Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Is there a bear in that cave?

Andrew and I discussed opposites.  I explained that the opposite of upside down is right side up.  I demonstrated with a picture.  Andrew told me sideways is the opposite of sideways and turned the picture first sideways and then the opposite sideways.  Now does that turn your world upside down, or what?

It takes a lot of preparation to get ready for the great outdoors.

But it's worth the effort.

I bet Grampa wishes he could come outside and play, too.  But I don't think he has a snowsuit.

Nathan asked, "Is it okay if we play in the snow?"  It would be hard to play anywhere else, today.  Andrew didn't bother to ask for permission.  He just dug in.

The snow was great for making snowballs.

Gramma tried to teach the boys to build a snowman.  We got the bottom ball finished and the boys told me we needed to give him eyes.  I explained this was only the first level.  The boys were very impressed when I lifted the second ball onto the first.  They then told me we needed to give him eyes and a nose.  I explained we still weren't finished.  He needed a head first.  

Once the head was in place, I had to try to add more snow to the lower layers, since he was starting to fall over.  It's really hard to do, when you're trying to hold the snowman up with one hand and scoop and pat snow with the other hand.  In order to get the eyes in, you have to carve a hole and then patch it up with more snow.  But the red potatoes worked fine.  And of course, it had to be a carrot nose.

Our snowman is on the stylish side with a scarf and sunhat.  We didn't want him to melt in the sun.

How can it be a difficult choice when the box of Frango mints are all the same?  But it takes time to select the largest one.

Auntie Becca came to play with the play-doh.  She broke the rule about not mixing the play-doh colors.  And naturally the boys learned that breaking the rules leads to the best results.  This is the philosophy Auntie Becca has always lived by.  She's a great influence for the boys.

Almost Dr. Auntie Becca did really well putting a pig together.  She knew to give him ears, eyes, mouth, nose legs and a tail.  Medical school has taught her a lot.

The boys are book lovers.  When you sit down to read to them, you must read double the books.

Grampa, I'm keeping an eye on you.

And Grampa is keeping an eye on Nolan.

Cool Dudes Make the Dough

Gramma bought sunglasses for the boys.  They always want to try mine on and were thrilled to have their own.  They were disappointed to find out Gramma was too worried about their comfort to allow them to nap with their glasses.  I felt like I should turn more lights on in the house, so they would be able to see.  My bright personality turned out to be adequate for the job.

We made cookie dough for Grampa.

The boys had never tasted the dough before.

Nathan came running when he heard the mixer start.  "What are you doing. Gramma?"

Andrew noticed his brother was missing and was close behind.  "What's Nathan doing, Gramma?"

They now know why Grampa's cookies taste so good.  Gramma grinds oats into a flour to use in the cookies and uses half chocolate chips and half butterscotch chips.  They sampled the chips plain to see if they preferred one over the other.  No preference noted.

The boys discovered they love olives at Jim and Andrea's house.  They also love Oliver, their dog.

I'm not sure if it's the taste or the thumb hole that makes olives so good.  Andrew requested olives for dinner at our next Twins' Friday.

Thank heavens the temperature was 48 degrees today, so we could go outside with our new sunglasses.  The boys wanted to wear their baseball hats, but Gramma insisted on hoods.  We compromised.  

I don't know why they don't make mittens for little boys.  Thumb in the thumb hole, fingers all together.  This is the song we sing in mitten weather.  I taught my children to put on their mittens with that song.  I was helping Nathan get his gloves on, one finger at a time, when he complained,  "Wood chips, wood chips."  I thought I wasn't understanding, so I asked if he really had said, "Wood chips."  He told me had.  I thought about playing at playgrounds and thought perhaps he was right.  I took off the glove and turned it inside out, expecting to find a wood chip.  I found a cheerio, instead.  

