Oh brother...

In the newly found Jackism:  "Oh brother".

Manners...manners I feel are important, and a please always gets one further than a demand!  Roman is well, he's 3.  And he's in the throws of the "trying" three's (and he's about to get thrown out of the house).  A lot of things are asked for in between tears and sobs or in a whiny tone.  When demands are whinily given, I ask him to ask nicely.  He generally gives me a blank stare and I generally whisper "please".  The other day however, I said, "ask nicely".  His response, in his sweet 3 year old voice, with a smile on his face was "nicely"!  I never got the please I was looking for, but nicely, well, nicely worked like a charm!

In other fun things I want to remember about this wonderful time of the 3's (since I'll obviously only remember the good moments)...This kid likes music - he got his first set of headphones, SpiderMan of course, and only wants to listen to "Frogen" (ie. Frozen).  He is always shaking his booty.  And, he sometimes wants to sing...aside from belting out "Let it Go" or "Snowman" he'll ask to sing "Cracker Jacks" (ie. Take Me Out to the Ballgame), and is really good at the "1, 2, 3, strikes you're out!"!  And when rocking him at night, and saying his prayer, he will bless (multiple times) his favorite names, Charley, Uncle Hube, JB, Nana, Papa, Grammie, Pops, (repeated, multiple times)...and help to make me a good boy, sounds like 'ole boy, but AMEN...he's got that down!  

Hot, Hot, oooh, We Got It

Hot Chocolate!

The Polar Express has been a constant picture on our TV screen since mid-December.  One little boy asks for it immediately upon waking and becomes distraught at commercial interruptions.  Some days, we even enjoy Tom Hanks' voice multiple times.  I wonder what would happen if the movie accidentally was deleted!

A new storage container, filled with new markers, has been a centerpiece on our kitchen island since "Holly" (the Elf) brought a new coloring book and markers.  An old SpiderMan coloring book has been handed down from big brother to little brother, since Jack got a new BatMan coloring book.  All things Transportation and just creating our own works of art have been magnet-ed to the fridge or taped on closet doors.

The basement is containing an obscene amount of dust - and there's a hole in the floor as "Project Basement" continues!  Multiple trips to Lowes and Menards have ensued as well as hours on Pinterest and watching "Man Caves" to create inspiration.

We've done a good job dodging illnesses (knock knock) and have been slathering on lotion (and maybe a few band-aides and dish gloves) to help heal parched skin.  The inventory of red wines needs to be replenished and I clapped with glee when I discovered that Cold Snap is back on the shelves!

Christmas was a whirlwind and we're still waiting for a "normal" school week.  The backyard is filled with yellow snow and the kitchen floor hasn't stayed clean for longer than 5 minutes.

Roman just graduated from the Transition Room to Preschool 1 and is still mastering the art of peeing IN the potty!  He is obsessed with his "ho ho" pajamas (ie Santa pjs) and wearing his slippers (even to in his bed).  He has to read his firetruck book atleast once before turning his light off for the now 30 minute routine of going to bed.  He knows all the right buttons to push to get Jack in a tizzy and Daddy is the best at calming him down (and keeping him in his bed).

Jack is talking about Kindergarten and will happily read his Dragon book with his LeapFrog Reader while waiting to be tucked into bed.  He and Dad have started reading Encyclopedia Brown and his imagination races with ideas.  He is in to all things BatMan and coloring.  He would rather watch anything but The Polar Express but will happily oblige if it keeps his little brother from whining more than we can handle.  His attachment to Rudy is continuing to grow and before I know it that pup will be in his bed (against my will)!

This cold weather has me looking forward to the warmth of the summer although the beginning of the year makes me cringe at the limited number of weekends we have to cram a summers full of fun into a few short weeks.  Is it wine-o-clock yet?

Ready...Set...

GO!

Says the sweetest little voice out of a spunky little body!  A lot!  When playing with Daddy, when jumping into the tub, when waiting for the pick-up for a diaper change, when standing on top of anything waiting for a hand to be held out for take off...  You, my little boy, are a stinker!  You have a mind of your own and are very (and I mean very) strong willed.  You do what you want, when you want!  You have a way of making me wants to scream at the top of my lungs and laugh in hysterics simultaneously!

You want to "try" (aka "do") things - zipping your jammies, brushing your teeth, getting undressed, putting on socks and shoes, and turning on and off the lights.  You are still a great helper when it comes to vacuuming and emptying your diaper-pail. You've discovered the wonderful world of Mickey Mouse Club House and Elmo, like to "shake your booty" (again, the sweet voice and smile make this impossible not to love), and have a fascination with tractors.  You also have an attention span like Pops at the zoo and could look at the same animal much longer than anyone else.  However I can never get you to stay in the grocery cart, even with the bribery of donuts.  You love Rudy and want to make sure you know where he is, but are also very good at telling him to go away.  And of course, you love Jack, and always want to be doing what he's doing (whether he wants you around or not).

