Time Flies

Seriously, where does the time go?  I apologize for the lapse in updates.  But I can tell you that a lot has changed in the past few months:
Elinor gave up the 6 pacifiers at bedtime.... finally.  That was rough for about 2 weeks.  I think if she had the chance now, she would go back in a second for the fix.
Twins are 3 years old.
Potty training.  Oh lord, I just threw the damn diapers away and said that was it.  However... John is still having many accidents... even at preschool.
Family vacation  of 18 people in the Outer Banks.  Great company.... %$#*&* weather. John never wanted to go to the beach even when it was time for the group picture by a professional photographer. So frustrating. However, I have the best family. They were so patient and understanding.
Twins started preschool.  So far so good. However, I have received a few calls from the preschool teacher about John John. She feels that he may need more individual attention then she can give.  I think she just needs to be a bit more creative. He will never be the learner that fits into a nice square box.  He has not been overly excited about school either. Every morning I get "No school Mama. No school." It breaks my heart. But then one day he said, "No school Mama. Just church."  What??? So now I have to bribe him with a visit to the church before we head over to the preschool. Early calling???? Wait until he discovers that he has not been baptized. Oops.
With the cooler temperatures upon us.. (my favorite time of the year) we are enjoying more time outside.  Guess what we did today? See the new header?  We played in the leaves. So fun.

So, we are still here. Busy as ever.  But trying to be the best that we can be.  

Great shots

Sometimes, if our neighbor is outside while we are - she might grab her camera and take some shots of the kids.  Elinor was picking her Black-Eyed Susans and making fairy houses.  John was climbing rocks and helping Andy with the lawn before he sat down fully clothed into the pool.  

Jackson (2001-2012)

He was the best dog ever!  He did not belong to me though. He was my sister's dog and I spent a lot of time with him.  I welcomed him into my house and spoiled him every chance I got.  He died yesterday. He was 11.  Oh, how we loved him so! 

Summer

We have been keeping very busy around here. I apologize for the lapse in blogging.  When it is too hot outside we keep ourselves busy inside with different activities or we go to the library.  The twins love the children's area because there are toys and puzzles and computers.  However, when I try to take them to the adult section on the second floor, they start running through the aisles like crazy people. Needless to say, I rarely come home with a book of my own.
We went to a pool party on the 4th of July. John loved the pool and the water slide.  It was hard to get him to come out of the pool.  I would love to get him some swim lessons.... that's when work gets in the  way.
Potty training is at an all time low.  No one is interested anymore.  I may have to face the fact that they won't be able to attend preschool in August... Ugh!
We will be traveling to Olean this weekend. I can't remember the last time we were there.... January maybe???? I am excited to take the kids to the pool where Morgan lifeguards.
Today we painted outside with homemade sidewalk paint. The kids went nuts over that. It will be a regular activity for sure. I also baked a loaf of bread in the crock pot. I love homemade bread and I do make it often in the winter months.. by hand, without a bread machine.  But I don't want to heat up the kitchen. So I found a recipe on Pinterest and gave it a try. It turned out perfectly.  I did broil it for 2 minutes to get it slightly brown on top... but that was the only time the oven went on today.  Delicious.  So easy.  I will be doing that again.
39 days until OBX with the entire family. We are looking forward to time away and family.

Girls' Weekend

Spent the weekend with my besties.  We met up in Baltimore. It has been years since we did this... before weddings and babies.  Our time was spent walking around, shopping, talking, laughing, eating, drinking, more laughing, etc. 

And thanks to this guy

and great Father, 

I was able to go.  

A Day in the Sun

Today, we took advantage of the sunshine. First, I took the kids and dog on a nice long walk around town this morning.  Then we hopped in the car and drove over to Marblehead.  We picked up some snacks and headed over to the Marblehead lighthouse for a picnic.  We climbed on the rocks and dipped our feet in the water while we watched a bunch of people catch fish. The kids were super fun!

We are a fair-skinned family for sure!

Happy Birthday Cindy!

Friends by chance.... 

 

 

 

 

 

We are so blessed to have her friendship!  We miss you and love you Cindy. 

Have a wonderful birthday.  CHEERS!

A little cheeky...

I found Elinor walking around without bottoms on.  When I asked where her soiled diaper was... this is what she pointed to...

I would say that it is time to get rid of the diapers once and for all. Wouldn't you agree? 

Opening Day: Cedar Point

Our day sitter's (Miss Angie) husband is a big wig at Cedar Point. He gave us VIP passed for opening day at the park.  We arrived at 9am for the ribbon cutting and stayed until about 1pm.  The kids were asleep in the van before we left the parking lot.  We had a great day!

