Brothers

I know I have said it before but I need to say it again - I love how much my boys love each other and are friends. As I type this the boys are doing puzzles. Carter wants help with his puzzle (not because he can't do it, he just doesn't want to do it himself). Tyler offered to help him and the whole time saying, in a nice tone, "here Carter, be patient Carter, here Carter". When those pieces were done and Carter started whining again Tyler immediately leaves his puzzle and looks to Carter "what Carter?" and starts helping him again. Priceless.

Here are a couple pictures of what I see my boys doing the majority of the time they play - they are together. While at Uncle Wilbur Tyler ran over to Carter to point things out to him. Tyler knew Carter was a little anxious and was trying to get him to play with him. Then at home during snack Tyler decided he wanted to sit on the mat that is by the front door. Carter saw this and decided he needed to sit on the dog bed. Eventually they decided that the best thing to do was to sit on the dog bed together.

Uncle Wilbur

Today the boys and I went downtown to Uncle Wilbur - which is pretty much a bunch of fountains the kids can run through. Every half hour or so out of the fountain come a statue of a man playing music and the fountains go up and down with the music. At first all Tyler would do was run laps around the fountain but eventually he warmed up and ran in and out of the water and had a blast. My daredevil Carter however was quite cautious today. He would slowly inch up to a fountain and maybe put his foot into the water just to turn around and run away. The only times he even got a little wet was when I went in with him. Most of the time he was happy to sit by me and watch everyone else play in the water or climb on the benches around us. His favorite part was watching when Uncle Wilbur came up. We then went and grabbed some lunch at Subway were the boys behaved very well and ate great lunches. Both boys want to go back again and I am sure we will soon. Anything that makes them take great naps is always a return trip.

Weekend Wrap-up

We had a pretty busy, but fun weekend. On Friday, Tyler had his last swim lesson. While he did great at almost all the skills they test him on he still didn't pass. He won't put his ears in the water when he floats on his back or his nose in when he floats on his tummy. These have always been issues for Tyler so we weren't surprised and Tyler is just as excited to take the class again anyway. We are thinking we will put both the boys in together in the fall ans practice lots until then.

When we got back from swimming it was time for Uncle BJ, Aunt Abbi, Toby, and Norah to come over along with a bunch of other friends. We had a big bbq and all the kids got to play outside. They played well for the most part, but for the part of the time it seemed like at least one kid was constantly crying. Once that half hour or so was done all the kids started playing nice again.

On Saturday I had Melissa's baby shower so the boys went and helped Steve start moving things to their garage (they are moving to Denver). Tyler was a big help, but Carter did his usual "that's to heavy for me, I am too little" act. Once I got there we grabbed some dinner and headed home. That night we had more people over for games. The boys were very well behaved considering they didn't have naps all day.

On Sunday morning we got a call from the Stillmans letting us know Steve's grandpa had died so they needed to move that day. Once again the boys did a great job. They stayed out of everyone's way by cleaning our van (or the school bus as the boys would tell you) up with baby wipes or eating snacks with Melissa. They spent their naps in the car as well as we were unloading. It was a very busy weekend but I couldn't have asked for better behavior from my boys.

The Count is On!

The boys are very excited to go on the airplane and see Oma and Opa in about a week. We have been talking up a lot of how they will get to play with their cousins and go to the beach. To help alleviate the questions of when we will leave we made another count down chain. Now the boys ask me all day if they can take a chain off or not.

Both boys have had some issues with listening lately (Carter running away and Tyler just being defiant) so today I was very proud of them. As we were getting ready to leave church I had quite a few errands to do since my boss was gone. There was also a funeral service going on. I told the boys that they needed to be very quiet because of the service and stay near me as I ran around putting everything away (this entailed going into multiple rooms). The boys did great. When they wanted to say something they talked at a whisper and I didn't have to ask them once to stay by me. As we walked out the door Carter grabbed my hand and then Tyler grabbed Carter's. It's a good day.

Bust

A couple weekends ago we got both boys bikes at garage sales. Ever since then they have been begging us to go ride their bikes. Since we live on a somewhat busy street we thought the best place to go to practice would be the park. We weren't sure how it would go, as Tyler never peddles his trike or any other ride on toy with peddles. After Tyler did one full peddle of his bike (about 15 seconds after hopping on) he got off and said he was done. Carter followed Tyler's lead and said he was done to. He barely even had his helmet on at this point. We tried with no success to get them back on their bikes. Tyler then wanted to run (his favorite activity) and we let them until Carter decide not to come back and park time was immediately over. Hopefully in a couple months we can try again and have some success (really anything would be better than this time).

