Oh Christmas Tree

Here it is - our new tree. The boys were a little more interested in helping put the ornaments up than last year, but the excitement only lasted a few minutes. Now that it is all decorated they can't stay away from it. First thing in the morning they want the lights on and they love pointing out all the different ornaments. They aren't taking the ornaments down as much this year either, but we still have to remind Carter a few times a day. At least the whole tree can be covered instead of only the top half.

Snow Fun

When I woke up this morning at 4 a.m. (I went shopping on Black Friday. Nuts I know, but I really wanted a pre-lit tree, and ended up with the very last one) I was welcomed to a couple of inches of snow. So once the boy had some breakfast and we played some (and of course watched Sesame Street) we got ready to head outside.

It's quite the production getting them ready. First the snow pants, then the coats, then the boots, then the hats, and finally the mittens. Once were outside I found that they would have been just fine in their coats. Oh well, its fun to get dressed for the snow. The boys had an absolute blast outside. Tyler remembered how to make snow angels and we also made a very tiny snowmen which they had fun knocking over. Tyler learned how fun it is to throw snow this time, as did Carter after watching Tyler a few times. Tyler's favorite part was pushing around his dump truck and making tracks in the snow. Carter enjoyed playing in the sandbox filled with snow and falling down over and over again. Its a good thing we went out when we did because the snow if already half melted at nap time.

Once we came inside the boys got to have some hot cocoa (Tyler corrects me if I call it hot chocolate). Once Justin gets home the goal is to set up my new tree (the first year ever that we have an artificial one, but we will be leaving the state for a week) and decorating the house. As I brought in the decorations today Tyler was so excited. Every year this time of year gets more and more fun thanks to seeing thru the boys. It is starting to look a lot like Christmas around here.

Thankful Turkeys

We are having a nice quiet Thanksgiving with our family of four here at home. Right now Justin is roasting a chicken (since there are only four of us) and the boys are playing nicely. We woke up this morning and watched some of the Macy's parade. The boys loved the floats and the balloons this year. We also made a hand turkeys and wrote what we are thankful for on each finger tip. Tyler is thankful for mommy, daddy, Carter and animals. Carter is thankful for mommy, daddy, Tyler, and Hana. Tonight after a delicious meal we will watch a Christmas movie and have a special treat of ice cream.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones remembering all the things that God has blessed you with. Happy Thanksgiving!

Little Angels

The boys have been so good lately. We have had our moments, and Carter for sure is in the middle of his independent stage, but for the most part that last couple of days have been great. Yesterday we needed to clean up the toy room. Tyler immediately came down and cleaned up every single toy without one complaint - he then asked what more he could clean. Carter also helped some.

Today was a day full of errands and the boys did great. They held my hands thru the stores, played nicely a the play area, and then didn't have a single complaint when it was time to go. They also did great at the supermarket. Helping me find the items we needed, having nice conversations back and forth, and didn't whine when I said we wouldn't ride the horse today (there was a wait). Once we got home Tyler helped me bring the bags in and then took all the groceries out of the bags and helped me out them away - without any prompting from me!

The boys are loving seeing all the Christmas tress and lights and listening to Christmas songs. I was singing Away in a Manger to them as we were getting in their p.j.s, A few minutes later I hear Tyler singing his own song to the same tune. It went something like this "Because Jesus loves us, because Jesus loves us, because, because Jesus loves us." He then sang Jesus Loves Me before going to bed. Life is very good lately!

Favorite Things

The boys say some of the funniest things...here are a few of our favorites lately:

• We got our pictures done at the mall on Sunday and as we were waiting for them to be printed out we went over to the Santa Village. Their wasn't a line at all, so we decided the boys could go in and say a quick hi. They didn't even take pictures, as we will go back another time when I have my own camera. Anyway Santa took his time talking to the boys and asked them what they wanted for Christmas. Tyler's answer "socks". Very glad my kids haven't reached the "I want stage"!
• I was trimming Carter's fingernails today and he wanted me to move on to his toes. He tells me "I need my toes off" and then "my fingers are off".
• Carter is just in a "I need" stage. He NEEDs everything. He needs his water, a cracker, his snuffy, his lunchbox, etc. Anything he wants is a need.
• Tonight at dinner Tyler prayed for our meal. His prayer went something like this "Thank you for dinner. Thank you for roosters that go cock-a-doodle-do. Thank you for turkeys that go gobble gobble. Amen"

Gotta love the funny sayings!