Instagram

I love how Instagram makes all photographs look so professional.
On Sunday, we drove to the West Side of Cleveland and took the rail into downtown. They love anything that has to do with  trains.... especially John.  We got right back on and went back and then hit the East side and met friends for lunch.  We just love being in the city!

Potty Time

I confess... I have not been proactive with the whole potty training thing.  It scares me.  I have no idea what I am supposed to do.  John goes on the big potty with a "donut".  He goes when I ask him to or when he feels like it... but it is not on a regular basis.  He still wets a diaper.  Elinor has had no interest at all. When I do sit her on the big potty with the "donut"  she pretends.. but nothing ever happens.  So, I broke down and brought home a training potty... one that you have to empty manually... one that they can easily sit on.  I set it up near the kitchen right next to the giant bookshelf.  Elinor was intrigued just like she is with anything new that comes in the house.  She decided to take off her own pants and diaper and she sat down on the potty.

Then she grabbed a book.  I continued to make dinner, thinking that never in a million years would something happen.  So... the girl that has yet to pee on the potty.... went straight to #2.  I could not believe it!  She got 2 chocolate chips for that event.  That was pretty major and I am so proud of her.  We will have to see if there is a repeat event tomorrow.
Baby steps...

But, not to outshine John John.  As you know, he does not sleep well.  Remember the night terrors?  Well, he has pretty much outgrown them - but he is still restless through the night. Sometimes he gets up a few times in the middle of the night and I put him right back to bed.  Since they went to toddler beds, he has not been cooperative in staying in bed initially.  Sometimes it takes 10 times before he knows he needs to stay in bed and go to sleep. Tonight.. I put him to bed and he never got up.  I was so relieved!  I think he is finally understanding that Mama means business!

Happy Spring

We have been busy playing outside with the nice weather this week.  We hope you are too!

Let's Go Bonas!

Preschool

We visited two preschools with Open Houses this weekend. I knew this day would eventually come... I just didn't think we would be here in Huron.  But here we are.  We have two choices for preschool... the Presbyterian Church and the Catholic Church.  We have heard some really great things about both.  I don't know why I cannot make a clear cut decision.  I think they were both fine.  A couple of things that made me uncomfortable:
The head teacher at the Presby school asked me where we went to church?  That's a weird question, don't you think?  Then she proceeded to tell me that she was heavily involved in the Methodist church and that she has a strong faith.  I wanted to tell her that those things weren't important to me when choosing a preschool.  Then at the Catholic preschool, when I asked about the qualifications and degrees of the teaching staff, the head teacher referred me to a brochure about the program.
I liked the montessori themed curriculum at the catholic preschool.  I really liked the feel of the classroom too.  And secretly, I like that someone else will be teaching the kids about God and Jesus because Lord knows there is none of that talk at home.
I want my kids to do really well in school... but most of all, I want them to be good-hearted, compassionate people.
The decision might just come down to how it fits in to our work and daycare schedule.  My daycare sitter also has a toddler who will start preschool in the fall so it would be easy for her to pick them up at 11:15.  It is scary sending them out into the world, isn't it?  Don't you just want everyone to love your kids as much as you do?

Andy should keep his day job...

Because, a barber he is not. 

A little slip of the shears....woopsy. 

But you gotta love that red, scarf wearin' kid anyways....

The Usual

Some scenes from the week....

Coloring is probably one of Elinor's most favorite activities.  She does switch it up between crayons, watercolors and paints.  Usually she just makes requests from me and I have to draw/paint what she wants.  Not sure how to build her confidence with her own imagination...  John didn't feel like napping on Tuesday, but he did read and play quietly while Elinor did.  I was fine with that.  John can get laughing and laughing while playing tug of war with Lloyd.  I love the interaction between my boys.  John has found new uses for the trampoline... now it's a single gymnast bar....  He yells, "Look at me mama, look at me. I'm a monkey."

 I totally agree. 

Happy Valentines Day

The Crew

The cleaning crew got to work over the weekend.... someone's gotta do it.

Elinor lives in these polar bear pajamas.  They were a hand me down and she loves them. In fact.... we put them on her Friday night and she did not remove them until Sunday evening bath.  When she went out to play on Saturday we put her snowsuit on over them.  Then Sunday came and she still didn't want to get dressed. So we didn't.  

John has been doing really well with the potty.  I am not sure what I am supposed to do.  I just ask him every now and again if he wants to go potty. Most of the time he will go.  But I haven't taken the diaper off completely.  Should I?  