Chores

We have decided to start giving the boys chores around the house and along with that allowances. They both have things they have to do around the house just because they are part of this family and we help each other out. Things like picking up the family room, clearing the table when they are done eating, and brushing their teeth. However now they each have three things that they do above those things and get paid for. Tyler has to set the table each night, water the plants, and clean his room. Carter also waters the plants, cleans his room, and feeds the dog. Everytime they do one of thier chores they get to color in their chore chart. On Sunday we counted up each colored square and they got a nickel for each one. Both boys are very excited for the 35 cents they have earned.

Another plus from this is that I hardly have to remind them to do thier chores (even the ones we just do because we are a family) anymore. We were out to eat and Tyler was upset that he coudln't set the table for us. Since he remembered that that was what he was suppose to do we let him color in a square anyway. Also Tyler wants to give his money away. He asked me what we woud do with the money he earned. I told him that he could buy something with it, save it or give it away to people who need it. He immediatly wanted to give it away. I asked him if he wanted to give it to people who can't afford food, kids who don't have toys,or animals who don't have homes. He wanted to give it to the animals. He then started crying because we couldn't go and give it to the animlas right then. What a sweet heart he has.

Favorite Things

For a while now the boys have been napping in two different places. Tyler in our bedroom and Carter in their bedroom. We did this because instead of sleeping they would stay up talking, playing, and occasionally destroying the room. As of recent they have learned that they can talk to each other through the vents. So throughout naptime they just talk away like they are in the same room. We do discipline them for this as they should be staying in their beds at least trying to have quiet time, but it is sweet none the less.

The boys, as usual, take me by surprise with how much they are friends. They definitely have their moments where one is taking a toy from another, or won't stop wrestling when the other one asks them to, but there are sweet moments to. Tyler will ask Carter to play with him all the time and Carter is always happy to accept the invitation. Tyler is also getting better at helping Carter stay out of trouble instead of getting him in trouble. Carter was putting his fork into his milk cup (a no no here) and instead of tattling like Tyler usually does he told Carter "don't put your fork in the cup Carter or you will get in trouble ok?"

And one more favorite thing - whenever Carter prays at night the first thing he always says he is thankful for is Jesus. After that it is usually Tyler, mommy, and daddy. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! So far we have enjoyed a nice Father's Day. Justin opened his cards from, the boys and Carter was once again so excited to give a gift he just handed him the new grill brush they got him. I had to work this morning but the boys behaved pretty well. Justin is working on the bathroom and watching the US Open. Thanks for being such a wonderful father and role model to our boys - I love you honey!!!!

Party Time

On Friday the boys, Heather, and I headed up to Denver for Toby's 4th birthday party. Justin meet us there soon after and the boys had a ball playing with their cousins. They all did pretty well taking turns playing baseball and Carter even opened his gift for Toby. Heather and I left to go to Lindsay's bachelorette party but Justin tells me they continued playing well and even having mini wrestling matches. They enjoyed hot dogs, juice boxes (usually unheard of) and yummy cookie monster cupcakes as well. Unfortunately I once again forgot my camera. We are very excited to play with Toby and Norah again next week! Happy Birthday Toby!

Like A Fish....Sorta

When we go to Maryland this summer we are going to go to the beach for the first time. Tyler still has some issues in the bathtub with water and we don't want him terrified of the ocean so we figured it would help to give him some lessons. Tyler has taken mommy and me lessons before, but now that he is three he will go in the pool with just his teacher. He will have 10 lessons Monday-Friday for two weeks. At first I thought that would be way to intense, but it worked out that he would be done right before we leave so we are giving it a try. He will be in a class with about 4 or 5 other kids.

He had his first lesson last night. He was so excited before hand and it's all he could talk about. We got there a little early so he could watch the another lesson. He just wanted in the water and to see who his teacher was. When it was time for his class I took him over and while a little timid at first he never looked back. At first we didn't even want to sit down in the water but warmed up quickly. His favorite part was throwing a ring and then crawling in the foot of water to get the ring. He also worked on blowing bubbles, kicking, and jumping in the water to the teacher. He did have a hard time listening to the teacher and he kept swimming (crawling) off so I am hopeful he will do better in that area today. He is so excited to go back again! Carter did pretty well just watching and then was excited to go to the park with Justin during the second half of the lesson. We keep telling him that soon enough he will get to take the lessons as well.

Sand Fun

Last weekend (or maybe the weekend before) we FINALLY got the sandbox and all the toys cleaned out. We even got new sand (since the old sand was mud). The boys got to FINALLY get the new sand toys Oma bought then when they were out here last and play in their sandbox again. The boys can not get enough of it. Especially Carter. He loved digging, scooping, and playing in his sandbox. They are quickly remembering the rules that go along with it - no throwing sand, sand stays in the sandbox, and mom has to brush us off before coming in after we are in the sandbox. That last one is new this year. While the boys are loving the sandbox I am not loving all the sand around the house.

