Garden of the Gods

Thinking we would beat the heat the boys and I ventured out to Garden of the God one morning. The boys were excited to go, but it was hotter than I thought it would be. The boys still had fun climbing up some rocks and going through all the rock tunnels. They were a little disappointed that I wouldn't climb on everything. I just knew I wouldn't really be able to spot them if they climbed to high. Nolan had fun riding along in his stroller and looking around. We only walked around for an hour or so before we were all worn out, but it was still fun to get out and do something we hadn't had time for in a while. I am excited to go back on Olivia is here and its a little cooler so we can all climb and hike even more. 

Rain Day

For the most part it has been a very dry hot summer so far. One day we got a nice relief from the sun where it seemed to rain on and off all day. Tyler and Carter absolutely loved it. The found that their side walk chalk they left outside, when wet, acts more like paint. They had  a blast "painting" everything. They also of course had fun just splashing in the puddles and mud, finding bugs in the yard, and once it started thundering, counting how far away the lightening was. Very fun day indeed.

Summertime!

The boys are enjoying the warmer weather and everything else that comes with it. While they are enjoying going to church on Mondays and Wednesdays, they are also seeming to enjoy being home during the day and playing outside almost the entire time. We got a trampoline for them and they are constantly on it. If they aren't on the tramp they are playing baseball in the backyard. We also planted our flowers, went to the fountains to play in at America the Beautiful park, and have rode our scooters around the park. If it wasn't so hot we would be doing a lot more, but it just zaps my energy so quickly. Luckily the boys have been behaving well and seem to be ok with our low-key summer.

Outside Time!

The weather had been crazy as usual here in Colorado. Record highs in the 80's one day and snowing the next. Its also been very windy and dry so far this Spring. However the boys are loving being outside regardless. They are climbing trees, which are really bushes and then they get stuck, digging in the dirt, playing soccer and football, and playing through the fence with the neighbor boys. We also got them scooters this year so they love waiting for daddy to get home every night and ride their scooters and bikes around. The crazy weather is suppose to continue a while longer, but I think we are all ready for sunny days everyday.

Some Updates

Some updates since we have been back from Montrose:

• On Wednesday we went up to Denver to see the Roses and the Kasks before the Kasks headed back to Korea. We had a great time hanging out and the boys behaves great. This had more to do with us letting them play their Leapsters than anything else. 
• We finally got a pretty big snowstorm in Colorado Springs, where Justin actually ended up working from home. The boys loved all the snow once again. I am not loving all the mud that the snow left in our yard and is now all over our house. Today the boys had a snow day from another snow storm last night. Its about time, we need the moisture. 
• The boys started back at school and were so excited to go back. I love that they love school and have NEVER said that the didn't want to go. Every night I get asked if they get to go to school tomorrow. I think I need to get a calendar for there room just to avoid the question. I am already dreading Spring Break. 
• Nolan has grown so much this month its unreal. However since he turns 5 months (that went by quick!) on Wednesday I will wait til then to do his update post.
• Since Tyler is reading Carter wants to as well. He reads the books Tyler has already mastered. He seems to get the concepts but gets confused on some of the letter sounds. However since he has heard Tyler read them to us, he usually gets the words right anyway.
• We have less than a month to decide if Tyler will go to our home school for Kindergarten next year or if we will choice him into another school. Both schools are good schools and he will do all day regardless. I am still not ready for this big step however.

America the Beautiful Park

Today was suppose to be another hot day so we headed down to the America the Beautiful Park to play in the fountain. Both boys had a great time splashing around and kicking the water everywhere. As usual Carter got tired of it first and came and ate lunch with me on the towels while Tyler continued playing. I was very surprised that once he was done eating he went back into the fountain. I am glad he is starting to enjoy the fountains more. After some time there we hit the playground. My monkey boy Carter wanted to climb on all the bigger kid equipment and was doing a pretty good job until I made him stop. I don't like how high he gets when I can't really help spot him or catch him right now. Tyler had fun imagining away that he was at a restaurant and serving me food. They both wanted to stay longer as well, but I was getting too hot. A very fun morning though!