I made this tonight for dinner.  Gosh, I love beans.  Aren't they the greatest.  My meal plan for the week looks something like this: 

Monday - Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos

Tuesday - White Bean & Chicken Chili

Wednesday -  Butternut Squash Risotto and salad

Thursday  -  Bean burgers and salad 

Thursday is as far as I got.  I rarely ever buy red meat.  Try the tacos.... I love the slaw that goes on top. I didn't add anything else.... Andy added salsa on top.   Super yum! 

Another round of Sick

We have been sick this past week.  I took John to the pediatrician on Thursday and they put him on an antibiotic for a sinus infection. Elinor was up all night on Saturday, so I took her to Urgent Care on Sunday and she is also on an antibiotic for an ear infection.  Both kids have terrible coughs.  So there has been a whole lotta time spent inside, in jammies, snuggling under "kankies" (John's word for blankies) with Disney DVDs.
But this morning I was able to get a couple of smiles with this:

Circus waffles.   It's the little things...... 

Fish & Stuff

Pat was here for a couple of days to see the twinkies.  Even in a short amount of time, she got in a lot of hugs and kisses and books.  We took the kids to the aquarium in Cleveland on Tuesday.  It took us about an hour to get through the place  Ha!  They loved the alligators and the walk thru tunnel the best.  They were so great the entire day.  I could not have asked for better 2 year olds.  Great kids

Feeling Crafty

Everyday, John or Elinor ask me to make them a tent.  I get out a large sheet and drape it across tables and the couch, tucking it in between books and cushions.  It eventually falls down.  They love it though. So, I had the bright idea of making a more permanent tent.  With the magic of Pinterest, I came up with this tutorial.  The wood supplies cost me less than $6 and I picked up a cute gingham sheet from Goodwill for about $2.50.  It took me all of 15 minutes to drill the holes and put it together.  I was so excited for them to get up from their nap to see it.

Well, the reaction was less than enthusiastic.  John yelled "I don't like it".  So before Elinor could knock it down, I packed it up and put it away.  Perhaps for another day. 

Note to self:  What I think they will love and have fun with... is not necessarily true.  

******************

Cute thing John said today.

John:  Mama, cracker. 

Me:  What's the magic word?

John: John

I giggled. It was close enough.

Catch Up

We have been a bit busy around here.  Since the start of the new year, I have traveled to the kids back to Olean and the whole family has traveled to Kentucky.  Both trips were successful with the kids.  This week I wrote myself a to do list that looked something like this:

1.  Transition from crib to big bed x 2

2.  potty train x 2

3.  Lose the nap & night time pacifier x1 

4.  Check out preschools 

Then I sat on the couch and cried.  I am overwhelmed by the responsibilities.  I have no idea what I am doing.  Then, I thought about the list for a day and I talked to a few people that I trust.  I finally came to peace with sitting on #1.  What's the rush of putting them in a big bed?  Does that serve as any benefit to them or me?  Nope.... especially since John has started waking 2-3 times per night.  He has been doing this since he was sick with the flu in November.  I am not overly concerned by it because he calls out to me, I go give him a hug and he goes back to sleep. It takes seconds.  But can you imagine what it would be like if he had free range of the house from a big bed.  Geez!  

As far as the potty training goes.... I think John is just about ready.  We may do boot camp potty training like Leslie and Peter did with Ben a few years ago. No pants for a weekend (no Andy, this does not include you). 

While in Kentucky we took the kids to their first Catholic mass and a baptism.  They were loud.  They didn't sit still.  So we sat in the closed off area.  However, when the organ fired up... John danced and swayed to the songs... I think the responsorial psalm was his fave.  Then after the organ stopped playing he would clap and cheer.  We left after baby Michael was baptised... way before communion.  The way I see it... catholics are pro-life... so you cannot get more pro-life than 2 year old twins in a church. Wahoo! 

When we got back from Kentucky (kids were great travelers) we picked up Lloydie from his sitter.  He was sick.  Poor guy just couldn't keep anything down.  And on the new carpet.  Oh lord!  Anyways, I said to the twins:  "Please be nice and gentle to Lloyd, he is sick." and Elinor's response: "I will get him a tissue".  Priceless!  

Today, we are staying put inside... maybe we will get bundled up and take a walk later.  We'll see.  But we are content with water colors, books, trains and marble towers.

Funny Things

Wow.  I have been a bit lazy (busy) with keeping up to date on here.  Here is a little something that made me laugh and may make you smile too.

While at the sitter's house yesterday, Elinor and her little friend Ryan were playing with play-doh.  Ryan was apparently getting frustrated with his cookie cutter and Elinor turned to him and said, "That's okay Ryan. You can do it. I promise."

Love it!