Warm Weather?

Today is the first day of March and it's 55 degrees. Tomorrow it's supposed to snow.  Go figure, it's Ohio.  So we went outside to enjoy a little taste of spring.  Putting the bikes to good use!

Snowflakes anyone?

Does this really need any words? Maybe just ADORABLE!

Happy 4th Birthday, Grant and JT!!!

I cannot believe another year has flown by! And actually, if I'm being honest with myself, this is the first year where I feel like the time passed exactly as I thought it should (not too quickly or slowly).  The boys have grown so much both physically, emotionally, and academically.  They have learned so much in the past year and they are so eager to continue to be learners...makes my heart happy.

Grant, our compassionate, emotional, and considerate gentleman loves learning and it comes to him so naturally.  He seeks out knowledge and is always asking questions.  Grant loves to read and do puzzles and he is wise beyond his years.  He recognizes several sight words (no, yes, go, stop, dogs, zoo) and knows all of his letters (uppercase and lowercase) as well as most of their sounds! He is our little emotional guy as his feelings are easily hurt (he comes by this honestly...from his mama) and he's easily embarrassed.  Grant HATES to be wrong and puts a lot of pressure on himself (apple fell right under the tree)!  He is sympathetic and empathetic, something most kids his age still don't yet understand.  He's a skinny little thing just like his daddy, yet can most often be heard saying "I'm hungry!"  That's something he's been his entire life! I have fond memories of him wolfing down a bottle only to be crying not even 2 hours later or drink it so fast it came back up!

JT, our free spirited, funny, and talkative wildman loves to know HOW things work, not why.  He also loves to read but mostly loves to be read to by an adult.  JT knows all of his letters but has a greater interest in numbers.  JT loves to be active and is always singing or humming a tune from his heart.  We are trying to encourage this love for music very quietly, while developing his self-confidence.  He's easily embarrassed when we take notice of his singing.  JT is loving and sweet, always giving hugs and love to anyone. He loves to snuggle. He also has a love of animals, but specifically dogs.  He's our tank, but it's all muscle! And he's rarely hungry because he doesn't want to stop.  Again, that's no change from when he was a baby. He walked at 9 months and really hasn't stopped moving since!

Both boys could not be more different in looks and personality.  It's so neat to see how different they are.  But they still have their freaky twin moments, from the weird language they share to talking about the same thing at the same time without planning it out! Sometimes we forget the bond they share until those moments.  It's been a great year and both boys are destined for bright futures!

So today we celebrate Grant and JT.  I think JT said it best with, "today, I'm the boss...and Grant, too!"  No, seriously, he really did start the day by telling Peter that!  I'm not sure where they developed this sense of entitlement, but today we let them do what they wanted (within reason).  We started the day with a balloon party and birthday waffles.  Then we let the boys tell us what they wanted to do...which is how we ended up at Recreations Outlet (aka trampoline park).  They practically had the place to themselves, which was AWESOME!  After a very busy 2 hours, we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch, again the boys choice!  Of course, we couldn't escape without playing toys...twice!  They caught a nap on the way home, much to JT's dismay. He told us since he was the boss, he wasn't going to take a nap because it was HIS birthday! Grant said he'd do whatever we wanted him to do.  I think that about sums up their personalities.  We ended the day with a dinner in which we invited grandparents to celebrate with us.  

President's Day Fun

Today I had a day off due to snow President's Day! Ha, but it could have been snow with this winter we're having.  Anyway, I've been working on being present, filling my bucket, and enjoying life's little gifts (Grant and JT)!  So today we went to the Rave Cinema in Western Hills and saw "Frozen", for the second time!  We loved it the first time, we love the music (the boys listen to the soundtrack every night), so what's a second time! But it was the first time seeing it with Cami and Uncle Dan, who also had the day off.  Seeing those three little heads just peering over the seats was something truly beautiful and precious.  Of course, Olaf continues to be a favorite of all :)  I mean, seriously, he's the most adorable snowman EVER!

 After the movie we went to the favorite restaurant of all children...Chick-fil-A, where we played and, oh, ate! It was a great day.  Check out this cuteness :)

Highlander Strong!

Tonight we went to my school, DMS, to show our support for Oak Hills Schools and the current levy on the ballot.  As a graduate and current educator of this school district, I am proud to show my commitment to the excellence in education and tradition that Oak Hills provides.  I was also grateful for the opportunity to show Grant and JT that I stand up for what I believe.  Even though they were too young to understand why we were there, they did understand that many people came together to cheer on "mama's school."  They also enjoyed meeting new friends (my colleagues' children) and playing on the front lawn.  I know that tonight was just one example of how we pull together as a community and are HIGHLANDER STRONG!

Fall Fun at Cheviot Park

In an effort to give Peter some quiet time to study for his upcoming test, and because the weather isn't going to be nice forever, I took the boys and Belle for a walk and then we went up to the park to play.  We were actually there for quite a while.  We had some good ol' fashion fall fun in the leaves!

Halloween 2013

We're 2 for 2 on bad weather for Halloween.  Last year it was Superstorm Sandy causing cold, rainy conditions and this year it was a freak low pressure system causing high winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms.  I usually try to find the positive in every situation so here it is: it was warmer than last year.  And, to be honest, it wasn't so bad.  We managed to head out as soon as we saw the rain lighten up a bit, however the only problem was that it was deceiving.  Because the wind died down, it only looked like it was raining less! But the boys and I wore our rain boots and Peter carried our umbrella.  The boys also had it pretty good in their wagon, which was covered by a sun shade. Eventually, the boys hopped out and into the puddles, which made for some pretty cute pictures.  After going down Camelia Court and to our new neighbors next door and across the street, the boys were water logged and ready to go inside, which was fine by us.  And, they made out like bandits because everyone gave away handfuls of candy.  All in all, it was definitely better than last year!  Check out the boys below, dressed as Lucky the Dalmatian and Kwazii the Cat from Octonauts on Disney Junior.  It's the first year where they've told me what they wanted to dress up as for Halloween!