Recap

Eek! Way to long since I have blogged. We had a wonderful time with Oma and Opa here. We got in one day of shopping (thanks Oma!) and then I got a day to go grocery shopping and running errands by myself while the boys played with Oma - always a special treat! That night Justin and I also got to go out, which of course is always needed and always very refreshing. Besides that we have been doing normal day to day things. Its crazy how busy our simple life can be!

Spring is Here!

It officially feels like Spring this week. Today we have highs in the 70's! The boys and I took this opportunity to head up to Fox Run park. There was still snow on the ground and the roads were pretty muddy but it was still a fun day. After sometime on the playground he walked around the ponds, which were still iced over. The boys had fun looking at the different signs telling about the different tress and animals along the trail. They also had fun looking for crocodiles in the frozen water. Now that nap time is over the boys are back outside. Loving this weather!

Funny Things

A couple of funny things Tyler did today. First he tell me "Mom you want to know the funniest thing about a tootsie roll you have ever hear - did (heard)? Tootsie Roll to the rescue! That's pretty funny!"

And then about 5 minutes later he runs upstairs to tell me there was a raisin in his nose. Luckily it didn't take more than a blow of the nose to dislodge it. So much fun to be the mom of boys.

Lies, Lies, Lies

The boys have entered a new phase in their development - lying. I am glad to know that it is just a milestone in their development, but its not a fun one nonetheless. This morning one of them had taken the sheet down from their window that we use to keep the sun out. When I asked them which one of them took it down they both said "not me". I told them they would both be disciplined if I didn't get the truth and evermore they would be disciplined for lying to me. Tyler quickly piped up and said "it was me". I thanked him for telling me the truth and that was the end of it. Tyler has gotten in trouble for lying before so I was happy to see he fessed up to it. I would have rather he told me the first time, but the second time is progress at least.

So we go upstairs to clean their room and I see that all of the hangers that were hanging up are now on the floor. I ask them who did it so they can help me clean it up. Once again they both say "not me". When I ask who did it then they both tell me the other one did it. I was assuming it was Carter, as it is usually him who has been known to climb up and take everything down that is hanging in their closet. Tyler then tells me that he was taking down the sheet and Carter went over, turned on the light, and then climbed up and took them down. As Tyler says "it makes sense". So I am trying to get Carter to tell me, but he keeps telling me it wasn't him. At this point I assume he is just being stubborn. So I ask him one by one. "Who took the shoes down Carter?" Carter responds that he did. I thanked him for telling me the truth. When I ask him who took the hangers down he once again told me it was Tyler. So now I am getting suspicious of Tyler again, knowing Carter isn't that good of a liar. After 30 minutes or so go by without either of them telling me the truth I call Justin to see if he had any insight. He tells me they did it this morning. When he went in their room to check on them Tyler was sitting on the dresser and Carter was hiding behind my wedding dress (another no no). So they were both lying to me, but Tyler's story was way more fabricated. They both got punished for lying. I apologized to Carter for making him help me clean it up (I made him after Tyler told me they story that "made sense"). and off we were for the day. We went to the mall to get haircuts (which they both did great for and the picture is to show off the new hair), but they were not allowed to play because they lied to me (the second part of their punishment). As I was disciplining them I kept telling them that they are getting in trouble for lying, not for making the mess. We have also been watching the Boy Who Cried Wolf movies on the computer. I am hoping they get it soon.

Pumpkins

Yesterday Justin stayed home from work again because of the snow. We spent the day doing some grocery shopping, relaxing, playing games, and carving our pumpkins. Tyler decided we wanted a pumpkin with a sad face and Carter wanted one with a happy face and 5 teeth. Justin did a great job carving them and the boys love that they are still inside so they can "play" with them.

That night the boys did one of the cutest things. First Tyler went downstairs and brought a book up all on his own and just sat in a chair reading. This isn't that unusual, but it always warms my heart to see. The Carter brought Tyler a book and Tyler "read" it to Carter. They did this for about 4 books before Tyler was tired of reading. Precious.

