Santa 2011

This morning we had our annual appointment with Santa at the Mall of America. It is called the "Santa Experience" because you get to book at time and then spend 5-10 minutes hangout out with Santa. We ran into Santa downtown a few weeks ago, and although Tyler was thrilled, Kevin was not. We ended up with a picture of me holding Kevin and Tyler and Jake on his lap. So I wasn't sure how today would go but was excited to find out!

So we loaded up this morning and headed down there. Tyler picked out their outfits, as he was VERY excited about finding a Christmas tie to wear to Santa. I was still debating going with holiday pajamas versus dressed up, so it was nice that he made that decision for me.

All three boys waited very patiently. I held Jacob as we went in for our appointment, Tyler ran to talk to Santa, and Kevin hung back with me. Santa spent a few minutes making him comfortable and just chatting about his name, age, likes and dislikes. It was great and Kevin warmed up!

Tyler asked for a Finn McMissle spy car and Kevin first asked for a ball, and then added later that he wanted an Iowa Hawkeye football. :) Jacob stayed quiet and just watched. Below is a picture of the picture that we got printed.



Then I tried to splice together a quick video of them hanging out with Santa. It is such a neat place and so fun that you get to hang out for a bit and just chat with him. Kevin's opinion changed though when it came time for the picture. He wanted nothing to do with sitting on Santa's lap. And this is why I love the place!

When the child is unsure (they ask you at check-in whether a child is unsure) and they let the photographers know as such as you enter. Anyways, Santa just said goodbye and they gave him hugs and wished him a Merry Christmas. Then the photographers got Tyler into Santa's big green chair and gave him a book to read Kevin. Kevin though was still skeptical and waited for a snowglobe to hold and then he climbed up. With both of them situated, we then added a very happy Jacob and the photographers started playing with the kids. While the kids were focused on that, Santa just walked in and laid down in front of the chair (and not a single child noticed or cared....and I got a picture with them with Santa without me).

So a fun time, and when it was all said and done they got a sucker...a pretty awesome treat in the morning if you ask me! :)



After that we stopped by the amusement park to ride a ride. The boys chose a roller coaster ride! Tyler was VERY excited to try it and Kevin of course wanted to because his big brother was. Kevin was still five inches too short to ride by himself and as I tried to explain that, the operator explained that Tyler qualified as a chaperone! Kevin heard that he could go and ran up the stairs as fast as he could!!!

Tyler screamed in joy as it went around (it went so fast!) and Kevin looked unsure. But sure enough as he was getting off he started crying about wanting to go again, while Tyler was plenty content to go finish up some Christmas shopping. Tyler is definitely our more reserved child when it comes to things like that, so I was shocked he wanted to try it, but not surprised that he was done with it when it was over. Likewise, I knew Kevin could like it but was a little shocked at his face while he was riding it!

Forgiving and Forgetting

I have lots of pictures to post and stories to tell, but for now I just have to record the last few minutes of my day as a reminder someday to myself that this little segment is a normal, reoccuring occurance in our daily life.

I have spent the morning trying to clean up the boys room, with all three running around me playing, helping me here and there, and occasionally getting hurt or fighting with a brother. Jacob was playing with one of the bigger boys Spiderman slippers, Tyler is busy making an automatic snow blowing machine (a machine that makes snow, not one that removes snow from your driveway) and Kevin is making himself into a Christmas tree out of plastic hangers that he is dangling from each arm. I look up to see Kevin hit Tyler with a hanger and so that act landed Kevin into a major time out. I get Kevin into his timeout into the living room and then get Jake into his highchair for a Cheerio break.

Jacob is busy cutting four top teeth and this causes him to scream nonstop today in pain. :( I have tried to get him some Tylenol but he apparently hates the stuff and is just hitting it away, so he is screaming away in his highchair trying to chomp on some Cheerios. Tyler is running around trying to "save the day" and engage a sobbing Kevin who is repeating "oh no, oh gosh" as he stairs at the wall. As I explain to Tyler that he needs to leave Kevin alone and go into the kitchen, the dogs spot a rabbit (who won't take the hint and keeps coming back everyday) and they start barking up a storm and running around in excitement. I let them outside and hear that Kevin's sobbing has now turned into crying over missing his big cousin Josh and wanting to play with him.

