An outing to Skate.

We did it - we got the boys ice skates and took them out. Husband has wanted to do this since Silly Pants was born. I thought that it would be a good idea to wait. (Although looking back we could have started Silly a year ago - but that's neither here nor there)

One Sunday afternoon after church I took Silly to get fitted for skates. Hadn't really planned on buying them...should have told him that. We walked out with a pair for him and a training pair for Monkey - No Mini C doesn't get skates yet. Sorry Husband!

So we took them to a skating rink over by our house to give it a try. I honestly was not to optimistic about it - only because I figured Monkey was too small and Silly Pants does not like "failing" or falling. Boy was I wrong!!!

They both took to it so quickly I was amazed. Ok honestly think about it. Pause and seriously think about it...If you were to picture the first skating experience with Silly Pants wouldn't you think it would go more like - Gets on the ice - falls down - screams - gets up - falls - yells - gets up - falls - crawls off the ice - states I don't want to do this again. Sounds more realistic? Not what happened. Now Monkey - Gets on the ice - falls down - gets up - cries - falls - gets up - tries to hit or push someone - falls again - yells - crawls to the side - starts taking skates off. Totally NOT what happened. I have included both pictures and videos of the wonderful day and how well both boys did on the ice!

Here we start with Monkey - He takes off with Husband onto the ice. He was pretty uncertain of what was going on but was really excited about it. It didn't take him long to figure out he could do it by himself. Even when he would fall down he would get up all by himself and off he would go. His balance was amazing - at one point he decided he wanted to jump. He jumped straight up in the air both feet off the ground and landed without falling. It was really great to see and he was so proud. He was too fast for me or I would have gotten a picture of video!

After he had his turn for a while he decided that he needed a little break and wanted to watch Silly Pants have a turn with Husband on the ice. Although the sitting didn't last long!
Once he realized Silly had also gotten the hang of the ice he wanted to join him - it was not easy getting him off the ice when we had to leave.

The boys had a puck that they would throw back and forth to each other. They each got their turns and they each had to skate to go get it. Like playing fetch - only they were doing it to each other...

Here's Monkey getting the puck -that kid was great!

Then it was Silly Pants' turn to try his feet on the ice. He was very uncertain - even more so than Monkey. But he went into with excitement and a pretty open mind. I could see him clenching Husbands hand but that didn't last long. Soon, just as Monkey did, he let go and wanted to be free to do it alone. He got the idea of sliding his feet really quick. All he kept wanting was a stick to play hockey (they both wanted one!) but we informed them that we wanted them to be more comfortable with skating and then we would get

them each one. That seemed to tame that desire. Now we just have to keep bringing them skating so that they can get their sticks!

Here Silly is trying to show that he can be silly and skate at the same time. He thought he was so cool that he could skate just like Husband. It was so much fun!!

Here is Silly with his turn to get the puck. He kept wanting to throw it to the far goal. A bit too ambitious for the first time!

Silly Pants getting his turn with the puck!

Here the two boys are taking a moment to regroup before they did their final skate at the end. It was just a joy watching them skate and truly have fun. I can't tell you how many times they each fell and how many times the each just got up and started off again. They both figured out how to get up all by themselves. I was truly impressed with that. It is not an easy thing and well for those little guys it was amazing.

One final video clip before I finish up.

Here they both are hands free of Husband

And we finish this entry with the end of the event. Husband having to get a few minutes on the ice by himself. I took this picture was I was bring one of the boys to the truck. He continued to skate until all the boys were in the truck with skates off - then he joined us in the truck. Not sure if he was skating for the fun of it or if he was just trying to get out of the work involved in getting the boys to the truck and skates off...You be the judge...

What a wonderful time....

Yea, another Christmas gone. So quickly it came and went. It was almost a blur. Thankfully I took pictures to keep the memories alive. I have always enjoyed Christmas time. I love the snow, the family time and just celebrating the TRUE meaning of the day.

So the day started early from Monkey - I heard him at 4am in the living room by the tree. I got up quickly and directed him back to his bed to sleep for a while longer. He actually went back to bed. So then at 530 I hear both boys playing and talking. Well Husband and I had bought them a train set and it was set up under the tree as a surprise so we wanted to get up and show it to them. As we are going into the living room Monkey says "Daddy can you start the train?" Go figure he had seen it at 4 that morning. Thankfully Silly Pants didn't know what he was talking about.

Here Husband is showing the boys how it works...here comes the train!!!!

The two of them were absolutely giddy about that train - both saying "look, look it's Polar Express!!!" Which was a good thing as we didn't want to actually buy the Polar Express train but were hoping that they would feel this one was the same.

Here's Mini C watching the train come around - and LOVING it & here he is opening one of his presents

After the joy of the train set in it was time to open presents. What a wonderful thing to watch. first they opened things from Santa. They got fun things, practical thing and goofy things. They each even got a movie - which they were thrilled about. Then on to what Husband and I had gotten them - First they opened their new pajama's...I love that they get excited about such little things. After that was "THE BIG ONE." Silly Pants has been asking for a scooter for the better part of this year. So yes, we did indeed get them each one (I never thought I would have twins...and as of now I don't, however, with two boys fairly close in age - if one has it the other has to have it...so of course we bought two of just about everything this year) Silly Pants went crazy! So much so that both Husband and I got a HUGE hug and a wonderfully sweet thank you.

