Who's that following me?

Nicky discovered that someone was following him around and he didn't like it one bit! This went on all morning with the sun shining and I tried to get him to see his shadow but he would have nothing to do with it. Even Abby came spinning through without worry but he still didn't want to see it. It's a cute one. Let's hope it doesn't leave any permanent damage because it will be there the rest of his life and it will be hard for him to shake it. As his mom, I just laugh because it is just another classic hesitant Nicky. He is a very leery, cautious boy.



Then, Spongebob comes on and the shadow fear is gone. Spongebob rules - at least for now!



Happy 4th of July!

Busy, busy, busy!

It's been a while since I posted and all I can say is WHEW! We've had Jake's pre-school come to an end, Coach pitch baseball start, a quick trip to Orlando Universal Park and lots of yard work to catch up on! The summer seems to not want to come out with this cool weather but when you are working outside, it's not bad.

Then a rummage sale was the big thing planned for the middle of May. I am not a huge fan of rummage sales because of all the work and so little payoff in the end. We last had one about 12 years ago and it stunk! So, after a couple of years and a couple more kids, things began to pile up in the basement and we had to do something to see the floor again! Lots of baby stuff and other odds and ends and in the end, we sold over $200 worth of things and got our basement back. It was a good cleaning house process and hopefully others will have satisfaction in their purchases. Everything else is getting picked up today for a local donation organization called Love, Inc. for needy families and individuals. It's located in our community and I hope it goes to someone who needs help in these tough times.



Then the best news is Jake graduated from Mustard Seed pre-school and is very much looking forward to Kindergarten in the fall. Alot of his buddies from pre-school will be going to the same school and he's made great friends this past year. As have I. I really cherish that through a tough year with two babies, I made great friends who helped me out in a time of need especially when John was out of town traveling. I look forward to building these friendships throughout the school years ahead. Jake was quite proud of his accomplishments and they looked so cute in their caps & gowns. The flashbulbs we're going crazy when they walked down the aisle - miniature little graduates! Look out Harvard! Now he's in coach pitch baseball and loving it! His team is the Tigers and every Wednesday, the competition is fierce! If a plane flies by, everyone looks up and delay of game. Thank God a ice cream truck hasn't gone by yet - the game would be canceled for sure... Go Tigers!



John and I took a quick getaway to Orlando, piggybacking a business trip that John had planned. With the help of my parents, my girlfriend Kim and her family watching the kids while we drank margaritas and relaxed by the pool. It was a nice mini vacation from reality but I have become obsessed with the hotel bed and how incredibly comfortable it was that I actually called the Portifino Bay hotel back and asked the brand - crazy I know - but I had the best sleep of the last 2 years and I swear it's the mattress. John thinks it was the margaritas...



So now the twins are 17 months and everywhere and in everything. As you can see in all the photos - we really like their shirts, "Thing 1 and Thing 2." Suits them very well. Nick is the leary one and doesn't always like new things while Abby is a lot like Jake - gung ho! They love being outside and running free in our yard. We bought a driveway retractable net to keep them from barreling into the street and it seems to be working so far. Only a few escapes by the gung ho Abby. It's not competely like a fence but it slows them down. The swingset seems to be the spot of choice and they both have mastered climbing the rock wall to the platform to come down the slide. It can be a challenge to have two outside at the same time but Jake is a great help for me. He chases after them if they are into something they shouldn't be and hopefully by next year it won't be so crazy.

John started building a shed in the back since our garage has NO more room, new windows and hopefully painting the outside of the house is on the list this summer. It's a long list but checking things off is a great feeling of accomplishment. Somehow or another, one thnig comes off and another item gets added - like a new mattress - ugh.

On Tuesdays & Thursdays this summer, I will be watching 2 boys. Caden (6) and Logan (3). Caden is Jake's friend from pre-school and his little brother. It's great to have playmates for Jake and they are good little guys. It's a win-win situation and when school starts, I will just have Logan but the boys will get off the bus together and be here for another hour. It's a nice way to make some extra cash and Jake won't be constantly asking to play with someone. They all get along so well and I am happy about that. They hopefully will have this bond all through school and beyond is my hope.

Enough dragging on, I hope you all have a wonderful start to summer and hopefully I will find time to post again before fall! Happy Summer!

Talent comes in many forms...

These long days of winter have really sunk upon us and we struggle to find new things to do in our increasingly shrinking house and when most days feel like this...



...we learn new tricks and we laugh at many things. This was the winner.

