Random Tuesday Update

Just a little random update on the boys.  Today the boys were having lunch and watching TV while I cleaned the kitchen.  At one point, I was apparently being too noisy as Cole looked at me with a very serious face and asked me to "Please keep it down."

Tommy had his second day of school today.  He was teary-eyed and scared going in...and full of smiles and joy coming out.  I couldn't be happier.  Seeing them settling into school so well...making new friends...talking to each other about what they've learned...I swear they've matured more in the past two weeks than they have in months.  For fun, I treated them to a donut after school today.  Here is a snippet from our conversation:

"What kind of donut would you like?" I ask.  

Cole replies, "BIG HUGE, GUY-GANTIC MONSTER TRUCK WHEELS!"  

Tommy pipes in, "YEAH!  BIG, BIG, BIG, 'NORMOUS AND CHOCOLATE!!"  

This is what they call chocolate donuts.  I don't want to forget little things like that.  :)

This afternoon as I was putting them down for naps, Cole was NOT happy about it and yelled "NO NAPS!" in an overtired, cranky voice.  Tommy immediately jumped to my defense and said, "Cole...that is not nice.  Mommy buys you toys and gives you treats and donuts.  See mommy?  I am a good boy!  I am taking a nap!"  Cole felt so bad he started to cry.  *sigh*  Too funny.  I clearly have two little protectors watching over me for the rest of my life.  :)

Happy Birthday Nana!!!!!

Today is Nana's birthday and the boys are VERY excited.  We've been baking a cake *from scratch* all afternoon (yes, go ahead...be impressed...but know that we have NEVER done this before) and Tommy has been practicing his Happy Birthday song for her birthday party tomorrow.  It has been so cute listening to him.  I finally co-erced him into doing it on the computer.  So here you go Nana!!  Happy birthday from one of your biggest fans - Tommy!!

Bye, bye Grandma!!

The boys JUST stopped crying.  Grandma left a few moments ago and this is how the boys looked at she drove away.  Tommy had his famous parting line, "Grandma's GONE!!"  Said through tears with a large emphasis on the GONE.  (Sad...but so funny at the same time.)  They really had a hard time saying goodbye and only calmed down after I promised she would be back again soon for another visit.

It was so great having her here for the boys first days of school.  She provided mommy with much needed counseling and emotional support, while encouraging and cheering on the boys.  In fact, during her visit -- the boys made the leap to being 95% potty trained!  The other 5% is staying dry overnight, but they are getting there.  Having the support and love of so many people around them this week - without a doubt - made these big transitions so much easier.

Thank you Grandma for all of your help!!  We miss you already.  Come back SOON!  xoxo

Cole's First Day of School

Today it was Cole's turn for his first day of pre-school.  Last night, I looked over at Cole and noticed he seemed a little *off*.  His eyes were watery and he was daydreaming a bit.  I asked him, "You okay, pal?" His response, "I'm nervous about school tomorrow."  It broke my heart.  We talked about it all night and Tommy piped in telling him "School is fun Cole!  You will like school!"  But this morning, Cole was dragging his feet and begging me not to go.

I explained how every little boy and girl gets nervous...that it was okay to be nervous, etc. etc.  And along he went.  Our photo shoot was adorable.  He proudly sat beside his brother on the front stairs.  We caught glimpses of his nerves peeking through.  Then, when it was time to go, he waved goodbye...climbed into the car...and off we went.

He was so scared by the time we arrived, that the teacher actually allowed me to walk him down to the classroom.  When the time seemed right, she told me to leave.  I never heard him cry, so I assumed all went well.

Tommy and I went to pick him up and waited outside the door so we would be the first faces he would see.  As he turned the corner out of the classroom and saw us outside waiting, he broke down in tears and didn't stop crying until we made it into the car.  The teacher said he spent a good part of class in tears, but did participate in snack time and played a little bit.  I just hope tomorrow is a bit easier.  My poor pal...it breaks my heart to think he feels scared or nervous.  I know this is all a part of growing up...but still...just typing this is making me well up!

So proud of both of my guys.  They did such an amazing job this week...brave little buddies...venturing off without mom... and without their brother for the first time since their actual birth three years ago.  Pretty big stuff!

Birthday cupcakes

Things were so crazy at their birthday party, that the boys didn't really *blow* out their candles - everyone else did!  Then on their actual birthday, they were so exhausted by dinnertime that we decided to postpone the singing one more day.

So...here we are...  Birthday celebrations officially ended tonight with monster cupcakes, an appropriate "Happy Birthday" song and blowing out the candles.  A perfect ending to a perfectly wonderful third birthday.  :)

Cole

Tommy