Challenges and Treasures

The fall is just flying by!  It has been a fun fall filled with lots of apple orchard trips, pumpkins, apples and fire engines.  These are the "good old days" that we will look back on... I do truly believe that.  Now having said that... life isn't always giggles and smiles.  There are moments when we are pushed to our limit and we pray for Bedtime!!!!

BEDTIME:  When the munchkins were little Nathan fought us hard to fall asleep.  Now that we are toddlers Benjamin is the culprit!  Bedtime is PROCRASTINATION CENTRAL!  "Kiss me through the bars," "hug arm," "I need a drink," "COVER up!,""read more books," and the list goes on and on.  At times it frustrates us and we just need them to go to bed.... but then I remember that once again this is a stage and it will pass and some day I will miss it!
* Nathan's newest skill/idea is sleeping without a shirt on, so each night when we go in to check on the boys we find Nathan with his big Dino blanket over him and no shirt on.  So funny how they get these ideas in their heads!
* I got home late last night after being gone for a week... holy cow did I miss my men!  Anyway Ben woke up at 230am... Brent brought him in to wake me up and cuddle in bed with us!  Our kinds NEVER sleep with us but his cute little "Hi mama, snuggle you!"  I just couldn't resist!

POTTY TRAINING:  I hesitate to even say this but potty training is finally going well.  I'll leave it at that because I'm superstitious and don't want to jinx anything:)

READING STORIES:
* The boys are loving books, we read all the time.  Some of our favorites include,  LLAMA LLAMA Books, Little Critter, Curious George, Marley,  Room on a Broom, Clifford, and anything Halloween!
* As I read stories I always hold the next page with my finger... the other night Nathan moved my hand and slid his little fingers under the next page and told me " I hold page mama,"  it is amazing to me what little things these boys pick up on and copy.  Wow do I need to watch what I do and don't do!
* They also love to "read" books to each other.  They tell us about the pictures and ask us questions and recite back the lines that they have memorized.  This usually ends in a fight because the one reading usually wants to hold the book and therefore the other one can't see and they get mad.  Still is pretty cute!

CRIBS: Yes we are still in cribs and if I can just get to January... there will be BIG BOY BEDS!  We have caught the boys trying to escape many times and each time to tell them danger.  We will see how it goes.... 3 more months to go!
* In the morning N & B talk to each other, sing songs, count and solve the worlds problems:)  They were usually pretty happy in there for 30 minutes.  In current weeks we have been hearing a few more demands.  "Daddy???!!???" "MAMA...cover up!" "NeyNey get up!"  "Daddy NOW!"  And I was worried they wouldn't talk!

FIREMAN SAM:  The boys are OBSESSED with fireman, trucks, Sam the fireman etc.  We went to big truck day and sat in fire engines.  Every time we drive past the fire station, I hear screeches from the back of the van, "Fire SAM house," "mama see it, see Sam!" "fire engines, help Norman!"  They also got a very cute Firehouse from Grandma Cathy... we play with it daily and even sleep with the "fireman Sam action figures."
* Since Big Truck Day was such a hit.... Brent took the boys to Safety Day at the Woodbury Firehouses.  The boys got to see the fire engines, an ambulance, a police car, learn about fire safety and jump in a bounce house.

OUTSIDE:  N &B ask to play outside and go to the park every chance they get.  I'm not sure what we are going to do when the weather gets really chilly... mama isn't a big fan of freezing cold!
* The fall leaves have been a hit!  They love to rake the leaves and jump in them, throw them in the air and cover each other up with them.

WHILE MOMMY IS AWAYS:  As I mentioned, I was in Florida for a week for a NNP conference and Board Prep course.  Daddy was on his own with the help of many.  Thank you to all those that helped with the kids and checked in on Brent.... I think the week was a success.
* While in Florida I got to Face time with the boys.... the first time Nathan said "Mama you go HOME!"   then the last time I face timed with them we did it from the beach.... Ben asked "Mama I go there?"

Playing Pretend: We have been to the Children's museum a few times and I can't believe how differently they play!  They pretend, dress up like and role play.  They even like to give each other directions on what to do and say.  They also love to make forts at home, they love to cook food, and play with their babies.

Future Neonatologist????? 

Making a music video with our friends Joe and Ellie

Riding the Mpls/st. Paul bus at the Children's Museum

Mommy and daddy left this bag of chips on the couch the night before.... Nathan and Ben helped themselves.... they even got out plates!

Friends:
Nathan and Benjamin are very lucky to have such wonderful people in their lives.  They are also very lucky that they get to do so many fun things!  They love to talk about their friends... they name them by name "Ben Wiggins!" etc.  We even pray for our friends at night.  I hope that they will grow up realizing the importance of good family and friends.

A fun Pizza party with friends!

I think we have finally figured out the computer issues and I think we have the photo situation under control!  Thank you Brent for working on that for me while I was gone!
I'm glad to be back in MN and hopefully back to a slightly less chaotic life.... oh wait that never happens! :)  We are looking forward to Halloween and celebrating daddy's birthday!