Big Day

Will, Josie, and Ben before church. Swim lesson picture to come!

Today the boys started swim lessons. They've done them the past two summers, but today was different for many reasons:

• We went to the Y. This means indoors. No more frozen mama in the pool!
• We bagged the swim diapers. They went on the potty right before so I took a chance that they'd make it the whole 30 minute class. Ben even told me he had to go and we made it back to the bathroom in time. Score.
• We conquered these swim lessons with a ratio of one mom to two boys. Yes. I held both boys in water up to my neck. They did fantastic. We bobbed up and down in circles sang songs, splashed, blew bubbles, and kicked our legs like mad men. They did a great job taking turns jumping in the pool. I was a little apprehensive that one would get excited and try to skip a turn, but they listened well. I was so proud of my boys! The last five minutes of class Ben even went with the teacher. (which was great, because my arms were exhausted).

On another note.... We aren't doing as well on potty training. Will peed on the kitchen counter and Ben dropped a large load on my bathroom floor (at least it was on the tile!)

Seeing Double...

This is what it looks like when two boys are in time out. Look at those sad, "I'm sorry mama faces."

Ben is on the left and in blue. Will is in his FAV shirt that is getting too small. A.K.A. his tiger shirt.

This is what it looks like when you ask two boys if they are ready to get out of time out.

The boy's personalities shine through so much that at times I forget that they are identical. The series of photos below do a good job of showing just how identical they can be at times!

Will is on the left in white. When they wake up from nap they are fussy. Mostly because they want me all to their selves. One will want a drink the other just wants to snuggle so it is common if they are fussy. My best tactic is to lay them next to each other and tickle them. They start giggling and forget they are crabby and have to share me. Works like a charm....

Three weeks ago we watched the Superbowl. We don't watch much T.V. with the kids, so getting to watch this big game with snacks was a treat. To be honest, the kids and I didn't watch much of the actual game. But when the half time show started we all were silent and watching intensely. Madonna was the star. She must have left a lasting impression because we haven't seen her videos or listened to her music since yet Ben put on this princess crown and... well see for yourself.

Nightly Prayer

When we put the boys to bed we say a prayer. It usually is a rambling of what we are thankful for and all the great things we enjoyed during the day. We also thank God for the stars above our head, warm beds, and a safe house. This was put on at the end of our prayer awhile back when the boys were scared at bed time.

So tonight Ben decided he wanted to lead us in prayer. It went like this, "Dear God thank you for my Grandshe and Gigi (Gigi is our friend Gail who came up this weekend to visit), thank you for my Josie girl, and stars, and cozy cribby, and blankets.... and... (thinking really hard then giggles and whispers) and diapers. AMEN!" Will thought the diapers comment was the funniest thing. All we heard through the intercom was the two boys giggling about praying for diapers.

Music Mania

Last night we were listening to music while I made dinner. "All you need is Love" came on and Will exclaims "That's your married song mom!" like he does every time he hears it. Without skipping a beat (in an attempt to one up his brother) Ben starts singing "Will you marry me mom" to the tune of "Wedding Bell Blues." At this point I stop dicing veggies, grab both boys and cover them in kisses.

When Billy gets home I re-tell the story. After dinner he asked them if they'd like to hear the first song we danced to. And that's how the boys were introduced to the great Louis Armstrong. Since last night I've heard "What a Wonderful World" at least a dozen times. They begged me to play it this morning instead of watching a cartoon while I showered (thank you Mr. Armstrong). Will loves the beginning where he lists out colors. He tells me that's his favorite part. Ben keeps asking "what's his name again?"

Beatles, Jackson 5, and now Louis. That's usually what two year olds prefer to listen to, right?

After we played music this morning, the boys decided to tear off the couch cushions and make a fort. It's their latest fun thing to do....daily. They also love reading books which is the other thing we did while Josie was in school.

Ben playing the piano book, Will reading up on dinosaurs.

Bringing in the New Year with Style...

The boys were lucky to spend new year's eve with some good entertainers. Maybe too good to be honest. I'm already thinking about the expectations that are set for next year! (See pictures below)

After kicking off the new year in style, Will and Ben have been enjoying 2012 so far.

Will's latest comment that made me chuckle was when Josie told him no he said "Josie said a naughty word." I don't like when Josie tells me no either Will. Tonight "All you need is love" came on and Will ran over and said "This is your married song mom!" Oh and he still is telling knock knock jokes that don't make any sense, but hey he's two and he writes his own jokes.

Ben is Josie's little shadow. Which means he likes to sing too (see video below...yes he will kill me later in life). The other day I wasn't feeling well and he came over on his own, patted my back asked me if I was OK. Then he said "I take care of you mom." Suddenly my tummy ache disappeared. Ben still enjoys reading books to himself while Will would rather work on floor puzzles.

Flirting with the ladies scene one: Ben and Caroline.

Flirting with the ladies scene two: Ben, Will, and Jessica.

New Year's Eve - indoor basketball game!

Ben proving he is full of class...wearing his overalls backwards.

Will showing off the sunshine on a January morning.

Ben's video...

Christmas Cheer

Dinosaur potties from Santa!

Christmas breakfast at Grandshe's house

Feeding the reindeer the night before Santa arrived!

The boys loved getting into the holiday spirit this year. Here are a few highlights:

• Holden the Elf on the Shelf came back right after Thanksgiving. The boys had a blast trying to find him each day. It worked out great since everyone got a turn finding him first. While the Elf magic (aka me saying, "don't make me tell Holden!" didn't work as well on them as it did Josie) they loved reading the book and going on the hunt for Holden.
• Ornaments were very much a temptation for the boys, but they did a fantastic job resisting yanking them off the tree. Will's favorite ornament was a rocking horse with Santa on it. Ben's favorite was the "nut bitters" also known as nut crackers.
• This year the kids helped me make cookies for Santa. It was fun that they were all old enough to partake in this activity. Ben was patient and didn't eat anything unless it was given to him. Will stuck about 4 Rollos in his mouth while we unwrapped them. The last one he genuinely forgot and tried to give it back...don't worry to those who got our cookies, I let him keep it.
• They both enjoyed our annual tour of Holly Jolly Lights as well as setting out Reindeer food the night before Santa came.
• This year the boys got their first taste of Milk Nog and finished a few gallons the past month.
• They loved listening to the pre-recorded book of Frosty the Snowman from Grandshe. Every kid took a turn sleeping with it at night....we learned not to be alarmed if my mom's voice came thru intercoms at night.

It was definitely a Christmas to remember!

What we've been up to...

Story time with Grandshe....

Puzzles puzzles puzzles! We have a love for puzzles. This is Ben at Josie's basketball game.

Our first art class at Des Moines Art Center

Ben playing dress up at the library.

Monkey see...monkey do! Will strutting his worker man outfit.

Acting out the baby in the manger. (Boots and zebra gloves on since they are donkeys)

Brotherly love...and we still wrestle a lot. Will on the left.

Cheering on our sister at basketball. First Ben then Will