Simple Saturday

Today was a pretty simple day, which is nice considering how busy and sick everyone has been lately (we found out Monday Tyler has strep again). The first part of the day started with soccer class. Justin hurt his back, so I went to Carter's class again this week (much more parental involvement needed). Carter was in a mood and did not want to do anything but what he wanted to do. Needless to say it wasn't his best class. However Tyler did great and for the last 20 minutes or so Justin even stayed off the field and let Tyler just listen to the coaches.

Usually after soccer the boys take great naps. Today was not the case. Tyler never did fall asleep and then proceeded to wake Carter up after he had napped for 20 minutes. This is the second day in a row when Tyler has decided not to nap. I would be worried that he is giving them up, but he then falls asleep at 4:30 - not the best time at all, so we wake him up. Obviously not ready to drop the nap to my relief. Luckily today he wasn't to grumpy even tho he was exhausted.

I was also very tired and was planning on taking a nap. When the boys didn't it meant I didn't as well. However the boys played very well together and for the most part played together on their own. I am still amazed by Tyler's imagination. He makes up such stories (I will write an example of one of these soon - they are very detailed) and acts them out and makes whoever else is in the room act them out too. When I was once worried that he would always be behind in speech, I am now wishing he would be quiet for a couple minutes of the day. I will take the latter any day tho. What could have been a disastrous day (a tired mommy and kids and a hurt daddy) turned out to be a very simple, but nice day after all.

Go Away Peacock

On Tuesday we had record high heat (seriously 70's, in November, in Colorado???) so the boys and I head to where else, but the zoo. As always we had a great time seeing all the animals and like always there was a new adventure. We feed the giraffes some crackers (their favorite part) and then feed some other animals a different kind of cracker.

We were eating our lunch when Carter dropped his peanut butter cracker. Less than 30 seconds later a peacock was under our table eating away. It took him a couple minutes, but then the cracker was gone. The whole time Carter just watched the peacock and wouldn't touch another bite. Tyler didn't seem to concerned with the peacock unless it got to close to his shoes. After the peacock had finished the cracker it then tried to eat the cracker out of Carter's hand. Carter tells the peacock "peacock go away" and the peacock listened. The peacock finally went on to another tablet just so that a squirrel could come and finish off the crumbs the peacock left. Needless to say it was a lunch filled with more watching than eating.

More Singing

Tyler sang at church again on Sunday. This time his class sang two songs. Tyler did very well. He sang some and even did the hand motions. To think of him a year ago this wouldn't have been possible. It brought tears to Justin and my eyes.

Fun in The Car

Some of the best things that the boys say happen in the car. This afternoon we were driving back from the mall. Carter kept saying he had it. Tyler then said he had it. They were going back and forth saying each other had it (not really sure what it was). Tyler then tells Carter that he doesn't have it and Carter immediately bursts into tears. We had to console him by letting him know that he did have it, as did mommy and daddy. The tears stopped immediately. We still have no idea what it was.

Justin turned Johnny Cash on in the car again today., After one line was sung Tyler from the backseat told us "that's Johnny Cash!" Well done Tyler, well done.

We have decided that Carter is ready to be an NFL analysis. We points out every obvious thing. "look bench", "man running", "Quemess tee" (Christmas tree), "car driving". Look out Dan Dierdorf!

And something the melts my heart....Carter was having a tough night tonight. Not sure why but he just kept crying and crying as he was getting into his pajamas. Once he was dressed I rocked him and sang him songs. He calmed down but was still sniffling quite a bit. Tyler then came up with their pacifiers. They each get two every night. Tyler gave Carter three and only kept one for himself because Carter was sad. Life is good.

Favorite Things

On Monday the boys and I took Oma back to the airport. Tyler was having a bit of a hard day and fell asleep on the way to the airport. He woke up on the way home and immediately asked for Oma. He knows asks everyday if its Christmas time yet (which is when we will go to see them). The boys are doing so many great things right now. I love this stage.

