Sorry

Yesterday Carter brought me Shaggy and Freddy and asked me to put their legs back on.  Aaron and Carter were playing and Aaron broke the legs.  If it had only been one I would not have been upset but it was two of the Scooby-Doo figures Carter just got for his birthday last month.  A few weeks ago Aaron wrote his name on his sweatshirt in permanent marker.  So we discussed – well really I lectured him about taking care of his things.  When I asked him why he would break Carters toys he did not really say much, he just said he did not know. I finished the conversation by telling him he would need to use some of his birthday money to replace the toys he broke.  He just said ok to this.  Right after our conversation I got in the shower.  When I got out of the shower I found this letter sitting on the vanity. 

Translation:  I sorry I broke my brothers toys. I pay you $100. 

I mean seriously – how could I even be mad after that!!! 

Rock Star

Aidan has been talking about this Justin Bebier singer kid nonstop for the past week.  He knows about two lines of his hit single Baby.  Anyhow tonight I thought what the heck I will get it from itunes for him.  Boy was that a mistake.  He must have listened to the thing 100 times on my phone.  And the only lines he can get is 'baby, baby, oh, baby' and then he does this really drawn out ohhhhhhhhhh.  I can just hear the dog howling along.

The best part was on our way to dinner (it was Utica family night at Zaxbys)  he said "mom, you've got a rock star in the can and his name is Aidan."  I really worry about his confidence level - ha!

Love you Aidan and your singing... you must get it from your dad!

Sizes

We had to get the boys weigh and height for basketball sign-ups.


Aidan 45 in. and 41 lbs.
Aaron 44 in. and 39 lbs.

So cool – since birth the have maintained exactly one inch height difference.

Too cool!

It's drug awareness week at the boy's school.  Today was black and white and sunglasses day.  Check them out.  They are too cool for their own good - crazy boys! 

Little man

Carter's preschool pictures Oct 2010

Sweet, sweet Aaron

All of our boys are all special in their very own ways, but Aaron get the sweet award around here.  Aaron has a very special gift, it is going to take him far in life and it is so genuine.  Aaron has always been the helper around the house.  I actually make it a point not to ask for his help because it is so easy to take advantage of him.  If you even have to ask for his help (he usually beats us to it) he will never say no.  I remember a few years ago and I know I have blogged about it, Aaron cleaning the kitchen.  I remember one day in particular watching him as he put the dishes in the dishwasher, then got a rag out and proceeded to wash the counters.  Working the entire time with the biggest grin on his face.  Aaron thrives off positive reinforcement.  I cannot remember the last time he got in trouble.  Not so true of his twin brother.

A few things in the past couple of weeks have just left me to be one proud mom.  Aaron class has behavior charts that the teacher checks off in their take home folders.  Everyday Aaron has had the ‘excellent’ check mark.  Him and just one other girl from the class got to pick a prize from the box for their consistent good behavior.  He was so proud telling us.  The little grin he gets on his face.  Humble, but just glowing… I wish I could just bottle it up.  Week before last he came home and said, “my teacher said I did something really nice today”.  A little boy was sitting alone.  She asked two other boys to sit with him and they declined.  Aaron said, “I raised my hand and said I would sit with him.”  The next day he said he played with the same little boy on the playground.  Aaron bud… you are a very special little boy and you have a special gift.  You make your mommy and daddy so very proud!

Last week Aidan came home and said Aaron was crying on the playground.  The story was - the classes can earn stars for good behavior in their outside classes – gym, art, music, library and computer.  Aaron’s class was not well behaved that day and did not earn a star.  Well Aaron was so upset that he was crying on the playground.  He said he hid his face so no one could see him, and Aidan said he tried to make him feel better.  We had to have a long talk about teamwork.  Also had to slip in there a little about setting your goals to high.  Geez… I don’t want the kid to set himself up for failure too much.

It just amazes me how giving he is and how totally opposite Aidan is.  He will literally give the shirt off his back if you ask.  Believe me Aaron is the first to give in if Aidan want something from him.  Half the time we step in because he is so quick to give in to Aidan aka Mr. Demanding.

Now thinking about this Aaron will help Carter get dressed or play with him more, but Aidan is the total protector.  He might not be willing to help you around the house but outside the house he’s ‘got his brother’s backs’!  As the boys get older, develop and grow it just shows more everyday that being a twin does not all mean they are alike.  I could roll off a list of opposites, and can hardly think of many similarities.  And that’s what makes them all special and gives us so much to love about each one of them.

