Two Wheeling fun....

He has been doing this for a while now, but he was giggling when he did it (first try mind you) Shouting, "I am doing it...I am doing it"



This is the best thing ever invented for basically teaching your kids how to to ride without training wheels. The scooter bike with no pedals, so all they concentrate on is balancing. It's genius if you think about. I mean they know how to pedal...it's the balance they need to get down. Once they can balance and ride this well, transitioning to a two wheeler is piece of cake!

LIlly is now practicing hard on the scooter bike. We all know how competitive she is. I wonder where she gets that? hmmm.

Goodbye Tricycles

This has been by far the best recent purchase for these two. THEY LOVE THEM, like Drew first loved McQueen and Lilly first loved dirt. Drew really knows how to ride. He is in complete control and can go fast, and brake on a dime. Lilly on the other hand brakes by running into parked cars or the curb. We have been working intensely on her braking and she is slowly improving her braking skills.







How has life changed for you now Lindsey?
~Well....I now have to run next to them riding around our neighborhood(instead of at nice paced walk with tricycles) so I am getting more of a work out. Thanks for asking.

Practically a two week post birthday wrap up

So I was about to delete all the photos on my camera(I had already burned a disc)and as I was looking through the pictures, I realized that I had not posted about the kids birthday...so shame on me.

The pumpkin patch birthday is something I wish I would have done every birthday now that I have done it. Why not with October birthdays? The kids had a blast and have asked to go back everyday we drive past it on our way to Walmart.

My kids enjoyed the hay activities. Lilly preferred the hay maze. Her expression is one of pure joy, but the shadow makes it hard to see that.


Drew preferred climbing to the top of the hay stacks with cousin Matthew.


Uncle Matti flew into town for the big event and Drew spent lots of time with him.


Matthew is such an awesome big cousin. He hung out with Drew lots too.


Lilly could have done this single activity the entire two hours we were there. Feeding the sheep....


We all got to go on a tractor ride. That's not entirely the truth. Drew did not go on the tractor ride because he refused to use the port-a-potty(can you blame him really?) but he also did not want to pee in the bushes either, so Todd drove him home(less than 5 minutes)to use the potty.



This is what happened every time we sang happy birthday to the kids in a group setting. This was on there real birthday evening.


What makes me laugh the most is Drew's expression looking at Lilly, so puzzled as to why she is crying. That is what a confused Drew looks like.

They each had their choice for dessert. Drew went with the brownie and Lilly chose ice cream.

3 years in the record books!

So how does it go? Once your kids are one, there are not babies, they are toddlers. Once they are three they are not toddlers, they are preschoolers? Where has the time gone? Let's take a look back, shall we?

Can you believe I was 5 months pregnant with twins here? Not to mention probably the last time for a long time that we will be in Hawaii. Todd wanted to show how sun burn he got on the first day of vacation.



The VERY FIRST pictures of Lilly and Drew that were taken at approx. 3:40pm on October 18, 2006. I did not take these pictures(and don't know who did actually)due to the fact that the doctors were still putting my insides back in and sewing me up. Fun times.

Drew


Lilly


Drew


Lilly..this one is especially tough for us to look at, but it reminds us of how far they have come



Now today. They are strong willed, healthy, going to school, potty trained, telling stories, loving, rambunctious, sweet natured, thoughtful, sensitive, independent, full of the joy for life kids.




It was three years ago today that we were introduced to the bigness and the monkey and our lives have never been the same. We are so blessed.

The early birthday gift

Don't tell Drew your secrets

Well...we are officially at that age where if my kids see something or hear something...they will spill the beans. Note to self and warning to others about this little fact around Christmas time.

My dad had a birthday this past week and we wrapped his present and signed his card the day before we celebrated with my dad. We got him a pull cart so if he decided to walk and play nine holes, he doesn't have to carry his golf bag....now he can pull it.

My mom decided to get my dad a "care package" of sorts for an upcoming trip my dad is going on to Arizona and Utah....a photography trip. But what would a road trip be without beef jerky, gummie bears, chips, ritz crackers, and hand sanitizer?? Drew and Lilly witnessed to wrapping of this gift earlier in the day as well.

So as we finish dessert and head over to open presents, Drew yells, "Papa..come open up your golf cart!!" I start laughing and so does my mom. But right after that sentence Drew then says, "After that you can open up the snacks and soap Grandma got you Papa"

That really got us laughing.

It has offically begun

I am really too exhausted to write anything about this topic right now.

It will have to wait until another day.

Finally!!

It seems like they would never really catch on(and ride with control) and more importantly enjoy riding their little tricycle bikes, but that day has finally come!





For an interpretation of what Lilly says at the end of the video.
"Beep Beep mama. something something. Look out!" Yes, she has a speech therapist.

I am just happy they like and keep their helmets on.

First week of preschool in the books

First week really = two days = 2 hours of those two days in the morning. So I guess it really isn't a week.

It would be an understatement to say that they loved it.


And of course....the first day of school pictures. They really are so proud of their backpacks. Both hand me downs, but Drew with the race cars and Lilly with Hello Kitty.





My favorite of the bunch


If I had to make a guess, the next pictures are what my kids will choose to do during free choice activity time.

Lilly and dirt.


Drew and a racetrack.


It is looking to be a perfect fit for them.

HOMEWORK: Working on their socializing skills.

Breakthrough

DREW PEED ON THE POTTY TONIGHT!!!!!!!


Please be reminded I have not officially started potty training, but we sit and practice plenty.

REPEAT....THERE WAS PEE IN THE POTTY!!!!!
(and chocolate chips were delivered to the big boy)

In the near future...

No specifics will be given(at this time)on when exactly potty training is happening...only that it will be attempted this summer.

Any suggestions?

Anybody want to actually potty train my children and I will pay them?

Good Bye High Chairs

Hello a table made just for us.






We still have some room to grow into the table as you can see. We are enjoying our freedom, and mommy is enjoying cleaning up 4 times the mess as usual.

Freedom

So the gate that used to reside at the base of the stairs is officially gone(it actually has been gone for a while now) Drew and Lilly feel like they have a entire new space to explore. And although they seem much happier...more surface area for toddlers to roam is more mess for the people in charge. One more step toward independence. Kind of..they are still only two.

Lucky us!

We are so fortunate to have a friend like Melody who captures moments like these of our family. Drew and Lilly got their first taste of real candy with these giant lollipops in a sea of giant mustard plants. We had such a great time getting these shots!





Big surprise that she was the messiest by the end of the day


On a sugar high maybe?


Thanks so much Melody!

More from Melody

Todd and I had a few moments too. I love my husband!



The fish-eye lens



I am telling you...if you need a photographer, call Melody. Or call me because I have coupons for first time clients :-) You won't be disappointed.