this week

Just a few random things from the week.

On Wednesday, Neland's preschool had Doughnuts for Dads. It's seriously one of my favorite preschool days of the year (Muffins for Moms being the other). I completely crashed the party, mainly because Teague wouldn't leave with me. Dad time is in high demand these days. I took pictures, but without a card in the camera and have yet to find the cord to go with the camera (I'm sure I haven't used it in close to five years). So they may be in the camera for ever. Anyway, the best part of these days is the info sheet that comes with them. Here's what NJ had to say about Chris (he entered the underlined parts).

My Dad
My Dad is bigger than my mommy tall.
My Dad weighs 30,000 pounds.
My Dad's hair is brown (he doesn't really have hair)
and his eyes are brown like mine.
At work my Dad looks at numbers.
My Dad likes to eat cookies.

I found this quite hilarious. Apparently Chris is the man of steel or has put on a few pounds recently. Now I can't wait for May!

This week the weather has been beautiful. After dropping Neland off at school, Teague and I have headed to the greenways.  In addition to pushing a stroller as fast as I can to keep the one in it at peace. I also get to do a running commentary of what we are seeing or hearing, so anyone around me may here, "Look at those ducks, there's one with a green head, oh that one's sleeping." or "Oh Teaguie I hear an airplane, can you find it?" or "I see a dog Teaguie" to which Teague screams "Pet puppy dog, pet" and I have to convince him that we'll "just say hi" so then it's "Hi puppy dog, bye puppy dog" followed by a scream to "pet" which happens with EVERY dog we see. Then there's the occasional time when we see nothing, so we sing "If You're Happy and You Know It". It's bonding and exercise all in one.

The first day we took our walk, when we were done, I put the stroller in the car and then Teague and I walked up to Starbucks. He ate goldfish and I had a treat. The next time we took our walk, I let him out of the stroller a little early so he could walk some. He played in some puddles and then headed towards the shopping center with Starbucks. I assumed he wanted to play on the stairs. A man passed us and said hello and asked Teague how he was, to which he replied "I go to Starbucks". Luckily some dogs distracted him and we could venture back to the car.

We've also been painting a lot recently. The boys love to paint trains. Teague paints a green train, and calls it Percy and Neland paints Thomas. I've been working on shapes with Teague so I started giving the boys shapes and having them paint those. Neland will name his shape and then turn it into a scene and Teague just paints his. It's turned out really cute.

We've also worked on circles outside. Teague loves to try to jump, so we drew circles and tried to jump from one to the other. He LOVED it.

 Neland liked "reading" outside, and Teague liked pretending to write (exactly over the words I'd written).

While watching Charlie Brown before Christmas, Neland saw a commercial for Winter WipeOut. Since then, he loves to build the blocks up into an obstacle course for the Playmobil people. He's had some really cute sets.

We also made cupcakes. Usually we make cookies for no reason, but it just seemed like a cupcake week.

 

One day I threw down some clothes to Neland so he could get dressed while watching TV. I'd thrown down Teague's coat as well, so I'd have less to carry downstairs. Here's what I saw when I came down.

That jacket is 18/24 months. The fact that he even zipped it, leaves me speechless.

Another day I let NJ pick his clothes, he HAD to wear his robot shirt. I asked him to put on his socks and shoes and he thought nothing of this look. Quite a character.

Can't wait for another week of crazy and the arrival of our NEW (to us) COMPUTER!!

escape

Either one of the boys was trying to tell me something, or Buzz was.

piggies

I couldn't resist

 I am in love with his hair (and him)

 Even with a dirty face they're still so cute. 

Neland asked for piggies too.

 We love piggies, whether they're in the hair or tickling our toes!

aviation museum

The plane obsession is in full swing at our house (maybe I could make it sound better and call it an aviation obsession). A friend asked if we wanted to visit the aviation museum today and with Neland's love of planes there was no way I could say no. Is driving to the airport (where big hunks of metal zoom around in the sky) my favorite thing to do? Probably not. But seeing the excitement on Neland's face when I told him where we were going and what we would see totally made up for it (I should mention as we drove by the runway, a plane totally landed right beside us, this was right after I told Neland it was probably too foggy for planes to be taking off and landing).

Once we got there, we started with a press conference. 

(maybe not, and not sure why these chairs were there but they were a good photo op)

 

We learned that landing gears on big planes are HUGE. 

And a space shuttle tire is heavy and lasts about 60 seconds.

 We saw the Miracle on the Hudson plane, which I had no clue was there. They are currently working on reassembling it (they cut off the wings to transfer it here). At some point the goal is for people to be able to walk through it.