With Jacob still screaming, I grab him out of his highchair and walk over to Kevin to talk to him. Kevin doesn't want to stand up because a sock is on funny and so he starts crying about how he can't stand. I pull the sock off and in his shock he stops crying and then sees that now he has to stand up to talk to me. You can just see the look in his eye that he realizes his excuse is no longer and he stands up with a small grin.

Our conversation then goes as follows...with him properly holding his head low and his eyes cutting up to me (the already kid knows that hanging your head and cutting up your eyes at your mama goes a long way in helping convince her you are sorry for the offense).

Me: Kevin, why did mommy put you in a time out?

Kevin: Cause I hurt Tyler.

Me: Yes. What did you do to hurt Tyler?

Kevin: I bit him.

Me: No, you didn't bite him. What did you do to Tyler?

(At this point while Kevin is trying to think of what he did, Tyler comes running over to give Kevin a hanger and announce that they need to hurry because the snow machine is filling up the house with snow! And then he runs off with a "sorry mom" as he sees the seriousness on my face as I try to talk to Kevin.)

Me: Kevin, why did you have the time out?

Kevin: I hit Tyler.

Me: Yes. You hit. And hitting hurts.

Kevin: Yes. Hitting hurts.

Me: So do we hit?

Kevin: Yeeeeesssssss. (Saying it slowly and nodding his head yes in an attempt to be serious).

Me: No. Hitting hurts. Say it with me.

Kevin: Hitting hurts.

Me: That's right. Hitting hurts people. No hitting.

Kevin: HItting hurts. No hitting Tyler.

I ask Tyler to come over so they can talk. And during this Jake has wiggled free out of my arms and the dogs are now pawing at the door to get back in (so my blood pressure is rising as that drives me crazy). Tyler is too busy yelling about a snow machine and jumping that it takes me a bit to get him to stop talking and stand still. I then tell Kevin to apologize to Tyler.

Kevin: Sorry Tyler.

Tyler: It's okay.

Me: What are you sorry for Kevin? Tell Tyler.

Kevin: Thank you Tyler.

Tyler: You're welcome Kevin. (And they both then hug while looking at me to see if they did it right.)

We then pause because "super baby" is now screaming because he was trying to pull up on a drawer in the kitchen and pinched his finger. Grab super baby and with all fine in his world again, go back to the boys who are now arguing because Tyler wants to give "super baby" a blanket as a present and Kevin is jumping on the blanket. I diffuse that and get them standng nicely again to talk about the hitting. Why, I don't know. But I felt that we still had issues to resolve.

Me: No, Kevin tell Tyler what you are sorry for.

Kevin: Sorry hitting you Tyler. (And he goes to tackle hug Tyler).

Tyler: (Trying to maintain balance and laughing). You're welcome Kevin.

Kevin: Welcome Tyler. Love you.

And at that point the dogs are pawing and it is driving me so crazy I leave them to go get the dogs. And when I get back they are once again playing with Tyler laying on the floor in the hallway yelling about needing to get to his space ship, and both Jake and Kevin climbing on him. Everything looks perfect. I am just AMAZED at how quickly these boys can get into a fight, resolve it, move on to the next thing, and then repeat. They just forgive and forget so quickly with one another.

Even though this post centers around a bad behavior, its still something I want to remember. I post so much about the fun things that we do, but I also want to remember times like these. It is a small glimpse into the noisy, chaotic, and tear filled moments that we have (to varying degrees) on a daily basis. And I know that although our house isn't getting quieter or less volatile anytime soon with little boys and two dogs in the house, I know that these moments will transform into a new craziness and I will forget moments like these. So, since this seems to be a reoccuring theme....with a few tweaks here or there for the adventures of super baby, timeout-causing offense, or the reason the dogs are worked up...I thought I would share this with you.

Hopefully this weekend I can get to posting pictures and updating you on the last several weeks!!!

This and That

I have pictures and stories from the last few weeks to put up, but for now a few pictures from tonight. A few pictures of Jake standing at a toy and playing. Anymore he is seeking to pull himself up to standing. He doesn't always stay at it long, but was very surprised tonight when I pulled out the push toy for him to stand and play at. Then a few pictures of Tyler and Kevin thrown in as they watch a movie.

