Skipping Christmas

I would post about Christmas, but I'm getting ready to move in 2 days and Michael and Sam spent the last 24 hrs throwing up. I'll have to do it later.

My First Last Thing

Wednesday was my last dance class in Virginia. Maybe my last dance class for a long time. I danced from age 10 through high school, then not at all until we moved here six years ago and I found out a woman in our ward taught lessons in her basement studio. She studied at the University of Utah and in New York with some very famous choreographers and she's taught me so much. I have looked forward to going each week to be with other ladies who needed to unwind in a creative way. It kept me in a little bit of shape and kept my knee from hurting. It helped me relax and get my mind off of whatever was stressing me out at the moment, be it work or babies. It let me have a moment of beauty in a week of labor. I loved it and I will miss it.

Until this year we were doing ballet, I even went back on pointe for a year or two, but this year we wanted to let our hair down a little bit more and not have such a strict discipline. So, she taught us some lyrical dance. We practiced making our movements fluid instead of percussive movements like in ballet. We practiced moving our centers of balance around and stretching a movement out as long as possible before moving into the next step. The goal was to have the dance look like one long movement, not a series of steps.

Here's what we accomplished.

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Birthday Time Again

Last Friday Michael and Sam turned 2! They were so excited for their birthday's since they can understand a little better what it is this year. Michael has a favorite book where a horse has a birthday party with party hats and a cake so he was mostly excited about the birthday cake!

We had a few of their little friends over for grilled cheese (soup for the moms) and cupcakes. I bought helium balloons which kept them happy while I made lunch. Josh got to stop in for a few minutes and see them blow out their candles.


The post-chocolate cupcake activity was climbing up, across, and down our couch. They were laughing hysterically! I had to apologize to this little girls' mother, who wasn't at the party, and hope she doesn't start doing it at home.
That night we had more cake after dinner, and then opened presents. Sam blew out his own candle! It's pretty cute.



We got them some books and a train set. They are fascinated with it and love taking it apart, which is frustrating because they never put it back together. Grandma and Grandpa sent flashlights and we had a fun night playing and dancing around and singing "Happy Birthday" a million times.


When we had leftover birthday cake the next night, Michael made us sing "Happy Birthday" again before we could eat it. He loves it! The other day I told him that we have Christmas to celebrate Jesus' birthday. He got mad and said, "No! My birthday cake!" I think we have some more work to do explaining this whole thing.

They boys are so much fun and so interactive. They communicate so well and play together and with us and melt our hearts everyday. They have tantrums now and then, but it's all so much better than when all they could do was cry, and cry, and cry. Now we play, sing, dance, laugh, hug, read, and snuggle.

We told them we're moving all of our things to our new house in California and they are beginning to understand that all of the things we put into boxes will be coming with us. The new house has a fireplace, a staircase, and a backyard (all things we haven't had here), and they're getting excited about it.

Next year when they turn 3 they'll be California boys!

Sabotage

Today I tried to have a healthy lunch but my efforts were sabotaged. I made myself a yummy pita stuffed with vegetable hummus, cucumber, and tuna and gave the boys grilled cheese on wheat, pan-fried hot dogs, and grapes. Sam took one bite of his hot dog, said yuck, and spit it out. He ate half of his grilled cheese and they handed it to me saying, "Mommy eat it."

Since I was afraid he wouldn't take a good nap if he didn't eat something and I was too tired to make him something else, I handed him my sandwich and asked him to try it.

He loved it. He ate the whole thing.
And I . . . got to eat cold hot dog bites. Thanks Sam!










I know I should be grateful he prefers fresh food over salty, fattening, nitrate-filled preserved mystery meat. I guess I need to stock up on hummus instead of hot dogs on my next trip to Cost*co.

Just Say No to Cement

I don't think this will fulfill my dream of having a backyard for the boys to play in. We're looking and looking and looking for a rental home in Sacramento. Some of them look so nice, until we see the picture of the backyard. "Maintenance free" they say. I say "fun free" in the 110 degree summers. Where is the grass? I thought the water shortages were only in southern California.

I heard today at the boys playgroup that it's against the law in Virginia to let your kids play in your yard unless you're out there supervising them. Isn't that the point of having a backyard? How are moms expected to get anything done if you can't plop your kids in front of the TV because it kill brain cells and leads to obesity, and you can't let them exercise by running and playing outside? I think it's a conspiracy to get kids into day care. Where is the support for the stay at home mom?