Cautious Boy

I guess since we had such a great day on Tuesday I should have seen today coming. The boys were crazy all day and Tyler did not listen all day. It made it worse that it was rainy all day so we couldn't go out and let loose some of that energy. When Justin got home we headed to the mall play area so I could get a break and do some shopping by myself and for the boys to let off some steam. When I got there the boys were playing together so nicely. Which, actually they had been doing all day, but then they would get crazy and destroy things and Tyler would get a little out of hand and to aggressive. But at the play area it was very fun to see them staying close together running around and giggling.

At our play area there are small trees and houses for kids to climb on. The boys have always seen bigger kids climb to the top of the houses. Today Carter found out that he too could do it. Tyler wanted to try, and try he did. But he is SO cautious. Carter fell a few times, which I think made Tyler even more apprehensive. Tyler eventually made it to the top as well to immediately get nervous and want down right away. Physically he can do it all, but being a first born he also knows to always "be careful". My two boys - the daredevil and the cautious ones - and still best friends.

Even though today was tiring, Tyler knows how to pull on my heartstrings. When I got to the play area he yelled at me from where he was climbing and said "I love you." He then placed his fingers so that he could sign I love you to me and threw me some sugar. As exhausting as some days can be, these moments will always make it worth it.

Awesome Day!

Today has been a great day so far. We have been working with Tyler on doing things the first time we ask him to and to do it without grumbling or backtalk. Something must have clicked (for today at least)! When it was time to clean up the toy room he did it right away, he also asked to clean up his bedroom and make his bed. He got dressed right away and even buckled himself into his carseat before I got to his side of the car - without me asking!!!! Then when we were at the mall play area they left with no complaints, held my hands the entire time and listened when I asked them not to touch things in the stores. They asked if we could eat lunch at the mall and when I said no all I got back was an "ok". Then at lunch at home they ate everything up and used great manners. I know its only naptime, but so far I am loving this turn around. Carter is having a little harder time listening but also way better then normal. Life is good!

Swimming Hippos

On Friday the boys and I headed off to the zoo. It was a little cooler in the morning so a lot of the animals were active. The hippos were indoors swimming in their pool. Strangely enough Tyler was very nervous to see them. He then wanted nothing to do with the hippos when they started bellowing (the zookeeper told us they wanted outside). Tyler told me that he wasn't scared of the hippos just the noise they made. He still says they are his favorite animal. The boys loved feeding the giraffes this time, so at least that phase was quick. The boys also each got to have their face painted (a first!) and they each picked a hippo. I wasn't sure Tyler would want something on his face but after watching Carter he was very excited for his. I only have a picture of Tyler however because Carter had a tantrum over naps and cried his hippo away. And of course we rode the carousel and the train was open so they got to ride that as well. Like always it was a great day at the zoo!

Boys Night

On Tuesday I went out with a friend so Justin had the boys for the evening. They were pretty wound up when I left but Justin says they behaved quite well. They ate brats and hot dogs for dinner (just hot dogs and brats nothing else) and then wrestled around. The Justin gave them haircuts. Carter did great during his and Tyler did ok. He didn't like it but also didn't have a complete meltdown. When I came home both boys were down to their underwear with shaved heads watching a movie. The boys always look so much older after haircuts.

We also went and got the boys new Crocs for the summer the other day. And boy have my boys decided they now have an opinion on what kind of shoes they wear. It had to have been one of the worst shopping trips ever. From one store when they didn't like the shoes because they weren't Crocs to another store where the shoes were regular sandals and the boys didn't even want to look at the Crocs to finally when we got them Crocs (and we got them real ones this year) and Tyler had to have a certain color it was tantrum after tantrum. We almost didn't get them anything at all but they really needed sandals. We let Tyler get the ones he wanted (even though I didn't like them) and all was well again. I guess we weren't ready for this voice of opinions that all of a sudden started. And of course two days later Tyler tells me he wants blue Crocs instead (the ones I wanted him to get) - sorry son, not going to happen.

Wedding Weekend

Our friends Leah and Seth got married last weekend. We brought the boys with us to the reception and they had a great time. Tyler could not get enough of the dancing with everyone. Carter's favorite part was the ice cream sundaes. I must say I was very impressed how well he shared his with Tyler. He also loved the chocolate kisses on the table. He kept trying to steal them and run away. At one point he stole one and then ran toward another child and gave it to him - always thinking of others. As everyone was dancing Justin and I looked over and Tyler and Carter were going around our table and eating the last drops to everyone's empty ice cream bowls. Even though they ended up with more sugar than ever before, it was still cute to see. Uncle BJ was also in town so the boys had a good time seeing him as well. I must say that they behaved quite well for not having naps that day! Congrats Leah and Seth!