NFL 2014

September 2014 
Isaiah 4.5 years old, Jonathan 2.75 years old

Football season has begun and the boys are so excited to cheer on the Cowboys with their dad. Jonathan has started to ask me to put on his jersey when he hears any football game on TV.  Because Jonathan took over Isaiah's jersey, Isaiah specifically asked to have one of his own.  Let the games begin!  Of course Jaime didn't hesitate on that request.

Cowboys are "Number One"

To Date, the Cowboys have won FIVE super bowls.

"BUT, I LOVE HOT"

September 2014 

Isaiah 4.5 years old, Jonathan 2 years old 

Jonathan has become obsessed with riding his bike.  He'll ask to ride his bike everyday  when he gets home from preschool and because we are still dealing with the summer heat (high of 98 F today) I have to tell him, "not now, it's still  TOO HOT."  Every time we pull into the garage and he spots his bright orange bike he asks to go riding. EVERY-TIME.   And every time I tell him,  "no, it's too hot right now."  His response to me every time is " BUT I LOVE HOT."   How does a mother argue with that?  And even though I don't let him bike ride in the dead heat of day, as you can see from the pictures Jonathan LOVES hot.

No he has not been running through the sprinklers.

This is pure sweat, from insisting on riding his bike in 90 plus degree weather.

 

Jonathan Learns to Pedal

August 2014

Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old

    It was only a mere four months ago that Isaiah took to bike pedaling and eagerly begging to ride his big- wheel everywhere.  I suppose Jonathan felt the stroller was no longer a place for him, especially when he saw how much fun Isaiah was having.  The bike we had originally bought for Isaiah (when Jonathan was born) had been collecting dust in the garage.  (Isaiah could never get the pedals moving on that thing). Jonathan has now taken it upon himself to make it his own and he remarkably has learned how to pedal the orange beast in no time!  I find myself giddy watching him take loops around our park's circle walkway.  His posture is perfect.  He looks so adorable perched upon his bike seat with a complete straight back, shoulders perched high while his long legs briskly pump each pedal forward.  His excitement and confidence is palpable as he cruises along side Isaiah and his big wheel.  Our 2 mile walks have now turned into 2 mile bike rides (although the dogs and I still walk...albeit at a much faster speed). And I must say the boys bike the two miles as though it is nothing.  Nothing but Blue Skies!    

First Day of Preschool For Both of My Boys

August 12, 2014
Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old

    The first day of preschool was a roller-coaster of emotions.  Isaiah woke up in a grumpy mood saying, "I don't want to go to preschool."  And then Jonathan started following his lead and whining, "I don't want to go to school either."  Thank goodness Jaime had not left to work yet because they sure do buck up and change their attitudes quick for him.  With some fatherly advice their moods gradually became more positive.
    When I broke out the camera and started taking pictures Isaiah beamed with pride, Jonathan became annoyed that he had to take pictures...(he's still not a big fan of posing).  Once the day was "camera captured", happily they grabbed their back packs and lunch boxes and loaded into the car.  They charged into the preschool ready to seize the day.  When we entered the classroom there was a gang full of kids and loads of toys scattered about.  Jonathan bolted for the blocks and never looked back.  Isaiah on the other hand, became very stoic and as I'm trying to slowly talk him through his anxiety "Isaiah look at all your new friends," he looks at me with his handsome, puppy dog eyes that painfully said to me, "no, mom I'm not LIKING this."  Thank goodness (and verification I chose the right school) Miss Shelly was right beside us as I kissed  Isaiah good-bye and she grabbed his hand as I left the classroom.  I heard him start to cry, but I later got report he got over it quick.
    I was told that Jonathan was Mr Chatty (surprise, surprise) and was telling his teacher and classmates all kinds of stories.  He also had an accident because he did not make it to the bathroom on time.  And in true "Irish Twin" fashion Isaiah and Jonathan (mostly Jonathan) got very upset when they got split apart after recess to go to their appropriate age classrooms.  Jonathan even refused to eat his snack after his first recess because Isaiah went to another classroom.  Breaks my heart, but I know it is good for them.  The boys were both excited when I picked them up and happy to attend preschool the next two days.  They are attending preschool three times a week from 8-1pm.  All is well!


*Isaiah's lunch box was given to him by his Uncle Caleb.  Caleb (who is now 28 years old) used that lunch box in the third and fourth grades.  How it is still in such mint condition, I'm not sure, but Isaiah thinks he is a big shot using his Uncle Caleb's Power Rangers lunch box.  

