the picture flop

as the boys get older, they have become accustomed to the camera's frame. A chorusing buzz of 'cheezzzz' can be heard anytime there is a camera in sight. A smile is a rarity to catch on film- so in an exercise of patience and parenting, we attempted another photo session. Miss M was utterly terrified of the photographer and kept suspecting that she would likely be kidnapped at any given second. No need to fret: With the performance Miss M gave, she can rest assured that the poor photographer's last thought in the world was the take M home with her. While I don't have the any proofs, we have a few outtakes courtsey of Lala...

oh, to be a daddy

B and I had an enjoyable morning (after we resolved a few misunderstanding: NO! he didn't want his peanut butter sandwich cut out in the shape of dinosaurs! NO! He didn't want to eat it now, not now after I'd ruined it. etc...) but once, we settled down after a few friendly, early morning power struggles, B munched happily on his mangled sandwich.

A entered the kitchen and addressed B: 'Good morning, B! That looks like a great sandwich.'

B cheerfully chirps, 'Yes, I'm eating it alll up. I'm getting SO big. I'm getting big so that one day I can be a daddy, so I can play with sharp knives and drink BEER!'

Ahh, yes, the highlights of being an adult.

twins

My aunt was visiting awhile back. She and E were sharing a moment in the kitchen as she helped E to wash his hands. She attempts small talk with him:

Aunt: 'So, E, how do you like being a twin?'

E: 'Twin?! I'm not the twin. B is.'

...

snip, snip, sniff

the boys all underwent the razor to get the summer 'do. And while I am sure it is infinitely more comfortable with all the bike riding (helmet wearing) and other time spent outside, I miss those locks. Though their fuzz is soft and fun to run my hand across the top of their heads. And it has solved my daily battles with the bed head/cowlick from hell...

Making my day.

As I'm lying on the lower bunk singing song with B and E tonight before bedtime, E loudly squawks, 'Ooouch. Ouchouchouchouch.'

'E' I ask alarmed, 'what happened?'

'Ohhhhhh. My finnger. My poor, poor finger,' he wails.

I hold my breath waiting to see if this will escalate.

He continues groaning dramatically, 'Oh man!' [I stifle laughter as this phrase always sounds funny coming from him], 'I hurt my finger.'

'Well, does it need a kiss, E?'

'Yes,' [whimpering] 'it does'.

I start to haul myself up, untangling from the comforter when I hear,

[Smmmmmmmoooooooccccchhhhh]

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Pilgrimage

We (the kids, me and the au pair) took an annual trip to SC, where we encountered significantly warmer weather than last year. Sand castles were built (and destroyed).

Most of us stayed very busy and were on the run nearly all of the time.

Oh yes, and we kept the golf cart shuttle man in business. Calling him each morning to come pick us up for our daily jaunt around the resort only to end up magically at Starbuckles each time for Momma's (third cup of) morning coffee and of course a little hot chocolate because all that golf cart riding and alligator watching was parching...

We had rad surfing moves as we attempted to freeze off limbs.

But mostly we had an amazing time. Hanging out, watching the wiggles, eating risotto and tiramisu and drinking vino (me not the kidlets of course...) They got the special treat of juice instead. A rare luxury.

Grr + Attitude = Gratitude

Despite a botched Christmas pictures and the endless stream of loitering viruses we have of late, there is much I am grateful for this year. Including, but not limited to:

1) Potty trained (more or less) twins... which means less money spent on diapers which opens up the cash flow for things like toilet and tile cleaner.... that heady urea saturated memories of childhood come flooding (or puddling) back every time I step foot in our bathroom. On the list of things I plan to conquer this year includes: how to wipe one's bottom (in a non-half assed fashion) and second how to aim without marking the toilet leaving proof that you were in fact there. Overall though, it's a huge step forward and I'm excited for their initiative and hard work in the ptd (potty training department).

2) Montessori School. It fosters independence and thorough investigation into how it all works. H is very insistent on the details of how exactly did he get in my belly? But who made him? Mommy and Daddy? But how? How Momma? How did I get in there? What am I made of? I'm made of skin and bones and nerves and muscles? But well, how did I start? A cell? Who put the cell there?
Heh. Every day I am amazed at the connections and nuances he picks up on. Every day he has new observations and new questions, but he seems to find time to circle back to the ones that he doesn't quite have the whole story on....

3) Medical School. Or more specifically: the paucity of rotations which remain: 3. woot. And Interviews for residency... giving me the opportunity to glimpse the future.

4) Family and Friends. Without whom, there would be no one to share the highs and the lows, the hilarity and the frustrations. We continue to be happy and grateful for wonderful parents, warm and reliable child care, and caring friends.

Hope you all had a feastful and thankful weekend.