Flashback Friday
Friday, June 24, 2011I've been thinking back on what life was like last year at this time, with the boys. Then, today when I read one of my blog reads, heir to Blair, I was inspired by her new weekly Friday posting, Flashback Fridays. I think this will a) give me a reason to be more diligent with my blogging b) remember those stories and moments from our past when I wasn't being diligent in my blogging that I want to remember.
In a few days, we'll be hitting the road to travel to Minnesota to visit family and friends. We did this last summer; in fact, I think we'll be visiting Minnesota every summer, as it's the best way to escape the heat of Texas summers. As I have been preparing and packing for the trip I've realized, again how much has changed from last year, at this time with the boys.
The twinkies had just started eating solids and were guzzling over 30 oz of milk a day from bottles. They were sitting up and rolling around, but other than that we didn't have to worry about them getting into too much. Sawyer was still in diapers, since we really hadn't even considered potty training him. And Sawyer's language had just started to take-off with more and more new words each day added to his vocabulary.
Look at the evidence below. These pictures were taken last year on the 24th of June, 2010.
Here's Jack, sporting his toothless grin. As I'm writing this, I'm remembering that the twinkies cut their first tooth while we were on the road, last summer.
And Finn! Such happy boys!
Big Brother, Sawyer with his papa riding a ride at the MOA! There's something that's changed, too; Sawyer has grown more in love with his papa!
So fun, to remember these moments from last year, which remind me that some of our days may seem long, but time really is passing quickly.
Just Beachy
Saturday, June 18, 2011Last weekend we packed our bags (not as many as you might think!) and headed to Galveston beach with some friends. The condo we stayed at had amazing beach views for the boys; just look at the picture below taken from our balcony! The boys loved crossing "the bridge" to get to the sand and waves each day. 
Our first night in the condo (well, actually both nights!) Finn did not sleep very well. He spiked a fever in the middle of the first night, but was icy cold by morning. In fact, he slept so late that I had to wake him up, so he could get some breakfast. I really do not think the picture below truly captured his "hangover" look this particular morning. Upon some mama investigating, the likely culprit of all his misery were his canine teeth. They were the worst for Sawyer in his teething days and this seems to be true for the twinkies, as well, especially Finn.
All the boys got to try some surfing with their dada. I do not think any of them would describe this event as their favorite beach experience, but they all have plenty of time to develop their water sporting skills.
Sawyer got to go out first with dada. He was holding on tight in this picture!
And here he is anxious to get back on shore!
I love this picture; dada is all smiles and Jack is screaming!
And last, but not least; Finn!
Again, dada was enjoying the adventure, but his little boys were not too excited. Next time, dada!
Besides playing and building with the sand, the boys loved flying their Lightening McQueen kite.
Finn gave kite flying a try, but due to the poor construction of the kite, he did not have much luck. He could have cared less, though!
The day we had to head back to Austin, we left after lunch, hoping the boys would sleep most of the drive back to Austin. Our JackMan was so tired, that after lunch he had barely climbed up onto the couch before crashing into sleep. Needless to say, all the boys slept most of the drive home to Austin.
We had such a great time and only wished we had stayed longer! Next time!
Cars Collector
Saturday, June 04, 2011Sawyer was introduced to the Disney Pixar movie, Cars, after his second birthday. In fact, I remember the event quite well; we were traveling to Minnesota for spring break in an airplane. The twins were just three months old and Sawyer had just turned two. In preparing for the trip, I had purchased the DVD hoping the flight would be a bit easier with a new movie to watch.
Sawyer enjoyed watching the movie in-flight to nane and papa's, while his twin brothers slept through their first plane ride; but, I honestly think he was more excited to be flying on an airplane, again. As time went by though, Sawyer become more and more interested in the movie and all the characters, so the collecting began.
In the beginning, Sawyer only was interested in the Lightening McQueen and Mater die-cast cars. Then, our collection of die-cast cars was kicked into high-gear when Sawyer embarked on potty training last summer. Nothing was more motivating to him than a new die-cast car of one of the characters from Cars. I can also say that I was finding enjoyment in the "hunt" of die-cast cars that we did not already own. (I can still remember finding our first Sally at a Wal-Mart while on vacation in Springfield, MO last summer. She had been elusive to me for many weeks, so I remember being almost as excited as Sawyer when we found her on the shelf!)
