Our first shiner

On Friday when I picked the boys up from school Aaron had a pretty ugly black eye.  Aaron walked behind a swing and just got nailed.  Poor Mrs. Morgan - she felt so bad.  My cautious little Aaron - first one with stitches and now the first one with a black eye.  Aidan the wild child has no serious injuries to speak of.

18 month well visit

Last week was Carter's 18 month well visit.  He has moved from the 10% to 25% for height, but he is still in the 10% for weight at 22lbs.  He is just our little man with a big attitude.  He should be saying 7-10 words.  The doc asked me how many and I said about 5.  He's the third - who cares - he will talk when he is ready - ha.  So now I have been paying closer attention and here is what he says:

dog - this is the most clear word and he wolfs

mama/mom - which he wakes us every morning calling for me

dada - this was the first word, for a while everyone was dada

hello - he loves to talk on my cell phone

uh-uh (no) - every night when I lay him in bed he shakes his head and says uh-uh and then we don't hear a peep for the rest of the night

thank you - it is not really clear but he knows how and when to use it

outside - starting to hear something that sounds like this

So there you have it doc -  7 words.   He does sign language - all done, more, eat, drink, and bath.  What can I say - he is the third kid.  But he sure knows how to get what he wants without many words.

What a day

Well I don't think I would have got an A+ in the parenting department on Sunday.  Sunday's are usually our long days.  I am home with all the boys Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays. Our only day off all together is Tuesday until school is out for the boys.  Thursdays are always fun - I am fresh and in need of mom and boys time, Saturdays are very busy and then comes Sundays.  This weekend Nan (Adam's mom) and Grandma came to visit.  We had lots of outside time, soccer game and lack of naps - it made for some tired boys.  While Carter was napping I needed to get some house work done so I let the neighbor boys come over.  The past few weeks I have been letting the boys play in our fenced backyard.  I leave the door open and open the windows in the back of the house so I can hear them.   Its funny because when I say 'boys' - they say 'we are ok mom'.  Anyhow I had a talk with the boys about playing with other kids.  They have to follow our rules even if the other kids do not, they cannot leave the yard, tell mommy if you hear potty words or if the other kids are not following our rules.  I thought I had it all covered.  Well.... here comes the one of the other boys telling me Aaron had taken his clothes off.  What?!?!?!?!? Sure enough there stood Aaron in under the deck in just underwear.  I lost it - I was just at a loss.  I told (screamed) him to go to his room and he was done playing for the rest of the day.  My mom called in the middle of this and I told her I had to call back.  I just did not understand what he was doing.  Its not like we walk around our house naked or anything - it was just really weird to me.  After all settled down Aidan and Aaron told me Aaron was being funny.  My mom thought since Aidan usually gets most of the attention from other kids - he just has that easygoing personality, Aaron found something that made the other kids think he was funny.  So...  that was not one I was prepared for.

Later that night we all went down to clean up the basement.  The boys were asked to clean up the beans (we have a tub of dry beans they like to play in with their diggers).  They were not helping and making a bigger mess.  I told them if they did not pick them up I was vacuuming them up and they were going in the trash.  Long story short after a long Sunday and too many empty threats - the beans went in the trash.  Yes - just close your eyes and picture the meltdown - it was ugly!

Zoo

We headed to the zoo, on this beautiful day!  Everyone had the same idea - it was like a Saturday at the Zoo.  I really noticed how much the boys were growing up on this zoo trip.  Only one stroller - Aidan and Aaron walked the whole time.  Aaron did tell me on our way out his legs were tired.  It was nice because they are able to have the freedom to walk/look around, but they are good about not getting out of my sight.  They even held all the doors for me to get the stroller through!  Everytime we came up to a new animal they said 'mom, read about this one' - we learned alot today!  I was happy to read and so glad they wanted to learn about the animals. Carter got really excited in the gorilla room.  They were very active and he got so excited watching them swing overhead.  I love days like this with the boys - the moments I wish I could freeze in time!!!

He has a point....

