{A September Update}

Wow...so didn't mean to drop off there for several weeks.  Now I will try to play catch up and since my memory stinks, I rely on my camera phone to jog my memory!

 

First off...Ben.  Oh Benny, what can I say?  You have been...challenging these last few weeks.  You are either super happy or super ticked off.  And I am never quite sure which I am going to get.  For instance, this picture was from a trip to the store to buy new shoes for you and Luke.  By the way, you are a size 8 1/2 at just 21 months old.  You have very large and wide feet.  But back to the point.  You were a stinker.  A BIG stinker.  So much that I had to capture the moment...

 

 

I was quite sad to see you go through these emotions since I thought we might miss the terrible 2's since you were such a sweet, gentle baby and toddler.  Not so much!  But at times, you are still just a doll and try to cry but can't because you just can't stop laughing. You are such a cuddler and just a big lover.  You just throw your arms around me and I just melt every time.  Thank goodness for those times because otherwise I would not be so sure we are going to survive the terrible 2's. 

 

You are also very particular about what you wear.  You have definite opinions and pretty much have to pick out every outfit....which is usually consisting of a blue shark shirt I got you from Target.  The fact that you care what you wear is hysterical because Luke could care less what he wears, so this is very new for me.  It is also a bit frustrating because you have lots of fits if you don't like your outfit.  Exhibit A.  You sat and pouted for about 20 minutes because you did not want to wear a red polo shirt for picture day at school. 

 

 

We have figured out you like to dress up as well and have a fascination of shoes.  You particularly liked the high-heeled ruby red shoes that your grandmother got for Molly your cousin.  You saw those, insisted I immediately put them on you, and walked all over the house for an hour.  I love that you have your own style no matter how frustrating it can be at times!  Although you do have the nickname "Fancy Boy" now by your dad and me.  We love our Fancy Boy though!  



 

One more thing about your shark shirt.  It is not just shirts, you seem to have a fascination of sharks in general.  And it blew your mind when you got one painted on your arm at a restaurant one night.  You were constantly sticking your arm out to show it off.  You were quite adorable!

 

 

Luke was there too and he got a tiger!  Face painting sure has come along way since the days of a single heart painted on your cheek back in the 1980's. 

 

 

Speaking of Luke, he is doing well.  He is going to school three days a week and seems to be really enjoying it.  He brought home the following artwork one day.  Most kids said things like "Because my Mommy and Daddy love me" or "Because Got made me".  But you?  No, Luke is special because of trains.  It has been this way since he was about 20 months and has not changed.  He is still obsessed as ever!  Only one other response was better.  It read "I am special because....of the kitchen". LOVE IT.  I wish I was there when that kid's parents read that. Ha!

 

 

Luke has never been one to sit down and color independently, but lately he is starting to do it more and more.  Here Luke is decorating his 'family leaf' for school.  They are studying families the month of October so we had some homework we had to do.  I realize that we barely have any family photos where all four of us are in it because I had to dig this one up from last Thanksgiving.  Hoping to change this over the next few months! 

 

 

We have some exciting news that the boys are getting a new nephew tomorrow!!  My sister Courtney is having her baby boy tomorrow.  She is about two weeks from her due date, but she has low fluid so it is time to get the baby out.  We have been helping watch Molly during some of her doctor's appointments over the past few weeks.  Here we are going on a 'treasure hunt' (aka a walk to keep the kids out of the house since the housekeeper was trying to clean downstairs at my parent's house). 

 

 

At times, they drive us all crazy and we have to distract them with a little show.  After our treasure hunt, we stuck them all in this bed and turned on the TV and they zoned out for a few minutes so we could figure out our next plan of action with them!  Note Ben's shoes.  He he! 

 

 

We had National Night Out last night and we hosted it for the second year.  It was still 90 degrees and so hot.  Luke and Ben were drenched in sweat but we all had a good time.  The neighborhood constable came around and I got Luke to take a picture with them before he went running for the bounce house!

 

 

Like I said, it is still very hot!  This was two nights ago.  Eating popsicles almost naked outside at 7:00 pm.  Cooler weather please come soon!

 

 

Luke opted for clothing.  I swear this picture looks like it is in the middle of the summer. 

 

 

The boys have discovered the shower!  They have always been bath boys, but they love the shower now and will play 30 minutes in it.  They like to blow fish faces on the door....

 

 

I thought maybe showers would make it a bit easier and quicker at night.  Sadly it has turned into quite a production now and it is almost more work than a bath.  But they sure have fun!  The only problem is now Ben wants to get in every time I shower.  He sees me and starts trying to take off his diaper.  I don't think I will ever get to shower alone again!

 

Here are the boys laying in Luke's bed.  They were pretend sleeping.  One day, probably in a year or so, they will share this room.  They are still either loving each other like crazy or fighting like cats and dogs.  They are the most precious things to me though.  I know I will look back one day and miss these crazy days...