In other news, no picture, Michael rode a tricycle at playgroup today. I was cheering like crazy! He loved it and Santa has been advised that both he and Sam would like starter tricycles for Christmas this year! Anyone know of any 2 for the price of 1 deals on trikes? Oh to only need to buy one bike and then hand it down to the younger kids. Not for me. Oh well, as I always say, two at once is better than zero!!! Much, much better.

To Utah and Back

I'm late posting about our trip to Utah for my nephew's wedding. It was the last time the boys will fly for free! They loved the airplanes and did a great job traveling. Here's Sam enjoying a snack on his very own tray table.
He got very creative finding things to play with. Without blocks he still managed to build a tower at lunch in the Dallas airport with ketchup bottles and his uneaten cheese stick.

We got to visit both their living sets of great grandparents. Sam had fun riding this cow around like a horse Granny and Pepaw's.
Here's Michael and his Pepaw Nelson.

And with his Granny. Both of the boys were so friendly and warm with them right away. We had a great visit and wished we could have stayed longer.

Here Michael is giving Granny some sugar. I don't know who's skin is softer, her's or Michael's! They were so happy to be together.
I have pictures of the actual wedding on the family blog, here.


Here's a picture of the boys with Grandma Anna and Grandpa Gail. They babysat them while we went to the wedding. The boys had fun dancing around while Grandpa played the harmonica and Grandma played the piano. Aunt Suzie stayed home from work that day to play with them, too, which was so sweet.

We were so excited to take the boys to the Salt Lake temple to see Moroni up close. Michael was so excited that he ran toward it, looking up at his favorite hero in the world, Moroni, and tripped, getting these bloody scrapes on his nose right before the wedding reception. Poor baby.

We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to living within driving distance of our Utah friends and family!

The Verdict is In

Hurray! I took Sam to the allergist to have him tested for some food allergies I thought he had. He was negative for ALL of them! The doctor said he's just been getting a rash similar to eczema from some of the more acidic foods because he has very sensitive skin. They tested him for 19 different foods as well as common allergens with little pricks on his back, and all of them were negative! I am so excited! I think I'll throw in another exclamation point just for fun!!! He was so sweet during the test. The nurses expected the need to hold him down on the table while they pricked his back, but he held still and just giggled. I think it tickled him! They were all in love with him by the end our visit.

I have been so paranoid about peanuts since he threw up the two times he had chicken cooked in peanut oil. She said that was most likely food poisoning from the chicken, because apparently he's not allergic to peanuts at all. We're going back to the doctor's office to have a thorough peanut test where they'll actually give him some peanut butter to eat. If he reacts, they'll be able to treat it right away, in a controlled environment.


So, just before we head across the country on a road trip and eat out a lot, I will be freed from asking every restaurant "Do you use peanuts or peanut oil in your cooking?" Hurray for being free from fear of public food! Except for the roaches and unsanitary employee hand washing problems! Ha! Now I can make our peanut butter blossom Christmas cookies without being afraid he'll get a hold of one somehow and throw up for a week straight. Now, after he's introduced to peanut butter in the doctor's office, I can make him peanut butter sandwiches for lunch! This will open up a new world of time saving, if he likes them, of course!

I just had to share my excitement that my little peanut won't have to worry about food allergies all his life. Hurray!

A Dream Come True

Josh had the day off for Veteran's Day and we took the boys down to Mount Vernon. Josh and I have been down there several times while we've lived here and love the beauty and spirit of the whole place. We used to sit out on the back lawn in the summer and dream about bringing our elusive children there to run around someday. Today our dream came true!



It was a little chilly but doable and the boys were mostly quiet on the tour. We had to hold them in the house and they wanted to get down and walk in the worst way, but they were interested in seeing the house and they know who George Washington is. We have the picture of him praying at Valley Forge in our family room and they love to point at it and say "George" and "George's horse."

Today I told them we were going to George Washington's house, but that he wouldn't be there. Michael said "Mommy-ment" so I think he was linking this together with the Washington Monument we saw on Saturday, the smart cookie. They loved the fireplaces in every room and the stables the best. There weren't any horses there today, but they liked seeing where the "neighs" lived.
We got hamburgers and chicken nuggets (why is kid food so fattening?) and took the long way home while they watched "Meet Me In St. Louis" in the van. They went down for their afternoon naps about 1 1/2 hrs later than normal and slept until dinner time! It was such a fun day. I love when Josh has the day off of work during the week. There are no chores or other commitments like on Saturdays and we just get to be together and have fun.

Here's a video of the boys' latest obsession: The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock. Very cute, very loud.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sharp Dressed Men

Just showing off the little dudes in their Sunday duds.