Today we were getting dressed to go to the zoo.  It was still kinda cool out so I told the boys they had to wear pants and a short sleeve shirt or shorts and a long sleeve shirt.  Aaron said he wanted me to pick his clothes out, Aidan on the other hand...  Here comes Aidan in red and black puma sport shorts with a light blue with navy long sleeved shirt.  So he got the right combination, but the colors - it was bad.  I am pretty laid back with what the kids wear - surprisingly enough.  They wear there rain boots EVERY time it rains and they spent a lot of time in the snow boots this winter.  We have tried to explain the matching thing and Aidan understands it as same color pants with same color shirt.  

Anyhow, I asked him if we could try kaki shorts or a different top.  He wanted to wear what he had on.  We got into a lengthy conversation and Aidan concluded by telling me that he thinks the people who try to match their clothes look weird.  He had a good point - everyone sees things through their own eyes.  He won that one, hands-down!!!

Another sweet one from Aaron

Today wile the boys were napping I made a PB&J for lunch.  I left the stuff out because I thought I might want another.  Aaron woke up first and went to the snack cabinet to get his afternoon snack.  He saw the PB&J stuff out and asked what it was for.  I told him I might want another.  I thought he was just taking a while to pick snack and a few minutes later here comes Aaron into the living room with two pieces of bread with the smallest amount of PB between the slices.  He made me another sandwich!  Then he went back into the kitchen put the lid on the PB, put that and the jelly into the cabinet, and then put the knife in the dishwasher - and I did not tell him to do a thing.  When he was finished he came over to me and said, 'now may I have a healthy snack mommy.' - Oh, my sweet little Aaron.  

Trouble

On Thursday Aidan and Aaron were playing Power Rangers in their room.  I was in the kitchen and all the sudden I heard a big boom - like someone falling/jumping off the top bunk.  I ran in their room and Aidan was on the ground holding his foot.  As soon as I walked in he said 'I'm ok mom'.  I Asked him is he fell or jumped because they are not allowed on the top bunk except to sleep.  He said 'I'm ok mom, I just parachuted down.'  What????  His teenage years will be interesting, you never know what you are going to get out of him.

My sweet Aaron

The day after I got home from Cancun I had a Jazzercise meeting that night.  When I got home Aaron was still awake in his bed.  He usually takes a while to fall asleep.  He wanted a song - Jungle Bells.  Yes, we are still singing Christmas songs AND watching Christmas movies.  While I was singing he was sitting next to me rubbing my arm with this little grin on his face.  After I finished he gave me the biggest hug and kiss - he is my little sweetie!!!

He is my child

Yesterday Carter was eating fruit gummies and after he finished he walked over to the trash can cabinet (that has a child lock) stuck his little hand in as far as it could go and put the wrapper in the trash.  He is only 18 months - it was the cutest thing ever.  When Aaron was about 2 he started putting his cup in the dishwasher.  

When I ask the boys to clean up their room - I usually tell them they can just put everything in a basket.  They will be working in their room for a while and they will both run out with the biggest grin on their faces saying - 'mom, come look at our room'.  They are such good boys!!!

Twin belly

Found this one - it is worth posting.  And I still had a month to go...

Cooks in the kitchen

Last week after we decorated Easter eggs we the boys made their own pizza for dinner.  Unfortunately, I was not able to do eggs, boys, Carter and photos - I can multi task, but not that well.  Here are the boys making their pizza - and they ate it all -BONUS!!! 

Easter

First soccer game

We had our first soccer game this past Saturday. It was about the funniest thing I have ever seen. It was better than being sober in a bar watching drunk people. It rained ALL day Friday so the fields were a mess, and it was cold. We met early and kicked the ball around a bit and talked to the parents that missed the coaches meeting.
Our coaching consisted of putting everyone in positing then yelling 'run that way and kick it'. The kids had and average of two people to every one child telling them what to do. You know they did not hear a word - and they are thinking - these crazy parents.
It was like a movie. We had kids digging for worms, the goalies were more interested in the mud puddle in front of the goal box. There were supposed to be 7 players on the field. At times I would look up and there would be nine other times there would only be 5. When they got tired the left, when they were ready to play they just joined right it.
The boys did really good. Aaron really surprised me, he was right in on the action. Adian was totally into it - just as we expected. I was actually surprised at how well everyone caught on and participated with just a little direction.
As we were getting into the car they were already asking about the next game. I am going to need to recruit some picture help since it is hard to do while coaching. Would have loved to seen pictures from this game, they were a muddy mess!!

