So many changes...

Two days ago Owen took his first steps! The boys and I were up in the playroom and I was holding Avery, talking to Evan when Owen decided to stand up then take three steps! They are all growing and changing so quickly!

Evan now has his Daddy's Legos and he LOVES being able to play with them. He gets special time upstairs without his brothers when he can play with them because the other two are too small to use the "big boy" Legos. I love his creativity - every part & piece has a purpose - to make a plane go up or down, to shoot, to make the vehicle go FAST...

This morning was interesting - Avery showed Evan the banana he was eating and Evan replied he did not like bananas. I stated that sometimes he does and maybe tomorrow he will. He informed me he wouldn't tomorrow then followed that by stating that he ONLY likes bananas on Sundays. He then asked what day it was, I told him it was Thursday so he then let me know he does not like bananas on Thursdays. Where do they come up with this stuff? Seriously!

Two nights ago at dinner Alex asked Evan if he was a trouble maker and responded with "I am not a maker, I am trouble" then told daddy that daddy was the trouble maker because he had made Evan.

Monday I was getting the boys a snack after their nap and Evan informed me he did not want crackers. When I asked him what he did want he replied "Carrots". Wow! I think I may have to thank the people at VBS for that one. You try and try as a parent to feed them right - both food and soul and pray that they grow up to be healthy, happy people and moments like this make you think you might just be on the right track.

Avery deiced more than a year and half ago he wanted to go potty - but he is still going on occasion when he wants to. Today I have started putting him on the potty every 30 minutes - he had remained dry until this last time... so he didn't even make it all morning dry by going every 30 minutes... the joys/frustrations of potty training!

Amazing...

It never ceases to amaze me how different the three boys are and how similar - the things they do, the way they learn and progress.

Evan didn't walk until he was 15 months old, but before he walked he could climb a ladder.

Avery could stand, jump, bend over and pick up something off the floor before he was by around 6 months, but then didn't walk until he was a year old and when he did walk he walked all the way across the kitchen. Before he walked he had this great hopping thing he would do on his knees - I have never seen another child do it - it was hysterical and he drew crowds to him to watch.

In the last month Owen has started standing up in the middle of the room on his own without holding on to anything. I don't remember the other two doing that. We were at William Wurdeman's baptism and in the middle of the gymnasium he just stood up. I was thrilled that Alex and I were both there to see it. He is walking around holding on to items, but still has not walked on his own. He is standing more and more and for longer periods of time. Owen has been able to climb up the stairs for a few months now and every time he gets to the top he just sits there and smiles - he is so proud of himself.

They have ALL been climbers - climbing ladders, stairs, furniture long before they walked.

Gotta love 'em

Evan and I just had a conversation about the first day of VBS at our church. I asked him what his favorite parts were and he said the snack (1/2 a bagel & fresh fruit) and the story times - in the class room and in the breezeway. Then he went on to continue to say I was the best mommy, in the family - ha! Then he changed the statement to the Best Mommy Ever! Then he went on to say Daddy was the best daddy in the world - then changed it to the best daddy in the family - ha! Then we went on to discuss how we have to always love everyone in our family - but we don't always have to like them or all that they do. He agreed to that even though he as been stating quite the opposite frequently. He then went on to say he didn't always like daddy, but he did always love him (again - not what he was saying last night). Then he said he always loves me and always likes me - I said that I doubted that - but that it was ok to not always like me. I said sometimes I didn't always like what he does - he replied, "but you always love me" I said yes, always and forever and he said "all the way to the moon?" because I frequently say "all the way to the moon and back again". It is those moments that keep us going. The crazy moments are far to frequent with 1, 2 & 4 year old boys... but that one statement makes it all worth while! We are so very blessed!

The Things They Say!

June 3rd
Alex and I had to laugh this morning... Avery had on his cowboy boots and Evan helped him put in a plastic snake so then he had a snake in his boots! Hysterical for any Toy Story fans ;o) My how having kids changes your life - ha!

