Get out the Video Camera!!!!

Back a while ago, like not long after the boys were born...we invested in a video camera.  We got a nice one because the one we had (a wedding gift) was old and outdated and we wanted to have a great camera to capture all the moments with twins.  Like any new toy we used it and loved it and vowed we would have it forever and always have the great moments on tape.  Then reality kicked in - we had twins and a single baby not long after - we were out numbered 3 to 2 and who the heck had time to grab a video camera.  :)  We were lucky to get out of the house with everything we needed and forget it if we were coming to your house - we were definitely not leaving with everything. 

Well my sister had been telling me (as her kids love to watch themselves on TV) that we needed to get out our camera.  Tomorrow is the big Kindergarten graduation and there is no way I won't have that on tape.  So last night, after the boys were in bed - Brett and I got it out.  It is a nice camera.  Some cords still had the twist-ties on them like how it came packaged.  We have 2 new tapes, some other tapes that until we watch them will we know what is on it.  It might not be top of the line today but it's still a nice camera.  So we plugged it in to charge and realized there was a tape in it.  We turned it on.  It was Cody and Dylan's 3rd birthday.  It was AMAZING to hear their little voices and to see them walking around.  I had tears in my eyes just thinking at how much they have grown.  There Brett and I sat in the kitchen with the camera on the counter and each of us in a kitchen chair watching a tiny camera screen.  Just watching and laughing at how little they were. 

So from that moment on I have made a pledge that the camera will be out and we will get all of these life events on camera.  I can't wait to watch some of the other tapes.  And the next time the two batteries die - we will recharge them instead of putting the camera away for a couple of years.  So if you have a camera and it works and is put away - get it out and capture those memories!  :)

Sportsmanship

If T-ball had a sportsmanship of the year award - Cody would so win it.  LOL.  He had us all laughing at the game last night.  He played 3rd base.  Now in t-ball there isn't much action.  Most the kids can only hit the ball to about the pitchers mound and with every ball being thrown to first base - if you want the ball you must compete for it.  But Cody went to 3rd and was the resident greeter.  As the kids were running from 2nd he would hold out his hand for a high five slap as they came to 3rd.  Once they reached his base, he engaged in a little general conversation.  No idea what was being said but he talked with em all.  Then he figured out that you can wear your glove on your hand like a bracelet.  It was freaking hysterical to watch him. 

Tyler is busy on the field fighting for the ball.  He loves playing and is doing really good.  He hits great off the tee.  Batting left handed like big brother Dylan.  I have to say he can connect pretty good. 

Then there is Dylan.  Dylan is my competitive one.  He is in the game to play.  He doesn't like to screw around and he's serious about it.  He plays first base most often as he will pay attention.  With that base being the only one getting a ball thrown to it - the kids need to pay attention.  He is great though at sharing the base and taking his turn.  He is hitting really good and the teams have figured him out that when he's up to bat that the kids need to "move back".  He connects really good and has this leg thing he does as he hits.  However, he is very good at telling the kids what to do out in the outfield.  Last night as Brett was standing out and Dylan was next to him - a kid hit the ball and somebody from our team got it.  And at the same time, didn't both Brett and Dylan both point with the same stance telling the team mate to throw it to first.  My sister got a picture and it speaks volumes for the "apple that didn't fall far from the tree". 

Tball has been lots of fun.  Our season ends in a couple of weeks and then it's onto summer.  I think Cody is going to sign up for a soccer camp.  Dylan wants lacrosse and Tyler well he'll do anything to compete with his brother's.  :)

A Twin Thing....maybe!!!!

Over the weekend Cody complained that his bottom tooth hurts.  It's loose but not super loose.  It's going to take a lot more wiggling to come out (and he is in no hurry for his teeth to fall out, just ask him!) He did complain enough though that my sister noticed it too.  So last night as I was sitting on the floor painting my nails....Dylan comes in the house and gets down to my level and says "look Mom" as he has his mouth wide open.  There is his tooth just laying there.  It took Brett one quick tug and it was out. 

I find it very weird that Cody did all of the complaining that his tooth hurt and Dylan is the one that lost his tooth (and never complained it hurt). 

I love these little twin moments!  :)

Kindergarten Screening

Well I have attended my last Kindergarten screening today.  It will be so weird to have all 3 of our boys in school next year.  Today was Tyler's day to shine and as I drove to the school to meet Brett and him, I couldn't help but think of the surprise that he gave us when we found out we were expecting him.  We weren't trying (like we had with the boys), we were very reserved when we found out but we were very excited.  It seems like the last almost 5 years have flown by with him.  At times I look at him and think he is much older than he is.  That is probably because he does or tries to do everything his brother's can.  There are times I don't see the age difference between them. 

We got to the school and he was ready.  He's excited about going to the same school as his brother's.  I was super happy to see Mrs. Cluck standing waiting for him.  (She's Cody's teacher and I love her) She was very anxious to meet him.  Off they went to do their little "testing".  Brett and I sat and watched him through the windows.  We could tell he was nervous...he fidgets when he is nervous.  He's a shy kid.  But he did great and I was so proud of him.  Mrs. Cluck ate him up and said how she could see traits of Cody and Dylan in him.  I think he's a great mix of the two of them.  I've got my fingers crossed that he ends up on her class list for September. 

School starts September 8th but before that.....we have lots of fun stuff to do!  :)  For one, he turns 5 in exactly a month!  Yeah!!!