 

Another view of the plane. There is a life raft on the ground beside it. Most of the damage to the front and sides of the plane came from the boats that rescued the passengers hitting the sides (two front windshields were cracked) and from pulling it out of the water (planes are heavy, and planes filled with water are even heavier, there are huge gouges in the side from the straps used to pull it out).

 

The back of the plane, the part that hit the water first to help slow the plane down.

 

Items from the cockpit, one is a library book, and one is a 2008 emergency manual

 

The boys could play in a simulator used for training (they also were able to sit in a Phantom fighter)

 

Teague was very excited to get out of my arms

 

A plane used in war and then later for corporate trips

 

The boys loved the plane outside that was painted like a shark.

 This plane was in Top Gun.

The boys loved the outside part. Every few minutes (or less) there was a plane taking off. Needless to say it was a very exciting day and I'm sure I'll be hearing "airplane" over and over from Teague for quite awhile.

a born leader

Neland is definitely more of an observer than a leader so what happened this morning was a little surprising to both Chris and I. We were the volunteers this Sunday for Neland's class. At 11:00, all the children on the preschool floor have music with the head of our children's ministry. We headed to music and the other classes arrived, but unfortunately our music teacher did not. She was tied up in a meeting. An adult asked if any of the children remembered some of the songs they sing. There were hands raised, a few suggestions, and then we asked who wanted to lead the songs. Up popped Neland. He stood in front of all the other kids and adults and lead three or four songs. Chris and I were so proud!  We've never seen him do anything like that. He was so cute and in charge. We sang "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", which is one of NJ's favorites (he sings it in the car all the time), as we were singing I was waiting for him to throw in "He's got Target and Icee's in His hands" which is a favorite verse, but instead I heard, "He has Kristen and Chris in His hands." I'm sure my face turned red. It was hilarious, not mommy and daddy, it was Kristen and Chris. We ended the song soon after (although I heard Neland started with Miss Jean and Miss Karen in His hands...sweet kid). Chris and I were so excited we were the volunteers that week and were able to see that (and I may have complained about having to do this, as Neland's class can be loud - they were a dream, the whole time). And Neland looked so cute standing up there with his little take charge attitude. We were such proud parents.

my sweetheart

While we wait for a new computer to upload pictures and videos (we have yet to purchase one, but soon, hopefully), I wanted to post a few things I've heard Neland say to Teague. Neland is truly the sweetest big brother (other than the occasional elbow to keep Teague out of the way - although with Teague's love of tackling Neland, I think he enjoys an elbow every now and then).

Neland wasn't very excited about going back to school. He kept saying he wanted to stay home and play with Teague. Once we turned onto the road that his school his on, his tune changed and he was telling Teague, "You are going to miss me baby Teague while I'm at school." He must have felt bad that Teague doesn't get to go to school because on Friday he kept asking Teague if he wanted to go to school too, then I heard, "but Teague if you go to school too then Mommy will be all alone so you should stay with her."

While the boys were playing I heard Neland tell Teague, "Tman did you know God is in your heart, and Jesus is in your heart too. And God keeps you safe.   From bad things." He is such a sensitive guy (with so many fears), but I'm so glad he looks out for his brother!
Last Friday we decided to try and let the boys have a sleepover in NJ's room (more on that later, I have some great video but no where to upload it), and NJ screamed "This is the best night ever, Tman you're my best friend". Then later as we tried to get them settled down NJ said, "Tman do you want me to pet you?" and then he did. (which in the mornings sometimes I feel him rubbing my back, I think it's his nice way of trying to wake me).  Such a sweetie!

bedtime

Teaguie used to be such a dream to put to bed. PJs, brushed teeth, a few stories, some rocking and goodnight. You'd be out the door with kisses. Now some sort of crazy momma phase has hit him and bedtime can be quite dreadful. We do the whole routine, and when it comes to goodnight, screams! I had started counting the number of times I had to hit the aquarium in his crib to play, one night three times, that's a good hour and fifteen minutes if not longer. One night I was trying to reason with him, I told him if he laid down, I'd rub his back. Immediately he laid down and said, "pet". Now our routine is all of the above plus the begging for a "pet" once he's in the crib. Some nights it's even "Mommy pet" if Chris is putting him to sleep. It's hopefully getting better though, and last night, Chris even got some kisses.

Back when he was 2 and such a good sleeper!

Then we have Neland. He is in a phase where he is scared of everything. The noise outside, the light down stairs in the living room being turned off, Dali laying in the hallway, whatever he can come up with to be scared of, he'll use it. So after putting Teague to sleep, we (well usually Chris) reads to Neland and then goes through the list of different ways he is safe. Immediately after Chris leaves his room, there is screaming. He'll complain that he wants to sleep in our bed or have someone with him. We used to be able to shut Dali in his room and he'd be fine, but then that wasn't good enough. I've started telling him that I'll check on him in five minutes, which seems to work. And then of course sometime between 12 and 3am, he wanders to our room, climbs between us and snoozes till morning.

daddy

Meet Daddy

Teague has identified certain Playmobil figures as family members. He started with Grandpa (who had been lost for a few weeks, but we just found him looking out the window in the play room). 