Carter has started calling Tyler "brother". He will say "Thank you brother" or "I am sorry brother". Adorable. We were driving home last night and were listening to Johnny Cash. Carter was singing every word, right after Johnny sang it. Very cool to hear from the back seat "cry, cry, cry". Another Carter favorite thing - when he is in trouble, for hitting for example, I will ask "do we hit people". He will answer "yes", because, well, he did just hot someone. I then ask "are we suppose to hit people?" Then he will answer "noooo" and shake his head. It can be really hard to discipline this kid when he is so cute! Last one for Carter - we were out to eat with Oma and Carter had applesauce. The spoon was to big for him so he kept spilling it on himself. He would drop it, and then have to clean himself off, just to take another bite and drop some more. Needless to say it took a while for him to eat.

Like I have mentioned before its very fun to have real conversations with Tyler now. I love hearing what is going thru his mind. We hadn't been to church in a while with being sick. Yesterday Tyler informed me that he wanted to go to church. We got to church this morning and after 5 minutes he told me he was ready to go home. Luckily he didn't mind to much when I told him we had to stay a while longer. Tyler has been such a great listener lately. He still has his moments, but for the most part he is being a great helper. He has also been awesome at staying in bed during naps and bedtime. I guess it clicked one night and we haven't had any more problems. I love this age! And my most favorite thing from Tyler lately - he all of a sudden loves to sing! From his abc's, to twinkle twinkle, to Go Tell About Jesus (the song he sang during church service) he is always singing. The boys love to sing together - which is even more beautiful to the ears!

Well We Did It

We finally cut Carter's hair. Oma, Carter, Tyler and I went to Sports Clips to get his haircut. Carter did very well as usual and he actually sat quite still. The lady cut it a lot shorter than I wanted it, but it will grow back and it just means that much longer til the next haircut. Of course Carter looks adorable and much older. Enjoy the before and after pictures!

Soccer

On Saturday we took the boys to their soccer class. Tyler was in soccer a year ago and Carter was to young so he always got to watch. Now they are both in class and they love it! They are in different classes and Justin and I switch off each week with who we are with.

In Carter's class they play a game called "Sharks". Its actually quite a fun game, but it seems that Carter is afraid of sharks because he wants to be done with soccer once they start playing that game. Once its over he is fine to be back in his class. Tyler never wants to get rid of his ball. They ask them to kick their balls into the goal many times and Tyler never wants to give it up. Justin found if you tell them that they will clap if he gets a goal then he is more willing to do it. Tyler may be moving up to the next class, which is without parents on the field with him. I think we will give him a couple more weeks and see how he does. The best part of soccer (besides the long naps) the uniforms are sooo cute!

Behind on the Blog

Once again I am behind on the blog. First I was sick and then Oma came into town! The boys have been having a great time with Oma. On Thursday afternoon we went to pick her up at the airport. Nothing can be more exciting for than that! On Friday she watched the boys while I went into work. They played all morning, went on a walk, and played some more. When I got home they were asking for naps! We have been running a lot of errands and eating out a lot and the boys couldn't have been better behaved.

Oma keeps saying how much they have grown in the past few months since she saw them last. She is amazed at how well they are talking. I guess some things I just don't notice as much. Like Carter is using pronouns quite well for his age. He uses me, I, my, his, and her. Tyler was much older when he started using pronouns. Tyler is also a lot more engaging now. He has a big imagination and will bring you into it on his own. He is always pretending that we are firefighters, and when he isn't pretending about that, he is pretending to be a waiter and loves to bring you all types of food. These are all the little things that I guess I am so used to I don't notice how big they are. Glad Oma pointed them all out to me.

Another Reason for Raincoats

On Saturday night we were doing our family shopping trip at Walmart. We were in the Mexican food aisle when Carter decided to get sick. However because he had his raincoat on it all slipped right to the floor and made clean up much easier. I love raincoats.

Carter got sick a couple more times Saturday night, but was fine by breakfast time Sunday. Last night I got it. I am hoping that I will be feeling better soon. But for all of you without children yet..invest in raincoats.