prepping for christmas

I love to do gingerbread houses with Caed! I remember loving that day in my class when we got to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and decorate it up with all sorts of candy!! Fun, fun! I do the icing for these projects but Caed pretty much dictates the candy placement. He even cut the gummy circles and put it above the door himself.

Caed thought of this little outfit all on his own. He came and told us he was dressed up like Santa. what a funny kid! we decided to tell Caed that Santa wasn't real. It was after a lot of thought and Caed's constant questioning. And actually he told us himself. One day after I had thought I was going to tell him, I asked casually after he had been talking about Santa "Caed, is Santa real, or pretend?" He answered with a stong "pretend" and that was that. (well we did discuss it more, but I thought he was ready for the reality of a pretend Santa at least!) He still loves the fairy tale of a santa, and all the stories and songs. We haven't ruined it for him completely! And he totally goes along with all his friends at school when they talk about him, so I think we're good. We've talked about it some more, and we talk about who St. Nicholas was, and even though he might not have it sorted correctly, he's got the gist. Anyway- he looks more like the Swedish Tomten then santa....but he totally cut and taped that outfit himself. (a white beard had made a brief appearance, but I haven't seen it since) we love this time of year!

Keeping busy

if you don't keep the Monkey's busy, they get into trouble...so we're keeping busy. Of course we do have some down time, but we try to keep the yelling and hitting to a minimum by taking them out and about. (that's not saying they don't yell and hit while we're out, but at least they are distracted!) These are some of our photos from Thanksgiving and the Myrtle Beach childrens museum.

pumpkin picking

I took the kids to a pumpkin farm a couple of weekends ago. Hubby had to do some home repairs involving a ladder at high heights, and I don't like that- so I took the kids out...I forgot how much I love this one pumpkin farm. It's popular, but not as most, and you don't pay to walk in, you just pay for what you do. And you can look at and pet animals for free. I wouldn't have needed to pay for anything if I thought my kids could walk to the pumpkin patch instead of the hay ride. But we had fun.

Theron was a little worried by the animals, but I kept pushing, I don't want them to miss out on these experiences. And well he kept the book away from the goats, because they did want it. I had to keep them in the stroller most of the time, it's the only way to keep 2 18mo. old's in my possession! Poor Aldan would have loved to touch the animals. I am a little weary of touching them though since a couple of a years ago Jon got ringworm from a Pumpkin farm. (not this one)

Of course I love the baby animals, and I couldn't stay watching them long enough...I kept things moving- I was really on guard about the kids- and I didn't want to loose my patience.

This photo was at the end....asked a stranger with an SLR camera to take our photo...

I come up with a well laid plan on things like this...keep the kids in stroller. Everything in a backpack. The only thing I wasn't sure how I was going to do it was the hayride to the pumpkins, all three kids, and carting a pumpkin. Aldan got on the hayride and wanted to sit across from me. I didn't make it an issue. As long as he sat. I didn't want meltdowns. Theron did give me some trouble with sitting, which was annoying- but you can't prevent everything!

Caed was just happy looking around. Of course I prepped him that I didn't want any trouble from him, if we were going to do it ever again. Ha. I ended up bringing reusable bag to carry a pumpkin we would pick. I thought that might give me the most flexibility and it would keep the pumpkin to a smaller size.

Ha, evidence of Theron not wanting to sit!

I let them run pretty much as they wanted (could) once we got off the hayride at the pumpkins. They loved it.

I attempted a shot with all of them. Of course I only tried a little, didn't want to make a big deal of it, I wanted happy kids more. I was by myself after all. We did have a great time, and they did really well. I left hoping they'd fall asleep in the car- we were 45min. away from home- and of course, they stayed awake! Geesh! I love our monkeys more then words- what a blessing they are to Jon and I.

Happy 18 months!

I'm a bit late here...but not too badly. Our monkeys are 18 mo. old. My how strangely time passes...the days are long, but the years are short.

I couldn't get them both to look at me, but Aldan was all silly, so this is fun enough. Theron can't let things out of his little mitts all that easily and he was holding a special toy of Caed's, so there was no changing his view. Aldan is holding one of his love-ys. He's got two, which are actually left over's from Caed that he never got attached to.

Don't let that little smile of Aldan's confuse you that he's the sweet one. Both have a streak in them, but they usually come out at different times. We are truely blessed.