Yes, I have a love for toilet humor and the kids do too. Why teach your kids toilet humor you ask? This world can be a mean and crazy place and toilet humor makes me laugh until I cry and makes the worries temporarily go away. So with that said, I give you the twins in a musical journey of many degrees led by their equally talented and crazy mother. Don't think differently of me with all the Baby Einstein and Leapfrog accessories out there to make your child a genius - I like to think that to live is to laugh! And the twins think it's a riot no matter what. Yes, we have to lay down the rules sooner or later but at this age - let'er rip! Or maybe we just need some warm days to get us outside and release that boredom. Anyways, if winter feels like ours and you need a laugh - this should do it for sure. Or you can stop by and see it first hand. Your choice. The "look" (Abby) and "the cheezy face" (Nick) are for sure better in person!

Happy Birthday Jake!

Holy Tartar Sauce!

Spongebob's famous words sum up how we cannot believe Jacob turned five and he's not our baby anymore. He has such a old soul about him and sometimes I feel like I'm talking to an adult. However, there are those days where the five year old kicks in and tantrums ensue only with more throwing and hitting. Days that you wish he was only one again.

We had a wonderful bowling birthday party for him with 10 of his "guy" friends from pre-school. They had a great time and bowled they're little arms off! Around the fifth or sixth frame, we started to lose them and the floor looked more appealing than throwing a heavy ball.






After that, we had pizza and drinks followed with cake and ice cream. Spongebob was the theme and the cake was no exception - very cute! Lots of gifts and laughs with the boys that hopefully they will remember for years to come. I had some of the parents stick around and help me which was a godsend. Eleven little boys like spinning tops is more than I could handle! Thank you Moms & Dad's!

The 5 years have zipped by and since it's Jake's GOLDEN birthday - this party was a celebration that will only pass once. Dad and the twins hung out at home because that is an insanity we wanted to completely avoid. Chasing toddlers down bowling alleys is not my idea of fun.

Happy Birthday Nick & Abby!

Nick & Abby turned one and we had a nice birthday party with our friends. It's hard to believe that it's been a year (seeing that the first 6 months we're a blur) but we made it through and they are wonderful little babies. The pictures of them in their car seats puts it into perspective how small they we're when we brought them home and how chunky they are now. Time just flew by too quickly!

Mom toasted some wine for making it through and Dad had some beers - yippee! Now the real work begins. Nick was very clean when eating his cake - Abby, not so much. They are so different and I love seeing how they tackle things separately. John & I are very happy to have such a wonderful group of neighbors/friends and to have such wonderful people in our life to support us through a very busy year. Thank you!

Hello Santa!

We went to see Santa and tell him everything we wanted for Christmas. I knew Jake would do great on Santa's lap - the twins - pretty sure that they would cry. Well, they proved me wrong - they did great too and Abby just stared at the guy in red with amazement. It was fun to see their reactions to the whole process. Next year will be interesting to see if the try to run for it. For now, we got some good pictures.

I like it!

Well, we had a very busy month after Thanksgiving and it's only going to get busier.
We put up a tree over that weekend and decorated the house for Christmas. John put up the lights outside on the last remaining warm day before the snow flew and flew and flew. Is it just me or has it been a lot of snow for December in a long time?

The kids love the tree and when the gates are down - the twins take off running. Now you may ask "did they put a tree up with all those tiny hands grabbing ornaments in the family room?" The answer is "ARE YOU CRAZY?" We set up in the living rooom/dining room which is blocked from anyone (Abby) tackling the tree, stealing ornaments (Nicky) and grabbing ribbon (Abby). Nick has had a rough go with teeth the last couple of months - he already has 8 and his molars are just popping through - so he really hasn't talked much until the last two weeks. He's been fun to listen to and his gestures crack us up. Abby still only has the bottom two but her tops have come through and we can see more on the way. Thank GOD for Ibuprofen! In the video I ask Nicky if he likes the tree - and if you listen - he repeats me. I swear! I swear!
The rest of the video is a constant trying to keep up! Jake is hopped up on sugar...

Maybe I need some ibuprofen?

So this was our crazy weekend:
Friday: work Christmas party for John,
Saturday afternoon: 13th annual Cookie exchange at Mary Ellen's house in Delafield
(took 2 days to make 8 dozen cookies - ugh!),
Saturday evening: Our 10th annual neighborhood round robin,
Sunday afternoon: PACKER GAME on TV (yeah! they clinched the NFC north division title) then drove to Janesville to see Santa, grandparents, aunt & cousins.

Whew...
Christmas is 2 weeks away...
I'm beat.