November 2012 Celebrations

Birthdays:

• November 1 - Uncle Bob Gels turns 75
• November 3 - Daphne Wolff turns 31
• November 12 - RJ Willinger turns 32
• November 14 - Knox Willinger turns 3, Stephanie Wappes turns 25
• November 20 - Alissa O'Connor turns 9
• November 28 - Pete Hug turns 90

Anniversaries:

• November 1- Brian and I celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary!
• Novmeber 14 - Sean and Beth O'Connor celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary
• Novemer 21 - Rodney and Dennis celebrate 23 years together!
• November 25 - Dennis and LouisAnn Brunswick celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary
• November 28 - we remember Brian's Grandma and Grandpa Hart's wedding anniversary

Halloween

We survived our third Halloween!

The boys enjoyed a great day at Chickadees.  They wore their pajamas (which confused the HECK out of them!), loved that it was "muffin day", and they even went trick-or-treating at school (they brought home brown paper bags filled with sandwich bags of Pringles, pretzels, cheese curls, and Cherrios).  They also got their faces painted - Jackson had a pumpkin, while Lincoln had a spider and spider web.

We picked the boys up a little early so we could get them fed before we headed out for Trick-or-Treating.  They each had a bowl of chili, some Pringles, and a white chocolate covered strawberry for dinner.  We needed the warm soup before heading out into the cold, damp evening.

The boys were excited to put on their costumes, and even endured mom taking a few pictures....

Jackson was all about getting his picture taken.  Lincoln was just ready to go Trick-or-Treating.

We went across the street to see Mr. Herb and Miss Marg first.  They LOVED the boys costumes!  They couldn't believe how big the boys have gotten, and really enjoyed our visit.  They gave each of the boys 2 candy bars to begin with, then said they were too cute and gave each of them another candy bar.  We chatted a bit, and as we were saying goodbye, Mr. Herb gave each of them another candy bar.  Love sharing our boys with Herb and Marg. 

Next we went to our other neighbors.  We don't know them very well, but when she opened the door and saw the boys, she knew exactly who they were!  She was excited to see them, and let the boys pick out their candy. 

We stopped a few houses down at the next light, and met one of our neighbors for the first time (Miss Pam).  She was so excited as she was just coloring a picture and needed 2 blue crayons - one for her ocean, and one for her sky!  Amazing that two were standing her porch just when she needed them!  (This was definitely more humorous for me than the boys)  She gave the boys their candy, and let them ring her doorbell - several times.  The boys loved it!

We crossed the street to see our neighbors who have a little girl that is just 2 days older than the boys.  They just had another baby the end of September, so they had a bucket of candy sitting out for people to help themselves.  Lincoln saw a skull in their flower bed though, and was afraid to get his own candy. 

We stopped at the next house, making our way back home.  I was hoping to meet the people who had moved in a few months ago, but they too just had a bucket of candy out for people to help themselves.  I was trying to get the boys to pick out their own candy, and I heard Jackson say, "Mommy - that's scary!"  I wasn't sure what he was talking about.  He was pointing to the door, and then I saw it - a statue of a monster standing in the sidelight window - his head was severed and "floating" above his body! 

After the 2 "scary" houses, we headed back home to warm up.

The boys were excited by all the candy they received, and were counting it in their jack-o-lantern buckets.  I wanted to go and meet another neighbor, so I convinced the boys to go back out to 1 or 2 more houses.  I assured them we were going to a nice house - like going to see Great-Grandma and Pete.  So, off we went to meet the nice older lady down the street.  She was tickled to see the boys, and just shook her head at the idea of twins.  After she closed the door, Jackson said he didn't want to leave.  He liked her goose on her porch.  I let him pet the goose, then we said goodbye. 

Lincoln told me we could go to one more house, and he picked the house with the flag.  By this time, there were more kids out, which the boys really didn't like.  However, they made it up to the door of the last house, and laughed at the "hand" in the candy bowl.  When we were leaving the porch, another child came up with a "Scream" mask, and both the boys clung to my legs in fear. 

We carefully made our way back home, avoiding all the scary costumes.  The boys were done. 
We let them each pick out one piece of candy to eat - they both choose M&M's, and they sat quietly on the couch eating their treat.

After we watch the Charlie Brown Halloween show tonight, we can put Halloween behind us for another year.

Hope all your little angels and devils had a great Halloween!  

Water turns yellow!

Lincoln is really picking up on what it takes to go potty on the big boy potty. 

He loves to sit on the regular toilet seat backwards instead of using the potty seat.  For the past week or so, he will start to go, then gets to laughing when he sees his potty, and the stream stops.  So, we've been working on pushing until it stops because there isn't any more to come out.

The other morning, Lincoln was doing his business, and I could tell he was really concentrating on keeping the stream going.  When he was finished, he yelled, "Mommy!  It stopped!  It's all out!"  I went and helped him off the potty.  When he was standing up, I said to him, "Wow buddy, you went pee-pee a lot.  See, you turned the water yellow!"

He was so excited.  He couldn't wait to get to Chickadees so he could show Miss Monica that he could turn the water yellow!

