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

Quotes from the boys

Ben has changed his name. It happened two weeks ago. He is pretty positive about it too. He says over and over, "My name is John. Call me John. I'm John!" Ben says this with a large grin on his face. He isn't sure what John would say, other than his name. So he just repeats the above over and over till you acknowledge "John". The kid is a goof. It's funny because he was almost named John. We would have called him Jack. Whatever he says, I still think he is the perfect Benjamin Gleason Bemis.

Every morning when we go downstairs Will points to a saying we have on the wall and says "What's that say?" To which I respond, "Go confidentially in the direction of your dreams." This seems like such a confusing statement for a two year old so I always end up rambling afterwards about listening to your heart, be what you want to be, do what you

want to do. So this morning when Will asked "what's that say?" and I tell him, I was beyond thrilled to hear him say "Follow my heart, mom?" Yes Will follow your heart!

Will also likes to climb into the big kid seat next to his car seat. Every time he does I tell him he needs to sit in his car seat. Now he tells me, "Police man give you a ticket?" If he tries to climb in my seat I always tell him no. To which he will say, "I'm 16 mom!" Not yet buddy!

Will saying Cheese! Ben as John

Got your back...

Will has always needed less sleep than Ben. From day one he has been the one to wake up first. He is also the last man standing when it is time for bed. He fights sleep. Sometimes it's because he just wants to delay the process. Sometimes he seems genuinely afraid.

We started to say in our prayers at night, "Thank you for my comfy bed, my warm blankies, the stars above my head, and thank you for my brother who will keep me safe through the night." Ben takes that last line pretty serious. As soon as we leave the room it is a given Will will start to cry. When he does, Ben says in his softest sweetest voice "It's ok brudder. I'm here. Not cold. Not dark. I can see you, you see me?" The string of comments continue through the baby monitor. Pretty much anything we've ever told Will to help him calm down, Ben is now reciting.

While Ben is brave at bed time, he gets really scared at the doctor office. It makes sense. Between ENT visits for his ears, allergy appointments, and regular doctor appointments, he gets poked for blood and such a lot. This is where Will puts on his brave face for the sake of his brother. Will goes first almost always at each appointment. The last time we got their tubes checked at the ENT they had to do several hearing tests too. None of which hurt, but their ears are so sensitive. Ben was scared. Once Will went first he told Ben, "Your turn Benjamin!" With a big smile and a pat on the back. When Ben finished Will said, "You did it. Good job brudder!"

Watching these things all play out makes me so happy that for a life time I know my boys will have each others back.

Move over Beatles

All of our kids love The Beatles. We listen to them in the car, we sing "All my loving" when we tub (The first line is close your eyes, it's perfect for rinsing out shampoo!), we might have a little Beatle mania. Josie has a poster in her room with a matching blanket. I was impressed when she could tell the difference between the band members. But when the boys jump on her bed and point up to the poster and say "John mom. John is green." I think huh, my kids are smart! If you mention The Beatles, both Will and Ben will start dancing and singing "A hard day's night".

But all that changed on Sunday, when we started our nightly dance party. Billy played Jackson 5. The boys begged us to play it again and again. Will kept asking, "who's that mom?" to which I had to reply "Jackson 5!" each time.

After nap today, Will asked me to play "Twiddly dee-dee dee song". I couldn't understand at first. Finally I said "Do you want me to play Rockin' Robin Will?" Then Ben said clear as day, "Jackson 5 mom. please. Jackson 5".

Don't worry Beatles... you'll always have a special place in our hearts.