Annie

I have to admit I am not the most spontaneous person.  I plan to a fault and I envy those who do not.  Needless to say surprises kill me.  But Adam and they boys managed to pull one off… probably the first time ever.  A few weeks ago I saw some weird charges on the check card.  Shoe carnival and JC Penney’s… not places we usually shop.  I told Adam I thought someone had got ahold of our check card.  He said “no, it was me and don’t ask any questions it is a surprise.  And I will really be upset if you make the boys tell you.”  Oh gosh… am I that bad?!?!?  Anyhow a few weeks went by and nothing.  Then one Sat I came home from Jazzercise and my mom was over.  I walked in and saw Adam, Aidan and Aaron all dressed up standing in the living room.  They told me we were going to see Annie – mom would stay with Carter.  I was so excited.  As I child I watched the movie Annie over and over again and I saw it years ago at Center t for the Arts.  They really pulled it off, but I was most impressed with the way the money was handled.  The JC Penney purchase was for black pin stripe pants, shirts, clip on ties and new black socks.  Shoe Carnival for new black dress shoes.  Dad did so great and they boys all looked so stinkin’ cute.   My big question was how he bought the tickets.  We don’t use our credit cards but I do have them in our files.  So Adam got one of the cards out that we never use and used it because he knew I would see the check card purchase.  He said he also had to get the statement out of the mail before I saw it.  That totally impressed me – way to go Dad.  Thanks to my all my boys for my big surprise!!! 

Aidan and Aaron after the show with some of the cast memebers

Our 'big' boys

Cameo Belts

We took two months off from Karate this summer and by the end of the two months they were sooooo ready to get back.  When they started back the boys that they started with as white belts were Cameo belts - that is the next belt after the yellow belt.  The cameo belt is a whole new level because you get to spar, and with some pretty fancy gear.  It was just 'so, not fair'  that they were not cameo belts yet.  Thankfully, after a few weeks back they were ready to test.  Mr.  Backs Karate Kids got a nice chunk of my change for all that gear, belt testing and for our next 6 months worth of Karate.  Needless to say we will be sticking to this sport for a long while!

These are some of the boys in their class sparing with the gear

Mr.  Back awarding Aidan his new belt

Aidan - cameo belt

Mr.  Back awarding Aaron his cameo belt

Our cameo belt Aaron

More to come

I am not even close to catching up with my posting... I really slacked this summer.  Come back soon for more!

First day pictures

Aidan getting off the bus at Utica - I followed the bus :-)

This is the only picture I got of them getting on the bus.  I started crying like a baby right here.

Always in karate mode

Aaron

Aidan

Waiting for the bus

Aaron getting his bus rider tag

Aidan waiting to go to his classroom.  He would not let me walk him to class - tear!

Your fired!

Adam has been doing the boy homework with them since he get them off the bus.  Well the other night he had to leave for class early and I had to take over in the middle of homework.  No problem... I got this Kindergarten homework.  Well the next day just a little after the boys got home I get a text from Adam that said "you are fired from homework".  Well apparently there was a back to the homework page that I totally missed.  I wrote a note to the teacher I was so embarrassed, and I did not want to get off to a bad start.  Really I planned it all so I don't have to do the homework - ha!

Choice words

We spent a lot of time at the lake house this summer.  The boys adore their older cousins.  They really do think they are just the coolest guys ever.  They are allowed to say crap... and they even throw in a holy crap sometimes.  Well after a few weekend of this the boys begin asking, and no it is no not allowed in our house.  On our last trip home from the lake Aidan so passionately said "Oh mom, I just wish I could say that SOOOO bad.  It just sounds so cool mom."  You really had to hear it - I mean he really thought it sounded cool.

Some other choice words over the summer.  The boys we watching a Harry Potter movie in the basement on the big TV.  It was very dark and a dark part of the movie and this dragon fly out from no where - it really was scary.  And without missing a beat Aidan says "HOLY S@#T".  He did not bat and eye he just kept watch away.  I am such a bad mom because I had to walk upstairs I was laughing so hard.  Only because that is kinda what I was thinking when the dragon popped out.  I came back down and heard Adam explaining to him that was not an OK word to use.  I honestly don't know where he go that one from because we really don't swear around here.  But it sure did make for a good laugh!