Don't let this picture fool you.  Jonathan was just frowning because he did not want to take pictures.

Getting the Sillies Out...

August 2014

Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old 

These boys of mine are such jokesters.  They love to make each other laugh and they especially love to get a laugh out of me.  Here are just a few examples of them and their humor.  Have to admit, I still crack up when I see this picture of Isaiah with his orange pajama top over his head.  This to date has got the BIGGEST laugh out of me.  He looks like such a NUT-BALL!!!!

Why is this sooooo Funny to me?!?! 

 

This particular day I asked the boys to go put on their shoes. Jonathan thought you was so funny because he put my shoes on as though they were his. 

One of  Isaiah's many silly faces.

Long, Hot Summer Days...2014

July 2014
Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old

    We have been keeping ourselves busy this summer going to the water slides, playing at the Splash Park, going to the mall to run around in the water fountains, eating frozen yogurt and shaved ice. Can you tell it is HOT here?!?!

Jonathan Wears CHONNIES!!!!!

July 18, 2014
Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old

Little by little Jonathan had been warming up to the idea of going "pee-pee on the potty."  It started with him continuously waking up with a dry diaper every morning.  I would immediately take it off  and have him go sit on the potty.  Once he got to liking/accepting that, when he would wake up from his daily nap with a dry diaper we would do the same thing.  And then it became, "oh!  your diaper's still dry?" (at different times of the day)..."let's go sit on the potty."  Once his confidence in that started to take off, we knew the bribing trick would have him fully potty-trained.  Jaime told him we would take him and his brother to pick out a new train if he went poop-poo on the potty.  Three days later, the deed was done and Jonathan was officially wearing chonnies, ALL DAY, Everyday!!!

*Isaiah was a huge support of Jonathan learning to use the potty.  Every time Jonathan would be trying to go, he would come into the bathroom and  cheer him on "you can do it Johnjohn" or high five him and tell him, "good job" after the deed was done.  He was such a PROUD big brother...may be small to some, but I love how he genuinely supported his little bro.

July 2014

July 2014
Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old

    We've been talking a lot with Isaiah about starting pre-school this Fall.  Weekly Jaime and I will enthusiastically say to him,  "After summer is over, you get to start going to school...meet new friends, start learning new things..."  To which he angrily replies, "NO SCHOOL!!! (with a growling look on his face)." And then we have Jonathan who is always intently listening chime in, "I want to go to school Mama, I want to go to school !!!"
    I did not start Isaiah in pre-school at the "usually" age of three because I knew he was not ready.  Isaiah is more reserved, quiet, and timid in social situations.  I knew it was best for him to be home with me and working on his inner strengths instead of being thrown into an environment he will have YEARS to develop in.  I now feel Isaiah, at four, is ready to go be with his peers in a classroom setting.  I did not realize I was going to be making the same decision for my social, chatter-box two-year-old as well.  But from his pleas to go to preschool too and the fact that he is fully potty trained Jonathan will be starting preschool in the Fall as well.  Oh boy, there are some serious changes happening at our house.  And yes, I am weepy!!!!  
   

This day, I could not get over BOTH of their long boyish legs.  They are getting so, so BIG. 

Fourth of July 2014

July 4, 2014
Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old 

    We hosted our sixth annual Fourth of July potluck/BBQ at our house again this year.  The boys enjoyed swimming and BBQing all day.  Jonathan was still scared of the fireworks and watched them from the window with his cousin Andrew.

BBQing

 

Lots of pool time.

Jonathan's favorite fruit this summer: watermelon

Doing poppers with GMA Betty

Best seat in the house-watching fireworks from the pool.

Jonathan decides to watch the fireworks from inside.

 

Pool Time-2014

July 2014

Isaiah 4 years old, Jonathan 2.5 years old 

    I don't know where our summer days and evenings would be without our pool.  Isaiah does great swimming without his life jacket, but he is adamant about wearing it, so hell go for it!  Jonathan is a little fish too, but loves to wear his life jacket as well.  And of course we have our little water dogs who love to cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool.  Chlorine or bust!!!

The best view in the pool is watching Quincy and Nugget swim from underneath. 

Chill time

Our dogs love to roll in the bushes to try and get themselves dry after a swim...the boys imitating their pups. 

Lots of fun on these pool floats this summer.

Jonathan giving his Mama a flower.

My babe with his outie belly button.

Proof Isaiah swims without his life jacket!!