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Growing Up

Posted on August 23, 2008 by Nancy

Needless to say, the kids are growing up. We knew it would happen, but sheesh – does it have to happen so fast?? Since the twins start pre-school in a few short weeks, this post is dedicated to the various things the kids are now doing.

Maggie

A few nights ago when I was moving her into her bed, she woke up just enough to make kissing noises so I’d kiss her goodnight. It was super sweet. 🙂

This morning we heard, “I can do it myself!” (I’m sure not for the last time.) And by gosh, she got dressed mostly by herself…with a few outfit changes. (She’s SUCH a girl!!)

Burke

He’s not always doing it, but he’s started to poo in the potty. YEAH!!

The same night that Maggie woke up briefly, Burke did as well. Only he requested “1, 2 McQeens” (two stuffed Lightning McQueen cars we have). He also requested to sleep on Maggie’s changing table. This kid is going to love bunk beds.

Logan

Whoo boy. I left the gate at the bottom of the stairs open by accident yesterday. And realized that Logan was being VERY quiet while I was catching the nanny up on the things going on that day. I heard a little stomp on the stairs and figured he’d be on the lower landing. Nope. He was ALL THE WAY AT THE TOP!!! Uhg.

The little monkey also climbs all the way to the top of the slide. The big slide. No fear in this kid yet…it’s a little scary!

He also waved goodbye to me the other day.

Filed under: kids | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Instrumental Payback

Posted on August 20, 2008 by Nancy

I’m sitting upstairs trying to get some work done, and all I can hear from downstairs is Maggie (and/or Burke) “playing” the recorder. Or the bongo drums. Or the accordion. And singing. At the top of their lungs. (I think Logan is trying to sing along too. Either that or he’s really upset. Could be either…) Normally, we all sing and play along together and have a grand ol’ time. It just so happens that I’m having a hard time concentrating on my work ANYWAY, and this is just contributing to it…And perhaps I should mention that my poor nanny has a headache.

Now, who do I have to “thank” for these lovely items in my house? None other than my little sister Sharon. Whose son turns 2 in about 2 months. I hear he’s really into drums…any other ideas for some really loud instruments I can get for him? 🙂

Filed under: kids | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Various Cute Things That Happened Today

Posted on August 17, 2008 by Nancy

Burke sang along in church today. He doesn’t have all of the words, but he gets the notes pretty darn close. And I’m pretty sure he’d never heard the song before (MAYBE once before…maybe.)

Maggie sings to herself allllll the time. She sings about what she happens to be doing at the moment. Even when she’s on the potty. “I’m peeeeeeing…on the pooooottttttttty” la la la (Kind of reminds me of the movie Elf…)

When the kids demand something, we give the hairy eyeball and that’s when they know (sometimes) to say “Please.” If, at this point, all they’ve said is please, we usually tell them, “please say the whole sentence.” Maggie was giving Burke Cheerios this morning, but making him ask for each one. When Burke would just say “please”, she’d parrot our mantra…to which Burke said, “The whole sentence.” Mike was so proud.

While we were out playing in the back yard today, Burke asked to pee in the yellow bucket. What *IS* it with boys and peeing in random spots? 😛

The kids (all 3!) attended their first baseball game today. We saw the Lowell Spinners (Red Sox Single A team) play Aberdeen. Burke was totally into it and grabbed a baseball hat on our way out the door (an old one of mine with a former work logo on it – we gotta get this kid a Red Sox hat!). He then proceeded to dance his way through the family-friendly, always-something-happening, tunes-rockin’ game.

Logan had his turn at dancing away as well. Maggie was just running back and forth making friends with anyone who would talk with her. My Twins group had purchased a block of tickets, so there were even other people there we knew.

On our way out, Burke spotted a “tractor” (Looked like a John Deere golf cart…). It happened to be heading into the parking garage we parked in, so we all jogged up the stairs and caught it on every floor. By the time the 3rd floor came around, the guys driving it realized what we were doing and gave a little wave. LOL! Burke wants to go back again. 🙂

When we got home, we saw our resident “Baby Bunny” in the yard. The twins, of course, took off after it. I think Baby Bunny is getting used to this though. He actually lets us get fairly close. We went inside in search of some carrots…when we brought them outside both Maggie and Burke were saying things like “Bunny!! Carrots for you!” and “Wooo Hoooo, Buuuuunnnnnny!” (at the top of their lungs). We finally convinced them that the bunny was scared of them and wouldn’t come out until we all went inside. I think it tickled Burke that something was scared of him…he repeated this numerous times.

Filed under: kids, potty training | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Catching up with Pictures

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Nancy

I’ve been bad about getting pictures off my camera in a timely fashion to share with you all. Here are some random pictures from the past oh, month or so.

I was really proud of my chicken pot pie – first time I attempted to make it. Next time it’ll taste even better…

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

Poor Logan SOOOO wanted to play too…

Torture

Torture

I’m not sure WHAT was going on here…

What's Wrong With This Picture?

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Finger Arm painting.

finger arm painting

"What do you mean it's on my elbows?"