Carter's first day of Preschool

Last night when Carter went to bed he was Batman and he woke up this morning as Batman.  I was a little worried because he gets so into this role-playing.  Like this morning… Mom:  Cater what do you want for breakfast? Carter:  Batman wants muffins.  Mom:  Carter its time to get dressed.  Carter:  No, I Batman.  Anyhow we pulled up to preschool and I went to the door to get him out he said, “Mommy, I Carter.”  I am so glad to got his identity back before the first day. 

He was a little clingy when I dropped him off but he sat right down with the group and waved bye.   They were on the playground when I picked him up.  He was so excited to see me… he melts my heart.  He said “I play with friends.”  We talked about his day at bedtime.  I asked him if he wanted to go back to school tomorrow.  He said “I go play with friends”.  Followed by “Gurls (girls) gross”.  Gee, do you think he has older brothers.  Then he said, “You no gross mommy.”  Thanks Carter!

Oh and FYI - I did pretty good dropping him off.  Not too many tears, just the big throat bubble.  

Kindergarten update

We are almost two weeks into school now – we are still adjusting.  The boys ride the bus together and see each other at recess but that’s it.  But the fact that they have maybe spent a total of two or three days apart their whole life – that is a huge adjustment!  A few special dates with mom and dad (not near as many as we would like) and a few times one stayed home from preschool, but that’s it.  I can tell they are just beat when they come home.  Bedtime is a breeze.  They are in bed by 8:30 and they get up a little after 7:00.  The bus comes at 8:30 and drops them of at 4:00.  That makes for a long day.  Last night we had a PTO meeting and I got to meet Aidan’s very best friend.  He was so excited and as were we.  We exchanged phone numbers to get the boys together.  At this time we had to have the conversation about each other’s friends because Aaron assumed he would get to go to.  I did my best to explain but they still had a hard time with it.  Then when we got home form school today Aaron had an invite to a little girl’s party in his class.  We got lots of ‘no fairs’.  We have it worked out – we will try to invite Aidan’s friend over while Aaron is at the party.  I can already see this getting complicated – and its only Kindergarten. 

When I got home from work today Aidan’s eyes welled up and he said he had a bad day.  It broke my heart.  Apparently a little girl tripped him on purpose.  Oh life would just be so simple without those mean kids.  All I can do is give Aidan the tools to go out into the world to fight his own battles.  I decided this year I would not form an opinion about teachers because over the next 12 years we will have some we love and some not so much.  But that’s part of life, and a good practice for those coping skills.  So with a heavy heart I just told Aidan to just be as nice as he could to everyone even the mean ones.  I wish I could fight all those battles for them, but I cannot. 

Aaron is doing well.  When I asked him some of his friend’s names he had a long list made up of both boys and girls.  He thought it was so funny to tell Aidan he was going to invite girls to his birthday party.  Aidan just thought that was soooooo gross.  Aaron has a lot of homework…. homework almost every night.  With homework, Karate Mondays and Wednesdays, and early bedtimes, it seems like we have practically no evenings.  More reason to look forward to those weekends! 

Overall they are doing well.  But they are still just little guys stepping out into the real world for the first time, so we have some adjusting to do.  I am enjoying being back in a routine.  As much as I love the summer… I am a creature of habit and I do love our routines!

Boy talk

I had to laugh at this.  The boys were all going potty before bath and Aidan said 'mom why is my pee-pee big' - oh geez'!  Trying to avoid answering, he answered himself - 'I guess cause it is so strong'.  And how do you respond to that one?!?!?!  Oh wait there is more.  As the boys were showering they yelled 'hey mom, are 'nickels' (aka nipples) a private area.  

I love you impossible

The boys and I often go back and forth with I Love You’s at night.  They say I love you, I say I love you more and they say no I love you more.  I always have to put an end to it by telling them it is absolutely impossible that they love me more.  So they, especially Aaron, will often yell out ‘I love you impossible mom’.   Those boys just make me smile.  

Tooth Picts

I am so sad I do not have the picture from the first tooth.  This one will have to do.  This is about a week after Aidan lost the second tooth.

Holiday World

Nonnie took the boys to their third annual Holiday World trip.  This is about the longest span of time we are ever apart.  Got lots done around the house, but it was WAY too quite around here.  Check out Carter's face as the boys were leaving.  He wanted to go so bad

Lake House 2010

Our first trip to the lake house for the year!!! Carter's first time tubing. Aidan caught two fish!!

