3rd Birthday

Last Friday night we celebrated the boys 3rd birthday. They said they wanted a Thomas Party. I made their cake again this year. Tad helped me when he got home late Thursday night. The Wilton Thomas pan was retired and I didn't plan ahead enough to find one so we created this. I wasn't crazy about the way it turned out but they loved it.

My parents and brother came over for dinner. With the holidays and Tad's work schedule we didn't plan anything big except pizza, cake, and presents. The boys woke up from their nap to find some Thomas decorations around the house. They couldn't wait for the "party". Peyton (L) Connor (R)

They kept asking when their friends were coming but we had family only so they were a little confused. I guess next year it will be time for a party with friends.

Anyway they loved ALL their presents. Uncle Brian gave them each a pack of the Disney Cars. They opened these first and we couldn't get them to put them down and open their next present. We had to take them away just to keep them unwrapping.



My mom bought them these adorable Christmas outfits- we hope to use for our card picture. They were excited b/c it has a train on the sweater. (My mom & Peyton)

Meme and Papa (Tad's parents) bought them the Deluxe Thomas Roundhouse for their train table. They were SO excited. I wish they could have seen them open it in person. I'm working on uploading a video of it b/c they were besides themselves. My dad gave them some new trains and once they opened the roundhouse they didn't put that or the new trains down.



While they were so busy playing with the new roundhouse and trains, Tad & I brought out our gift- a Thomas Train Table. We carried this from the guest room, through the foyer, and into the living room and they never saw what we were doing. We even set up some track, covered the table w/ wrapping paper and had to call them in to see they had another gift. They were really excited. We got it on tape. As soon as they opened it, they stopped and said "get the trains" and took off running after their new trains in the other room. They came running right back and started playing w/ everything.

We told them it was time for cake (Peyton had wanted it since 8 am that day). They both came into the kitchen, we sang to them, but as soon as they blew out the candles they both said " I'm done" and hopped down. We asked them where they were going and they said "to play with the roundhouse and train table". So we laughed, let them play, cut the cake and then I came in and asked them again if they wanted to come for ice cream and cake and they said "no- we're playing with the roundhouse". So there you have it. The rest of us had their birthday cake and finally 2 hours later once my family left and they played for a while, they had a piece of cake as their bedtime snack...even Connor tried it this time. It was crazy how much they just wanted to play w/ that.




It was a really fun time. The boys are busy every day with their new things. Its hard to believe Santa will be bringing more things in just another week.

3 Year Olds

Connor & Peyton turned 3 last Friday. Any parent would agree that these years pass so quickly. I can't believe it! They arrived safely to us at 38 1/2 weeks. I was so ready to have them here - I was miserable. Tad & I had no clue as first time parents. We often think back to our first night at home. It was snowy and I was released from the hospital at 11:00 PM- we got home at midnight. What hospital does that to someone? But they did. We had the babies in a bassinet next to our bed and it was the worst night. The babies cried all night. Everytime they woke up they were SOAKED. It was probably user error on the diapers but we swore there was something wrong w/ the diapers. We were completely exhausted by 5:00 am. The drawer full of clean blankets, sheets, and sleepers was already empty. We were like zombies...trying to stay awake to hold them so they'd stop crying. I remember looking at Tad and checking the clock and saying "ok it is finally 5:00 am. My mom is always awake by 5:30 so 30 more minutes and I can call her to come over." Promptly when that time came I called her crying to come help. Of course she did. She sent Tad and I both to bed and took the boys downstairs. By lunch time everything was so much better. There is something about the middle of the night that makes the perspective so much worse. A couple weeks later we actually had my mom move in with us for the next couple months. The boys had collic and even w/ a 3rd set of hands it was rough times. Every month got easier. Now 3 yrs. later those times seem like so long ago. Thank goodness. We are still blessed w/ my mom's help as we need it. The boys love their grandma.

The boys seem older all the time. They keep us laughing and smiling with the things they say. It is fun to watch them learn and see their relationship with each other grow. Most days they are best friends. They love to wake each other up in the morning, usually play the same thing together (most often Thomas Trains) all days. I rarely find them in separate rooms in the house.

I love to listen to their conversations. They play make believe and take turns being different characters or trains. They also push each others buttons and fight over trains, who sits where, etc. but I suppose that is something expected to work through. I get asked a lot if they have the same personalities. They do and they don't. The love so many of the same things but there are things that make them each unique from one another.

The both love: Thomas Trains, Disney's CARS, being outdoors, dirt, trucks, any kind of fruit, most vegetables, love to run everywhere, play hide and seek, want to do things w/o help. They are first shy in a group of people they don't know but eventually wind up being one of the loudest. They are overall very happy and healthy boys and usually good listeners (for being 3) that keep us laughing by the hour.

Peyton- loves cake & memaw's cookies, carmel corn, brocolli, spaghetti w/ no sauce, is crushed if he gets in trouble, reminds Connor of "rules", appoints himself and loves being the "teacher" when we play games, uses new words first.

Connor- hates sweets- unless it is memaw's cookies, wants ketchup and sauce w/ any meal, hates brocolli, laughs easy, pushes the limits on getting in trouble and sometimes thinks we're joking (seriously), is more likely to try something new before Peyton, BUT scared easier by movies.

We love these boys. They are so sweet and bring much happiness and love to our house. Happy Birthday Peyton & Connor.

Connor's first trip to the dentist

It is that time of year when our calendar seems to be filling up with well checks. The boys are turning 3 and so we've scheduled our eye and teeth appointments along w/ the pediatrician's well check. Peyton did great at the eye doc. last month. Today was Connor turn to try an appointment alone. Connor is more shy around strangers between the 2 of them but he did great.

Miss Sandy was the hygenist. She is GREAT with kids. She had fun names for the instruments, made the chair into a "ride" and even had a movie to show about plaque germs. She gave him sunglasses to wear w/ the bright light turned on. Connor thought he was so "cool". He wanted to wear the sunglasses the whole time. We couldn't get him to take those off until we were leaving. He did a great job letting her do the cleaning, checking, etc...and continued to do great when the dentist came in too. We had a different dentist than we planned on, probably scheduling miscommunication, but we still loved the appointment. Here are a few shots I took to share w/ Tad.

I have really enjoyed the times I can take just one boy and go somewhere- even if it is to a doctor's appt. It is so DIFFERENT and easier when they are separated. They really act like different boys when they aren't together to get each other wound up. Although we are usually ready to get home and see the other one.

Showing Miss Sandy his teeth

Letting Miss Sandy clean his teeth

Connor trying "Mr. Thirsty" - the straw that sucks away the water

Peeking out of the sunglasses

Finished w/ the movie, waiting on the dentist

No Cavities- Ready to go home!

Happy Birthday Brian

Yesterday was my brother's birthday. We usually aren't lucky enough to have him home on the actual day but since he lives here now, we were able to celebrate with him. We went to dinner at one of our family favorites- Max & Erma's. We've gone there for birthday dinners many years growing up. It was fun to do it again. Then we came back to our house for some birthday dessert. The boys were so funny about Brian's birthday. Since their birthday is exactly 1 week later than Brian's, they kept thinking it was their party. Finally by the end of the night they "got it" and sang to Uncle Brian. The boys love him. He is such a great uncle and is so great with kids. We have a month long celebration with everyone around.


Brian, Peyton & Connor, and Tad all have December birthdays before xmas. It works out we have a party each week and then Christmas. Fun times and too many calories. Oh well. Today the Christmas mood seems to be filling the air. Today we are putting up Christmas lights, the tree, and it is snowing. Tonight we have the FBI Christmas party to look forward too. Happy Holidays!