s.o.u.n.d.s

J and W actually were arguing over a sound today. Yes. A. Sound. I heard one say "IYIYIYIYI" (pronounced eye-yi-yi) And then I heard "NO, MY IYIYIYI" "no, MY iyiyiyiyiyi!"
smile.

Rap

Today W (without me noticing) reached into the desk drawer and said "Mommy, clip my nails!" as he held up a mini stapler to his finger.
Goodness.

Everyone wish me luck. I know it doesn't seem like much but I am taking my first road trip with the boys by myself. We have about a three-hour drive to do so I am trying to plan it so I don't have to stop. I don't want to feed them, change diapers, or get gas. Just go. I am hoping they will nap at least 30 minutes in the car. That is about all they do in the car. And I have the portable DVD player with a truck movie prepped as well.

We are going to visit our friends Suzanne and Rob. I was supposed to attend a piyo certification (Suzanne and Rob were going to watch the boys for me while I attended-bless their hearts) but it was cancelled. But we are still going...it should make the weekend go faster and I am looking forward to seeing our friends and I am making Suzanne take me to Costco. I know, that is pathetic isn't it? Getting excited to go to Costco.

I have been meaning to post some videos but haven't gotten around to it lately. The boys are full up singing as of late...they can sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (traditional or rap-style), Rock-a-Bye Baby, the alphabet (ending in the traditional "now I know my abcs...." OR "now I know I know I know I know.."), Down By the Station, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Happy Birthday (it seems to always be somebody's birthday in our house these days) and there is more but I can't remember right now. It is fun to hear what songs strike them enough to burst out in song. I tried to catch the rap version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on video but W has been freezing up on me when I pull out the camera. Here is a few second sample of the rap song before he stopped on me.

Their favorite question right now is "What's That?!" Their favorite word right now is "no!" Their favorite breakfast item is "crackle pop" (Rice krispies). Their favorite snack item is always fruit or cheerios snack mix.

And when they fly their toy planes around the say "flying to Mexico!" and I say "why are you flying to Mexico?" Reply: "To see Daddy."

Conversations at Our House

The boys now argue of everything. And I am not just talking about stuff or things. They even fight over "concepts".

Some examples of their dialogue:
Me: "Let's go change your diaper."
J: "Diaper"
W: "No, MY change of diaper."

W: "Daddy, up."
J: "NO, MY daddy up."

Me: "It's time for your breathing treatment."
J: "Breathing treatment!"
W: "NO, MY breathing treatment."

W: "hungry, hungry"
J: "No, MY hungry."

Yes, this is what I listen to...pretty much all day long sometimes.

Stuff I Love Now....

I have to say I LOVE my new IPOD Nike Plus device that helps me keep track of my running. No more need to run, then drive the course to check the distance. The chip goes into your shoe and whenever you want to check your distance, you just press the center button of your IPOD and a very nice lady says your time elapsed, distance ran, and current average pace. Love this. Especially for running outside. It is surprisingly accurate. (I have compared it with a treadmill before...)

Speaking of running, some of my favorite running music right now:
-Angels on the Moon (Thriving Ivory)
-Again I Go Unnoticed (Dashboard Confessional)
-The Garden (Mirah)
-Umbrella (Taylor Swift)

And what gives me energy to run lately?
I am loving the Hazelnut Cappuchino by General Foods International On the Go packets. I mix it with some decaf instant coffee and add hot water and milk. Yum. I am loving these too much. I bought three boxes (it seemed like yesterday) and I used my last one this morning. =(

Do you have any good running music suggestions for me?

Aunt JJ Vacay and B-day

We were fortunate enough to have Aunt JJ visit - and on her birthday even! Although it was HER vacation she gave me much-needed help. I had a pretty rough week before she arrived. I believe the boys were missing daddy, cutting their molars, enduring yet another bad cold, and just being 2. There wasn't a lot of sleep going on in our house. But Jenette and Geoff both arrived and I got to go to the gym, take some naps, go to a dr. appt without the kiddos, and go on a date with Geoff. Did I mention it was HER vacation? But Jenette and I did get to go shopping together and get pedicures.

And we went to a fun beach area for more pictures and lunch.

This is such a "hip" playground. Can you tell it is a dog? The ears hang down and form a bench, and the slide is the tongue.


I love this group of pics of the boys with Jenette:

The sky was so blue that day. The boys had fun lugging the modern-looking green puppy dog things up the hill. The dogs are just there. By the hill. For kids to play with.

And for Jenette to carry back down the hill.

Funny sign. Located near the hill and the playground. And near a coffee shop of course.

Jenette and I in front of the hip coffee shop:

Jenette and Geoff at taco bar:

Ok, this painted fence was just screaming at me to take more pictures!

It is easy to take the beach for granted when you live so close to it. But it caught my breath to walk around the corner from the taco bar we ate at and see this:

Breathtaking.

I had to make Jenette kahlua cake to celebrate her big day.

Happy Birthday Jenette!!!



W practicing blowing out a candle:

Here Comes Santy Claus.......

We got to see Santa arrive in an F-15...how many people get to see that?

He even had a reindeer pilot!

They both kept a wary eye on Santy while he walked into the building...and while he was in the building. They didn't want to go near him sitting down in a chair. They did humor him enough to accept a wrapped gift when their name was called. Just because it was the polite thing to do you know.

Christmas in Nashville

We had a wonderful Christmas. Children do make it so special. J and W aren't old enough to really understand everything yet. But I am pretty certain that they understood the meaning of Christmas. They know who baby Jesus is. They know that Christmas is His birthday. J ran right up to a nativity scene on the fireplace and said "Baby Jesus!" And that is the most important part. It was nice that they didn't quite "get" the whole Santa part of Christmas yet. Geoff got up with the boys on Christmas morning and did their routine as usual. It wasn't until we went into the living room and handed them their stockings that they knew something was different. But after pulling the first item out of their stocking...they were pretty much satisfied. Then after the first gift, they both sat down ready to read their new book. And we just kept handing them more gifts. They were pretty excited to open their Cars Mack Transporter...and the Tonka trucks...and the new battery-operated Thomas the Trains... And kept asking for Skittles in between all of it (there was a tin of Skittles in their stocking). But it made an impression on them. After we returned home, one of the boys would say "open presents." Just out of the blue. I have a feeling next year will be a whole new ball game.

J looking at a new book:

W digging in a stocking (not his stocking...just a stocking)

SKITTLES!

J showing me his new Cars Mack Transporter...

W "whooaa" at his new Cars cars.

Papap opening a funny card:

Into their new stuff:

W enjoying some new books with Papap. BTW, sometimes I just see a picture that makes me really SEE the boys getting older...looking bigger. This is one of them for me.

Playing on the piano...

Before Christmas we were able to relax with my family in Nashville. We went to the Opryland hotel to look at lights and we saw an ice sculpture exhibit of the Grinch. Uncle PJ treated us for Christmas. It was neat but FREEZING. You know you are in trouble when a rented parka is included in the ticket price-to wear over your own coat. Genius really. It made me walk through the exhibit fast.

My mom and I did some shopping. I had to check out the new Trader Joes in Nashville - I love that place! We had a yummy Christmas meal made by my mom. And it was actually cold enough to make it feel like Christmas. Very very merry.
J and Geoff in line for the ice exhibit...

Papap and W in the Grinch exhibit.

Here is Papap trying to convince W to go down the ice slide. No way Jose.

Grandma and J at the Opryland hotel: