2011 Annual Valley View Farms Trip

With the boys not feeling well, our annual trip to Valley View got pushed back and back and back but we made it and it was definitely an event.



The boys enjoyed checking out the ornaments.









Jackson was fascinated by the multi-colored lights (enjoy them here as this will not be happening EVER at home) and these birds after Connor got an early hook from Michael but not before checking the ribbon display.







Both boys were trying to be gentle but unfortunately with Connor, we knew that there was a possibility for casualties. And, there were 2. We have been working on patting in a gentle way but this is not an easy thing to implement with a 2 year old especially when there are breakable ornaments.





His second casualty of the night...(note: I stumbled upon it while chasing/following Jackson around)

Countdown to Christmas with books

I had seen this idea on several different websites and thought it was a great way to boost our holiday book library and the boys enjoyed the books and started to memorize the ones that they had opened.



The books were purchased during the year and we already had some that I re-wrapped. The boys would open the new book and we would go through the prior books. Some of their favorites were a Twas the Night before Christmas alternative and Buzz and Woody's White Christmas. I arranged the books in order so the pop-up books were at the end. There is nothing like 4 toddler hands on a pop-up book that you are trying to secure.



It felt so good to see them get excited when it was time to read books as they understood what was going on and were happy to go over the prior ones.






We will definitely be looking to add some new books and continue this tradition as long as the boys will oblige us.

2011 Visit with Santa

No tears and no real stories to tell other than that they were not the only set of twins (what) in line. Out of the 7 or so odd people in line 3 of the people waiting were twins. There were a set of girl twins ahead of us that appeared to be a couple months younger than the boys and a set of twin boys that were a couple of years older than Jackson and Connor. Totally random but definitely well-received.

Fairly certain that the reason for no tears is that I had been prepping the boys by encouraging them to say "hi" to santa. They seemed fairly comfortable being around him but just didn't want to sit still for a picture.



Santa was nice enough to wave back several times.



Jackson is ready for lunch. Bring on the Chick!



and, we have to do the flashbacks!!

Pancake Breakfast

We attended our first and possibly last ever pancake breakfast. There was an incredibly looooooong line to get in and the boys didn't even get a chance to meet with Santa but it was a good prep for the eventual meeting as we are starting to figure out too soon that toddlers just can't wait.

The boys getting ready to leave the house.





Before we got a table, Connor found this wreath to make a bid on. He had picked up the pencil on his own before I managed to figure out where he was....





Connor was a no go with the pancakes for some reason but Jackson, Michael and I enjoyed them.



Michael giving me the look that this is not happening again.

Pajamas with Socks?!?

Otherwise known as footed pajamas. But, when 2 year olds are creative -- I just go with it. Connor was initially in tears over the idea that his pajamas had socks. Unless the boys are wearing shoes, neither one of them is very fond of socks. So, it came as no surprise that footed pajamas would pose such a problem for our slightly obsessive compulsive Connor. He's gotten over it and actually loves them especially the idea of a zipper. But, the tears and screaming of "take it off" "take socks off" was definitely hysterical minus the tears...

These may very well be some of my favorite, favorite, favorite pictures of the boys!





That smile is something!!!





And,because I couldn't resist, our contemplating Connor (always always BIG things going on in that head of curls)...

Oh my goodness. Blinkin Binkies 2011

The boys and I joined up with the Kirby kids and had a great time (despite the craziness with parking) to walk around the Symphony of Lights at Meriwether Post. The cold weather was a perfect way to debut their new Moose and Penguin hats.



Connor wasn't too sure of the hat but managed to survive...



Snacks ALWAYS help keep my natives from getting restless.




Will was so excited and kept on saying "Oh My Goodness." It was hysterical and may have been the best part of the night.





Jenna was all smiles when snacks were readily available.




And, Josh --- he's in there...



Some of the popular sights...




The boys and I wrapped up our night with dinner out at Chick Fil A and some strolling around Columbia Mall. We didn't get home until 9:30 so it was a late night for the boys but definitely worth it and we will be back next year.

Who doesn't love Frosty??

well, that would be Jackson. Actually, I think that he likes Frosty but he is terrified of Mr. Hinkle, the magician. I put the DVD in and noticed Jackson retreating behind my back and thought nothing of it and then I heard from Christine that he walked over to the gate when she put it in for the boys to watch and he started screaming "no, watch Elmo please" while he was shaking the gate. So, needless to say, the only Frosty exposure that the boys will be getting until next year is this plush.

I had bought this plush last year and intended on posting about it but didn't get the pics to pull it together. Both boys were mesmerized by it last year so much that they stared at it in anticipation of more singing and dancing. A year later, they both know how to make it move. Connor will generally spread his legs apart and rock back and forth in a dancing motion as Frosty sings to him!!!



Immediately before this picture was taken, I found Connor at the table hugging Frosty with his eyes closed as if they were sharing some type of special connection?!?

Let's put the Pedal to the Medal with talking

Both boys have been talking a lot more and stringing more and more words together. I had shown the boys a video that had a choo choo (train to most people) and must have said "look at that choo choo go go." Jackson found his train and put the same string of words together. I was astounded that he remembered. Another Jackson example was when we were walking up the steps for a nap, he could hear Connor whimpering and he said "Con Con, what's wrong?" He's a heart melter (at times).

Reading to his Sesame Street pals

I took this picture in an attempt to brighten my brother's day during his first round of chemo. The picture wasn't staged and it took me over a month or so to realize the sweetness that is our Connor reading to his Sesame Street pals. I'm sure he didn't get the story exactly right but Elmo and friends probably didn't notice.

Helping decorate the tree (sort of)

I was trying to get a video of Connor dancing to Frosty but he was nice enough to give me an added treat.




Everybody that sees him throw things confirms that he has a good arm but this is definitely not the way we want him to be using it.

Needless to say, the words gentle will be used a lot around our house until the tree comes down and we may or may not be adding ornaments depending on how the boys do. Gentle is not a very popular word in an almost 2 year olds vocabulary so we shall see what happens with the decorating this year.