This first picture makes me laugh. Tyler and Kevin were watching a movie and apparently something on the television was very funny, and even caught Carlie's attention. :)

Childrens Museum Halloween Party

Tonight the boys had a Halloween party at the Children's Museum. Kevin and Tyler were beyond excited all day long. As you can imagine, they had an absolute blast! They got some candy and toys, played lots of games, jumped in bounce houses, and even had time to play with the regular exhibits there. And of course both boys enjoyed wearing their costumes and seeing all the other kids dressed up. Tyler and Kevin both say that the bounce houses were their favorite parts, but they also loved the surprise lemonade, bananas, and animal crackers the museum had waiting for the kids as we left. They were pretty exhausted though by the time we left and weren't very chatty believe it or not, and I was just thankful that at the point we were leaving Tyler and Kevin were still game to walk.

I didn't take my camera, but did attempt a group picture before we left. This one makes me laugh. Tyler wanted to look spyish in his pictures so he was all over trying to find the right pose, and Jake just looks very worried about Tyler's platypus feet here. (And note that he is also up on all fours here....it has finally clicked, and he always practicing these days). And big kuddos to Kevin for not only sitting still while his brothers squirmed around, but also looking at the camera! :)

Jake's expression here just makes me smile. He had just woken up from a nap and was already a little dazzed. And then seeing his big brothers dressed up, and flying out the door just to sit on the grass had to be a little confusing.

Iowa Hawkeye Football Player and Platypus fitting.

A very proud two year old to have his own set of "Iowa pads" as he says. He was so thrilled to try on his costume this morning. And I love his impromptu pose right when we got outside. :)

This morning we had another costume fitting as I finished up the padding and my second attempt at a football helmet for Kevin. He is VERY excited to have his pads and loves his new helmet (the last one was too small). The helmet is big, but he doesn't seem to care at all, so I am happy.

And last night I added a beak to Tyler's platypus costume because he didn't like the foam one that went on his face like a mask. All I can say is that Adam was an amazing help getting me through the logistical problems of all of this costume! He helped me figure out last night how to keep the beak off of Tyler's face so he can see. :)

Tyler is VERY excited about this beak.





A school bus drove by while we were out there. They were very excited to see a bus and then were talking about the bus here. :)

Touchdown!!! Kevin just ran from our neighbors tree and then all down the sidewalk. He turned around to announce a touchdown! So cute! :)

Another practice of his platypus look. :)

All of the frustration of trying to figure out how to do something and guessing at what size is totally a distant memory seeing their excitement for their costumes! And we have our first Halloween party of a few today, so they are very excited and I am relieved to have their outfits ready to go.

As for Jake, he is going to be a puppy. Will take a picture of him later...but thankfully we already had this costume as my eyes are so tired. :)

Wednesday

First, I managed to get most of Tyler's costume done late last night. The look on his face this morning was priceless as he was so excited to see it hanging up in the living room. It made all of my sleepiness worth it! There are still a few touches to be done (e.g. secure feet and make beak) but he is pretty excited to finally have his costume ready, and having most of it done is a huge weight off my shoulders.




We made the costume out of four towels....two turquoise, one orange, and then one brown (for the tail) and one set of Jacob's socks. :) It was definitely an adventure and trial in patience, but the costume is pretty close, Tyler is thrilled, and our living room is a mess of towel fuzz. ;)



This is Perry "the pet" platypus.


And this is Agent P (spoiler....Perry the Platypus is a secret agent!). ;)

And then a picture of breakfast some mornings around here. This morning Kevin insisted on having all of his car friends eat with him. And he was being so sweet about it and talking to them, that I let him. Of course, they all had to be in their proper places before he could eat. :)

And last but not least, a picture of Jacob on the day he turned eight months old! Such a happy guy and getting big so quickly!

Mr. Jacob is Eight Months!

Jacob is eight months old today! Just had to share a quick picture.

