It's hard to believe, but it's almost time for the boys to move to the next room at daycare!
They have been visiting the Chickadees room over the past week. They will be moving there permanently after the Labor Day weekend.
As has been the case in the past, I'm a bit worried about how Lincoln is going to adjust. They have told us that he has cried when they first take him to visit Chickadees, but then settles in. He is a lot like his dad - not so sure about change. Plus, he loves his "Miss Kayla", so it's going to be difficult leaving her behind. Even yesterday at home, he was saying he doesn't want to go to Chickadees.
Jackson however loves Chickadees. It's a new area with different toys and activities. He loves exploring and learning new things. The teachers tell us the boys behave better than most of the kids already in there - I hope that continues.
This move will be quite an adjustment for Brian and I as well. Currently, we pull to the back entrance of the building. We get out, get the boys out of their seats, and take them into their classroom. That changes with this next move. We will now pull up to the front entrance, one of the caregivers will come out and get the boys out of their seats, and take them into the building. They do the same when we come pick them up - they bring them out, put them back in their seats, and we are off. This will definitely save us time for drop offs and pick ups, but means that goodbyes kisses will happen only at home.
Of course, we are going to be on vacation the week of August 27th, and they will officially tranistion to Chickadees the next week, so it will be a whole lot of adjusting all at once.
Please keep us in your prayers, and wish us luck!
Our Family
Monday, August 20, 2012
A whole lot of Harts...
We had one of the best weekends! It was the perfect balance of spending time and catching up with family, yet relaxing and having fun.
Friday night, Brian's cousin Joan and her family came and had dinner with us and spent the night. They came down and spent the day at King's Island, then wanted to get some extra time with the boys. We had a great night eating dinner on the patio, watching the boys run around the yard, and kicking bouncy balls. Desta was amazed with how much the boys talk, and Joan shared some scary ghost stories with Brian! We also got to know Will SO MUCH BETTER! So glad they came to share the evening with us.
Despite being up till 10:00 Friday night, the boys were up bright and early at 6:40 on Saturday morning. I got up with the boys, fed them breakfast, unloaded the dishwasher, washed up the crockpots from Friday nights dinner, made beans to take to the reunion and started some laundry - all by 9:00. Then, Brian and I looked at each other and wondered what to do. The house was all clean, the boys were playing, and our guests were still sleeping. Saturday mornings are usually about running errands, or cleaning the house. We weren't sure what to do with ourselves!
Around 10:00, our guests started to stir. We enjoyed some coffee cake with them before they headed out to the Golden Lamb. Then, we had a light lunch, and packed up to head to the Hart reunion in Fort Recovery.
The boys slept for a good portion of the drive, which gave me some quality chat time with my Gram. She's having a knee replacement today, so I wanted to make sure she knew we were all thinking and praying for her!
When we arrived in Fort Recovery, the boys were ready to go. They loved exploring the play area - riding the horses, climbing everything they could find, and going down the many slides. They also loved just being able to run freely! And they were utterly facinated with being able to touch and check out a "fireman" (aka - fire hydrant).
Brian and I balanced visiting and watching the boys. It was great catching up with all of the Harts, and enjoying a beautiful day outside. A special thanks to the family members who understood that our little Harts wanted to play, so they came and visited with us while we pushed them on the swings, and ensured they didn't fall off the fort playground.
On our way home, we stopped to visit Janice. Our visits with her aren't as vibrant and fun as they used to be, but after a difficult week, Brian just needed to talk to her. We hope that she knows how much she is loved and missed each and every day.
The boys slept most of the way home, barely woke up when we carried them into the house and put them on the couch. We took their shoes and socks off, unloaded the car, then it was bedtime for us all.
All the fresh air from the weekend wore the boys out, and they slept till almost 7:30 on Sunday morning.
Sunday was filled with a few errands, naps, and preparing for the week ahead.
We hope everyone enjoyed the weekend as much as we did, and wish you all a great week ahead!
Friday night, Brian's cousin Joan and her family came and had dinner with us and spent the night. They came down and spent the day at King's Island, then wanted to get some extra time with the boys. We had a great night eating dinner on the patio, watching the boys run around the yard, and kicking bouncy balls. Desta was amazed with how much the boys talk, and Joan shared some scary ghost stories with Brian! We also got to know Will SO MUCH BETTER! So glad they came to share the evening with us.
Despite being up till 10:00 Friday night, the boys were up bright and early at 6:40 on Saturday morning. I got up with the boys, fed them breakfast, unloaded the dishwasher, washed up the crockpots from Friday nights dinner, made beans to take to the reunion and started some laundry - all by 9:00. Then, Brian and I looked at each other and wondered what to do. The house was all clean, the boys were playing, and our guests were still sleeping. Saturday mornings are usually about running errands, or cleaning the house. We weren't sure what to do with ourselves!
Around 10:00, our guests started to stir. We enjoyed some coffee cake with them before they headed out to the Golden Lamb. Then, we had a light lunch, and packed up to head to the Hart reunion in Fort Recovery.