Imaginary Friends

Tyler has always been a very imaginative child. He is always making up stories and telling them to himself. If you ask him who he is talking to he will tell me no one. Carter has just gotten into having a vast imagination himself, only he has "friends" he talks to.

The other morning he was home with Justin while Tyler and I were out. Carter was on the couch with his feet on the coffee table. He kept saying "that's my spot, no that's my spot, no its mine". When Justin asked him who was arguing he said it was his toes.

Carter and I were going potty when he started saying "no don't turn on the fan". I asked him who he was talking to. He told me it was "Soapy Sarah" and he didn't want him to turn on the fan. I asked him what Soapy Sarah looked like and he told him "Soapy Sarah is a boy." I left the bathroom only to hear him continue "no don't turn on the fan". Gotta love it.

Fall Fun

Yesterday we had a wonderful fall day. The weather was beautiful and we took the chance to enjoy it. We started off heading to Happy Apple Farm to the pumpkin patch. We got there a little late this season so most of the pumpkins were ones they had delivered and not necessarily grown. The boys had fun running from pumpkin to pumpkin finding theirs. Their favorite part always has, and still is, riding on the tractor to and from the patch. After we weighed our pumpkins we had a nice picnic lunch before heading home.

Later in the afternoon we went outside to rake up all the leaves in our front yard. After 10 very large bags, all the leaves were raked up. The boys had fun jumping in the leaves, helping me sweep them off the walk ways and helping daddy rake them up. They then had fun playing in our cars while occasionally helping us put the leaves in the bags. We then went out to dinner and finally got the boys Halloween costumes. They have decided they both want to be fire fighters this year. They fell asleep on the way home and then even slept in this morning. What great day.

First Snow and Updates

The boys got to play in the snow for the first time this year. They were so excited to put on all their gear and head outside. They were even more excited to come in for some hot cocoa. Carter was done before Tyler, as he got cold and refused to wear his mittens. But he did have fun making tracks first. Tyler had a blast throwing all the snow off our patio furniture and eating snow off of the ground. I have a feeling we are going to have plenty of other times to play out this year in the snow.

I also wanted to update on Tyler's hearing. Both of his ear look perfect. No sign of ear infection or any fluid in either of his ears. So on Wednesday we will go back for more testing with the audiologist. My pediatrician said mot likely after this round of tests if it is still showing hearing loss they will want him to have a procedure where he gets sedated to look closer in the ear for any problems. I am trying not to worry about that one before it gets here.

Hearing Test Take 1

Actually Tyler has had a lot of hearing test, so it would be more like take 6. Whenever he has taken a test he has never passed one. This wasn't because we didn't think he could hear, but it was because he would never complete the test. When he was younger as soon as they tried to put the instrument in his ear for him to either hear a beep or to test how well his ear drum moved, he would freak out and not let them perform the test. At his four year old check-up he let them put the instrument in his ear, but didn't say when he would hear a beep. I assumed, as did his pediatrician, that this was because he was either to shy to say, didn't understated the instructions, or was to occupied because something was in his ear than to notice the beeps. So on Friday we went to the audiologist to get another test done just to be on the safe side.

I must say the audiologist did a great job with Tyler. First we went into the booth where Tyler sat on my lap. She would say words into headphones and Tyler would have to repeat them. He did very well and didn't mind the headphones at all. When she came in she told him his right ear was perfect, but his left ear was borderline. Then came the part where he had to put the instrument to measure the ear drum activity into his ear. She let him pick put the ear piece and see that it was soft. She then made him hold the computer part of it so he could be distracted while she put it in his ear. He did awesome! Unfortunately that also showed that his right ear was fine, but there wasn't much movement of the ear drum in his left ear so he most likely has mild hearing loss in that ear. We are going back to the pediatrician this week to make sure he doesn't have an ear infection or anything and then back to the audiologist in two weeks where there will be two of them working with him and doing some more tests to determine the severity of the loss. I think this it the first time I am hoping its an ear infection.

