House Full of Boys!

Liam is almost 1 and has finally learned to clap!!! I have been trying to teach him how to do this for the last several months, but he would just look at me and smile. Recently we were hit with another snow storm, this time we got about 8-10 inches (this has been my least favorite winter so far living here). The storm came Thursday while I was working and I ended up having to stay the night at the hospital. I had prepared well and packed a bag knowing the storm was coming and I had to work Friday too. So during my 2 day stay at the hospital is when Liam finally decided to share his talent...along with Adley loosing another tooth (geez, I missed everything). I couldn't believe he picked that day to finally share with everyone but ME what I had been trying to teach him. I was excited but totally bummed at the same time because I had missed it. When I got home last night he wouldn't clap for me either, bummed again.......but today he has been clapping for me all day - see v...

$3 isn't a significant amount of money...it might cover a drink and a candy bar at a convenience store...or lunch money for Aidan...or a visit from the tooth fairy...really it's not that much, EXCEPT when you figure out that a restaurant you visited stole it from you. Recently I went and got take out from a local mexican restaurant and the bill was $17 dollars and some change. I paid with my debit card and went on my way. I balanced my checkbook, logged my transaction and noted that it was pending on my account and threw away my receipt. As I was again balancing my checkbook a few nights ago I noticed that once the transaction was no longer pending it was $3 greater in the deduction. I called the restaurant and they pulled my ticket and reported that it had a $3 tip written on it. Now I certainly leave a tip for when I sit down in a restaurant but NEVER when I get take out. I knew that I didn't write it. They asked me to come to the restaurant today and look at the ...

ADLEY

Yesterday we started the daunting task of potty training Eli. I think he is ready, but I'm not convinced he thinks he is ready. I have never really pushed my kids into potty training because I don't think that works really well. I just left Aidan and Adley alone and they essentially potty training themselves by their 3rd birthday. Aidan never had an accident and well Adley he had his share but only because he never wanted to stop playing with his toys long enough to pee. This is still a problem - as soon as I see him dancing he has to head straight to the bathroom. So Eli turns 3 next month. I thought I would just try this whole potty training stuff for a few days to see where he is at and if he is ready. So far he has peed in the potty 4 times today and his pull up once. Not bad! He does get rewarded with a sticker and a whopper. When he got big boy underwear for Christmas - Thomas the Tank Engine to be exact - he just looked at me and said, 'No, want diapers...

A funny cartoon posted at work - Enjoy! It gave me a good laugh! Notice the big teeth and the bandaids!

The other day Eli, Liam and I went grocery shopping. The day started out great.... Eli at Harris Teeter with his balloon and cookie. We finished up at HT and then moved on to Walmart (not my favorite place but hey I'm on a budget). We were almost finished when Eli started pitching a fit because he wanted strawberry waffles and not blueberry. He threw himself on the floor and next thing I know he is crying hysterically with blood dripping everywhere. He had busted his lower lip pretty good. I was shocked at how there were probably 6 or 7 other people in the aisle with us and not one of them offered to help me with this situation. After all I did have a extremely full shopping cart, with another child in it and one that was bleeding everywhere. No "can I get you a wet paper towel... or here's a tissue". Instead me being the prepared mommy that I am (having no tissue in my own purse) had to find something....oh yes let's see (rifling through my purse) pen..no...

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I am just going to post pictures of Christmas rather than get into the details of it all except for a few lines with pictures. Opening presents with Pop pop and Grandma Aidan and his Castle Lego set Adley and his Castle lego set - the boys sure have a fun time 'battling each other' . Letter to Santa - it was quite creative. Santa had to find the parts of the picture that didn't belong... can you find anything? Eli and his fruit - he loves this along with his pots and pans - I see a play kitchen in his future! Marble run! Doesn't he look like such a big boy in this picture. He is starting to use his walker to get around. Maybe by his 1st birthday he'll be walking on his own! Eating the present is so much better than playing with it! He now has 8 teeth! Kids playing video games at Pop pop and Grandmas Crazy boys - thank you Daddy! We are still enduring a lot of cold weather in our part of the country...