Tonight Josh and I tried something different - the key word being "tried." This is our last night with just the little guys, as we head to the lake tomorrow to visit with Grandma and Pa and to bring Connor back home with us after the holiday weekend.
Grammy and Pappy and cousin Josh were going downtown to part of the early holiday festivities - an outdoor concert on the lawn of the local college. We packed up the boys, a blanket, the two single strollers, a big diaper bag, a small cooler and were off. After driving around downtown a little while, we managed to find a great parking spot just about a block away and began our adventure.
The boys were not so sure about it from the beginning. They clearly preferred walking to strolling, but didn't complain too much when we insisted on the strollers. We met up with Grammy and Pappy and Josh, who had staked out a good spot right in the middle of Third Street, thankfully away from the very large (and very loud) speakers on the corners of the lawn. The boys were unimpressed from minute one. They didn't want to sit in their strollers, though suckers were quickly issued (and just as quickly consumed). They didn't want any of the chicken or snacks that Grammy and Pappy had brought. They didn't want their apple juice. They didn't want any Goldfish crackers or raisins or fruit snacks. They wanted to move. Xander was the loudest, so I took off walking with him first. About 10 minutes later, I saw Josh walking down the street with Sawyer. They were hard to miss in their bright orange surf outfits. Apparently Sawyer was only pacified until the second sucker was consumed, and then he kept looking around for Mommy. So we switched twins and walked together a while longer on the nearby streets that were closed for the event, and then we tried sitting back down. More tears, more wanting to run around, crashing into people sitting next to us and whining rather loudly. So, a whole 30 minutes after we arrived, we said our good-byes.
It was a bit much for the little guys at this stage. They enjoyed being out and walking and looking around, but they were not about to sit still for anything. Slowly, ever so slowly, we're trying to get them out into the world a little more. Perhaps next time we'll try with something that involves more moving and less sitting. They are only two and half, after all. But you never know, at least until you try.
And, because the twins were not much on the culture of the evening, we've at least made it home just in time for the rain! Hopefully Grammy and Pappy and Josh are not getting wet downtown!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Hard Day's Play
Love this photo of Sawyer - lining up his Little People in the window and still digging for more toys in the toy box (all with his little Monkey shirt, too!)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Two Little Boys
Two tired little boys forcibly carried upstairs for their afternoon nap. Two tired little boys moving directly to their bed and climbing into their usual spots. Two little boys grinning and burying their heads, as they always do, when Mommy starts to sing her (very off-key) version of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Two boys crying as Mommy closes the door behind her. Two boys suddenly growing quiet, twenty minutes passing. Two boys jumping up and down on their bed, squealing and laughing. Two boys running back and forth across their big room, the sound of little feet easily heard downstairs. Two boys jabbering and screaming (the happy kind). Two boys rattling the child safety knob on the inside of their door. Two little boys, running to Mommy with a smile and a hug as she opens the door. Two little boys, back downstairs, playing happily with their toys (especially without big brother around to harass them).
One Mommy, hoping against hope she's wrong, that two little boys aren't giving up their afternoon nap, this time for good. One big brother already has . . .
One Mommy, hoping against hope she's wrong, that two little boys aren't giving up their afternoon nap, this time for good. One big brother already has . . .
A Day at the Park
Okay, so we went out for Steak-N-Shake and the park last night instead of Backyard Burger - that's what Daddy was in the mood for. The boys would have eaten the same thing at either place - french fries only, and then some goodies out of the well-stocked diaper bag. As an added bonus, they got to enjoy some of the double-chocolate sippable sundae (sound healthy, right?).
Then we made our way to the park - the big city one on the lake, not the smaller neighborhood one that we sometimes visit. There was one thing that I thought the little guys would like - a big metal disc that's suspended near the swings that swivels the full 360 degrees, kind of like the modern version of the old tire swing. Of course, the disc was no longer there - clearly it's been a while since Mommy's been to that park.
The little guys weren't so sure about the park at first. They just kind of looked at us like, "Now what do we do?" Xander eventually took off running first, going through the maze of wooden structures that offer a little bit of everything - steps, planks, bridges, slides, narrow passages, bouncing walkways. You name it, and it's probably there - this is a pretty huge city park. Sawyer was more cautious, holding Mommy's hand and sort of following Xander, but quickly leaving the wooden structure and heading for the swings that backed up to the lake. Mommy tried putting him in the children's (bucket) swing, but he screamed a little too much and people were staring. So then we did our usual compromise - Mommy got on the big swing and he came running with his arms up. Much better, clearly. Xander came over and wanted his turn too, so not much was different from the swings at home except that these were larger and Mommy was more comfortable.