The collection has grown (dada's last count was around sixty!), although there are still a few that Sawyer reminds me that he would still like to add: Bessie, Boost, Wingo, and Snot Rod. Our collecting is about to be reenergized with the release of Cars2 on June 24th.
About a two months ago the stores started to "clearance" the first movie die-cast cars. Now, the space on the shelves has been replaced with the new characters from Cars2. Sawyer was most excited when I brought him home the "new" Lightening McQueen.
The difference this time around with the collecting is that the twinkies want in on the action, too! Being the little brothers, they have already been introduced to the movie and die-cast cars. They become just as excited, as big brother, to open the package containing a new die-cast car. Although, Finn is a bit more excited than Jack about all the Cars commotion, which is evident in the following pictures.
I need to position him just so on this pillow. This car has the same name as me!
Watch him go! He goes so fast! Zoom, zoom!
Nothing makes me happier than playing cars with my brothers!The collecting will continue this summer. I wonder how many we will add to our collection?!
Jack's New Addiction
Friday, May 20, 2011The other morning, after leaving our family room to grab a basket of laundry from the bedroom, I walked around the corner to find Jack like this:
Really? When did he learn to climb on chairs? and when did he learn to climb so quickly?
My first thought is that I have not finished started the task of backing-up all our photos from iPhoto onto anything, not even the external hard drive that sits on the bookshelf next to the computer desk. In a few short minutes, he could quite easily delete his life in photos, as well as his brothers. I tell myself, that I need to make backing up our photos a top priority this week.
My next thought is that the dining room chair that is used at the desk can no longer be kept there; rather, the chair will be kept at the dining room table, unless he is asleep for nap or bedtime. I feel the urgency to back-up our photos ease a bit, but still vow to put this item to the top of my to-do list.
Later the next day, I find Jack at the computer. Really?! I call yell for Sawyer to come out of the playroom to question his choices. "Sawyer, what are you thinking? What did mama say, about moving this chair for your brother? I told you that the chair must stay at the dining room table."
He looks to me and says, "I didn't do it, mama." I pause for a moment, trying to gather my response.
I begin by reminding him of the concept of lying. "Tell me how the chair got here, then?"
"Brother Jack" he says, skipping back to the playroom.
Really? I'm suppose to believe that yesterday Jack learned how to climb up on the dining room chairs and today he's learned how to move the chair across the family room back to the computer desk. I find this hard to believe, but then again, I have learned that anything can be possible with our monkeys.
I had promptly moved the chair back to the dining room table and decided to stay close-by, in the hopes of catching the culprit in action.
Sure enough...within moments of me being out of sight, Jack had pushed the chair from the dining room table to the computer desk and was up at the computer keyboard within a few minutes.
Now, what? It's hard enough most days to get laundry washed, dishes cleaned, and myself showered with the three of them exploring and learning about their world, also our home.
Just when I think we have a "system" that is working, keeping everyone happy and preserving mama's sanity, too; a new development happens and I have to figure out a new "system".
Recently, I've also been trying to remember that the time is passing quickly. (I mean just last year at this time the twinkies were only five months old and had just accomplished sleeping through the night from 7pm-7am. And now look at them?!) But nonetheless, some days can be quite challenging, and at times, overwhelming to me. So, in trying to enjoy the moment and ease my frustration, I grab the camera to document Jack's new addiction.
I love to wonder what the boys are thinking. I imagine here he might be thinking, "I'm so pissed, mama! All I want is the computer and you have to ruin it by moving this chair. I'll show you!"
"You're not suppose to be there. What are you doing following me?"
See! I got this, mama! Now, go finish the dishes, so I can get some stuff done on here.
The boy is learning to problem solve. I suppose I should be proud, right? Better figure out a new "system" for this, but also know that I'll need to have plan B, C, D, and E ready, too!
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