And now there's Daddy. Daddy is extra special and Teague takes him everywhere.  In fact, yesterday as I toured a preschool for Neland's TK, Daddy came with us. I'm not sure if that will influence the director's opinion of us or not, but I hope we gave her a laugh as Teague called this figure Daddy many times during the tour (there was even a game of peek a boo to keep Teague quiet during the beginning). It also leads to a lot of confusion when Teague asks for Daddy.

Currently Daddy is asleep in Teague's crib.

December 2011

Just for the memories (and to recreate with Teague), I wanted to capture our December wall.

I love that the calendar completely stopped at the 25th (and actually this is the exact thing that is still up - along with two little Christmas trees in the boys room and two nativity sets - both in NJ's room). The tree above the calendar has ornaments NJ cut himself and we wrote things we wanted to do on them. As we did them we hung them on the tree (some were presents that went under the tree). We didn't get everything done (buying a gift and wrapping a gift). The nativity scene is one that NJ did here at home. He has completely the one each year (the same scene) and I love comparing how it changes as he grows to understand the people in it. There is a "pattern" stocking, a stocking he cut (at school), a tree he decorated, sleigh tracks (from school), and word family trees (each tree has an ending and the ornaments have words with the endings, he had to glue the ornament on the correct tree). Now that's the 12th I really really need to get January up! We already have some snowmen ready to be displayed.

NYE

On New Year's Eve our playgroup had a big Greek celebration. Neland was so excited to spend time with his friends and apparently Teague was too because he didn't nap one bit. As soon as we arrived, the boys were off to the playroom to explore all the Christmas toys Lucas and Reese received. The adults enjoyed drinks and apps (except Chris who followed Teague since he hasn't quite mastered the stairs). Once it was time for dinner, there was the cutting of the money bread. Apparently in Greek culture, you bake money into bread and then when cutting it, whoever gets the money will have luck for the year. Amazingly, each child had money in their bread! After dinner, the kids had a dance party with Kid's Just Dance. It was hilarious watching them and even Teaguie tried to get some moves in. Once the dance excitement calmed down, we counted down the New Year (a few hours early) and celebrated with a balloon drop, poppers, hats, cider, champagne, and noise makers. It was quite an event. As the night ended, we headed outside to do little firework poppers (which I don't think Neland ever understood, and having Teague walk around them without shoes on probably qualifies us as bad parents). On the way home Neland could not stop talking about the party. And once we got home, Grandpa and Grandma were here. What a fabulous way to end 2011. 2012 - here we come!

 It was just sparkling grape juice...I promise

 The BIG balloon drop event

 I'm not sure Teague left this toy for more than five minutes the whole night.

 Cheers

Christmas

Christmas morning Neland was not disappointed! Downstairs Santa left him exactly what he wanted, the Playmobil jet. Of course once Neland touched it, Teague wanted it too. Santa left Teague a cute barn and animals. And both boys received some more blocks for our nightly sessions.

 

 

The boys opened a few gifts from us (well really Neland opened gifts and Teague watched him and then wanted to play with whatever he opened). Teague never got the idea of opening gifts. He much preferred following Neland's lead.

Granny arrived for brunch and also happened to be loaded down with gifts. Our living room started looking like a toy store.Then Grandma and Grandpa arrived. After opening the rest of their presents the boys could not decide what to play with first, or for how long. There were toys everywhere. We kept putting them back under the tree and they kept pulling them out.

Neland did not want to go to bed. And of course he had to ask, "When is it Christmas again?"

Christmas Eve

(Our old computer is "working", just painfully slow and loud, but I wanted to get these up as it seems it may be awhile before we make a decision on which new computer to purchase)

 

 Christmas Eve was full of our usual traditions, with the added fun of having Grandma and Grandpa there part of the day. We began the day with our usual breakfast of Christmas shaped pancakes. Chris actually had the pancakes started before any of us managed to get out of bed.

We made more Christmas cookies (some especially for Santa). I'll let you guess which ones NJ decorated and which I did.

Before going to bed, the boys heard "Twas the Night Before Christmas", ate a few cookies and put some out for Santa (and Neland wanted to be sure we put the rest away so Santa wouln't eat them all), and spread some reindeer food out on the lawn. Neland was so excited to go to bed (a first), however could not fall asleep (same ol' fear). Hopefully once he did there were visions of sugar plums.