We eventually made our way to a small area of the wooden structure where the boys could climb up steps, walk across a small bridge and get to a large, fast slide. Xander LOVED this, and did it over and over and over again. Sawyer eventually got the hang of it, but the combination of a few too quick slides that scared him and some bigger kids bumping in to him as he took his sweet time at the bottom made him less impressed. The boys were getting tired too, since it was after 8 p.m.
Neither of them seemed to be thrilled when we got there, perhaps because they've had so few trips to the park where people weren't harassing them to stay close (because all three boys were there). Last night each of us could just follow one, and let them roam at will for the most part. They didn't even seem particularly happy while there, just an occasional smile as they went down the slide or on the swing, mostly a lot of roaming around kind of aimlessly. But they were none to happy to leave. Xander kept trying to sit down while we were trying to walk them back to Mommy's truck. Sawyer was so into playing with a serious of half-buried tires that he had to be pulled away. Finally, both of them had to be picked up and physically carried off the playground. We were those parents last night.
Perhaps we'll have to work on getting them there a little more often. They seemed to like the freedom and different scenery as much as anything, and Mommy can relate to that too!
(The "Momma-razzi" - as Josh has nicknamed me - forgot her camera last night, so I'm sorry to tell you there are no pictures from this trip! I'll do better next time!)
Then we made our way to the park - the big city one on the lake, not the smaller neighborhood one that we sometimes visit. There was one thing that I thought the little guys would like - a big metal disc that's suspended near the swings that swivels the full 360 degrees, kind of like the modern version of the old tire swing. Of course, the disc was no longer there - clearly it's been a while since Mommy's been to that park.
The little guys weren't so sure about the park at first. They just kind of looked at us like, "Now what do we do?" Xander eventually took off running first, going through the maze of wooden structures that offer a little bit of everything - steps, planks, bridges, slides, narrow passages, bouncing walkways. You name it, and it's probably there - this is a pretty huge city park. Sawyer was more cautious, holding Mommy's hand and sort of following Xander, but quickly leaving the wooden structure and heading for the swings that backed up to the lake. Mommy tried putting him in the children's (bucket) swing, but he screamed a little too much and people were staring. So then we did our usual compromise - Mommy got on the big swing and he came running with his arms up. Much better, clearly. Xander came over and wanted his turn too, so not much was different from the swings at home except that these were larger and Mommy was more comfortable.
We eventually made our way to a small area of the wooden structure where the boys could climb up steps, walk across a small bridge and get to a large, fast slide. Xander LOVED this, and did it over and over and over again. Sawyer eventually got the hang of it, but the combination of a few too quick slides that scared him and some bigger kids bumping in to him as he took his sweet time at the bottom made him less impressed. The boys were getting tired too, since it was after 8 p.m.
Neither of them seemed to be thrilled when we got there, perhaps because they've had so few trips to the park where people weren't harassing them to stay close (because all three boys were there). Last night each of us could just follow one, and let them roam at will for the most part. They didn't even seem particularly happy while there, just an occasional smile as they went down the slide or on the swing, mostly a lot of roaming around kind of aimlessly. But they were none to happy to leave. Xander kept trying to sit down while we were trying to walk them back to Mommy's truck. Sawyer was so into playing with a serious of half-buried tires that he had to be pulled away. Finally, both of them had to be picked up and physically carried off the playground. We were those parents last night.
Perhaps we'll have to work on getting them there a little more often. They seemed to like the freedom and different scenery as much as anything, and Mommy can relate to that too!
(The "Momma-razzi" - as Josh has nicknamed me - forgot her camera last night, so I'm sorry to tell you there are no pictures from this trip! I'll do better next time!)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
From Three to Two
It's different around our house this week with two boys instead of three. For one thing, it's certainly a lot quieter. And sometimes that's a nice thing, but more often than not, I find myself listening for the constant chatter that usually fills my house. It's filling Grandma and Pa's house this week, I'm sure.