Purple?

thought I used blue and red

"I thought I used red and blue..."

I FINALLY took some pictures of the kids swinging. And Logan’s baby swing came in to complete the package. Fun! (Although, Burke and Maggie fight over Logan’s swing…)

Push me!

"Push me!"

hehehehehehe

"hehehehehehe"

Filed under: food, kids, pictures | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Eleven Kids Under 1

Posted on August 10, 2008 by Nancy

That’s how many were at our BBQ today. Let me restate that. Eleven kids under the age of *one*. Plus 7 kids between the age of 1 and 3.5. And then 17 adults. (One of whom is 35 weeks pregnant – with twins.) What a crazy fun time! 🙂

Here, There, Everywhere

(From the left) Mitch, Oliver, Michelle, Sydney, the back of Andrew's head, Liam, Craig, Kris, Owen's Behind, Gabe, the back of Logan, Zach, Emma, Annie, the back of Stephanie

Mike’s a part of the Dad’s of Twins spin-off group of my Mom’s of Twins club, so he invited them all to a BBQ at our house. (They have about 25 members as opposed to the 250 members in the mom’s club…so it’s do-able.)

(clockwise from the left) Melanie, Walter, Ruben, Sophie, Jeff, Kristin, Mike, Aaron, Sophia, Stephanie, Burke, Alex's head, Logan

(clockwise, starting from the left) Walter, Melanie, Ruben, Sophie, Jeff, Kristin, Mike, Aaron, Sophia, Stephanie, Burke, the back of Alex's head, Logan

So Mike did his typical: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Kielbasa, chicken, asparagus, beans, and potatoes. And the other families brought side dishes and desserts.

Food

Alex, Cordelia, the back of Steve, Paul

I’m happy to report that we did not lose a single kid! LOL And there were no major injuries. And only a few minor melt-downs (Logan being one of them).

Stephanie's Son, Stephanie, Sophia, Mike, Kris, Katie, Andrew, Michelle, Sydney

Ethan, Stephanie, Sophia, Mike, Kris, Katie, Andrew, Michelle, Sydney

We heard a lot of thunder rumbling, and we got sprinkled on a little bit (so we gathered under the canopy and stayed pretty dry), but the rain mostly held off, and so did the lighting. Woo hoo!

Emma, Oliver, Annie, Mitch, Stephanie, Stephanie's Son

Emma, Oliver, Annie, Mitch, Stephanie, Ethan

I tried to get everyone…but it turns out that my aim isn’t that great. (If you’re not pictured – or if it’s just the back of your head, I’m sorry!! Also, if your twins are mixed up in the captions, please let me know…)

Logan, Elizabeth, Cordelia

Logan, Elizabeth, Cordelia

I had a great time meeting everyone and chatting about things. And I know Maggie made a friend…

Andrew and Maggie

Andrew and Maggie

Filed under: kids, Mike, twins | Tagged: , , | 6 Comments »

5 Things Friday

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Nancy

Join Cat in her 5 Things Friday! (Cat – it’s really hard to think of topics!! 😛 )

5 Things you might or might not know about
My Family and Why I’m Proud of Them:

  1. My Husband. There are so many things…I’m so proud of him as a Daddy – he does such a wonderful job with the kids! He’s so patient with them (and with me!) He’s a cancer researcher – which in itself is kick-butt. He works so hard, but his family always comes first.
  2. My kids. All of them are just so smart already – we’re in so much trouble! I’m proud of how far Burke has come in the last few months. His speech classes have paid off – his talking has just taken off! And he’s gotten a *LOT* better at controlling his moods (I’m sure being able to express himself has helped.) Maggie is just such a little girl. She’s gotten much better at listening lately. Logan continues to impress me with his little mind. He’s not even 1 and he’s already figured out which buttons to push on my cell phone to make it unlock (he even called Aunt Cathy all by himself the other day LOL)
  3. My Dad. Gosh. There are so many things here too. My Dad went to Yale, and then Harvard…and then became a farmer. . . and then sold all the cows and got computers and started his own business. And when my parents divorced, he got custody of all 4 kids – and made it work. He even remarried and had another kid.
  4. My Mom. There are a bunch of things here too. It’s sort of strange to say, but I’m proud of her for recognizing that she couldn’t stay with my dad and doing something about it when not many people would. She made sure to stay in our lives – even when she and her husband moved to Brazil for a few years. And I’m proud of how strong she’s been since she lost her husband a few months ago.
  5. My Siblings. All of them! You’d think we’d be more messed up than we are – but I think we all turned out really well. 🙂 We are all super successful in work (even Meg – who is 17 next month – had multiple jobs this summer.) And we all keep in touch – a LOT. I don’t know of a lot of “bigger” families who can say that.

So…a sappy 5 this time around, but it had to be done.