Yellow being Jackson's favorite color, I'm using it to try to get Jackson going potty in the big boy potty again.  So far, no luck.  Maybe someday!

The light is broken...

This is my first conversation with Jackson each morning.

I get him up, take him to the bathroom, and sit him on the potty seat.  As he sits on the potty, he looks around the bathroom.

Jackson:  "The light is broken."  (As he points to the one burned out light over the vanity)
Mom:  "Yes, buddy, it is broken."
Jackson:  "Have to get a new one to fix it."
Mom:  "Yes, we need to get a new bulb for it."
Jackson:  "This one is ok."  (As he points the exhaust fan light over the potty)
Mom:  "Yes, that light works just fine."
Jackson:  "Daddy needs to fix it." (pointing back at the burned out bulb)

We've had this same dialogue for a week now!  It makes me laugh to see that his throught process is exactly the same each morning.  Still amazed at the conversations I have with my boys!

Undressed

My sister had a beautiful baby boy about 10 weeks before my boys were born.  I often times look to my sister and her son for guidance on the "next steps" for the boys. 

This past weekend, my sister and I were sharing stories about how they are at a pretty good age right now.  They feed themselves, they walk to the car, crawl in their car seats - lots of things we used to have to do for them.  I told her I was floored last week when I asked the boys to take their coats and shoes off, and both boys did it all by themselves.  Her comment was "just wait until they can dress themselves".  She also has a 4 1/2 year old...so she's definitely speaking from experience.

What I leaned from the shoe incident and from talking to my sister is that I need to let the boys to try more things on their own.  Most of the time we are in a hurry, don't want to make a mess, or its just habit to do things for the boys.  But, they are almost three, and we need to start teaching them to be independent, to let them do things on their own, and accept that it's not always going to be perfect.

Knowing this and putting it into practice are two very different things.  It's a work in progress.

One night earlier this week I was cleaning up from dinner.  I asked the boys to sit down and take their socks off, and their pants too so we could get ready for bathtime.  Figured this would keep them out of trouble while I cleaned up. 

Jackson went right to it.  He pulled his socks off (using the "trick" that I taught him a few weeks ago), then stood up, unsnapped his pants, and pulled them down.  I laughed a bit as he struggled with getting his legs out of them, but he did it!  He was so proud of himself!  I praised him for doing such a good job, and reached to help take his shirt off and I got a resounding "No, Mommy.  I do it."

He struggled a bit at first with his shirt, and asked for help.  I gently encouraged him...."hey buddy, pull your arm out first.  you can do it!"  Sure enough, he got his one arm out of the shirt, and a smile spread across his face.  He ran around the kitchen for about 3 minutes doing a "happy dance", then got back to business.  He next pulled the shirt over his head, and then pulled it down off his arm.  It was off!  We made a very big deal about how he's such a big boy!

Of course then, Lincoln wanted to join in the fun.  He was still sitting on his chair at the table, but got his socks off.  He struggled quite a bit with his pants, mostly because he insisted on being on the chair (vs. getting down on the floor).  Jackson finally helped by pulling on the ends of his pant legs while Lincoln sat on the chair.  The shirt was more challenging for Lincoln, and time was running out on us, so I helped him with his shirt. 

Now Mommy and Daddy just need to have the patience to allow them to try more things.  Wish us luck!

One track mind...

Last night, was a balancing act.  Brian needed to mow the lawn, so we went home after work and he mowed the lawn while I played with the boys and made dinner.  We all ate dinner together, then got the boys bathed and ready for bed. 

We were running short on milk, so I needed to run to Costco to get some milk.  I asked the boys to give me hugs and kisses goodnight, as daddy was going to put them to bed.  "Are you going shopping Mommy?" one of them asked.  I couldn't lie to them, so I said yes, we need some milk, so I am going shopping.

Then Jackson looked at me and said, "Will you get us some donuts too Mommy?  Thanks".

All this boy thinks about is donuts!  He thinks we should have them everyday. 

Weekend at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's

We spent this past weekend at my parents house. 

Uncle Aaron rode up with us, and the boys provided plenty of entertainment.  They laughed and giggled for the first part of the trip as Uncle was tickling them from the back seat, or "scaring them" by saying boo! They eventually settled in for the ride, and started singing songs for Uncle...multiple rounds of the A-B-C's and the unending version of Old MacDonald (I think he had a zoo, not a farm Friday night).

Around 8:30, we stopped at McDonald's in Van Wert to change the boys diapers, and for the rest of us to use the restroom.  Uncle bought a Rolo McFlurry, and made the mistake of giving the boys a taste.  He ended up sharing it with both of them! 

Once back in the van, the boys drank their milk, and went to sleep for the rest of the drive.

A few minutes after arriving at my parents, I was informed that the boys weren't the only ones providing entertainment that night.  Somewhere along the way on Friday, the seam of my jeans (the one right up the crack of your butt) had freyed out!  Who knows how long the full moon was out on Friday....and I greatly apologize to the man that I bent over in front of at McDonalds!