Carter

Oh, Carter.  He is the baby and he does have two older brothers.  He wants to watch Ben 10 Alien Force over PBS kids.  He tells us things are ‘not fair’.  He pees standing up.  He picks out his own clothes.  He thinks he is exempt from meals at the table and he can just snack all day. At night he picks the book, tells me where to sit, tells me what to sing, if you put his drink in the wrong place we get a ‘no, no’ or ‘I do it’.   He tries to play the boy’s Nintendo DS.  He tubed at last weekend at the lake house at 2 the boys were 4.   He has me (and dad) totally wrapped around his finger – he is rotten!!!  Have we created a monster – oh geez!!!   

Aidan

Aidan really impressed me tonight at the pool.  A little boy was not really following the slide rules.  He was not taking turns and came down right after Carter a few times and knocked him off the end.  Aidan walked over to help Carter and as I was watching from a short distance I noticed Aidan talking to the little boy who was probably about 5.  The boy splashed Aidan right in the face.  Aidan took Carters hand, turned and started to walk away.  The little boy continued to follow, splashing.  Aidan just totally ignored him.  Aidan stayed calm and collected and was really looking out for Carter.  His maturity showed.  We talked on the way home and I told him I was really impressed how he handled the situation.  We talked about nice behavior… it was a really good learning lesson. 

Adam called me on Friday and said you will never believe this.  Oh geez, when it comes to Aidan, I get a little worried.  He is the one who pushes the rules.   We received a call from Utica and said Aidan scored exceptionally well on his Kindergarten testing and they wanted him to come in for more testing.  They have a new program they are testing for gifted kids.  I was floored.  I asked if they had the right kid.  Honestly I thought Aaron was a little more advanced.  Shows you what I know.  Anyhow Adam gave them the news before I even got home.  And here I was all worried about telling Aaron.  The only thing Aaron wanted to know was if Aidan got to ride the bus again like they did in camp kindergarten.  Oh, the worries of a 5 year old.

I am so proud of Aidan, but I will not push him AT ALL.  If he is totally bored in class that is one thing, but I want him to have fun… he has his whole life to learn.  

Aaron

Aaron gets the sweet award around here.  Everyday, usually at dinner, we all say our smile (something that happened that day that made us smile).  Last night at bedtime Aaron said ‘mom, we forgot our smiles’.  I said ok go ahead.  He said ‘when I walked in the door from Holiday World and saw you.’  Aaron is truly a very kind person.  He has great compassion and will give the shirt off his back to anyone especially his brothers.  I actually step in sometime between him and Aidan because he will give Aidan anything he asks for almost all the time.  He gets great pleasure out of helping with chores.  He helps with a smile on his face and it only gets bigger when we tell him how much we appreciate the help. 

On his progress report he scored exceeds expectations in most categories on social and emotional development.  Academically he was mostly average.  He scored above average on counting…. hummmm, who’s child is he!?!?!?  

Mom

Bedtime is a very busy time around here especially these days when Adam has night classes.  I am just outnumbered.  We have always had a good bedtime schedule, and they are all great sleepers, but it is still 3 to 1.  Everyone piles in the bathroom to potty and brush teeth.  Our little hall bath is hardly big enough for 1 and it is plain packed with 4… to say the least.  Then everyone has to cuddle in bed for some TV time.  Last I checked I only had two sides, so that always creates some problems.  Then Carter gets books, songs and tucked in.  Then back to the boy’s room… you get the picture.  I have earned my quite time by then.  But it never fails someone comes tiptoeing out of the room for a drink or another potty break. 

Anyhow my point of this is the story my mom came home with from Holiday World.  Aaron was complaining of a stomachache at bedtime in the hotel.  My mom laid with him and rubbed his belly. After a bit he said it still hurt.  She asked him what I did for his belly… thinking she would get some magical answer.  Aaron replied ‘she says, get back in bed’.  And since she (mom) thinks Carter is so spoiled she asked what I did when his tummy hurt. Aaron replied ‘she tells him she is going to shut his gate.’  So there you have it… Aaron totally selling his mom out – ha!

Twins... heres another one

The boys came home with souvenirs from Holiday World.  Aidan came home just a swinging away his duel light up swords.  Aaron came home with Sparkles (his name choice) his little stuffed dog with a pink carrying case J.  Yes they really are twins, but that does not mean anything!!!