The boys and I have been venturing out to a do a few things that usually don't happen when three toddlers are around, but our routine really hasn't varied all that much. We have taken two walks around the block (about 30 minutes or so). They start out the same, Xander having freedom to walk ahead and Sawyer clutching at my hand like it's a lifeline. Eventually it must be broken though. Xander walks much too fast for us to keep up at Sawyer's preferred pace, and Xander's not very good about listening when Mommy tells him to "Stop! Wait for Mommy." So, half of the walk is spent with one toddler on each side, one holding my hand willingly and the other trying to pull away at every turn. And finally, after being pulled forward on one side (Xander) and pulled back on the other (Sawyer), I give in to what both boys really want. I pick Sawyer up and carry him while chasing after Xander who's finally allowed to run free. I'm sure the neighbors are constantly amused by us.
We've also had a more enjoyable time just playing, without that disturbance that is "big brother" who constantly feels the need to annoy his little brothers. Xander and Sawyer occasionally get into it over the same toy, or when Xander shows us just how much he really is like Connor in personality by messing up the careful order that is Sawyer's world. This morning it was a lined up row of Little People that Xander sent flying in all directions and the mischievous grin that immediately followed. Call him Connor, Jr., at times.
We've also been spending time outside on the play set. Xander has started to rival Sawyer on his preference for swinging. He used to love the slide much, much more. But lately he's taken to coming beside where I'm swinging with Sawyer and watching for a minute and then sitting down in the grass beside us, as though patiently waiting his turn. Sawyer is less upset by this than I would have expected, as he easily goes on to slide or do other things when it's Xander's turn to swing (that's definitely new, and an improvement over the screaming and stomping temper-tantrums that used to result in him being set down to make way for brother!). It's nice how their preferences sometimes alternate, so I don't feel like I'm constantly having to go back and forth to provide equal time.
Tonight Josh and I are planning to take the little guys out for some Backyard Burger and a stop by the neighborhood park. That's something we rarely do with all three, because it always seems like the boys shoot off in totally different directions and want to do different things. Two parents can't be in three places at the same time, no matter how much we try or might want to be. Sometimes I worry the kids are missing out on things because of that, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. So we'll take the little guys tonight, just as Connor's had many trips to the park by himself with Aunt Kelly and even with Mommy a time or two. And besides, we all know that Connor is having a big time at the lake. He's probably pestering Grandma and Pa about "Boat on the water!" right now.
The boys and I have been venturing out to a do a few things that usually don't happen when three toddlers are around, but our routine really hasn't varied all that much. We have taken two walks around the block (about 30 minutes or so). They start out the same, Xander having freedom to walk ahead and Sawyer clutching at my hand like it's a lifeline. Eventually it must be broken though. Xander walks much too fast for us to keep up at Sawyer's preferred pace, and Xander's not very good about listening when Mommy tells him to "Stop! Wait for Mommy." So, half of the walk is spent with one toddler on each side, one holding my hand willingly and the other trying to pull away at every turn. And finally, after being pulled forward on one side (Xander) and pulled back on the other (Sawyer), I give in to what both boys really want. I pick Sawyer up and carry him while chasing after Xander who's finally allowed to run free. I'm sure the neighbors are constantly amused by us.
We've also had a more enjoyable time just playing, without that disturbance that is "big brother" who constantly feels the need to annoy his little brothers. Xander and Sawyer occasionally get into it over the same toy, or when Xander shows us just how much he really is like Connor in personality by messing up the careful order that is Sawyer's world. This morning it was a lined up row of Little People that Xander sent flying in all directions and the mischievous grin that immediately followed. Call him Connor, Jr., at times.
We've also been spending time outside on the play set. Xander has started to rival Sawyer on his preference for swinging. He used to love the slide much, much more. But lately he's taken to coming beside where I'm swinging with Sawyer and watching for a minute and then sitting down in the grass beside us, as though patiently waiting his turn. Sawyer is less upset by this than I would have expected, as he easily goes on to slide or do other things when it's Xander's turn to swing (that's definitely new, and an improvement over the screaming and stomping temper-tantrums that used to result in him being set down to make way for brother!). It's nice how their preferences sometimes alternate, so I don't feel like I'm constantly having to go back and forth to provide equal time.
Tonight Josh and I are planning to take the little guys out for some Backyard Burger and a stop by the neighborhood park. That's something we rarely do with all three, because it always seems like the boys shoot off in totally different directions and want to do different things. Two parents can't be in three places at the same time, no matter how much we try or might want to be. Sometimes I worry the kids are missing out on things because of that, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. So we'll take the little guys tonight, just as Connor's had many trips to the park by himself with Aunt Kelly and even with Mommy a time or two. And besides, we all know that Connor is having a big time at the lake. He's probably pestering Grandma and Pa about "Boat on the water!" right now.
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