On our walk, Nathan told me not to pay attention to what Andrew was saying.  He would tell me where to turn for our first wagon ride of the year.  Partway through our ride Nathan started asking, "Are we going uphill?"  The hills were not very steep, but Gramma slowed down for them and he had figured it out.

 The twins couldn't wait to see Nolan in their sunglasses.  He was not about to disappoint his cousins.

Daddy, I could use a leather jacket.

Team Workers

When the boys arrive, they're Daddy's boys.  That's two boys wrapped around his legs.  There's no way he's going to be able to get away.  When it's time to go home, they're all Gramma's.  

This is how they show they love and care for us.  There may come a time when Gramma and Grampa wrap themselves around the boys legs.

The boys came up with the idea to turn Gramma's chair over and make it into a fire engine.  Gramma assisted in the design.  They spent the morning riding to the fires and saving people.  Firemen need a broom and a flashlight.

We really enjoyed sliding and climbing on the fire engine.  That is until Grampa explained to Gramma, that our chair wasn't designed for a fireman's life.  So we used a blanket and turned the fire engine into a secret cave.  I think the chair designer needs to consider a more multi-purpose design.  You would think a chair would be good for something other than sitting in.

The boys were playing with their beads, when Nathan came over and explained they were "doing team work."  Later in the day, Andrew and Grampa were changing the batteries in their Mickey Mouse airplane.  Andrew, batteries in hand, told Grampa, 'We're doing team work."  What a wonderful thing to teach the next generation.  I remember being taught competition and to strive to be the best, in order to attain the best in each person.  Perhaps the best of an individual, is very small compared to the best of us all doing team work. I feel a sense of expansion and peace at what we've just learned from our grandsons.

When the boys want something the other one has, I ask them if they can think of something they might like to tell their brother.  Each one will respond with, "Please?"  I tell them they can try that, but perhaps there's something else they'd like to try.  They give it some thought and then say to their brother, "When you're finished, could I have a turn playing with that?"  The answer is always, "Sure," since they don't have to give it up immediately.  The boy waiting has gotten the positive answer he wanted.  Now, it's up to Gramma to distract the one waiting by coming up with a fun idea for him, or to explain that the length of the turns are determined by how long your turn takes.  Sometimes that's enough to prompt an immediate trade.  I remember that saying "Please" never worked with my children.  The child in possession could care less about the other child's polite manners.  As I was telling them about the "magic words," I felt the futility, and knew it only happened under my nose.  And then with very little success.  And only if I was willing to police it.  

A chair makes a great place for a mummy to sleep.  This "mummy" has to have his toes wrapped completely.

Today, Gramma has planned finger painting.  Gramma better look at the store for body paints.  This is a sure sign I am losing my memory.  I did this with my own children, although never in their father's presence.  But then I went on to have a second and third child after going through pregnancy and birth the first time.  Perhaps I've had a poor memory most of my life.  

The boys have very different painting styles.  Andrew seems to be heading toward an ambidextrous style, resulting in symmetrical paintings.  Nathan's pictures are more of an impressionistic Monet style.  It's amazing how much actual paint they can put on a picture.  Or perhaps most of it isn't on the paper.

Clean up is extremely important.  Nathan even got paint on his face.  (Those are not scrapes or bruises.)  A dry shirt and pants were required following the hand washing.  The kitchen floor looked especially clean afterward, too.

Nolan came to join us for dinner and a little playtime with his cousins.  The boys promised to teach Nolan how to play with Play-doh someday.  

Nolan is looking forward to joining his cousins for the whole day.

Daddy's teaching me how to make silly faces.

I'm very strong and like to stand up.  I can also roll over from my tummy to my back.  I keep telling them, I don't care for "tummy time."

Daddy and I have the same expressions.

See what I mean?

I told you so.

Nolan, if you're lucky you might get dessert.

The boys are amazingly good at asking permission first.  Rebecca, unfortunately, learned very early it's easier to ask for forgiveness after doing what you want.  Sweet Andrew came over and asked, "Can I pet him?"