I was in the choir seats yesterday when they walked into the chapel behind their dad and took my breath away. They are getting so big and so handsome.

Mommy-ment

First let me clear up the issue of the picture of the house. We will not be living in that house but it is an example of where we're hoping to live in Sacramento. We are so excited for a yard and maybe even a laundry room!

Maybe I'm getting sentimental thinking about leaving Washington. I want to go see all of the sights and soak it all up before we have to go. Today we gave the boys a treat by taking them for a ride on the train into the city. They were a little bit nervous on the train and let us hold them but they were in heaven just looking around on the Choo Choo Train. We first went to the Washington Monument. Josh took some great pictures! The boys thought it was the temple and kept looking for M*oroni but we convinced them it was just the Monument. Michael keeps trying to say Monument, but it comes out Mommy-ment. I'll take it!

A quick walk by the White House where the boys were most intrigued with the enormous lawn mower at work.
We stopped for some lunch before coming home and Michael wanted to eat my salad! He ate a few bites but then started spitting it out. He generally doesn't like anything slimy and I was impressed he got a few bites of spinach down.


Then, back to the exciting train and home for a long (hopefully) nap while I go to the grocery store.

Happy Birthday Josh!

Today is Josh's birthday. We had pancakes and bacon for breakfast, met him at work for lunch and to get the boys hair cut, and tonight we'll have chocolate cream pie after dinner, put the boys down, and go out on the town with free babysitting!

Josh's biggest birthday present is not from me. It's a job offer in Sacramento. Working where he does, his job is coming to an end in January and he's been looking for several months. We'll be leaving Virginia on January 1 to DRIVE coast to coast with two year old twin boys. It's always been Josh's dream to live in California and finding a job out there in this job market is a miracle and we are excited to go. Mostly because for what we've been paying to live in this



we can live in this!


There will be a lot to reflect on after living here for six years so expect more posts coming soon!

Treat or Treat

Happy, happy Halloween! This was our first official Halloween with Sam and Michael. Last year we dressed them up and carried them up and down one street to trick or treat. They had no idea what was going on. Last night they walked (and ran) up and down the street all by themselves and really enjoyed the whole thing. It was so much fun!

So, yesterday was one of those big parental pay days. Thinking about times like this is what got me out of bed when one baby woke up to eat at 2:00 am and then his brother woke up at 3:00am.

We had been trying to find a time to carve the pumpkin all together but I had to go ahead and do it without Daddy. Michael and Sam were so interested! What was happening to the fun pumpkin we've had for a few weeks? They loved the results!

They took miraculously long naps and watched "Mary Popp*ins" while I cleaned the house and made meatloaf, baked potatoes, homemade applesauce and peas for dinner with our good friends and neighbors the Kings. Their daughter was Little Red Ridinghood. We enjoyed a fun dinner together then all headed out the door!


We went to a street where we knew a couple of people and the boys had so much fun once they caught on!
This is a video of them at their first door. They don't know what's going on, but after they got some candy, they went right up to the next door! I don't know how I put music on it. I didn't mean to! I hope you can hear the boys over it.

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Sam was running down the sidewalk from house to house. Michael began grabbing his own candy out of people's bowls. How could you refuse such a little cowboy? Michael was most excited about a chocolate chip cookie he got. I think it's because it's the only thing he recognized as a treat! He kept eating candy with the wrappers still on it. I don't think he even noticed that he was eating paper until we pointed it out to him! I gave them tiny candy bars and then told them they'd have to wait until we got home to have more candy. Listen to them ask for more candy! Michael's doing our modified version of the baby sign language for more.

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Josh says we will have more "PC" costumes next year but, say what you will, I loved the cowboy/Indian thing! Sam loved hearing the leaves crunch under his feet and I loved seeing them both learn something so new and so exciting! It was so much fun and they want to do it again tonight! We told them the candy is all gone and that it's only once a year and they believe us. I think I'll cave in, though, and give them some more just to see them so happy.

Now, on to Thanksgiving! Since I already have an Indian costume, maybe I'll dress Michael up as a pilgrim!

Indulge Me

I just got these pictures from our visit to St. Louis in September. I'll spare you putting every single picture up, but they are all precious. I am surrounded by cuties!


Baby "B"




Baby "A"

Stupid is as stupid does

I've been stupid lately. Here is my list of notes to self:

1. Never let toddlers eat chocolate chip-pumpkin muffins in the family room.

2. Lock up the toilet bowl brush and disinfect pumpkin bucket.
3. Juice at lunch = no naps.

4. Buy a lock for the fridge.

5. Get a picture of the cowboy and the Indian together.