It was a full house...and camper at my parent's.  RJ and Lyn were there with their kids, and RJ's parents rented a camper for the weekend as well.  We visited for a bit, then put the boys to bed, drank a few beers, and stayed up till 2:30 in the morning.  Typical Friday night with my parents.

Saturday, the boys were up about 6:30.  Brian fed them breakfast and got them ready for the day while mommy slept a while longer.  Pawpaw took the boys on a gator ride to see the moo cows, but most of the day was just visiting.  We met Miss Quinn for the first time, and caught up with her mommy Carrie.  Aunt Shirley and Uncle Larry came over to visit with us as well.  A beautiful Saturday afternoon.

The boys fell asleep watching TV, so Brian and I snuck out to church with my parents at 4:00.  We would have been fine, but we needed to go to the store afterward to get some beer.  When we were walking into the house, Dick asked me if I'd been drinking yet...and if not, I might want to as my son had just thrown up.
Not good.  It seems Jackson woke up from his nap, and got himself a little bit worked up over the fact that mommy and daddy weren't there.  Luckily, he threw up on the blanket, and Uncle RJ was there to save the day (as Uncle Aaron doesn't do puke).

The rest of the night was our usual trip to mom and dads...good food, great friends, and of course, drinks.  RJ's friend Joe and his girlfriend Caryn joined the party and stayed the night.  Uncle Bill joined us for dinner too.  We watched football and baseball, and just enjoyed the evening.

Sunday was the main attraction for the weekend - the 28th annual Lil' Chicago Canoe run.  I believe this is the 8th year that Lyn and RJ have participated. 

The day starts with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. - sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, coffee, juice, etc. for any and all who want to join.  Around 9:00, everyone heads to Sodam Grange.  This is the start of the canoe run.  The participants and canoes go in the water, filled with beer, jello shots, Jagur-bombs, toilet paper, trash bags, and whatever anyone may need for their ride down the river.  It's a beautiful ride...check it out.

This was the first year for the boys. They weren't sure about eating breakfast outside, but loved the sausage gravy and biscuits, along with the powered donuts Mawmaw found.  They were excited when they saw the river and woods, and ecstatic once they saw the canoes with people in them.  They waved to Uncle RJ and Aunt Lyn, Dick and Tasha, and Joe and Caryn as they started their adventure. 

The canoe trip starts at Sodam Grange, and ends at a campsite located on my parents neighbors land.  It takes most of the participants a few hours to get to the campsite, so after the boat launch, we went back to the house and Pawpaw took my boys and Knox to go see the moo cows again.  When they returned, we went to visit Great Grandma and Pete for a bit, and were surprised to also find Aunt Ree and Uncle Jim there too.  The boys had a lot of fun playing with Aunt Ree, and singing their ABC's for Great Grandma.  We couldn't stay long, as it was getting to be lunch time, so we headed back to the campsite for lunch.

The boys had been looking forward to playing in the woods all week long.  So, when we arrived for lunch, they were more excited about running around and checking everything out.  We found some canoes that had already arrived, and we had to check the river out to see if there were any boats coming.  Getting them to settle down and eat was a bit challenging, and I'm so grateful for Aunt Lyn's Mac-N-Cheese.  They each also ate 1 1/2 hot dogs, and a cupcake.  Thank goodness we were outside as the cupcake was messy!

After eating, the boys ran around and played with other kids, and we visited with the other people at the campsite.  Around 2:00, I suggested we get on the Gator and go see if we could find where Aunt Lyn and Uncle RJ were, so mom and dad crawled on the front, then Brian and I sat in the back of the gator with our 2 kids and Lyn's 3 kids.  It was a full ride!

Baby Nash was so excited to be on the gator.  He waved bye-bye to all the people at the camp site, and continued waving his arms and bouncing up and down!  The boys were loving being on the gator again, and just being outside!

We found a few boats along the river, but they weren't part of our crew.  I believe there were about 24 or so boats this year.  I was about to give up and tell dad to head back to the campsite so we could head home when we heard someone.  Dad shut the gator off, and here came Lyn running through the woods toward us!  RJ was right behind her.  We visited with them for a few minutes, and then Lylah decided she had to go potty.  Lyn took her potty, and then Knox decided he should go too.  Wanting to be a big boy like Knox, Lincoln says "I need to go potty in the woods!"  There was no talking him out of it, so we dropped his pants, unhooked his diaper, and let him try.  Unfortunately, he hadn't had his milk yet, so as hard as he tried, he just couldn't go.  He was very disappointed!

We piled back in the gator, found the other 2 boats full of our crew, enjoyed a few of their jello shots, then headed back to the campsite. 

We were saying our goodbyes and getting ready to leave when the last boats (full of our people) came into shore.  The bottle of Jagur was nearly gone (and it wasn't a small bottle), so the boaters had a great day.  After a few more hugs and goodbyes, we packed up the van and headed back to Cincinnati.  Just as we were pulling away from the campsite, it started pouring, so we left at the right time!

Thanks to all our visitors, the Willingers, and my family for making it such a great weekend!  We'll definitely be back again for the canoe trip!