You are a little monkey, who still clamps on tight with your legs and arms when we hold you and you don't want to be put down.  Most days at daycare I have to pry you off my body!  And some days you barely give me a wave!  Of course I've been told you never act that way when Daddy drops you off!  You have transitioned seamlessly into sleeping in a big bed and seem interested in the potty but never seem to want to go when we ask.  (Although you're beginning to not like your diaper.) You still aren't a big eater, you'd prefer to snack, and definitely have a sweet tooth!

You have the ability to be the sweetest little boy in the world or a stinker who's world is all wrong.  You are in the heart of the "trying three's"!  I can promise you that your world won't always seem so unfair!  I will also assure you that as happy as I am that you're growing up, I'm a tiny bit sad, since you're my baby!  And I can promise that as long as you'll let me, and as long as you don't get too tall, I'll wrap you in your bath towel and cradle you in my arms swaying back and forth singing, "my baby, my baby"!

Happy 3rd Birthday sweet baby!

Fall Fun

Boy oh boy was October a fun month!  We had places to be and people to see nearly every weekend!  Not to mention the fun of every day life!

Jack played soccer and is mastering his letters at school!  Roman is tall enough to reach the light-switch so he's constantly turning off and on lights.  He's transitioning into a big boy bed and has discovered the joys of Mickey Mouse and Elmo!

Mark's been busy with football and I've been busy taking care of the all the boys!

Riding a 2-wheeler

FOOTBALL

Forts

Monkey #1

Monkey #2

Park fun

Dad is old!  (And yes, that's a SpiderMan candle!)

How many Pumpkins does a family of 4 need? 

Pumpkin decorating!  The Bat

The Witch (that's where he told me to put them)

Hot Chocolate mustache!

Marshmellows!!!

Leaf fun!

Annual pumpkin patch selfie!

Snow Monster!  (Yes...it snowed 10/31)

Hi Ho...

Hi Ho!  Its off to life we go!  I was hoping our schedules would slow down once summer ended however, I was wrong.  I hear its only going to get worse as the boys get older! 

One thing is for certain...our summer was busy!  We spent many weekends out of town and the week days were filled with fun summer happenings!  I wish I'd taken a few minutes to jot down the fun things the boys were up to, but lets just say, I was living in the moment. 

Our summer began after a Memorial Day Weekend trip to the lake.  My 32nd Birthday weekend!  The sun was shining and I was able to relax, tan, and enjoy a few icy cold beverages.  When we returned home, we added a member to our family!  That's right...at 32, after years and years and years of asking for a dog, I got one.  Well, the family got one.  (Errr...really, I got one.)  We named him "Rudy" (as in Rudy Flyer).  And he's been a lot of work... From the piddle to the hair to the bothering the boys and now the jumping on the island for food and still, the hair he's going to be the death of me!  Mark continues to roll his eyes when I pull the vacuum out, but honestly, what did he expect?  After nearly 4 months of being a pet-owner, I realize why I never had one growing up.  But, he's starting to grow on me and the boys really are quite tickled by him. Jack recently had a tummy-bug and Rudy wanted to lay his head on him (of course Jack did not)!  Hopefully in another few months I'll have the perfect dog I always dreamt of!

RudyFlyer!

Jack grew up so much over the summer!  At his 5 year check up, he's weighing in at 47 lbs (I think) and is 4'1"!  Of course I'm not just talking height!  He is turning into an awesome kid!  He is always willing to help with Rudy and has been taking on chores, like getting the mail and making his bed!  And, we finally got over the hump of wearing overnight diapers and he's almost always dry!  He took swim lessons, and although it took nearly 8 weeks he started to trust Miss Lindsey that should wouldn't let go of the kick board and to put his head in the water to fetch rings.  He also learned to do the monkey bars at the park and ride a 2-wheeled bike!  He spends his weekend mornings coloring, drawing, and practicing his letters instead of watching hours of Disney.  He has started reading books by himself with his Tag Reader and will (thankfully) look at his "Dragon" book while a single parent puts Roman to bed at night.  We went to his first movie at the theatre this summer and tried to encourage him to go down the slide at the pool and ride in the tub on the boat, but he's still a little timid.

Ready for the Big Wheel Race! 

