4.06 Winter hits, so we go swimming!

By Cyndi
January 27, 2015

Another quiet weekend passed with lots of playing around the house and our monthly class at temple. The fellas do fairly well listening and following directions, but since its only once per month, they don't really know any of the other kids yet.

We still struggle with food every day with T&Z.  They eat close to nothing at home.  Dinners are one of the following: chicken nuggets, cereal and milk, tortilla (plus sour cream for T), jelly sandwich and once every two weeks, mini tacos for T and breaded fish for Z.  Even grilled cheese and pizza aren't options anymore.  So on Sunday after temple I asked if they wanted to make soft pretzels and have them for snack.  They said of course!  I prepped the dough and then got them dressed and ready for pretzel making.  They had more fun hitting the dough with their spatulas than rolling it out.  And once they came out of the oven, they wouldn't even taste them!  I think Tyler ended up taking one bite and Z ate none of it.  Ugh ... oh well, at least I tried!

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, we started the fellas in swimming lessons at a local swim school. They jumped right in, literally, and have been doing well each week.  Matt takes them one a week after breakfast before he drops them off at school, right before lunch, so its a little boy-bonding time. We keep telling the fellas that it is important to learn how to swim for our vacation in March!!  They seem very excited to go and we will hopefully keep up the lessons until Fall and maybe beyond.

4.05 Ahhh ... relaxation!

By Cyndi
January 19, 2015

We are fully recovered from the boys' birthday party, except they keep asking for the rest of their presents.  We put some gifts aside so we could bring them out in due time when we need something new.

On Friday night, Matt and I went for dinner with my college friend and bridesmaid Emily & her boyfriend.  We had a relaxing evening and let our awesome babysitter put T&Z to bed.  They were so excited for Ms. Kiersten to come over and kept asking if she could sleep over like last time (when Matt and I were in Chicago for BIL's wedding!).  I told the fellas she would sleep over again soon when we head to NY for Matt's cousin's wedding.

The remainder of the weekend was quiet and nice to relax.  We have about 8 more weeks of winter until our Jamacian vacation which I have been looking forward to for close to 2 years.  I'm starting to look through clothes and shoes to make sure we have enough for 6 days in paradise!!

And due to my relaxing nature, I didn't take any pictures!!  Sorry, come back next week!

4.04 Party! Party! Party!

By Cyndi
January 14, 2015

Well, we are in recovery mode, still, from a busy party filled weekend.  On Saturday, the fellas and I attended Lincoln's ice skating party.  Matt was at work and unable to take leave.  This is the first time the fellas tried ice skating, and they did really well!  Tyler was way better than I expected and Zach kept falling with a smile on is face.

On Sunday afternoon, it was the fellas birthday party at a local kids' play place.  They have some small toys (play kitchen, train table etc), a HUGE climbing structure, and some inflatables to play on.  It was a great party, if you ask me!!  The parents could relax and watch their kids play.  Matt and I were even able to talk with other parents too.  I tried to enjoy the party versus taking pictures and so all you get is this collage!

Once we got home, we took a quick family selfie, let the fellas open a few presents and they were off to bed.

The next night we let them open almost everything else since we just wanted it over with since they were constantly asking.  We got some great new things from so many generous friends, even some who weren't able to attend sent something for the fellas!!  We really feel loved and I have a lot of thank you notes to write.

4.03 New Years - Welcome 2015

By Cyndi
January 6, 2015

Hello 2015 ...... before I get into the past week, let's review the last year:

I've stuck around another year in blogging and you're still here reading this?!  It's been a year of threenager shenanigans, family weddings, weekends with friends and long days at work.

• In all the craziness, I only took 2400 pictures, around 2000 less than in 2013.  The fellas are much harder to get to pose and smile.  
• We had two Chicago trips and our first real family vacation to the beach.  
• I had a weekend away with my favorite twin moms and can't wait for this year's trip to Nashville. 
• T&Z are fully potty trained and in open toddler beds (soon to be full size beds)
• We did a few house projects like a patio & finally furnishing the living room.  We also added insulation to the guest room / boys' bedroom area to ensure our guests don't freeze to death and come back to visit again!
• T&Z can write their names, say their address, ride bikes, build with normal legos, and use their imagination all.the.time.
• Zach is more compassionate and will share more often.
• Tyler makes awesome faces, especially when he is really thinking through something.
• Matt ran 250 miles this year, with a higher goal next year.
• Our poor Meigs was injured but fully recovered and is back to his old (7yr old) puppy self

We rang in the New Year at the Isaacs house with a disco ball and dance floor in the kitchen and fun evening with friends.  Matt came back around 9pm to take out Meigs (since we couldn't find a dog walker for the night) and we made an early break for home before anyone else got up.

The rest of Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday was spent with 12-16 people around the house and while it was crazy and stressful, I adore having everyone around.  I had a well thought out meal plan that went over quite well with everyone, except T&Z, who asked for cereal and milk or tortilla (plain for Z and with only sour cream for T) for dinner.

 

All of the kids (7 total ranging from 20 months to 5.5 yrs old) did a great job sharing and playing in general.  We were able to make it to a park one afternoon which was needed fresh air for everyone. 

Everyone stayed here on Friday night which was so nice to hang out after all the kiddos went to bed.  A great way to start 2015!!