Filed under: 5 things friday, kids, Mike, sibs | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Highlights of a Wonderful Visit

Posted on August 5, 2008 by Nancy

If you read my blog semi-regularly, you know that my in-laws were here for the weekend. We had such a lovely time! Here are a few highlights:

  • A late plane! We brought the entire family to the airport to see Pop Pop and Mop Mop (as the kids call them)…waaaaaay past all of their bed times! The plane was about 3 hours late. Luckily, we don’t live that far from the airport and we knew it was late, so we waited at home – not at the airport.
  • A swing set put together! Pop Pop and Mike spent about a day (2 half days – they got rained out the first day) putting the swing together. The kids *LOVE* it. Today all three were sliding down the slide. Yep – all three. Maggie would slide down and wait at the bottom. Then Burke would come down and “kick” her (not hard) and they’d both wait at the bottom. I’d put Logan up at the top, hold his hands, and he’d scoot his little butt down to the edge and slide down into the other two “kicking” them. Lots of giggles, and LOTS of times running around to do it again.
  • YUMMY grilling from Mike…even though it poured half way through (and I mean poured – sheets coming down) complete with thunder and very close lighting. We had “Pig wrapped in Pig” (bacon wrapped pork chops), kielbasa, chicken, potatoes, and green beans. Have I said YUUUUMMMM yet?
  • YUMMY restaurant food. We hit the Summer Shack. That Jasper White knows what he’s doing. 🙂
  • Lots of great conversation.
  • Lots of hanging out in the back yard playing.

Filed under: food, kids, Mike | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Staycation – Day 7

Posted on July 20, 2008 by Nancy

Another pretty cool day with a lot of nothing. 🙂

We got up and skipped church (I know….BAAAAAAD!! But the rationale was that we wouldn’t have gone if we’d been out of town, so…) and made breakfast: pancakes and bacon. My first time making pancakes (yep. for real) so they weren’t exactly my Dad’s … but the first batch wasn’t bad. I had the pan too hot for the rest of the batches though…live and learn.

Then Mike took care of the twins so that I could go take a nap when Logan went down for one. (Have I mentioned that Mike is awesome??)

Then the power went out…which means the A/C and the noisemaker in Logan’s room turned off…so he could hear Burke saying “Lights broken!” at the top of his lungs…short naps this morning 😉

We headed out to meet Aunt Cathy for a late lunch/early dinner at Fridays. One word for you: MUDSLIDES. YUM! And Logan ate about 1/2 a plate of mac & cheese. heh Maggie got her groove thing on and was dancing by her chair (much to the delight of the wannabe Goth chick at the next table).

Apparently, even though Mike and I were not in the least bit hungry … by the time bed time for the twins rolled around they were *starving* and ate about 10 “dinonuggets” each. YIKES! (yes. at bed time. oops…perhaps we should remember to actually feed them more often *blush* )

I have to say that the entire Staycation was *really* nice. I don’t even feel like I need a vacation from my vacation – which is what normally happens. I will say this though:

I don’t want to go back to work tomorrow!

Filed under: kids, Mike, sibs | Tagged: | 4 Comments »

Staycation – Day 6

Posted on July 19, 2008 by Nancy

Another great day! We did *nothing* and it was awesome.

Logan was up from 1:45am to about 3:30am (still not sure why – but he was *not* happy)…so Mike, the wonderful man that he is (again), let me sleep in again. (Thanks honey!!) I woke up to Logan crying around 10:15. YES!! 10:15!

We spent almost all day in the back yard and in the kiddie pool. Aunt Cathy came to visit and hunted dinosaurs with the twins. (They showed her how to do it just right…) And they had bouncy ball races, chasing after Cathy. Pretty cute.

Mike grilled up some grub: Bacon wrapped pork chops, kielbasa, green beans, asparagus, and potatoes. MAN than man can grill! TA-STY. Can’t wait for the pan fried left overs again 🙂

I think we may do the same thing all over again tomorrow.

Filed under: kids, Mike, sibs | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

Staycation – Day 5

Posted on July 18, 2008 by Nancy

Mike says that I didn’t do justice to how much fun the kids had playing with the trains yesterday. so…I will elaborate a bit 🙂 Burke was literally jumping up and down while the train was going around and around and around. There was a little hill, and the little thing couldn’t QUITE make it up, so Burke was more than happy to give a push each time. (Better, honey? 🙂  )

As another example, Burke was up at 4:30 this morning looking for his white train…and then again at 6:30 to play some more with them. Silly. 🙂

Today felt like a Saturday…we did our typical Saturday stuff because Mike had to go in to work to split his cells. Before he left though, the wonderful man let me sleep in until 8:45. Woo hoo!!

The kids and I hung out and played (with the trains LOL) for the morning and then went to pick Mike up at the subway station. We then went to Burger King for lunch (Logan had about 1/2 of a cheeseburger!) and headed to Costco. (Our typical Saturday stuff.)

When we came back we hung out in the back yard and the kiddie pool (a common theme this week!) Mike and the twins were hunting dinosaurs. It was VERY cute. Mike would whisper “oooh – there’s one over there! See it?” And the kids would look intently, nod solemnly, and sneak up. Mike would whisper “One….Two…Three…” And then they’d all yell “BOO!” to scare it away. And then on to the next one. It was pretty cute.

Filed under: kids, Mike | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

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