May 23rd
I am standing in the kitchen, boys are in the bathroom... I overhear Evan say "you're my best friend Avery, my best friend!" How sweet is that, just when you are ready to throw in the towel they do something like that.
June 6th
E: We are going to Gilbert's today e: Is Owen going? Is Avery going? Are you going? E: yes e: Is daddy going? E: No, he has to go to work e:why? E: Why does he go to work? e: because I am hungry.

E: Get dressed so we can go to Gilbert's e: Yay! I LOVE Gilbert! I am going to give him a big hug!

e: Are we going outside in the rain? E: Yes, to get to the car. You won't melt. e: Yes I will!

May 18th
Evan is currently obsessed with local honey in a honey bear! He has been eating a lot of peanut butter sandwiches it, some honey sandwiches and this morning... on his eggs! The label on the bear is on his tummy and Evan informed me that tags belong in the back! Such a smart boy!

May 17th
Evan "who is he?" Me "he is spraying so we don't have mosquitoes" e "but what is he?" E "an exterminator" e "he has a cool backpack! He is a GOOD sprayer" Just thought you would appreciate this review - ha!

Follow-up to this one - then when we went to the doctor's office there was a man with a backpack tool on and he said they are spraying for mosquitoes and I told him that this man was just blowing the grass away that he had just cut. Then Evan was concerned about the fact that the mosquitoes were going to come get him since they hadn't sprayed.

May 16th
 First words out of Evan's mouth this morning when he walked into our room "Why you here?" Me "You don't want me here?" Evan "No" Me "You want Miss Shannon?" e "yes!" Feeling the love - ha!

The boys and I are watching "Star Wars" because Mr. Potato head now can be Darth Vadar or a Storm Trooper... so Evan wanted to see who they were... Avery's comment "Cool airplane" to the X Wings and Evan just asked where the Power Rangers were - ha! I can barely keep my eyes open today and yet they keep making me laugh!

Dinner conversation "Evan, what was your favorite thing about today?" "Watching movies - Star Wars, because it was SOOOOOO COOL! There were bad guys" "so do you want to watch it again?" "YES!"

May 15th
This morning when we were getting in the car Evan refused to open the car door because it was wet. I asked him whose child he was and he replied "Daddy's, I like meat, Daddy likes meat. I love meatloaf, Daddy loves meatloaf and so does Bodaddy". Cracked me up! Aunt Diana better be ready for a talking to next time she is over because he thinks it is silly to not like meat and needs to tell you so in person - ha!

May 12th
Regarding our trip to Florida - String Break, camping, Disney...
Sitting in the kitchen - out of the blue Evan says "Thank you for the trip" I replied - "Did you like the trip?" e "Yes!" E "What was your favorite part?" e "The Dumbo ride!"

March 23rd

Last night Evan informed me that Bodaddy knows Santa and helps Santa deliver presents. I didn’t know you knew the big man – impressive! ;o) 
Bodaddy's response:

Thank you sooooo much for that terrifically important to me news.  I've got a special place where I'll save it. This kind of news is definitely a blessing to my heart.