The boys slept for a good portion of the drive, which gave me some quality chat time with my Gram. She's having a knee replacement today, so I wanted to make sure she knew we were all thinking and praying for her!
When we arrived in Fort Recovery, the boys were ready to go. They loved exploring the play area - riding the horses, climbing everything they could find, and going down the many slides. They also loved just being able to run freely! And they were utterly facinated with being able to touch and check out a "fireman" (aka - fire hydrant).
Brian and I balanced visiting and watching the boys. It was great catching up with all of the Harts, and enjoying a beautiful day outside. A special thanks to the family members who understood that our little Harts wanted to play, so they came and visited with us while we pushed them on the swings, and ensured they didn't fall off the fort playground.
On our way home, we stopped to visit Janice. Our visits with her aren't as vibrant and fun as they used to be, but after a difficult week, Brian just needed to talk to her. We hope that she knows how much she is loved and missed each and every day.
The boys slept most of the way home, barely woke up when we carried them into the house and put them on the couch. We took their shoes and socks off, unloaded the car, then it was bedtime for us all.
All the fresh air from the weekend wore the boys out, and they slept till almost 7:30 on Sunday morning.
Sunday was filled with a few errands, naps, and preparing for the week ahead.
We hope everyone enjoyed the weekend as much as we did, and wish you all a great week ahead!
Friday, August 17, 2012
The power of ...Mickey Mouse?
The boys LOVE Mickey Mouse. I mean LOVE.
I have two stories to prove it.
Basically, every Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode has a story, and along the way, you need different things. There is a character called Toodles that you call for when you need help, and he brings you what you need. We thought it was really cool when the boys started to get the concept of Toodles when they were watching the show, and when Mickey would call for him, they would too (Oh Toodles!). Well, Lincoln has taken it to a whole new level. We've heard him lying in his bed, and say "Oh, my foot is stuck. Oh Toodles!" Then, we were at the dinner table one night, and one of us asked him if he needed a spoon. He of course said, "Yes. I need a spoon. Oh Toodles - bring me a spoon!"
Brian and I were both laughing so hard! If only Toodles were real....things would be so much easier in our house!
So, that's Mickey's impact on Lincoln. Now, it's time for Jackson.
We've gotten used to the boys asking to watch Mickey Mouse or Yo! Gabba Gabba! We've taped different episodes, and when Brian and I get tired of hearing the same ones, then we tape new ones. Well, Jackson has completely fallen in love with an episode that we have taped, and now, that is the only episode of Mickey he wants to watch. He asks specifically for it - Watch Mickey go fishing Daddy! The first few times, I thought he just liked it because it has a kitty cat on it, and they go and catch a big red gooey fish. But last week, he totally blew me away.
It was early in the weekend, so it wasn't like he had seen it three times in a row or anything. He asked me if he could watch Mickey go fishing. So, I turned it on, and sat down for a minute or two to watch it with him. They weren't even through the theme song at the beginning, and Jackson turned to me and said "Star. Star Lake. We have to go to Star Lake to get the fish." And he was right! I was just amazed at how much he remembers, and associates things!
So, like it or not, we are a Mickey Mouse house. Now, let's all do the Hot Dog Dance!
I have two stories to prove it.
Basically, every Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode has a story, and along the way, you need different things. There is a character called Toodles that you call for when you need help, and he brings you what you need. We thought it was really cool when the boys started to get the concept of Toodles when they were watching the show, and when Mickey would call for him, they would too (Oh Toodles!). Well, Lincoln has taken it to a whole new level. We've heard him lying in his bed, and say "Oh, my foot is stuck. Oh Toodles!" Then, we were at the dinner table one night, and one of us asked him if he needed a spoon. He of course said, "Yes. I need a spoon. Oh Toodles - bring me a spoon!"
Brian and I were both laughing so hard! If only Toodles were real....things would be so much easier in our house!
So, that's Mickey's impact on Lincoln. Now, it's time for Jackson.
We've gotten used to the boys asking to watch Mickey Mouse or Yo! Gabba Gabba! We've taped different episodes, and when Brian and I get tired of hearing the same ones, then we tape new ones. Well, Jackson has completely fallen in love with an episode that we have taped, and now, that is the only episode of Mickey he wants to watch. He asks specifically for it - Watch Mickey go fishing Daddy! The first few times, I thought he just liked it because it has a kitty cat on it, and they go and catch a big red gooey fish. But last week, he totally blew me away.
It was early in the weekend, so it wasn't like he had seen it three times in a row or anything. He asked me if he could watch Mickey go fishing. So, I turned it on, and sat down for a minute or two to watch it with him. They weren't even through the theme song at the beginning, and Jackson turned to me and said "Star. Star Lake. We have to go to Star Lake to get the fish." And he was right! I was just amazed at how much he remembers, and associates things!
