problem solved

Some technical difficulties with the video clips....I think I worked out the bugs.  I'm home from work...off to wrap presents.  night!

We are practicing...little boy style

{Mommy, you wanna hear something?}

Me  - Of course I wanna hear something.  What am I going to hear?

Mitchell  - Our singin' for tomorrow on stage....here it goes.

Davis  -  Ya, our singin'.

Me  -  can I take a picture of you?

Boys  -K

First is Davis....then, Mitchell  (I got a little more to listen too than planned....but I'm the mother of boys...we laugh at these kind of things around here.)

PS....you can pause the music to the right side bar when playing video.

Can I upload video???

{I think I can}

This is a trial....to see if I can....I think it worked.  This video has nothing to do with anything.  It just makes me giggle.  A little singing, a little coughing, a little something that flew out of Mitchell's mouth, a little Spiderman from Davis.  This was taped just a few days before Halloween.  I will post more clips later.

It's almost Christmas and....

{The worst virus EVER hit}

I am just now coming out of what I will say is tied for first place(next to the MD virus) the worst virus ever.  Those of you who were affected by this virus...I know you remember.  During the first 6 months we lived here in Alabama, we were hit by the MD virus.  Named after Davis and Mitchell, of course.  This was barfing combined with other toilet events, that was passed to EVERY person we came in contact with.  It started with my entire playgroup, one by one, mothers and children hit with sickness.  Mitchell one night, then the next night Davis, then Brent and last me! The next weekend, we shared it with every member of Brent's innocent family.  I think Brent's brother Shannon gave "The Virus" it's proper name.  I was lucky enough to re-live something very similar.  I feel so lucky =)  I am crossing my fingers that I am the only one to re-live it.  I almost emptied the Clorox bleach bottle out trying to keep it to myself. 

Other than that, we have been busy around here getting ready for Christmas.  The boys have so many questions about Santa.  "Is he going to get bugs on him when he goes down the chimney?  How does he fit?  What about people who have no chimney's?"  I have even been pulled over to our fireplace (gas) and shown that there is a trap door and how is he going to get through there. 

We are also on our Tucker/Thayer count down.  My sister (T as the boys call her) and Kelly, Chelsey and Kyle will be Christmas day.  My brother Eric, Missy, Lauren and Alexa will be here for New Years.  The days can't go fast enough for us. 

I wanted to share a few other pictures....

Mitchell ....

Davis...

Tomorrow, the boys have the Christmas performance.  I will share some pictures of that.  Until then....I am off to bed.

 

 

What we did

{ this weekend }

We spent Thanksgiving weekend with Brent's family.  This year was the year Amy (my sister-in-law) and I  were committed to Black Friday.  Usually we get up and eventually make our way out shopping mid-morning and hit maybe 1-2 stores.  Not this year!  Alarm went off at 3am (we were up before the alarm even sounded???) and were in the car at 3:25 am headed for Kohl's.  I am not a shopper, unless we are talking electronics or scrapbooking....that is a different story.  But, on this day I was among the serious folks.  We hit kohl's, Walmart, Target, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, JC Penny, Gap, Old Navy, Children's Place and Toys-R-Us.  There was nothing either of us "needed" only looking for some great deals if we came across them.  Some stores we came out with more bags than we could carry and others, nothing at all. 

After 12 hours, 1 full minivan and lots of laughs, we were done.  I had a blast and got some great deals along the way. 

Today, we (the boys and I) headed home.  Brent is bonding with nature for the next week (hunting) with his brother.   The boys and I enjoyed making our first batch of Christmas cookies.  I rolled out the dough and they did all the rest.  They took lots of time getting everything just right.  I think they would have decorated a million if I would have let them.  We read some Christmas stories and off to bed they went. 

I have a million things to get done this week.  ~please let me be productive this week~ 

On my list for tomorrow- wash Libby, laundry, unpack and put away, empty dishwasher, post office, vacuum, sweep and mop, more laundry, pick up and craft after boys bedtime.  We'll see....

Goodnight!

November 27, 2008

{ I am }

Thankful for many things....

~My wonderful husband who supports me always...keeps me laughing...and never allows there to be a dull moment

~My 2 healthy, sweet  boys.  How lucky I am to have the opportunity to raise identical twin boys.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

~The most wonderful mother who I miss so much it hurts. 

~Family...my own and my in-laws.  If I was able to pick who they would be, I would pick them.

~Our army life.  It has lead me to many great things and taught me so much. 

~Friends.  My friends that I have had forever.  My friends that I will have forever. 

~And all the little things I can't live without..my computer, camera, scrapbooks, scrapbooking stuff, blue bell, reality TV, cell phone. 

{Why}

are there days when Davis and Mitchell are So perfect.  What button did I push or switch did I flip?  Yesterday....was perfect.  "OK Mommy" the first time I asked them to do anything.  I need to put that button or switch in a special place so I always know where it is. 

Random things...Random thoughts....

• I wish I had a house keeper that was showing up tomorrow.
• I can't wait to see the boys in there fall performance tomorrow. 
• When will I love doing laundry?
• Facebook is my new crack. 
• How do I get gum out of my carpet?
• I am so proud of Davis for being a great line leader today.
• Is it really almost December...seriously?
• Why am I still awake?
• Goodnight.

J-Crew..you're OUT- Davis...you're IN

This makes me smile!

The boys are not fussy at all getting dressed for Preschool. At night before I go to bed, I pick out the their clothes and lay them on the floor next to their bed. In the morning (at the crack of dawn) the boys get dressed and come to my room to wake me up. We also have the occasional "let's see what we can get away with in the morning if we are quiet and we think Mom can't hear us" Yes, the baby monitor had to be dug out of our baby storage and secretly placed in their room.