And here's a little love sharing....it's cute to realize they don't really know how to kiss one another when asked to. When an adult kisses them, they just have to lean in- so they just lean into each other. But they will pretty much do this at any time. What cuties. (and what a mop of hair that Aldan has!!)

I'd have their exact stats, except I can't find the small piece of paper the woman at the doctor's office so nicely wrote everything out for me on, since I am a bit scattered when I go to the appointments....I do remember that aldan is an inch taller then Theron, and because of that, Theron is only 90-95% and aldan is off the chart! Ha, that little overachiever!

Happy Birthday!!

(Heather with her daughter)

Happy Birthday to my older sister Heather! Hope you had a great one! Love to you, amazing mom, wife, sister and friend! (hope we get lots more time to get to know each other better!)

if i make it out to the garden

I find really cool things. Unfortunately my neighbor who watered our garden while we traveled this summer probably was in my garden more then me. But I did catch this guy one day. He looked like such the textbook grasshopper that I had to take a picture. This first picture was actually taken upsidedown. I know...not a gripping blog entry...

will the real twins please stand up?

my mom and her sister, our fabulous aunt, have always been asked if they are twins. They probably look more like twins then our actual twins...but I can't see the similarities in either set- I guess I know them too well. We took a picture for fun- unfortunately it's very difficult to keep the adults and children all looking at the same time! (well the adults could keep looking, they just couldn't keep their eyes open!)

and here's Caed with his requested photo...with his beloved kitty and pink paper cheeburger car. I love his love for his toys. He plays with them until he wears them out, and then we still can't get rid of them because he asks about them later! (tonight he requested some obsure car we threw out because it had come all apart, and this remote control car that our neighbor gave him, that burned out- not to be working again....I just tell him we'll have to look for it, if it's something I think he'd be too upset to hear we threw out...and hope he forgets about it a little longer!)

you can do it too!

last Sunday I accomplished half of a goal. I ran a half marathon. 13.1 miles.

While pregnant with the twins I realized it might be a bit harder to loose the weight the second (and third) time around. I considered taking up running, once it was possible. It took a little longer to start running then I anticipated because of the logistics. That's when hubby gave me the amazing Christmas gift to the gym with childcare.

I started running on the treadmill in March. I ran a 5K in April, and had my heart set on the Paris Marathon 2011. I found a half to run which I thought would be a good indicator before registering for Paris on how I'd do. I ran in this past weekend. I was a bit slower then I anticipated due to a few reasons. I think I'm going to put off Paris another year, and try for a closer to home Marathon next year. So I'll stick with my goal of distance, but I'll put off the destination for now.

I am really really proud of myself. I don't feel badly about putting off Paris, because I think the bigger objective is getting healthy and having energy for my family. Running has made me a better mom and wife (i think!)

Other friends and family are really supportive and proud too. I keep reminding them that it's not hard to do when you take the time to train. You could do it too if you set out to train. It's not like I woke up last Sunday and decided to run 13.1 miles...I've been working really hard at it for months. Don't underestimate your own abilities when you work up to something- give yourself a small goal and then what you think you can handle from there....there were weeks it was hard- there were my long runs that took a long time... that my knees hurt me or I didn't have the best mood...and my tummy gave me problems, once home, at 10+ miles! i kept trudging through and had a good time. And I did it- and i wasn't last or didn't have to be picked up by the van that drives at the end...

so thankful that my family has made the sacrifice too.

just a day..

C started school. We started adjusting to a new schedule. I have had to have a lot motivation to keep us on track with our time from wake up until 3. Kids all go down for bed now between 7-8 rather then the extended 730-9.

C comes home usually pretty happy now too. He's glad to be back with his toys, and our home. It's fun to watch that and think of the transition it must be in his mind...today I came back home after dropping him at school and the twins seemed bored...and like they wanted Caed to play with. after about 20 minutes. they warmed up and started playing together. I love seeing just the twins together, it's been a lot of fun to see their own interactions now too...

So today is just a day...and I may be seeing a spot in my day to add some blog posts. Lord knows there no shortage of things I think of blogging!

Part 2

I really find so little time for blogging these days that I can't believe I'd go back and catch up. Ha! This is the last pressured 'go back' I'll do! (why did I name that last blog part 1!)