Conversation

I love the boys conversations these days. They are always telling each other stories, playing together and talking about their days. When one of them says something wrong (like in the morning and they say its night time) the other one will correct them by saying "you are just joking". We were driving home and drove past where Tyler's swimming classes took place. I told them that in a week they would both be taking swimming classes there. This was their conversation about it.

Tyler: "when you take you lessons you will have to do what the teacher tells you ok Carter?"

Carter: " Ok, and I will do it all by myself" (meaning without me in the pool with him)

Tyler: "Yep and I will show you how to do everything ok. The water will be cold."

Love it.

Blog Lapse

Sorry for the lack of posting. We have been busy with school, work, puzzles, tantrums, sweet hugs and kisses, and just life. I also had my 10 high school reunion this weekend which kept us busy. The boys had fun playing at the park with some of the other kids and I had fun seeing some old friends. The boys have been doing well. Tyler is loving school, but is already becoming comfortable there. He has some issues with getting a little out of control and not always listening. There are 7 boys in his class and sometimes they all just want to be boys and not sit and listen. But luckily his teacher is all about them liking school and figuring out what each child needs. Carter is also doing well. He really wants to go to school and get to chew gum like Tyler does. Potty training comes and goes, where sometimes he does great and other times he could care less. We told him he couldn't go to preschool until he was potty trained. However now he thinks he gets to go to preschool now. It will be a long wait. Life goes on here, busy as always, but we are loving it.

Family Weekend

We has a great weekend as a family. On Saturday we took the boys out for a bike ride. Nana brought Noah's bike with no pedals up for Carter to use in hopes that maybe he would ride that when she came and visited last week. Tyler also got new knee and elbow pads from Nana for his birthday so the boys were very excited to go. We went to the elementary school by our house in hopes that a big open space would help the boys. Tyler did very well riding his, only needing help a few times to get started. Carter walked on Noah's bike for long enough for me to get a few pictures before he was done. We then played on the playground before running some errands and heading home. That afternoon Justin took the boys to a local high school football game while I got my haircut. The boys were tired of the game as I was finishing up my haircut so I went to get Tyler and Carter so Justin would watch the rest of the game.

On Sunday afternoon we headed up to Cripple Creek to see the aspens. They haven't all changed yet but it was still beautiful to see. In Cripple Creek we stopped to get some ice cream before heading back down and taking some pictures. When we were out of the car the boys wanted to go hiking. Unfortunately they were in flip flops so we didn't go to far. We got some nice pictures however. Now that high school football season has started its not common that we have the whole weekend together where Justin isn't working. It was a wonderful weekend spent together.

Riding Along

We went to the park last night to take another try at Tyler riding his bike. We have been practicing in our garage some and he seemed to be getting the hang of it. When we got to the park he got right on and started pedaling. He did a great job! He still needs a little help going up hills and he looks down at his feet instead of where he is going so sometimes we have to help him steer. However he has braking down and loves to go downhill really fast. Carter refused to even sit on his bike and just ran beside Tyler. We then went up to the playground and played for a bit before heading back to the car. Tyler was nervous at first about leaving his bike or "police motorcycle" at the playground but quickly forgot about it once he was running around. Just another sign of how grown up he is getting.

Feeding the Birds

On Friday I took the boys to the zoo. Like always the boys had a great time. As we were in line to get crackers for the giraffes they looked at the pictures. I told them some of the giraffe's names. They decided they wanted to feed Mahali (or who they call Holly). The first giraffe we found they decided was Mahali (its hard to tell them apart). The boys loved feeding Holly and giggled like they had never done it before. Then we go to pet an Albino Wallaby. The boys asked very nicely to go and feed the birds. I am glad we did as they both got to feed birds right out of their hands. They weren't nervous at all. In there they also got to pet a Breaded Dragon. From there we went and did our normal things - seeing the hippos, riding the carousel, etc. . The boys took great naps and we had a fun time. As much as we are ready for fall to come we will miss our zoo trips this winter.