Facing our Fears

The boys have developed a fear of dogs. It used to be manageable but for some reason (that we haven't pinpointed) it has become unbearable. They scream a high pitch scream, shake in fear, and jump on me faster than I can say "it's a nice dog!" The freaking out is as recent as this week.

We went to a friend's house who had a small dog. The boys panicked and the poor dog had to be put in the kennel (behind three closed doors) until we left. They thought they heard the dog coming and went into panic mode. The next day they got out of the car in our garage and a dog was on a leash across the street and they headed for the hills. My heart aches for them to have this fear. As their mom, I want to take all their worries away. I know I can't fix it instantly, but we are working on it!

I mentioned to our friend Eric, who trains dogs to help others, about the boys fear. Eric said let's go for ice cream! Not only was the ice cream delicious, it was the best thing we could have done to help the boys.

Eric knows what he is doing. He picked the ice cream store because it was a neutral playing field. We weren't entering the house that has a dog. We were going for ice cream with a dog. If you are 2, even if you have a fear of dogs, this is a cool thing. We met Archer and Eric in the parking lot. We let Josie approach Archer first. Archer is the sweetest black lab service dog on Earth. The boys saw how much fun Josie was having and decided to come closer for a pet. They did good for a few minutes then Archer moved his head slightly towards them and the boys panicked. I didn't realize this, but Eric was right on it and moved Archer so he couldn't face the boys.

We went in for ice cream and by the end the boys were smiling and excited to be by Archer. We talked a lot about how Archer is a service dog and what that means. I think Josie got the most out of that conversation... Ben's big take-a-way was Archer was allowed in the store. They were so calm and fearless. I was beaming for them.

Additionally, Josie has decided she'll be working for Eric when she's older, like 10.

Thanks Eric!

Ben, Josie, and Will with Archer 

Learning about Archer

It's a Twin thing...

I've always heard about twins having a sixth sense . I've seen our boys show some examples of this, but nothing like the other day. Ben has been a little under the weather this week. One day he was crying because his tummy hurt. He just wasn't well. As I was dealing with comforting Ben, Will kept falling on the floor. He was fussing... and not just crocodile tears for attention as they both sometimes do. Finally I grabbed Will and frustratedly said, "Will what is your problem?!" To which he looked me in the eyes and said, "I hurt when Ben hurts. I am sad." That's when I realized those were real tears. Tears in pain, not tears that are for attention.

I should also say, Ben's medicine is kicking in and we have a follow up appointment next week. Let's hope for all of our sake he is back to his crazy pink loving self soon!

Happy Weekend Everyone...

Will & Ben

Sweet Boys

I took these two pictures yesterday to test out our new camera. There was approximately 2 minutes in between the adorable picture of Josie, Will, Billy, and Ben snuggling and the picture of Ben bouncing on Will. Boys will be boys. 

New Do!

The boys shaggy hair needed to be trimmed up. One day I felt like I kept swooping their bangs to the side. By night time I was done swooping and moved onto something a little more permanent. They look like Pebble Flinstone, but it worked. The next day they requested pony tails and I decided we need to move get those bangs out of their eyes. While Josie was at Playhouse camp on her birthday the boys, dad, and I went to get the much needed trim. They both did really well, but it was funny to see how opposite they can be. Ben hopped into the chair without hesitating. He sat still and calm. Will wouldn't go first and NEEDED to sit on Dad's lap.

Looking good boys!

                                     

Will and Ben at bedtime

                                       

Will, me, Jules, and Ben

Looking good boys.... lollipops too!

Will and Ben at Josie's birthday party

Wild Wild Will

 Will showing Ben some love and sharing his car. 

Ben and Will playing on mom's iPad. Will is definitely techie. 

Will in Grandpa's chair. He loves this spot.  

Ready for the pool!

Will is in love with jumping off things. He tries to jump off the couch, bed, or stairs before I catch him and say no. We made a deal that he could jump two steps on the stairs. One day last week I rounded the corner to Will attempting to jump four steps high. Will is the only one who has had stitches and I'm pretty sure he'll break a bone if he doesn't listen to me sooner than later. How many times do I need to read "No more monkeys jumping on the bed" before it sticks!?

Will was so excited on the way down to KC he refused to take a nap. He was bouncing off his car seat. We weren't too concerned as we knew he would eventually fall asleep. That is until we heard, "tickle tickle Ben. Ben wake up!" Will figured if he couldn't sleep nobody should! When we went to the Great Wolf Lodge, Will was in his glory. He absolutely loved the water slides. For three hours straight one of us caught Will at the bottom of the toddler water slide and he would march back up to the top by himself and do it again.

While he can come across as so confident in this rambunctious moments, he is more timid than his brother in social settings. He'd prefer to have mom or dad right by his side when we are out. Recently I noticed it isn't even us so much that he needs, sometimes he just needs Ben. Last week at school when I said good bye I noticed Will grabbed Ben's hand. It melted my heart and made me so happy to realize he could find the needed comfort in his sidekick. Later in the week, his teacher told me that normally the boys don't care where they sit at snack time. But Will was positive that he needed to sit next to Ben. The teacher had to move a kid over and slide another chair next to Ben to make it happen.

Love you William!

Benny loves Pink!

Best Day Ever. PINK day! Ben on right

Evidence of love for pink shirt, KC croquet at GG's

Sideline cheering on siblings

Fun in the fountains

After nap, laying in his monkey pj's

Will, Ben, Grandpa, and Jos on Saturday

This update is all about Ben. A couple of weeks ago the color pink was the color of the day at preschool. This meant the boys got to wear pink and bring a pink item to share with the class. Pink (and purple) are Ben's favorite colors. He was thrilled for color day! Ben had a hard time deciding what to bring... pink high heels or a pink princess light?! After much debate, he decided to go with the light. It really was the right choice. All the two year old ladies totally dug it. He also got to wear his sister's pink car shirt that he has been eyeing since Grammy got it for her. You could tell he was in heaven... in fact he has worn said pink shirt pretty much every day it's clean since. Except for today... Today he spent the day in a pink robe. The kids decided to run through the sprinklers at 10am. Afterwards I grabbed towels and the robe. I figured it'd keep someone warm while I changed the other kids. Once Ben put on the robe, he wasn't going to take it off. Why not?! It's mother's day, if I could get away with wearing a robe outside all day I would!

Ben is definitely my kid. Comfort is key. Every nap time, literally every day, Ben insists on putting his pajamas on. I used to fight it, I didn't want to deal with more clothes in one day. But in an effort of picking my battles, I figure why not let him... again if I could, I would!

We spent last weekend in KC. It was such a fun time with friends and family bonding. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. The water park was amazing. Ben went down the slide one time then decided he was happy cheering on his brother and sister. He sat on the side of the pool completely content watching them. It was so sweet. He'd clap for them and say "Go Will go! Good job Jos!" If he wasn't on the sideline, he was playing in the fountain. That was more his style.

Love you Benny boy.

EASTER!

Here's a few highlights from our Easter weekend.....

Will after following the bunny tracks to his basket.

Ben with his Easter basket, which was a bike helmet.

After church. Will is on the left acting like a monkey!

Bunny cinnamon rolls were a big hit with the kids. They each finished one, which was actually two rolls put together!

Pez dispensers!

Will, Josie, and Ben getting ready to color eggs.

Going on an Egg hunt.

Lots were hiding by the fire pit.

Will and Ben with their new hats on and ready for the hunt.

Note from Josie to the Easter bunny with carrots...

Before Easter Lunch the boys were rocking out.