I had the hardest time actually on the boat. To me a cruise is a wonderful way to see lots of places without having to do the driving/flying ourselves. I would love to try a cruise with others- friends and/or family. I couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense on how indulgent it was. Especially in the beginning. All I could hear in my head was lines from the movie Wall-e. "Lunch, in a cup!" I relaxed a bit after the first meals, but frankly I would have been more comfortable cleaning my own room and serving myself at dinner then having it done for me. I was awkwardly grateful to all the staff and wanted Jon to tip everyone more!



We had lots of time to relax....

I was thinking a lot about how blessed I was to be there. There are lots of people who deserve as nice as a break and vacation as we had. I never dreamed that I would get to see and do the things we did.

And we got our picture taken with the Norwegian captain.

We really had a great time and I am so thankful for Jonathan and his commitment to our family, and us as a couple. It really was great for us to do the trip, and especially after the twins turned 1. It was a long year...and we made it!

Back in May...part 1

We went on our very first cruise! What fun to get away for a week! We are so thankful to Jon's parents for keeping all three boys for us! We did EVERYTHING we could do. I was up for lots of fun, and things outside my comfort zone! I didn't want to be tied to the ship or be fearful because I might not get this chance again!


The water is super blue in the middle of the ocean! Who knew!




Jon trying to let the ship loose: (these are some major ropes here, amazed by it)

I was just so in awe of some many things on the cruise. The ropes that tie up the ship were just one thing. they are incredible. I never did see us dock or leave, so I don't know how many people it took to do this, but it's incredible.

We had beautiful weather, and the seas were amazing. We even happened to see wild dolphins out in the middle of nowhere swimming past the ship.

In Cozumel we Zip Lined (me in this photo!)

We climbed the rock walls: (Jon is good at this, and me notsomuch although I kept trying as much as my arms would let me!)

Jon geared up:

Jon coming down:

living in DC

I love living in DC. The past couple of weeks we've really been getting out. I have been taking the metro with all three boys too! There are lots of upsides of the place.

The big downside is the transient nature of people living here. People tend to come here from other far off places to intern or work a job temporarily. Or they work a job, start a family and realize they want to be closer to home again with their family. Or they just move to the 'burbs. I generally don't mind that. I love getting to know people, keep in touch and know that one day when we want to travel to these really cool places they all live, we can go visit!

But sometimes it means that you feel like you want to get to know someone better and it just can't happen because of time. We (I) met a family last year that moved to DC for an internship at our church for the past year. It's time for them to move on. They have two boys and are really fun. Caed loved their oldest right away. I had anticipated not getting to know them because I knew they'd be leaving....I resisted. I tried to avoid wanting to be friends. I had twin babies, so it was easy to avoid with their busyness. But it was so much fun getting the boys together. Today as we had a last playdate for the kids, and all 5 were running around the grass and gravel of the National Mall, I realized that I really did like them! I was sad that I didn't get to know them better and have them over for a meal. We do have great friends in DC, I was just reminded how hard it still is to watch families leave regardless of how well you know them.

Today Amy was willing to corral the kids and enjoy the Air and Space Museum. I pray for the best for them, and we will stay in touch as they plant a church in Miami- but I shouldn't have waited this long to commit to getting to know them better. I know it's more then just us that will miss them too.

All 5 boys


C and A: (Caed actually wasn't feeling great today, so he wasn't so compliant with the smiling)

Running

Me, and the craziness of my home after returning from my first ever race (5K) this past April. Not glamorous:

Another thing that has been taking up my time is running. I am training to run a half marathon. I am trying to follow through on my goal of running the Paris marathon 2011, and so I thought a half marathon about a half year before it was a good goal.

It has been fun....but it sure is time consuming! I do long runs on Saturday mornings (I leave the house about 5:45) and shorter runs during the week, a combination of road running and treadmill at the gym. A road run for me is only 2 miles though since I do it after Jon gets home, and the twins and Caed are manageable for him. It really is a sacrifice on the part of my family for this. I am hoping that somehow we make it through the 7 months after this for the Paris marathon.

I sometimes debate the wisdom is doing it next year, since it's been a hard few months for our family for the half marathon, but I think it's best to just keep going. I am proud of myself for keeping it up. I wish I was faster, but I'll take what I can get.