Coach

While I was out of town the YMCA called our house a lot asking us to be the 4&5 soccer coach, because they did not have anyone else. Adam asked me about and I told him to find out details - since he has to work on Saturday's when the games are. Well... long story short we are coached - thanks Adam! Because we needed one more thing on our schedule - right!!!
I got to go to the coaches meeting the day I got back from Mexico, then call all the parents to tell them about the 'meet the coach' day on Saturday. It is really a lot of work - not to mention we know NOTHING about soccer.
Our first practice got cancelled - more phone calls. Adam got to do those. We were really interested to see how the first game would be without a practice.

More funny sayings

Lindsey came over the other night to babysit. Aidan thought he let his Power Ranger toy in dad's car so he walked out to get it. Lindsey told him she thought he let it at papa's house. He threw his arms down and said 'you have got to be kidding me.'

Potty words

Along with the hate word some others have come home from school - guess I need to get used to that. We went through the 'shut-up'. I honestly think it just slips out of Aidan, but when Aaron say it he knows exactly what he is doing. Aaron is the deceptive one - I can handle Aidan when he misbehaves when we are out, but on the rare occasion Aaron does - we make a run for it.
I have to admit I was guilty of 'damn'. I stepped on a toy and bruised the bottom of my foot - it dropped me to my knees. Anyhow later that night the boys did something and used the word in context - just like mommy. Adam heard it and told them it was a bad word, and they said 'but mommy said it' - ooops. Those of you who know me well know this is about the extent of my potty mouth, I will give credit to dad and school for the rest.
We were shopping for soccer gear a few weeks ago and I told Aidan he could not get the soccer ball he was holding. He turned around set it down on the shelf and said 'damn-it'. I mean how do you even respond to that - I just cannot help but turn around and laugh.

Hate

The word 'hate' has been flying around the house way too much for me lately. Another one picked up at school I guess. Well the other day I was in the kitchen cooking and Carter was holding my legs and this just drives me crazy. I said 'I hate when Carter does this.' Aidan looked right up at me and said "Mom, that is a awful strong word." I just heard myself talk - it was too funny!!!

Cancun

I am on the flight home from Cancun and I feel like a kid waiting to wake upon Christmas morning. I am SOOOOOOO excited to see the boys, my heart hurts I miss them so much!!! Luckly we were able to SKYPE while I was here. Carter was front and center with the biggest grin on his face. The boys made my cry when they sang Old McDonald while we were SKYPING. I was not able to make outgoing calls on my phone, but my email, text and direct connect worked. Was not real excited to find out the direct connect worked because once work found out, the work free vaction ended.

Dad did a great job and survived the four days. I might be amending this post after I see the house – haha. Dad braved it and took the boys to Pizza King on Monday. I was surprised to hear that because he hates the pizza, but the boys just love to eat there and see the train bring the drinks. Yesterday the boys helped unload a truck – Adam said they had a blast. Carter ran around the nursery like he loves to do. Last night they went to Chucky Cheese. The boys and I were a little concerned about the nightly singing since dad does not like to sing. We had it all worked out Aidan was going to sing Aaron a song and vise versa. But then they told me dad ended up singing to them – what a good daddy!

The trip was nice, but the whole relaxing thing is just not in my nature. About an hour of sitting at the pool, I was about to jump out of my skin. We had an overnight flight out of Charlotte, so we got to Cancun really early Saturday. I was very surprised how smooth customs and all the transfer/transportation were. We were able to check into the hotel right when we got there, another bonus. We stayed at the Marriott and it was beautiful! I was really surprised how upscale Cancun was. I was there years ago with my dad and it is nothing like I remembered. On Monday we took a day trip to Isla Morales, a small island off Cancun. We spent the day there, eating, kayaking, shopping and we rented a golf cart to tour the Island. We had a nice dinner every night and the girls went to the Clubs a few nights… they did the Spring Break thing good. I joined them one night and that was enough for me. I had to show them their big sister was not ‘that old’ – they were proud and we had a great time!!! It was nice bonding time with my sister, and she really showed her balance. She knows how to have fun, but she is very responsible - I am very proud of her!