So, like it or not, we are a Mickey Mouse house. Now, let's all do the Hot Dog Dance!
Role reversal
Brian and I have been trying really hard to limit the amount of TV the boys get to watch each week. The boys have gotten into a phase where if the TV is on, they are glued to it. We want to make sure they stay active, and don't become couch potatoes.
So, we read more books, have tickle fights, and play with our toys more.
The past 2 weeks, it's been all about reading books. We let the boys pick out which books they want, and we read them to them before we go to bed. One of their favorites is a book we got them for their first birthday called "It's My Birthday". The book has lots of animals in it, and it's all about making a birthday cake - two things that the boys LOVE. So, we read it over, and over, and over again. I've read it so many times that I've had to start making more up to go with the pictures to keep it fresh and new.
Earlier this week, after reading this book at least 3 times that night alone, Lincoln begged me to read it again. Dreading the thought of reading it a 4th time, I asked him to read it to me. I thought he would just sit there and flip the pages, and point at the animals and tell me which animal it was, but within about 10 seconds I couldn't take my eyes (or EARS) off him!
Here is how the story goes Here is what I heard
It's My Birthday It's My Birthday
And I'm going to make a cake Make a cake
I need some eggs. I'll get you some eggs, said the chicken Need to get eggs from the chicken
I need some flour. I'll get you some flour, said the bear We need flour. Thanks Mr. Bear
The story continues with the other ingredients, and he always knew what ingredients each animal brings.
My favorite part though was when he included some of the stuff that I had made up earlier in the night! My face hurt from smiling, and I just kept looking at Brian and saying, "Do you hear this? Are you paying attention?" He was, and his smile was almost as big as mine.
If we didn't know it before, we surely know it now. These boys are watching AND listening to everything! We need to be on our best behavior at ALL times!
So, we read more books, have tickle fights, and play with our toys more.
The past 2 weeks, it's been all about reading books. We let the boys pick out which books they want, and we read them to them before we go to bed. One of their favorites is a book we got them for their first birthday called "It's My Birthday". The book has lots of animals in it, and it's all about making a birthday cake - two things that the boys LOVE. So, we read it over, and over, and over again. I've read it so many times that I've had to start making more up to go with the pictures to keep it fresh and new.
Earlier this week, after reading this book at least 3 times that night alone, Lincoln begged me to read it again. Dreading the thought of reading it a 4th time, I asked him to read it to me. I thought he would just sit there and flip the pages, and point at the animals and tell me which animal it was, but within about 10 seconds I couldn't take my eyes (or EARS) off him!
Here is how the story goes Here is what I heard
It's My Birthday It's My Birthday
And I'm going to make a cake Make a cake
I need some eggs. I'll get you some eggs, said the chicken Need to get eggs from the chicken
I need some flour. I'll get you some flour, said the bear We need flour. Thanks Mr. Bear
The story continues with the other ingredients, and he always knew what ingredients each animal brings.
My favorite part though was when he included some of the stuff that I had made up earlier in the night! My face hurt from smiling, and I just kept looking at Brian and saying, "Do you hear this? Are you paying attention?" He was, and his smile was almost as big as mine.
If we didn't know it before, we surely know it now. These boys are watching AND listening to everything! We need to be on our best behavior at ALL times!
Brotherly love....and toothbrushes
There really is a special bond between twins.
A bond stronger than any of the rest of us will ever understand.
I love seeing that bond between my boys, even though I can't completely comprehend it.
Just look at these two.
I asked them to stand next to each other so I could take their picture. Stand next to each other, yeah right. No, we have to put our arms around each other, and squeeze in as tight as possible.
And we couldn't do it without our Elmo and Abby toothbrushes in our mouths!
Wrapping their arms around each other is something Jackson has always initiated. I remember them being just a few weeks old, propping them up on pillows in our bed, and trying to take pictures. Jackson ALWAYS got his arm around Lincoln somehow, which would look so cute. But usually before I could even snap the picture, he would grab onto Lincoln's ear, and refuse to let go.
Poor Lincoln.
But, despite all that torture he endured, Lincoln is the one who reaches out to hold Jackson's hand.
The love that these two little boys have for one another already is amazing.
Lincoln adores Jackson, and tries so hard to be just like his brother.
Jackson watches out for, and protects Lincoln.
They are best friends.
God has a plan, and I'm learning more and more each day to trust it. We aren't sure why He tested us in starting our family, but He also blessed us with more than we could have ever imagined.
And I love that they will always share this special twin bond, and will always have each other.
Bubbles
The boys love being outdoors. Have I mentioned that lately? Besides coloring on the ground, they love bubbles. They still struggle a bit with blowing into the little tiny hole and producing a bubble. See the concentration on Jackson's face? Nothing else in the world exists when it comes time to blowing bubbles.
The picture on the right is priceless. It looks like he got the bubble started, then stopped to look at it. He actually blew the bubble, then it came back to him and he CAUGHT the bubble with his wand! He was so excited!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
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