Toy Boxes

All of the kids in the toy box! Over the weekend my Dad came for a visit. He has been a very busy beaver in his garage building. They were supposed to be done for Christmas but I think my Dad bit off more than he could chew. He wanted to build all 6 of his grandkids the same thing...he decided on toy boxes! It took him forever but all of his hard work paid off cause they turned out FANTASTIC! It was so wonderful to have him build my kids something. For many years every Christmas he would build me something new. I've gotten mirrors, tv stand, corner shelves, sconces, garbage bin holder, magazine rack, shelf, book case and for my wedding he built candle centerpieces..... Unfortunately, the day came and my parents divorced and I never thought I would get another wood thing from him. So when he said he wanted to build the kids something I was so excited. I knew I was getting 3 of them but trust me, we filled them with no problem! I am thankful that my boys will have something of his that they can have forever. Just like I still have the cowboy boot bank that my Grandpa built for me. The toy boxes are huge and are beautiful and are a wonderful addition to the wood working family in my house. He put a shelf on the inside that slides back and forth from side to side. As you open the lid is a plastic piece with pictures behind it that we change out over time.

I am hoping I can convince him to build me end tables next....we shall see!

Extremely Proud

Today was one of those days where you wake up feeling good and some how the day just got better. I got to work and today is/was Admin. Professional Day. Every year my office treats us girls super nice. I found pretty yellow tulips on my desk and a nice card. Then my group got me another wonderful card. Plus there was breakfast and a dunkin donuts gift card. A few of the guys that aren't in my office called and/or sent emails. I'm very thankful for the group I work for. And what better way to end a great morning is to take a 1/2 day! :)

After I left work for the day I headed to the school for our parent/teacher conferences. Brett and I met with Cody's teacher first. Mrs. Cluck had lots of wonderful things to say about him. He is doing fantastic and she said she adores him. She would like to keep him behind a year just so she could have him in her class again. :) She said he is a great role model to the students and is a very detailed worker. He's having a little bit of trouble with the 'h', and 'q' sounds...not sure if it's because of the expander or not but she'll just work on them with him. He is right where he is supposed to be and will be ready for 1st grade. Yes, Brett and I left there smiling... We headed down the hall to Dylan's class. Mrs. Matyas had wonderful things to say about Dylan. He too is doing fantastic. He's improved upon lots of different skills since our last meeting. She says she just loves him to pieces and he is a role model in his class. She feels that he has gotten more confident since the start of school and it's showing in his work. He needs to work a little bit harder on some of his sight words but other than that, he too is ready for 1st grade. We are extremely proud of both of them! Both teachers are anxious to meet Tyler and I am hoping that one of them gets him next year. When I register him I am going to ask if he can be with one of them and then just let the school decide as I do love both of those teachers the same.

To end our day, the boys had dental check ups. All 3 go in and line up in the 3 chairs and I am back and forth discussing teeth. That's when I thank god that Cody is the only in-depth kid. Cody went first. He's got one bottom 6 year molar, the other bottom one is trying to come in. He has a loose front top tooth (which we knew and are trying to wiggle it). It was very neat to see her take on the expander and how well it's working. She noticed the expansion right away. Dylan has 4 loose teeth...yep, the tooth fairy is taking donations.....His 2 tooth and his lateral incisors are loose. He has 3 of his 6 year molars. At the next visit she would like to take a panoramic xray and put sealants on the molars. Tyler has no loose teeth. He got some xrays and just got his teeth cleaned. The dentist was very happy with their oral hygiene and the best news of all NO CAVITIES!!!!

I am one very proud mommy tonight!

I am also a very proud Auntie. Karly was chosen to have an art project put on display at the high school. This isn't the first time she has been selected to have an art project on display. A few others have been on display at the districts main office. This one was special, a clay project and there was a little award presentation. Her clay project was a blueberry muffin. I didn't get to go to see it but I can't wait for pictures. Her art teacher said that she is very artistic and a great role model in class. Her old art teacher was also there and when he saw Karly he said "well, I'm not surprised to see you here". So it looks like Ms. Karly Jane got her Uncle Kevin's artistic ability.....she certainly didn't get it from her mother or Auntie. I can't draw a stick figure.

So proud of all of them! I think an Ice cream celebration is in their future!

Dylan's Sprain

Last night as I was trying to get Dylan and Tyler to come in from outside and they were fighting me to just stay out a 1/2 hour longer. I caved and let them. So instead, I went and did some Wii fit and thought I would call back out to them in a half hour. I wasn't 10 minutes into it when I heard all sorts of crying from outside. Before I could get out there - Tyler was barging in the house with Dylan behind - Dylan was crying hysterically. Got it figured out that Dylan fell and "twisted" his ankle. Took off the shoe and the sock and I could see it was red but that's it. He immediately wasn't putting pressure on it and to the couch he went. He mentioned that he probably wouldn't be able to go to school tomorrow but I told him we would have to see what morning brang.

This morning I got him up and yah..he wasn't going to school. His whole foot was nice and puffy and he couldn't walk on it. He hobbled down the stairs on his butt and to the couch he went. I believed him but also gave the firm warnings that there was no running and playing/no going outside/only to be on the couch or in the chair playing the Wii. He asked for Tylenol and I sort of believed he was hurting. I called and got him a doctor's appointment.

Dylan cracks me up. Couldn't put his shoe on that foot so he has developed this hobble and drag move with his foot. It's cute to watch. As we were waiting a good 20 minutes at the doctor's office, Dylan was becoming annoyed we had to wait so long. He really is his father's son! :) The doctor examined him and sure enough it's a sprain. He said the tendon that runs from the ankle bone along the side of the foot is probably what tore away. He suggested an ace bandage and for him to stay off from it. No gym for 2 weeks and keep with the Ibuprofen for the pain. We got home, got him settled on the couch and Brett wrapped his foot up. Keeping him down is going to be a challenge........ He is a cute patient isn't he?