Nolan enjoyed being petted.  And Andrew blessed him with a kiss, too.

So long, it's time to go home.  I'll see you soon.  Nolan Night is on Monday.

Potty Stop

Daddy put shoes Andrew's shoes on.  This was the pair that was left for Nathan to wear.  Hmmm!  Andrew didn't complain that his shoes didn't fit.  I wonder if he's worn that pair before.

Aunt Becky suggested that we make a progress chart for the boys to encourage their potty training.  The boys, especially Andrew loved the idea.  Right after a successful trip to the bathroom, Andrew would ask to drink more water.  He had made the connection that drinking water made more frequent trips to the restroom necessary.  After the boys woke up from their nap, I hurried them to the restroom.  They noticed there was another chart on the wall.  Andrew figured out that it said, "Grampa."  

We took our three boys out to dinner.  The twins rode in my car to the restaurant.  Andrew was watching out the window and asked if we were going a different way.  We explained that we were going to a restaurant in Waudonda.  Andrew said, "You live in Mundelein.  I live in Lake Zurich."  Nathan spoke up and said, "I live in Lake Zurich too, with my Mommy and my Daddy."

At the restaurant, Ryan Joseph discussed with the boys what they'd like to eat for dinner.  Nathan understands the custom of ordering and explained to his father that he wanted a cheeseburger (and held up one finger) and chicken fingers (and then raised another finger).  He said, "Two things," as he shook his two fingers to make his point.  Later, they ordered water with lemon, just like Gramma's.  They also tasted and enjoyed clam chowder and lobster ravioli.  Nathan completely devoured his ice cream by lifting his dish and drinking the last drop.

Even without a Playland, this place is pretty good.

Just what I ordered vanilla.  It's Grampa's favorite, too.

I think there's another drop at the bottom.

No doggy bag necessary for the ice cream.

Four more stickers were earned while at the restaurant.  I don't know how many Grampa earned there.

Rembrandts In the Basement

The boys learned to paint today.  Gramma learned to prepare the art studio before the boys arrive.  You need to have the easel prepared on a drop cloth, paint smocks, paint cups, paint, paintbrushes, water and rags ready. Art class lasts five minutes.  It would be over in two minutes, if it wasn't for the fun of turning the water different colors as you clean the brushes. 

Are you sure Grampa won't mind if I get paint on his good t-shirt?
Motto on t-shirt:  Real men don't need instructions.  Grampa lives by this motto.

Nathan learns yellow and blue make green.  

Blue and more blue make blue.

I think I'm an Impressionist.

I painted a big dog.

Andrew, you're an artist!

Left-handed Andrew can paint with both hands.

Gramma's shoes are now a work of art.

Andrew reaches new heights and enjoys the view.

That's our boy at the top.

I wonder if he's having a good time.

All this and a Happy Meal toy, too!

While at McDonald's the boys needed to use the restroom.  I took them one at a time.  Nathan took one look and said, "I don't like this bathroom."  He was done.  Next up, Andrew had no problem and met with success.  I explained I also needed to use the restroom.  He waited patiently and when I was finished asked, "Did you make pee-pee?"  I answered in the affirmative.  Andrew made a thumb's up gesture and proclaimed, "Excellent!"  He then raised the other thumb and repeated it.  One for him, and one for me.  It was very encouraging.

Use two hands to hold your cup.

The family got together to celebrate the Auntie's birthdays.  When we sat down to dinner and Nathan noticed the pacifier in Baby Nolan's mouth, he asked, "What is Nolan eating?"  We told him Nolan had a gourmet meal catered for him.  He's on a liquid diet.

Great-Aunt Andrea really has experience with boys and knows how to enjoy being with them.

 My cousin, TJ, must have his driver's license.

Aunt Andrea, did you notice my socks match my shirt?

Don't squeeze any harder!

Gramma gets her turn on Nolan Night.