Last day at Disney - The Magic Kingdom

We had reservations to have breakfast with Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace buffet first thing. We got there around 8:00 and got right in. Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger & Piglet were all there. The buffet had an amazing assortment of foods including Mickey Mouse waffles, unfortunately I think the boys were all too excited to eat much. They were very smart and had plastic as well as glass plates. Unfortunately when they brought each of the boys a cupcake for their birthdays, they brought them on glass plates. Owen was very excited, grabbed his plate and threw it on the floor where it broke. Never boring anywhere we go. We loved getting to meet each of the characters & getting pictures and autographs with them. Alex had on his Tigger t-shirt and informed Tigger that he was his favorite! Then it was off to see more of the magic kingdom. First stop - Pirates of the Caribbean! The boys LOVED it - ha! That was where they decided they wanted to spend their birthday money. They each got a gun and a hook. Avery also got a Jake & the Never Land Pirates shirt (they only had his size) and Alex got a pirate shirt that stated "The beatings will stop when the morale improves". Upon leaving the store we realized we had missed seeing Captain Jack Sparrow's performance. So we noted the time of his next show and went on the cruise. We collected some more pennies and went to wait to see and hopefully meet Captain Jack Sparrow. During his performance Evan and Avery both got pulled up on stage to learn to be pirates. Captain Jack Sparrow said he thought he might be in trouble when he chose Avery - but he selected him anyways - ha! We got video of all of this. Next stop was to see the Country Bear Jamboree. Then Evan and I (Alex waited with Avery & Owen - Avery was asleep) went through the Swiss Family Robinson tree house (both of these last two things are things I remember doing with my family when I was little). Then the three boys and I went to fly on Aladdin's Carpet (Avery had woken up and pee'd on me - the joys of Motherhood - ha!). So then we asked Evan what he would like to do again and he wanted his brothers to see the Haunted Mansion since they had missed it the day before so we all rode it this time. Then we went to get seats to watch Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade. We wanted to get on the road to see Miss Ellen and meet Scott & baby Victoria so we gave Evan another option for one last ride. He selected Buzz Lightyear again. So we went and rode Buzz's ride, the got some more lollypops for Avery doing well with potty training then rode the ferry to get to the car. We had realized that Mr. Potato head was a different size from the one we had so we wanted to get another one and we needed to get some arms that would hold all of the Disney items so back to Downtown Disney. The boys were asleep so I stayed in the van with them while Alex went in search of Mr. Potato Head. The boys still had some b-day money and Evan had wanted a hat and we had promised him one so when Alex returned I went into one of the stores and quickly looked. I decided they needed hats to go with their guns & hooks and got them hats just like Captain Jack Sparrow had. Then it was farewell to Disney and off to south Florida to North Palm Beach to see Ellen and family!

Animal Kingdom

We got up early, ate breakfast in our hotel room and boarded the bus to the Animal Kingdom - it was an early entry day. We went directly to the safari as Becky had instructed. The wait was not long at all. We got to ride threw the African safari and see lots of animals. We then walked around and saw more animals. Next we boarded the train to see Rafiki.The boys all got to meet him and we all had our pictures taken with him. The petting zoo was a disappointment - as they were supposed to have many rare animals for the boys to meet and there were a few sheep... ok - we can go to Nana's and see sheep in Ohio anytime. It was then time to eat so we sat down and ate our sandwiches, apple slices and peanut butter filled pretzels. Then back on the train to go and see the Lion King performance. We were in between shows at this point so we went and saw "A Bug's Life" 3D. I absolutely loved it when any of the three boys would try to reach for something coming towards them in any of the 3D movies. It is soooo sweet. Next to the Lion King - this is what I REALLY wanted to see! Unfortunately you have to park your strollers quite a distance from the doors to the performance. Avery had fallen asleep and I had to hold him quite some time while we waited. Alex was carrying Owen who also fell asleep. As soon as we sat down, before the performance even began Evan was asleep. Avery woke up in time to see it. I LOVED it! Afterwards we decided to go back to the hotel. Obviously staying at the Magic Kingdom the previous day from 9:00 until the Electric Parade was over had exhausted everyone. We got another Mickey Mouse chocolate covered ice cream on a stick then left. We did stop by a gift store on the way out and got the boys each a book to hold their squished pennies we had been collecting throughout our Disney journey. We then boarded the bus and went back to our hotel. We relaxed for a bit then made our way to the 60's flower pool. Back to the room for baths then I went over to the food court and got us a Greek salad and pizza for dinner in our room on our special Minnie Mouse plates. We wanted to get to bed at a decent time as tomorrow was breakfast with Pooh & friends. Once the boys were asleep we packed up everything and Alex packed the van as much as he could ahead of time. Another fun day at Disney!

