My big boys...

Recently, we surprised the boys with bean bag chairs. Needless to say, they LOVE them. They are crashing into them, climbing them, driving their trucks in and out of all the grooves and of course - chilling out in them. Yesterday, they were both tired...so I popped on a movie and they snuggled in their new favorite hang-outs. Here are some photos...





We're almost done with their new "big boy" room. I scored an amazing 8x10 Pottery Barn rug on Craigslist (the thing is practically brand new) for only $50. Love a great deal! It needed a rug pad, so today the boys and I hit Target. On our way home, we drove by a construction site. Tommy shouted, "Mom! Look! An ENORMOUS DIGGER!" Huh? Where on earth did this child learn the word enormous? The random things they are saying lately totally cracks me up. Not to mention how MUCH they are saying! As we were getting dressed this morning, Cole called out to his brother, "Tommy, I be right there. Getting dressed!"

This stage of development is pretty incredible to witness. Everyday, they wake up saying and understanding more. But all of a sudden...I want it to come to a screeching halt. Yesterday, while I was cuddling with Cole it just hit me. Soon their toddler babble will be replaced with real conversations. I won't always be able to kiss their faces 100 times a day like I do now. Someday, my afternoon full of cuddles and hugs will be limited and I'll think back on these days with yearning.

So, instead of focusing on the terrible part of the twos, I am going to try and refocus on the magical parts. The big hug and kiss Tommy gives me every night once he gets into his PJ's. Cole asking me to sit beside him and "snuggle." Their constant need for "Mommy" to be right beside them playing and listening. These moments are fleeting and I'm beginning to realize that. My little peanuts are growing up.

Friends List

My mom came over today to watch the boys. I was cleaning the kitchen and overheard her talking with Cole about a book. My mom pointed out how two of the main characters were friends, then asked Cole if HE had any friends. He thought about it for a second then replied, "Yes, Tommy." How cute is that?

After talking about how Tommy was a great friend she asked, "Who else is your friend?" Next on his list? "Mom." It melted my heart! Little did I know so many years ago, that one of my greatest accomplishments in life would be making my two-year old son's "Top Friends" list. :)

It was an all around GREAT day.

Tommy bug

Poor Tommy got sick with the stomach bug last night and he was miserable. I hate seeing my little pal sad! To cheer him up, I made us a little "nest" on the couch downstairs with pillows, towels and blankets and we cuddled up together and watched some silly shows on TV. He would drift off...wake...get sick...cuddle....drift off. Poor baby. Here he is cozying up in our nest.



After a long night of being sick, he came downstairs this morning, pointed in his mouth and informed Cole that he had a "bug" in there. How cute is that? Anyway, I'm happy to report that he is back to his silly self and napping at the moment. Fingers crossed Cole steers clear of this one!

Car Wash

Cole's matchbox car had an unfortunate crash with his piece of peanut butter smeared toast this morning. I plopped it into a bowl of soapy water to soak and the boys eyes turned into saucers. "Car in bubble tubby?" Cole asked. This gave me a great idea. Let's open up a car wash! I told the boys to gather all their cars and in the meantime, set up shop. I pulled out some pans...filled one with soapy water and the other with clean...plopped them on a towel on the floor and our "Car Wash" was open for business!

The boys had a BLAST. Seriously. This was a solid 35 minutes of fun for them. Put the car into the soapy water...rinse in the clean....dry on the towel. Repeat. In the end, I had two wet happy little boys, a bunch of clean cars and a portion of my kitchen floor mopped. :) Not bad!

Tommy calling "Nana Banana"

Hugs and Kisses

The boys loved their little toy bird Tickles so much, that we decided it was the right time for our first real pet. For Valentine's Day we took them to the pet store to pick out two goldfish. We decided in advance that their names would be Hugs and Kisses. Taking the boys to the pet store, was like taking them to a miniature zoo. :) We saw birds, snakes, turtles...even a chinchilla! They loved it. We were so excited about our goldfish, but as it turns out...you can't just go home with two fish. The tank needs to be set up and running for 5 days before you can introduce fish.

So...here is the future home of Hugs and Kisses. They'll be joining the family come Thursday and we can't wait!! And thank you to all who advised us to purchase PLAIN goldfish with no unique markings. Just in case. :)

Our Valentine's Day photo shoot...

Just like in Hollywood, there is always a lot going on behind the *magic* of a good shot. Trying to wrangle my two little rockstars together for a Valentines Day photo is no easy feat! It takes patience, sweating, pleading, bribery and a lot of laughter. :)

Here is a behind the scenes glimpse of our Valentines Day photo shoot.

If the box above appears empty, follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp1CFbavi9o

Happy Valentine's Day!

A typical morning with my "Drama King"

Mom: Okay pal, c'mon. Time for a diaper change.

Tommy: No mom! No Tommy poop! Cole poop...ewwww!

Mom: No buddy...it's you and it's time. Let's go.

Tommy: NO! Mom! Cole bad. Corner. (points to time-out corner)

Mom: Tommy. Cole is reading his book. He does not need to go into the corner. YOU need a diaper change. Let's go.

Tommy: MOM! Shhhh! Bug! (dramatically starts looking for bug)

Mom: Tommy...there is no bug.

Tommy: SNAKE! Ssssssss...... (points under couch and screams) Eeeeek!!!!

Mom: (now laughing) Tommy. It is time for a diaper change. (I scoop him up and head into the kitchen)

Tommy: NOOOO!!! MOMMY NOOOO!!! COLE HELP ME!!!!

Cole: (glances up while calmly flipping pages of book on couch) Bye Tommy!

Exit stage right. Next dramatic scene only moments away. Stay tuned!

Apple Tasting

The boys just walked into the kitchen eating apples. "Mmmm...mommy. Red apples good!" Tommy declared. Since I did not give them the apples they were munching on, it warranted an investigation.

This is what I found.

Hot dogs and firetrucks...

...apparently there is nothing better! After spending the morning painting firetrucks, we stopped for a hot dog break. Tommy ran around yelling, "Lunch time! Lunch time!" And after taking his first bite of hot dog, Cole looked at me and said, "Mmmm...mom. This is good!"

Apparently, firetrucks put you in a good mood for just about anything. But a hot dog lunch may just have pushed this into the category of "a really good day." Just look at these grins!

Caught in the Act

I was folding laundry upstairs when Cole yelled, "Mom! Oh no..Tommy stuck." This is what I found...



I had closed the baby gates to contain them in the family room. Tommy pushed up a truck and attempted to climb over. Can you imagine?? Head first!! He was in tears of course, not sure if it was because he was scared, or because he got caught. More than likely it was the latter. :) Luckily, the camera was sitting on the mantle beside me, so I was able to capture this caper for posterity!

P.S. Notice the fire hat on the floor. Still true to form. We are going on week 6 of wearing fire hats 24/7. :)