Roman also grew up over the summer!  I don't know his stats - he seems taller, but he's still a peanut!  Memorial weekend marked another momentous occasion in our house as his last "bubbies" broke!  He tried a few times to suck on a pacifier with no nipple but for some reason it failed.  He transitioned beautifully!  He still cries for 'monkey' and 'blankie' when he's upset and monkey still has a spot in my purse wherever we go!  He too took swim lessons and is fearless!  He'll happily jump off the side whether you're ready or not, loves the slide, and will lie on the floor or bathtub and practice "kick, kick, kick"!  He learned to ride Jack's scooter (even though he has his own), peddle is tricycle and big wheel, and is even using the potty on occasion!  He has a mind of his own and tends to do what he wants.  We still struggle with eating, and most nights his dinner sits uneaten on his plate until its bath time when he decides to eat.  He wants to do whatever Jack is doing and be wherever Jack is.  And he typically wants which ever parent isn't available, but is quite the Daddy's boy!  He is quite the stinker but when he looks at you just so, and smiles you can't stay mad!!!  We've hit a bit of a rough patch when it comes to someone (mom, dad, grandparent's) leaving the house or dropping him off at daycare - but he still comes running when we get home!!!  His words are increasing, his giggle contagious, and he calls every motor-vehicle a tractor!

Stinker with a smile!

The patio is done!  (Take a break from our dance party!)

Cheese Please!

We may not ride it if its being pulled by the boat...but if Papa is pulling us...WEEEEEE!!!!

 

5

Today is the day, that my baby probably shouldn't be referred to as baby anymore.  Because, that baby, well, he's 5!  F.I.V.E.  I can't say that it seems like yesterday that we brought him home, because frankly, it seems like forever ago.  I cannot imagine my life without him in it.  (On the occasional weekend that we are "kid-less", I am lost!)

I also probably shouldn't refer to him as my baby anymore, since he tells us not to call him Jack.  Because, his name is "Batman".  He is a super-hero!  With super powers!  (Shhhh...don't tell anyone!)  Jack has grown leaps and bounds this year!  And not just in inches!  He is writing his name, knows his letters, and numbers (most of them).  He rides a scooter amazingly fast, loves to race his big wheel up and down the street, can throw and catch a frisbee, and has finally learned to pump his legs on a swing!  He loves his little brother and occasionally really seems to like him!  He helps with Rudy and is starting to do chores without us asking him to do them!  But he'd rather do chores when he gets paid to do them!  (His piggy-bank is pretty heavy!)  He has a fascination with bats and fish and loves "How to Train Your Dragon" and Spider-Man!

I cannot wait to see what this next year has in store for my Super-Hero!

Spring has Sprung

THANK GOODNESS!!!!

The big wheels are up from the basement and warm-weathered toys are down from the attic!  Even my lawn chair has gotten a little use!

My oh my, we are keeping our calendar full.  We've been making trips to Michigan, Columbus, and Cincinnati!  And of course we're keeping busy with "normal" life including trips to the baseball diamond whenever there is a home game!

Kensinger Grandkids on Easter Sunday!

Helping make blueberry muffins!

Jack has grown so much during his year at "school"!  He knows his alphabet and numbers and can write his name!  His following directions and listening has gotten better as well!  He's a creature of habit and asks for a ham sandwich and green grapes every day for lunch!  Cinnamon Toast Crunch and BBQ chips are favorites as well!  And any time I ask what he wants for dinner, its either tacos or wings!  He likes doing chores...he's learning the value of a quarter!  He and Mark got his first baseball glove and he's constantly asking to train!  He's recently discovered the joys of Marvel's Avengers and is a Spidey fan!

Batter up!

Going to his first non-cousin birthday party!  (He dressed himself...they both have red!)

Spiderman!

Roman is a stinker!  His two's have become less terrible although he still has moments of tantrums and his listening is less than desirable!  However, Jack's influence on him is insane!  The good and the bad!  His words are increasing even though he still loves his "bubbies" (i.e pacifier).  Yes, he named it.  He's finally napping during the allotted time at daycare and on the mornings he wakes up early, he's content sitting on the bathroom counter watching me get ready!  He's always willing to "help"...with laundry, garbage, vacuuming, or any other tasks we request!  He tries desperately to keep up with his big brother while playing outside but seems content to stop mid-way down the sidewalk to let Jack pass on his big-wheel or scooter!  We have finally dropped the bottle and PediaSure and he's discovered the joys of 'Strawberry & Cream' oatmeal!  He's still able to make a meal of yogurt and cheese and he loves any meal with rice!  (Although my floor does not!)

Helping Nana K water her flowers!

Morning games of Hide 'n Seek!

Learning to hoard "chooches"!