Mainly because they had to be potty-trained for the program, and our summer long booty camp was only mildly successful. Much to my surprise, they came home in the clothes they went to school in. They actually made it 5 hours without an accident. Shocking!
 
Now that we're in week two I've discovered that they are only potty-trained at school, so the remaining 5 days a week at home they demand to wear diapers. Why would anyone want to switch to underwear full-time? It just makes no sense to them.
I didn't think it would be possible to get myself ready, prepare breakfast and lunches, feed and dress the boys, and get out the door before 8am but I've actually accomplished it 3 times. I have a whole new respect for women who do this 5 days a week.
 
Top photo- Matt and Will enjoying breakfast on the big day
Middle photo- Will and Matt in front of their cubbies
Bottom photo- checking out Stuart, the pet hamster

Will's Moment to Shine

The video below is taken from last week's soccer game. Matt and Will are making huge improvements. They can actually take the field without having to hold their coach's hand. Will bragged all day on Saturday that he kicked the ball "THREE TIMES!" Wow. It's a good thing I captured 1 of the 3 on video.

P.S. Gran and Papa are hardcore fans, aren't they???

First Soccer Game

The boys started their regular season play last week and game one wasn't pretty. They wouldn't set foot on the field, but finally they agreed to go out when the coach promised to hold their hands the entire time. So there were my children, one at a time, taking the field hand in hand with their patient coach. He basically dragged them around the field for 4 minutes. After one period each, they got brave and agreed to go in together without holding the coach's hand. Matt got some major action when he made a block; luckily I captured it all on film.

New Room

This week was finally the week to transition into big boy beds. Matt and Will have been sleeping on mats at night for the last few months, so we were fairly sure they could handle twin beds. It didn't take long to discover that 2 twin beds would not fit in their nursery, so we also had to flip-flop their room with the playroom (and the closets too!). Good thing I called in for reinforcements. Nana spent almost the whole week with us, and along with Gran and Papa we almost have the room the way we want it.
With just a few finishes touches (photos and window treatment) the boys' room will be complete.

Photos: Before- the playroom
During: Matt helps Daddy bring in the new beds and Will brings up the rear
After: Notice the red clothes rack? It started out in my brother's nursery 36 years ago. It's been painted every color under the sun.

After: Almost complete

For Uncle Wade

Wade sent the boys their very own camels and backpacks from Kuwait. They've played with the camels so much that I hear the song in my sleep.
Thank you Uncle Wade! We love you. Stay safe!