Do we have a Claude Monet on our hands? (I picked Monet from hundreds of other artists just for you, Alison! Like the painting?!)

I know, I know! Every mom thinks her child is a genius. But I was impressed with Henry's drawing of his house. Maybe it's just a developmentally appropriate drawing for a two year old. Look at the detail - windows! :) Go ahead! Burst my bubble!

The boys had a fun time in the sprinklers the other day. Just look at those soggy diapers. Didn't want to waste a swim diaper on the sprinklers.





Just testing the waters









Getting brave with the sprinkler

















Let's put all things plastic in the sprinkler!









Bath Time!




Henry laughing at Daddy




A serious moment for Jonathan in the tub

1. Get rid of high chairs - check
2. Move to big boys beds - check
3. Get rid of pacifiers
4. Start potty training
5. Start using a cup instead of a sippy cup

Whew! That's a lot of changes for 2 1/2 year olds to accept. We've completed #1 (they are in clip-on boosters - mainly for my sanity) and #2. I feel #3 coming!


When I was pregnant, I decided that I didn't want the boys to have pacifiers. I didn't register for them and when one can with a bottle set, I rolled my eyes and tossed it in a drawer. But what I didn't know was that I was going to have preemies who needed pacifiers because they didn't know how to suck. So, here we are 32 months later....still with them. The boys get their pacifiers ONLY when they are in there beds. I think it's time to get rid of them. Maybe this should be our next hurdle! I'm dreading this one! (No, they don't use two at a time!)

I think I'll tackle it after vacation in September.

We went to Bruster's tonight for a treat! Yummmmmmy! (Can you tell who the ham is in this family?? By the way who is on the left?)

When Ashlee and Marshall's mom, Heidi, returned with Baby Caroline, we tried to get some pictures with all five kids.



Henry wanted to hold Caroline.

We will be taking our first family vacation in a few weeks to Charleston, South Carolina. We're excited about having some time away. We're glad the boys have transitioned well to their new beds...our condo has two twin beds just for them




To those of you who have vacationed in Charleston, what are some kid friendly places we don't want to miss - - restaurants, shopping areas, historical spots, museums, etc.

To those of you who have traveled long distances with toddlers, I'd love to hear your ideas for entertaining the boys during the drive. We're planning to leave very early in the morning with hopes that the boys will sleep for a few hours.

The boys had their first try at corn on the cob. They did very well!

When I worked at our church office a few years ago, a church member, Bridget used to bring banana bread for the staff to enjoy. A few years later at "My Favorite Things" Wedding Shower (leave it up to Zerita to come up with that shower theme - This just in: Kristie came up with the theme.) Bridget gave me the recipe with my gift since she knew it was one of my "favorite things." The secret is the sprinkling of brown sugar on the top before you bake.

Bridget's Banana Bread
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 ripe bananas
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup sour cream
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and bananas and beat. Stir in sour cream, vanilla, soda, and flour. Pour into greased and floured pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees.

They boys wanted their stuffed animals to color with them.




Here's Henry giving a crayon to his bear.









Jonathan is trying his best to stay in the lines.
















Handsome, serious Henry

Henry and Jonathan have done FANTASTIC in their new beds. I know we are still in the "honeymoon" stage, but hopefully, they will stick to the routine. They have slept four nights and four naps in their beds.

They are so funny! Everytime we go to their room after a nap or in the morning, we find them still under their covers, just waiting for someone to get them. Then they both jump up and scream, "I did it!"

My brother and his family were passing through town on their way back home today. So, we meet them for a few minutes after church. We're excited about seeing them in a couple of weeks. They'll be back for UT's first home game.


The Cousins -
Drew (17) with Henry
and Adam (10) with Jonathan















Adam holding on to little hands










Drew and Jonathan - Drew is planning to come to UT next fall!



















My brother, Mike, "dipping" Henry in the fountain. It looks like we are at a nice park, but it's really a new shopping center. Look Chandra and Johanna - it's your favorite place to shop, Ann Taylor Loft, in the background.




Aunt Melissa giving Jonathan some lovin'

We decided to move the boys into their beds tonight. We were planning to do it on Saturday evening, but Rob is ushering and counting the offering and I have children's ministry on Sunday. We didn't think it would benefit ANYONE if we had two fussy boys at church and two potentially exhausted parents serving others.

We've only heard one peep from them since they went to bed. That was when they heard a loud clap of thunder. Other than that NOTHING! I'm assuming they'll wake up early. We'll see.

What we did to help them get ready for this moment: 1. We talked about it a lot. Recently, we've been communicating that their "white beds" would be taken away and they would get to sleep in their "big boy beds." 2. I bought them a new stuff animal (zebras) just for them to sleep with in their new beds. We gave them their new zebras just before we got their pajamas on. 3. We kept our night-time routine the same as normal. 4. We kept them up a little later than normal.

We are grateful for God's kindness! Thanks for your prayers and suggestions. I'll let you know how our night goes!

EDITED FRIDAY MORNING TO ADD: They did it! They slept in their beds all night. We heard Jonathan around 3:00 looking for his water and paci (our next challenge). But he never got up! Let's see how long they sleep this morning. They normally get up around 8:00.

I wanted to share some pictures from the evening for your enjoyment.



Henry's last time in his crib





Jonathan's last time in his crib




Henry in his new bed




Jonathan in his new bed

We are moving the boys to their "big boy beds" very soon. We bought the mattresses - yes, I know there's only three in the picture. The other one will arrive on Friday. We spent hours - I mean many hours - stripping the varnish and paint off the beds. Rob spent hours priming and painting the beds. They are now finished. The beds had already been painted, so we did not mind repainting them.



We got the beds from Rob's mom. They belonged to Rob's grandmother. (I think they even go back farther in the family than her.)

So, as we move our "wild" toddlers to their twin beds, please pray that it will be a smooth transition. Any advice is welcomed - PLEASE!

This is what I found when I came downstairs after getting ready for church.

Look what we found sitting beside the curb ready to be picked up the garbage guys.




BEFORE











INITIAL CLEANING PROCESS
















WAGON - AFTER







AFTER

We spent yesterday morning with our 2 year-old triplet friends and their mom, Cindy. We try to get together often.Click here to see pictures from another visit.

Here's some pictures from our most recent adventure:


Kaitlyn, Josh, Jack,
Jonathan, and Henry

(Everyone in the same picture - better than last time.)



The Horse and His Boy or should I say The Chipmunk and His Toddler



The Chipmunk and His Other Toddler



I've been trying to get this shot for awhile - both boys at the top of a double slide.





Kaitlyn





Josh and Jack





Jonathan, Henry and Jack