I am learning so much about running too, it's a lot of fun. I find that I am really enjoying it (besides the bit of a wall I've hit the last two weeks) and want to just keep doing it because my body can do it. Although I probably can have better posture/form, it's not like swimming where I've got to be taught certain strokes, or bike riding where I've got to own a bike, it's more accessible then that and I like that. I recently finished the book Born to Run. Loved it. But I love that style of writing anyway.

I am still figuring out my preferences as far as carrying water, when to wait to eat, listening to music (which is at a bit of a negotiating stage right now. My ipod isn't working, and I've been listening to Pandora on my phone with headphones. I have an arm band for the ipod, but for now I am sticking my phone in the tiny pocket in my running shorts, which gets the phone wet from my sweating!) do I carry some energy things with me for the longer runs, and talking while running when I'm with friends.

I was supposed to run 12 miles last Saturday but was in a bit of a funk, and ended up only running/ walking 6. This weekend it's back down to 10. I'll go with that, and get 12 the following weekend. That's the farthest this training plan has us go.

So here's to a little more time come a month, but only briefly, because I'll need to train to run 26.2 miles soon enough!

May

Back in May, Caed "graduated" from his little preschool! The program is run for 2 + 3's as to not interfere with many children moving to schools at 4. (it's easier to get into a school you want to get into at 3+4 rather then waiting until kindergarten) Myself and 3 other mom's started the school 2 years ago, and it's going strong! We are so thankful for a place to have our kids at and where we can be involved. Unfortunately since there is demand on the space, we are limited to meeting only 2 mornings a week. (we meet at our church's coffeehouses' basement, where they currently hold 5 services a weekend) I am going to stay involved this year that I have no kids there, and we'll be back once the twins are 2! Yay!

Next year Caed is going to a charter school nearby. It has a Spanish and French immersion program. You pick the language. We picked french (of course!) and I am looking forward to getting involved in this new community....Here's my sweet boy, getting so big! We are so proud at how much he's grown and learned! Thanks in part to his sweet teacher, we're so happy she's there! (we didn't have a teacher the first year, and this year we do, and will keep her!)

guess I haen't posted in awhile..

Man...i have wanted to post in the last month and a half...I have many excuses why I'm not documenting a single thing.

1) some guilt that I have over non organized photos on my machine and the photos I owe people on our shard machine downstairs have kept me away...

2)Twins are down to one nap, leaving valuable bogging time to nothing. I barely have time to get the stuff done during the one afternoon nap from everyone.

3) Twins are both walking!

4) I have been training for a half marathon in September. This is HARD WORK. I do my long runs Saturday mornings, at the crack of dawn, leaving my tired in the evenings. But proud of the fact that I am training. (thanks to sisters for some motivation to actually do this!)

5) I have three kids

6) it's hot out, but despite that I get the kids out as much as possible.

7) I like to read other people's interesting blogs through my google reader then come over to my blog and pretend I've got some interesting documenting going on.

8) some more guilt over not blogging people's birthdays, anniversaries, milestones...

9) I can't blog from my pre. I need an app that lets me blog from my phone.

10) I will be back...I got those photos organized, and I'll be burning two discs soon. I have to.

a day at the arboretum

One day my friend and I decided to take the kids and meet their friends at the National Arboretum. It's beautiful there, and there were going to be kiddos and bikes and picnicking...

To say getting C to pedal is a test of patience is an understatement.

To say that it required composure of the greatest kind would not reach far enough.....

We made it. I can't remember how we made it from the parking lot to the columns, but we did, and that's all that matters now. I refuse to take the trike out since, until I get a new pole to help push him along. Something happened to our other one and I think it had to do with the construction and the cleaning up, and the guy who wasn't so careful with the throwing out. grrr. Anyway. We had a lovely time. The day was beautiful. The twins did mostly okay but "lunching" on a blanket is fruitless. I always try, but they do better when strapped into their car seats.



Theron didn't venture too far. He didn't like getting far from the blanket.


Aldan's hair is extremely light and with the nice wind blowing...it ended up looking like George McFly from Back to the Future. Ha. Didn't know I could pull that out of my memory.

Here are the columns...and we can go play in them any time we want. We are lucky! (next time I'll park at the lot right behind them and walk the kids across...may save the whole day that way.)

And we went before they filled this fountain...it was filled with nasty water which the kids stayed out of, until they didn't. Now this fountain is all pretty and clean. too bad we were a little early.