Learning the Alphabet

I've been interested in teaching G his letters. He's known the song for a long time now (although I'm not sure he knows "el-en-en-o-pee" is actually 5 letters...not one, as he sings it. :) But it's super cute! And a great jump from the last 8 months when he thought the alphabet started with Q and went from there. A-P only existed in mommy's version. :)
We watched this little video clip (The Letter A) and loved it! Now when I read, he likes to stare over my shoulder and point out all the A's. When we drive he finds all the A's on the signs. I'm super impressed and very proud of him!

Separation Anxiety

L has been clingy lately. But this post is not about him. And it's not about me missing my boys. I was just escaping for 3 minutes to be alone for a moment. Moments ago I sat on the couch. I have allergies that give me a wicked sore throat and I needed a break. Although I sit on the very far side of our large couch, G thinks the only spot available is the 3 inches next to me. Ergo, three inches on the couch, the rest on me. All the wigglieness of it. And L likes to bite my knees.
I escaped to my room when they had distracted each other for a moment!
Within 3 seconds of shutting the door...knock, knock, knock.
G-"Little pig, little pig. Let me come in!"
Me-"I'll be out in a minute, buddy."
Silence...for all of 2 seconds.
L may be slower at getting around, but don't doubt he's on his way anyways.
Pat, pat, pat, with his little hand.
And then BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. I'm pretty sure G is laying on his back kicking the door with his heels.
Well, that was a nice 3 minutes to not be climbed on at least.
Time to tickle attack those monkeys!

My Diamond

After doing a bunch of crafts today, G found a little ball of glue from the glue gun. He brought it to me and said, "Here's a diamond for you, Mama." *tear*
Then he proceeded to to tell me that when I get bigger I could get married and have the diamond. What a lucky Mama I am!

Numb Finger

How random is it that the very tip of my second most important finger went numb? (FYI- #1 right hand thumb, #2 right hand index, #3 left hand thumb). I didn't hit it or smash it. But it's been almost 2 days...more poor little finger. I guess I need to go on a cruise. ;)

Moths

I decided I hate moths. 24 hours ago, they seemed pretty harmless and I didn't mind them at all. But late last night as G was snuggling in bed with us after a bad dream, something sprinkled onto my face. Yes...a moth peed on me. Tristan argued I should have let him outside, but he deserved to meet the vacuum.

Sea World!!

We headed down to San Antonio for a three day weekend. We plan our driving mostly while the boys should be sleeping. However, a rented minivan with a DVD player did the trick between naps. 

The moment I saw this waffle maker, I had to have a waffle from it!

 G spotting dolphins for the first time.

 And the whale show was pretty killer! (haha...get it?! ok, lame...but funny, right?!)

 Completely entranced. He wanted to sit in the splash zone, but we knew better after he insisted that earlier, then cried for 10 minutes once he got a little wet. (incident happened seconds after video below.) On top of that, the whales weren't as cute and cuddly once he got a close view of all 10,000 pounds.

 G couldn't get enough of the rides. I didn't realize with age came increased quickness to dizziness. boy I feel old to say that!

Our party animal. Look at those cheeks!

Next morning we fed the dolphins. L wanted nothing to do with them. I guess a gaping mouth full of teeth is a bit daunting. ;)

L enjoying himself, but sensing something...there is a presence near.

 I thought so.

"I want to get splashed! I want to get splashed!" Famous last words.

 More rides for the G. You can barely see his head by my left elbow. He really was enjoying it, and insisted on the front row. I guess the sudden stops and whacking his head on the seat taught him some self preservation techniques.

And one more ride before we left. Look at that grin! You know he loves it!

I had to take a picture of our hotel bathroom. It's a great idea, but poorly executed. First off, no tub. That means 3 days of no bathing for the boys. Also, notice the drains. The one in the shower is set higher than the middle of the floor, and the whole floor slopes to the carpet (where I am standing.) All the towels on the floor were used as a barricade to protect the carpet. It didn't work. 

We stopped at the Alamo on the way home. I have ALWAYS wanted to see it!

It's small and in the middle of the city, but awesome!

Thank goodness for that minivan!

It's Laundry Day!!!

This is a big deal.
A month ago our washer broke. :( I had to wash our clothes by hand in the tub using the bathmat as a washboard. My back hurt, by knees hurt, my hands were weak for hours after wringing the clothes out, but it was a great workout! I seriously think my arm muscles are bigger!
We found a great set at Lowes but they were out...even at the warehouse. 3 weeks later, it was delivered!! Then they realized they had the wrong cord for the dryer. :( I washed all my clothes, but had to dry them outside...then we got some major rainstorms coming through. Finally, another week and I got my dryer!!!! So today is washing clothes day, and it couldn't have happened soon enough. Boy is my house stuffy. I only washed what was really necessary.
Thank goodness for these machines that make life SO much easier!!!!!

PICTURES!!! Finally!

Finally I am posting pictures from way back. At least the ones from my phone. :)

Not much is as exhausting as being carted around a store.

G as Slimer and Luke as the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. Again...nothing is quite as exhausting as being carted around. Even if there is candy to be had. 

We decided Fall wasn't coming soon enough. So we encourage it along by kicking and throwing balls into the trees.

And then trying to catch the falling leaves.

Build and Grow at Lowes

Oh!! Look who's awake!

Raking up the leaves we helped so lovingly to fall. The boys helped squish the leaves into the garbage can. Well, in all honesty, L just taste tested them all.

Poor Tristan tweaked his back on Thanksgiving Day. At least there was lots of football to entertain.

This boy loves bathing in the sink.

And these two adore each other.

It's super sweet.

Another Build and Grow at Lowes.

L waits patiently. Isn't that the cutest hat?!

Free of the hat and still all smiles.

Right after our project at Lowes we went to the airport to spend Christmas in Utah.

The drive to Tristan's parents from the airport. G in style and L in his usual style.

Visiting with my my Grandma B. Aren't those pictures sweet.

Christmas morning! Wow...I'm just realizing how happy they look. They were, despite the picture.

Still a necessity on his bed to this day...a cougar pillowpet.

Back at home, G plays Santa for all the good mommies and daddies.

The boys enjoying their gifts.

G unwrapping his tool work bench.

I came out to find this one day. If you look closely, L has a huge grin...thank goodness.

My squeaky clean chubby boy.

Love, Love this picture.

Reading to the boys before bed.

Before our long trip.                                     Well into our long trip.

Warm(er) days mean trips to the park!!

A trip to the dinosaur museum! All the way down G talked about the bones we would see. Once we got there, I had to bribe him to look at this triceratops for the picture. That way you would think he actually loved looking at the bones instead of only wanting to participate in the interactive wall features. And then on the way home he talked nonstop about how neat all the bones were. 

It snowed!

Considering it doesn't much ever here, this was a much enjoyed activity.

Even if our snowman family was half leaves half snow. It saved me from raking when it all melted. 

How sweet is this picture?! He LOVES the swing.

And just plain being outside.

It's been such beautiful weather, we set up the tent in the backyard and had a picnic.

And G chased bugs.

L has all these goofy faces. He is such a cheese.

These boys sure love playing together.

Posing for a Valentine picture. I love the look on L's face!

Another walk on another gorgeous day. I love spring in Oklahoma (except for the tornado days!)