Most mornings, they make it in my room first thing and are both dressed for Preschool. On the weekends...it's their pick. Anything goes as long as they pick it out of their "play clothes drawer" It is always interesting what combos they can come up with.

Davis wore this outfit proudly all day. I think it is fabulous...the socks are my favorite. He calls these his "wedding socks." I might have to frame this picture...I LOVE IT!

Chili 5K cook-off

For the second year in a row, Brent has run a large event at Ft Rucker called the Chili 5K cook-off. It is a fundraiser to raise money for local scholarships. 21 booths all competed to have the best chili....over 6,000 cups of chili were sold. It really consumes our lives for the weeks prior to the event. Thank goodness, the event ran smoothly and everyone had a great time. Along with good chili, there were tons of fun things to do with the kids. Bounce houses, fire truck rides, helicopters to climb in, and Warrant Officer Candidate School obstacle course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It is so important to me to teach the boys to try to do things even if they are a little scared. Confidence is a key ingredient in life. The boys were so excited to do the obstacle course....but when they got on the first wall climb, were a bit nervous. First was Mitchell...he got on the wall, climbed a bit and then decided "no, I no want to do this." All the WOC guys and I cheered him on and he got the courage to do it. He climbed, cried a bit at the very top when he had to swing his leg over, but DID IT. The look on his face when he climbed down on the other side was priceless. He was so proud...I was proud...it was a proud moment.

It was then Davis' turn to attempt the wall climb. He was just as nervous once he got up fairly high. We all cheered him on, yelling in support, "come on Davis, you can do it...your almost there" and he did. He was determined. Once on the other side, he looked around at everyone, pulled his shirt down and walked to the next obstacle with his chest a little puffed out and head held high. It was a great moment.

The boys loved crawling around in the helicopters. Yes, this one happens to be a blackhawk...but in my defense, the apache was locked up.

Davis (L) Mitchell (below)

Trick or Treat

I have no words....Ok, maybe I do. There is nothing cuter than this!!

THE FUN PARTS ACCORDING TO THE BOYS~Painting our face, wearing silly colored hair, wearing goofy hats, going door to door, getting lots of candy, eating lots of candy.

THE NOT SO FUN PARTS ACCORDING TO THE BOYS~Our legs hurt when trick or treating was over that we couldn't hardly walk home, taking our make-up off, getting the candy put away for the night, going to bed on a sugar high. ACCORDING TO MOM~ Taking the make-up off, experiencing the sugar high, strep throat x2.

But, it was so worth it!

Mitchell

Davis

The way we see it.

I always think about what my Mom taught me,  "It is their art"  I think the way a 4 year old see's things is much better anyway.

You may have in your mind what a Jack-O-Lantern looks like.  I guarantee you didn't think they could look like this....and I think they are the best looking Jack-O-Lanterns I have ever seen.

This one is Davis'.  I know that it is obvious.... but this one is complete with eyes, top hat and teeth.  It is just as Davis saw it.

Mitchell, he had a vision.  I'm not sure I can explain it, but isn't it great.

 

Davis had a blast.  He loved taking the top off to see how many seeds were inside.  He made faces and giggled the entire time.

 

 

 

 

Watching Mitchell with a knife....a little scary.  Watching him draw his Jack-O Lantern's  face...Wonderful.  We told him draw whatever you want and Dad will cut it out for you. 

Picking the perfect pumpkin

We have a great little place called Aplin Farms where we go every year to hand pick our pumpkins. We open the back of the car and the boys and I hop in the back with our feet dangling and the hatch wide open as Brent drives us down these little dirt roads to the pumpkin patch. The boys might be have been just as excited to ride in the back of the car with our feet dangling as they were about picking out our pumpkins. We spend a good amount of time picking out just the perfect one. This year, the boys picked about 8....and were shocked to find out that they all were not coming home with us. We had to line them up, discuss the positive and negative qualities about each of them. 3 made it home with us.

Davis, moving some of the "perfect" pumpkins to our pile.

Mitchell...doing the same.

I love to see them help each other.

Final decision.

My sparkles

Bath time is part of our everyday routine.  It is a time to relax, slow down, sometimes sing and have some good ole' conversation.  After bathing the boys, me feet were terribly dirty from the day at the park.  I put me feet in the bath for them to wash right before getting out.  Is that bad?  It doesn't sound like such a nice moment written out....anyway.  Conversations went like this.

Mitchell- Mommy, you have very nice sparkles.

Me- I do

Mitchell- You have them everywhere, on your eye lids, your forehead, your arms, your legs.  They are very nice sparkles Mommy.

Me- Thank you Mitchell.  I think I like my sparkles too.  (thinking to myself...I have never thought of my freckles as sparkles before.)

Mitchell- Your feet are shinny now Mommy.

Bath over and time to get our PJ's on.

My Tuxedo Guys

Over the summer, Brent's older brother was married in Nabraska. I cried when Davis and Mitchell put on their tuxedo's. They looked so old...not like my little boys anymore. The wedding was wonderful and fun was had by all.

I waited 4 years.

I waited 4 years for my little boys to play soccer and it was worth the wait. The boys had a blast playing this fall, but think I had more fun watching them. Davis scored some goals ( most of them in the other teams goal ) I cheered him all the way to the other goal. Brent and I had to tell the boys that if the other team had the ball it was OK to get it from them. That was the entire object of the game. I think Mitchell was shocked about that. It was a perfect season...we can't

wait for the spring.

God Bless America

The moment has arrived. We can wear JEANS. The air has a chill...We can celebrate. I love you FALL....good bye summer.