That’s How We Roll

In these first two pictures I’m pretty sure Seth and Sam were drawing mustaches and soul patches (like their Papa) on themselves or each other (I did not see the deed). I had one of those moments as a parent where you’re trying to be serious in telling them not to draw on themselves, all the while suppressing laughter. I told them their “punishment” was posing for a picture for me (I was trying to get them to put their heads together—Seth understood the concept, Sam did not).

Next is how the boys spend most their spring/summer days here at home: undies and sandals. Yesterday, they added backwards hats. Looking good Sam and Seth!

Lastly, we are LOVING having two bikes now. The boys were racing up and down the sidewalk and into the garage yesterday (we need helmets—they are going fast!) I love these pictures because they are both wearing their superman shirts. Usually they don’t wear matching outfits (they pick out their own clothes), but yesterday after much debate about whether or not they had a basketball game, I saw two naked boys streaking up and down our hallway with superman shirts in their hands (presumably saving the world). They both added their hats—which make them look like such big boys! Seeing them match, I can understand why many twin parents prefer to dress them alike (I personally like them to have the independence of picking out their own outfits…even when it leads to fits when no basketball jerseys are clean). It is very precious!

Seth sticks his tongue out just like I do when I concentrate/play sports.

Seth, Sam

Wordless Wednesday: Uncle Levi

LOVE these pictures. Seth and Sam love their uncles so much and have a different and special bond with each of them!

Happy 3rd Birthday Seth and Sam!

Seth and Sam’s birthday was on Saturday—which was awesome, because Ben could be there all day with us! Just the four of us spent a slow morning hanging out, playing, having the boys’ choices for breakfast (puffy pancake with bacon) and lunch (hotdogs), and opening a few gifts. One of our traditions is to buy them each a book for their birthday; this year’s books were, "What People Do, by Richard Scarry, and Read Aloud BIble Stories, by Ella K. Lindvall (some of our favorite library now to own!). We also had the boys “open”, i.e. find in the trunk, their presents from us: a scooter and a bike (we’ll now have 2 bikes for the boys so they can ride together). They were pretty excited about their gifts from us—and we were really excited about giving them!

Friends and family joined us in the afternoon to celebrate Seth and Sam’s 3rd birthday. My sister has 3 girls, and the Gowen’s have 3 kids as well, so, yes—8 kids 5 and under. It was a blast! The kids played in water, we all ate pizza and cupcakes, and the kids played with lots of new toys. What a special day shared with special people.

The boys wanted pizza for dinner and red cupcakes with strawberries and sprinkles on them for dessert.  

A guitar I found at a garage sale for Jeff and Diane to give the boys ended up being a HUGE hit. Now they won’t have to use train tracks as their pretend guitars anymore!

An almost disaster: one of the new remote control cars was drove straight into the hole by the grates. Luckily Ben-Long-Arms was able to pull it out!

And every good birthday ends with a wrestling match:

Oh, and a big melt-down because they are SO tired, SO coming off a sugar-high, and SO not wanting to share their toys, even with daddy. (And like every good mom, I took pictures of the tears).

Bunk Beds and Questions

Seth and Sam have hit two milestones these past couple of weeks: sleeping in the same room again (in bunk beds) and officially entering into their “question phase.” What do I mean by their question phase? Let me give you some examples:

“Mama, where you going?” – “Outside.”

“What you doing outside?” – “Watering.”

“What you watering?” – “Plants.”

“What kind of plants?” - (I close door cringing because, if I don’t, I probably will have to answer all those questions again…for my other son!)

Yesterday’s lunch questions:

“What did God make the rain for?”

“What are we eating bananas for?”

I’m sure you’re getting the picture. It is very sweet, and thankfully they aren’t just saying “why?” Instead they phrase it: “What are you doing that for?” However, it does require me to mentally be “on” all day and to constantly exercise my patience.

Onto bunk beds. I’m so excited about this and so are the boys! Some of you may remember that last year, about this time, we finally put Seth and Sam into separate rooms. Details here: http://benjamiemorris.blogspot.com/2011/08/sweet-sweet-slumber.html. It was really sad, but also one of the best decisions we had made regarding all of us getting some more sleep. However, the intention was always to have them return to the same room again. A couple of months ago I got the itch to try them together. Truth be told, on days that they take naps, they usually don’t fall asleep until 10 or so anyways—so we figured they might as well be chatting to one another and having brother time. Also, I was dying to get our guest bedroom back; we have so much company and our “guest bed” has been a mattress on the floor in our play room (hardly private, comfortable or convenient).

Seth and Sam have done WONDERFUL being back together again! The first week we borrowed a toddler bed from our friends, so we could have a trial run before purchasing bunk beds. Every night we would encourage them to be “sponsible” (as they boys say), so that they could earn their bunk beds. By the time we bought the beds and Ben put them together, the boys were trembling from excitement to sleep in them.

Initially they were fighting over the bottom bunk (seriously silly kids!), but we finally talked Seth into the fact that the top is way cooler. Here are some pictures of Seth and Sam’s first night in their bunk bed. We have taken off the cool tent, however, because it was way to difficult to get to Seth in the middle of the night (and we couldn’t see both their sweet faces at once). They are doing awesome staying in bed and aren’t playing—too much.

Not only are Seth and Sam loving their bunk beds, but Ben and I are too. Something just feels “right” having them together again! Also, it’s so fun to be able to climb into bed with them to cuddle and read. I’m having a blast redoing my guest bedroom and even redecorating the boys’ room (from Africa theme to basketball). I’ve been amazed how rearranging and adding some furniture can keep kids busy for hours upon hours. They LOVE playing boats/cars/anything on their bunk beds and have also been helping me “fix” the guest bed using their tools. (Note to self: when kids are squirrely in long winter days: move furniture around for a change of pace!)

Superman!

My mom loves making her grandchildren presents for their birthdays. Boys, however, aren’t the easiest gender to find something to make for. So, when I came up with the idea of her making them superman capes, I was pretty proud of myself. When she was here a couple weeks ago, she gave them the capes as an early birthday present so she could be there for their reactions (which did not disappoint). Seth and Sam immediately wanted them on, and ran around the house “saving the world.”

(my dad is to thank for the superman shirts and swords—what a great team they make in gift ideas!)

Aren’t they amazing capes? And the swords have been quite the hit. They have served numerous roles in my boys imaginations: guns, chainsaws, hoses, blowers, and my favorite…a scooter. (Seth’s in red capes, Sam in blue).

Wordless Wednesday

Sunny weather. Sprinklers. Silly boys running around in their undies. These are the days!