Lost Camera

I am really sad to report I lost my camera during the butterfly release.  I am pretty sure I put it on the bumper of my car and later drove off.  I am most upset because I had the first tooth pictures on there.  L

Conditioner

I let the boys take a shower in our room the other night.  I just bought a big pump style shampoo and conditioner from Sam's club and the boys were excited to use them.  When I was drying the boys off Aaron said, "hey mom, I air conditioned my hair."  I looked at him.  He said, "I air conditioned my hair." He had used my conditioner and all this time he thought I was 'air conditioning' my hair in the shower.  You gotta love the the kid interpretations.

I Carter

Carter aka chatty Kathy has a lot to say these days.  And he is a man who knows what he wants.  I am sure that has nothing to do with the fact he is the baby - ha!!  If you ask him how old he is he say "I Carter, I five."    Try 2 1/2 little man.  If you call him anything other than his name... babe, sweetie, honey he says "no, I Carter."  I know I have missed blogging a few other funny ones, but these never get old.

Teeth time

Well since the boys had teeth at 4 months I was not surprised by the first loose tooth.  Actually I thought it was a bit early so we googled and found it was not... ahhh, technology.  Anyhow we were sitting at dinner they boys were eating apples and all the sudden Aidan jumps up screaming he has a loose tooth.  It was BIG news.  Aaron was chanting "my brother's got a loose tooth".  Aidan says "if you have a loose tooth raise your hand."  Hot stuff I'll tell ya!!!  Almost a week later Mrs.  Morgan pulled it out at school after it hung by thread all afternoon.  The tooth fairy had to make a trip to the bank and then to the store to get change.  She left one dollar and some water guns.  Now Aidan has another loose tooth, so the fairy has some reserve set aside.  Funny thing, the boy's best friend Cole got his tooth pulled out my Mrs. Morgan the very same day - so cool!

Schools out for the summer.... almost

Our preschool days are numbered.  Three to be exact.  Last week we had preschool Olympics and the Graduation program.  Last month was kindergarten registration and a few weeks ago we had Camp Kindergarten.  This was a BIG deal and very much looked forward to at our house!!!  On registration day they did the kindergarten testing - we will get the results after the start of school.  We also learned the boys we missing a shot - they were totally bummed about that because the doc told us last Dec they did not have to have anymore.  But they sure were troopers when we went to get the shots the next week.  Aaron did not shed one tear and they only reason Aidan did is because he got himself all worked up for nothing.  He looked surprised after, like he expected it to hut alot more.  We still have to get an eye exam before the start of school.
Camp Kindergarten started with lunch in the cafeteria.  The boys got to ride a real school bus while we listened to the parent info talk.  They also got to do an activity in the Kindergarten rooms.  They want to ride the bus to school next year.  One thing at a time boys.  Don't you know this is a lot for your mama.  Also the boys do NOT want to be in class together next year.  I spent a lot of time and thought on that and I had already requested that they be placed together next year since they were starting a new school.  Then from 1st grade on I had planned on splitting them.  Now they tell me... guess I should have consulted with them first - but moms know best right?!?!?!

Another month

And so goes another month without blogging. Its my own fault. Once again, I have over committed myself. Picked up two new clients in one week and both want help ASAP. Funny how they can go years without an accounting system and then I come in and they need it done right away. I am happy to have the business, but never enough time in a day. I manage to keep the computer put away until the kids go to bed and then to work I go. Adam is being a good Mr. Mom but has a busy summer school schedule. We pretty much see each other in passing Mon-Thur.... no fun. But the weekend are all the more valuable and FUN!

Maple Syrup Festival

I was looking through photos and realized I never blogged about this year’s Maple Syrup Festival. This is something we have done for the past three years – it is becoming a yearly tradition. It is always FREEZING, and this year was no different. The boys were old enough this year to do the scavenger hunt. When they found all the items they each got a bag of maple cotton candy – ummmm – not!!!! I stuck with the big pancake breakfast with strawberry topping and chocolate fudge for dessert.

Yellow belts

Time for a new belt.  I am so proud of these boys!

Trip to the Zoo with Daddy

Movin' up in life

The boys love sitting at the breakfast bar and you know Carter always wants to be like his brothers. So last weekend Carter got his own stool at the bar. He loves it!!