After the excitement of it all we sat down and watched A Christmas Story until it was a little more into the morning and we could go to BF's.

We got there and started our traditional breakfast of egg bake, fruit and some other things. We also had champagne with orange juice...although we all agreed next time we had better get a higher quality one...then we all opted for Sparkling Apple juice and orange juice.

We had such a wonderful day...we opened presents after breakfast. The boys were so excited about all they got. The remote control vehicles were such a great thing...they LOVE running them around the house. We had left the boat at BF's but Monkey is insisting we bring it home so that it can go in the bath...I will be sure to take pictures and post them...it will be hilarious!!

I am in love with my knives...you ask me....Knives??? Yes I got knives.. They are freakin' awesome!! I am so excited I got them...I continually try to figure out what I can make so that I can use them...Truly wonderful!! Thanks BF!!

Husband got a new Gopher hat (thank you soooo much BF...seriously the one he had looked like it would fit Silly Pants better) and Gopher Shirt and pajama pants...Husband being the goof he is - refuses to wear them since they are new and they belong under the tree....Seriously??? - Yep!

Mini C got a Little people boat for the bathtub...I was unsure as to how he would respond..but when he is in there he grabs hold and doesn't let go...SIL, Brother & Prits got the boys a bathtub soap set thing from Crayola...oh my! They color themselves, the walls and Mini C!

Who cares though...it's soap and they are getting clean!!

Below are some pictures of the day and the good time had by all!!!

Here's Brother riding Monkey's scooter w/ Silly Pants around the dining room & kitchen

Here's Brother with Monkey - helping him learn how to ride his scooter...if you look Monkey has his left leg up - he REFUSED to put it down...so he spent the whole time like that...LOL

Here are Brother, BF, Monkey, SIL & Mini C lounging on the couch...

Husband spent a lot of time "relaxing" on his lounge with the boys... 1st w/ Silly Pants & then with Monkey...Look closely - Monkey is totally asleep...That will happen when you get up before the sun, take no nap and run crazy for hours!!

It was Brother's & Silly Pants turn for a nap...Brother napped on one side & Silly soon fell asleep on the other

Finally here is SIL - relaxing at the table with BF, Prits & me...

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine - and I wish you a very happy new Year!!!

See you in 2009!!

The last 5 days...

So obviously this past weekend was Thanksgiving - and boy do I have a whole lot to be thankful for (But that is another blog...)

We started the holiday weekend on Wednesday after picking up Silly Pants from Preschool and bringing home the class Guinea Pig, Rosie. The reason I chose this weekend to take her was that Husband and I decided that there will be no pets for the time being in our home. So as a treat we would take Rosie for the long weekend so the boys could have that "experience". They loved it!

Here is Rosie--->

Here is Mini C enjoying her - he wouldn't leave the poor caged animal be!

The boys got such a kick out of her - but I was plenty happy to return her today Having her for the long weekend was a great way to remind us why we don't want a pet right now!

So Wednesday night I wanted to make sure all was set up. We went over to Nurse Neighbors and got some tables and chairs. I wanted it set up on Wednesday - however husband was a bit head strong on waiting. We did it Thursday morning - Mini C helped... Then we got started on the day! Here they all are Thursday morning - can you see their excitement about helping me???

Husband - really not too excited about my prepping...Monkey just wanting food...Silly Pants excited knowing BF is coming!

Mini C excited about the new food...Prits wondering what the heck she was doing up so early...

Of course BF was the first to arrive - While she was helping get the house in order Silly Pants was drawing a picture of her - He even drew her brain...do you think it is drawn to scale? One will never know...

The following is a Pictorial of the day - there will be comments on some and not on others - doesn't mean I don't like or love them - but I mean how much can be said about a person stuffing their face with food?? I think that is pretty self explanatory!

Food time!

Mini C loving all the new foods! Auntie Viking, CK & Mini C (in case you didn't know)

Monkey picked out the turkey drum stick!


Mini C having his first bite of pumpkin pie! - Silly Pants & Grandpa w/a semi...

After we ate - we relaxed (well not BF, Brother or SIL - they had to leave - one to clean a house and the others to go to SIL's house) Then when everyone got back we played games - So much fun....everyone got to see Husband's competitive side come out! I hope he didn't hurt anyone!

Auntie Viking snoozing...picture captured by CK! Don't blame me!

Some pictures of game time - it was a lot of fun! I hope we can do it again...Does SIL EVER take a bad picture?? I mean she's got a goofy visor on!

Prits, CK, Monkey & Silly Pants playing with the race set (CK was pretty obsessed with it!)

Ok - Sunday night was rough. Silly Pants was looking pretty bad & Monkey did what he calls "spill" (aka threw up). So while Monkey was sleeping on the floor upstairs and Silly Pants was sleeping - we were playing with Mini. Husband was eating an orange and want to give Mini C some of it. So I cut it up so he could. This is a little video of how it went...please listen closely - Husband is holding in laughter the ENTIRE time!

Hope your Thanksgiving was as great as mine!