If Only...

something so simple could give everyone this much joy!

Snow Day {Well, Sort of}

For our school calendar this year, we thought were so smart. We remembered how many snow days we had to make up last year, and scheduled a make up day for this year. We also planned on going to state for football. Yeah, that's how we roll. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to state, so we didn't burn up our day. Fortunately, we have had very little snow this winter. Seriously, we've only had 2 late starts and zero early outs. Not gonna lie, a little sad about that whole issue. But, hey, we added this day in, so we got it off! (Not 100% sure why we didn't go to school today and take one day off at the end of the year. Kids learn more in January than they do in May. Just saying...)

My mom and I took the boys to the Butterfly House in the big city. I hadn't been there since before Leo was born. They added a bunch of fish to a new room. Not really seeing the connection of fish and butterflies, but hey, not my building. The boys loved looking for Nemo and Dory in the tanks. I really enjoyed watching the sea horses. They are so cool!

When we stepped into the butterfly room, my big, tough, rough Eli changed! He was terrified of the butterflies! Leo had been there before and tried to act all cool, until one flew right by his head. That made him have a freak out too! They both finally realized that the butterflies couldn't bite them, and relaxed some.

We walked around and looked at everything. Eli was in love with the water and the big fish. Leo thought it was funny that the butterflies tasted with their feet (That's something science-y I taught him - TK science, thank you very much.).


We were in there for a bit, and the boys were sweet to let me take their pictures.

Leo is quite the poser, usually. Today he was a little concerned that one would land on his head, so he wasn't sure he could smile...




Eli, on the other hand, would smile but not look at me. Seems to be his new favorite trick when I pull the camera out. He's such a joy to take pictures of...



Of course we have to do the bridge picture. Melia has one of her niece, Ava, that is oh so cute. But, I don't have the skills, and I had 2 boys who were sure the butterflies wanted to taste them.



Me and my boys. I will say I was very impressed with the way the behaved inside the room. Last year Eli was walking outside and saw a butterfly on the ground. He asked me, "What that?" I told him, and he proceeded to stomp on it. We've grown!



G'ma Jan and the boys. They were not into sitting at this point of the trip. Eli did not find it hilarious that I kept making noise to get him to look at me. Leo was trying to escape.



As we were getting ready to leave, a butterfly landed on Eli's head. Leo just starred. Eli didn't move for a second, and then moved his hand by his head. It flew away, so no harm done. If you ask him about the butterflies, he points to his head and says, "They taste me. It was red." Actually, it was blue, and what they were tasting was the spaghetti that was in your hair from last night that you scooped up a handful, and placed it on there. Yeah, that's how he rolls.

Funny side story, we went to get Leo new shoes and he saw a "bridge" that he wanted to go over. We had to ride the escalators to get to the cat walk thing. As Leo was trying to get on it, he pulled a move from "Elf." He put his hands on the sides and his left foot on. The step went up and his right foot wasn't on yet. He started to get worried, but then his right foot went on a different step. I wish I had my camera with me in the store, because it was so funny. I couldn't stop laughing. I love those boys!

"Glasses"

This kid cracks me up. Today he was wearing his "glasses" on the top of his head. I don't know where the heck fire he gets crazy ideas like that...

Interviews

We did "interviews" with the boys last night. They've been so silly lately, saying the craziest things!

Eli's "interview" talks about his sassy. He's been super sassy since about 20 months old. It may or may not be a little cute. I asked him a few weeks ago who taught him to be sassy, and Brenda was his answer. I laughed, and so he thought it was so funny, he's been saying it ever since. (Except of course when he's been with my mom, then he said Grandma. True story.)



Leo's interview is funny because he loves the camera. He likes to be in the limelight, even though he acts shy around some people. He is in LOVE with basketball and reading the names off the screen. It's so fun to see him growing in that way. He really wants to learn how to dribble, and likes to watch the Lions play. He wants Jarod to teach him how to dribble. :)



I'm going to try to take more videos of the boys and post them more often. I love hearing their stories and their voices. I'm sure I'll want lots of ways to remember them at these special ages.

Our Prayer

Tonight I got the boys to sing our prayer for us. They sing it at daycare every day at lunch, and we sing it at dinner time. It's so fun to see them grow and learn to love Jesus.

Leo told me the other night that my grandma was in heaven. I asked him what he meant, and he went on to tell me that he talked to G'ma Jan and that her mom was in heaven. He asked if I knew that she was in heaven and if I was sad about it. I told him that no I wasn't sad anymore because I knew that she was with Jesus and was really happy. I also told him that someday I wanted to go to heaven. He looked at me and asked, "Mommy, are you going to die?"

Yikes. Wasn't really ready to field that question. I stumbled through that question and gave him the best answer I could think of for a 4 1/2 year old, "Well, Leo, yes, someday I will die, but it will be ok because I will see you when you come to heaven."

"Ok, Mommy, I want to go to heaven with you too."

Oh Leo, I sure hope that your daddy and I help you and your brother to create a relationship with Jesus Christ. We pray for you both every day. We love you both so much!

Wild Child

At school today I was talking to the director of daycare (she was working Latchkey), and said that Eli had a fun day. I asked why, and she said just wait and see.

And when I did...

This is what I found...



They had played with shaving cream.



Eli thought it looked better on his head than the table.



He is so unlike his brother it is scary! Leo wouldn't go near the stuff, and E won't leave it alone. I love how different they are!

Loved

My boys are so loved. We have so many people that love on them and do things with them. We are truly blessed. It is wonderful. We went to a Lions game on Friday night and they had so many people come and sit by us and play with them. Audra took them out and bought them treats. Cheryl bought them treats. Brenda and Brittany took them to shoot hoops. Rob, Luke and Megan were playing with them. Coryn came and took them out to play in the hallway.

These pictures are of Brittany, Leo, Brenda and Eli waiting to shoot hoops at half time. Gym lighting is terrible, so I'm sorry for the bad quality of pictures. :(





I am so thankful to all of the people who love my boys. They love you right back!

Is This Heaven?

No, it's NWI in January!?! We had an unseasonably warm day today. Justin and I had to go to the doctor this afternoon, so we were able to enjoy the day! The temperatures were in the high 50s. It was beautiful. Leo was all about shooting hoops. Eli was all about playing with Brenda, and NOT being in a picture. It was beautiful outside and so glad we were able to enjoy it!

New Hardware

Here is Justin's "new hardware". $26.000 later... Seriously, why is a plate and 7 screws over $9,000? They could have gone to Ace and gotten them for 29 cents! I had 2 babies and 2 c-sections and paid less than that! Crazy!

Happy 2012!

We spent our New Year "partying" with my parents at their yearly appetizer get together. Then, out of nowhere, it started snowing?!?! What? Snow in NWI in December? We got our kids and headed home. We had plans with some friends for later in the evening.

At about 8:00, we put the boys to bed and the real "party" began. Brett, Brittany, Brenda, Justin and I sat around talked, shopped Vicki's sale, watched movies, ate and had a great time. It was one of my favorite New Year's Eves.

Eli woke up around 11:50 and ended up ringing in the New Year with us. (Actually, he was up until about 2!) Brenda and Brittany enjoyed kissing the New Year babe. :)

I am excited to see what the year 2012 holds for us. We have lots of weddings, trips to visit our friends, a mission trip, and other things planned.