At eight months:

• He loves to smile and laugh;



• Still screams like a baby eagle...but now just louder (and does it when he is both happy and sad);



• Says the occasional "mama" and "dada" though they don't refer to us yet;



• Rolls QUICKLY around a room, often shocking us at his new location if we leave for a few moments;



• Likes to eat puffs (a quick dissovling baby cracker) and pretty much any other puree at this point (he's not picky);



• Has discovered that a sippy cup will give him water and can get a drink for himself;



• Takes two naps most days (a short 45 minute one in the morning and then a good 2-3 hour nap in the afternoons);



• Enjoys being tickled, but even more likes to be put upside down to look around;



• Still loves his pacifier;



• Getting tired of his swing and prefers to play in his jumper or exersaucer instead these days;



• and is just a very content, happy guy (when of course he is not screaming like a baby Eagle). :)
  
  

Hawkeye Feet

Apparently, our Hawkeye training is paying off as Tyler and Kevin couldn't wait to put on some new Hawkeye socks on their feet, and then both insisted Jacob put his on too! I couldn't resist a picture of six little Hawkeye feet. :)

Lazy morning

I had a long night last night, but woke up to a very fun surprise. After letting Ellie outside to potty for the dozenth time, I fell asleep back on the couch. When I woke up I had Tyler and Kevin snuggled in with me, and Kevin had even brought his comforter so we could all keep warm (it got cold finally here). Tyler announced that he could snuggle on the couch with the blanket all day, and Kevin concurred. So with Jake asleep and the dogs content as well, we just snuggled on the couch and had a lazy morning. Eventually we got up and have been working on things around the house.

Tyler and Kevin have been working hard today on making iphones believe it or not! Apparently, they are more aware of terminology as we were talking a bit about iphones last weekend with Adam's family. Anyways, Tyler made a big iphone because he is older and he made Kevin a smaller one. Then when they both had phones they started calling everyone, including Jake, to determine who had time to play, etc. But soon a battle developed of who was in charge and after some conflict, Tyler decided on his own that if he made a GPS too then he could be in charge of their adventures for the day. ;) And I guess that the reasoning worked for Kevin because there have been no conflicts since on which way to go and what game to play.

Here is a picture of Kevin with his smaller iphone.



And then a picture of just him. :)


Tyler showing off his iphone. He really wanted a picture of it so he could put it on his blog. So maybe a blog post later if he continues to be a good listener (as he has to earn computer time).

And then a picture of Jacob eating a snack in his high chair. He is not the happiest camper today. Not sure if he is getting sick or whether he is working on another tooth. Guess time will tell.

Jake watching dad work.

Tyler, Kevin, and I played a little soccer in the front yard while Jake watched dad work on the van. He was having so much fun laughing, talking, and smiling at dad that I took a few pictures. And you can see his two teeth pretty well too!

Just a year!

My three little loves sitting on a bench. :)

This one took some editing and so earlier I tried it in black and white. But not having it in color was bugging me as I liked having them sit on the bench together and really wanted the picture edited. So after a little tweeking tonight after the kids went to bed I came up with this and am now happy. :) Plus, this was MUCH more fun than working on laundry. ;)

A few other pictures from today.

Kevin sitting in some leaves. He liked burying his shoes.


Jacob watching Tyler and Kevin jump from a bench.



Tyler and Kevin walking down the steps into the garden.


Sitting on a bench before we walked down the path.


Showing me a leaf he found. He LOVED looking for yellow leaves and was excited to find some REALLY big leaves. He never found the perfect one for his treasure box, but did manage to find a really neat acorn to add to his collection.


Jacob looking for some leaves for his own.

T Power and K Power

I had planned on going to the wildflower garden (assuming the boys were acting okay) before we left for theatre class. So as a suprise (and assuming that they let me take some pictures of them first) I took their capes for them to "fly through the forest". They were very excited and of course had fun running along the trail and, more importantly, jumping off of every bench. :)

And in case you don't know Tyler's super hero power is "T Power" and Kevin has "K Power". As you can guess, super baby (i.e. Jacob) has "J Power", dad has "D Power", and I have "M power". The best was earlier this week when Tyler was explaining to a nurse at the doctor's office about all of our super hero powers and how "T and K power's can't beat D power." And apparently "only M power can defeat D power unless Dad has super baby's J power and then D power beats M power". HA! I had no idea that there was such a hiearchy in powers...and the nurses got a kick out of hearing all about the super hero powers and how they work.

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