Disney World! Monday & Tuesday

Monday morning we finished packing up all the camping gear and were on our way to Disney World! We stopped along the way for a small cooler to take with us into the park and continued on our way. Then... we were there! We stayed at the Pops Resort IN Disney World! The woman who checked us in was soooo nice - everyone was - yes, the Happiest Place on Earth... we were there - ha! Behind us at check-in was another family of three who had also decided to come at the last minute. He is in the military and stationed in Georgia and decided to take advantage of the military discount. All five of us got a "First Time" button and the boys all got "It's My Birthday" buttons. We each got a card key and off we went to check out our room. We stayed in the 70's building. It was situated between two pools and one of the closer ones to the parking lot - thankfully as we had a TON of stuff to bring in! The boys & I remained in the room as Alex unloaded the car. At first the boys wanted to watch Disney Jr. but were convinced to take a bath as they were excited about the Mickey Mouse shampoo and Mickey Mouse bar of soap. Unfortunately before I could stop them they had opened the shampoo and poured it all into the tub with them. Luckily Alex found housekeeping and was able to get an extra as their toiletries were still in the van. Finally - they were CLEAN! Yay! After that it was nap time and Alex and I both got showers - MUCH NEEDED! Finally around 4:30 or so we were dressed and ready to head to Downtown Disney! We went straight to the T-Rex Restaurant! We had dinner there and got to walk around and see meteor showers every 20 minutes as well as see the dinosaurs start moving around - very cool! Alex and I split the paella - yummy! (Except for the shells I kept finding) Then we were on our way to the Lego Store - sooooo many Legos! And pictures with Lego Buzz Lightyear and Lego Woody! Then on to ride the train and the carousel. Then we discovered the location of the toy store with all of the Mr. Potato head accessories... Alex went into full engineer mode and was determined to get as much as physically possible in the all you can stuff box for $19.95. Alex had read about Mr. Potato head prior to our trip to Disney and asked me to buy a Mr. Potato head as they are all the same size and that if you don't put Mr. Potato head in the box you can get more items - mouths, ears, hats... (unfortunately this was not the case... more on this later). I didn't think we would EVER get to leave - ha! So the bedtime of 7:00 we had hoped for turned out to be more like a 9:30 bedtime. Housekeeping had brought us a pack-n-play when we first arrived for Owen and bed-rails for the boys. Avery still managed to fall off of the bed during the night. Disney World opened on Tuesday at 9:00 so that is when we planned to be there... but we arrived around 9:10 after getting ready, eating breakfast on our new Mickey Mouse plates, loading into the van and driving there. After we parked we had to either ride the monorail or ferry boat - so we let Evan choose - ferry boat it was! Once in the park we went straight to Dumbo as Becky had told us to - obviously everyone else had done the same thing as it was a 40 minute wait - good news is that is the longest we waited all day (trip) for a ride. Then Alex, Evan and Avery rode a roller coaster while Owen and I went in search of Fast Passes for Winnie the Pooh - we found the ride, but couldn't quite figure out where the FP's were... so we asked. We were told they were over by Mickey Mouses Philharmonic. I put in one of the keys and it stuck... ok - not off to a great start here. I found an employee and she came right over and was very helpful and not only did the FP machine give us a FP for Winnie the Pooh, but also for Mickey's Philharmonic! Then we were back at Dumbo to search for Alex, Evan & Avery. Snacks were necessary at this point so we all had some of the peanut butter pretzels we had brought with us. Next... the teacups! Wow! All I have to say is Alex sure can spin them  We all were quite dizzy after that - ha! (Upon returning home Evan has talked about how it made him hit his head and how daddy made us go round and round REALLY, REALLY FAST! Ha! Quite accurate!). At this point we had some sprinkles off and on so we headed towards Winnie the Pooh, but it wasn't yet time for our FP so we went on Snow White's ride. I had been warned it was scary - but it didn't phase our boys - should I be concerned or proud - ha! Then more rain - so the perfect solution of Mickey Mouse's Philharmonic! I wasn't quite sure what it was, but it turned out to be a 3D Movie with Mickey and Donald and several of the Disney characters all participating. We LOVED it! Evan is still talking about Donald ending up in the wall behind us at the end of the movie. Then it was time for Winnie the Pooh! Let me just say we made the most of the FP system and loved them! After Winnie the Pooh we headed over to Peter Pan and got another FP and decided it was time to eat. We went to the restaurant right there and Alex and I were craving a salad so we split one and the kids had their pretzels and peanut butter/apple butter sandwiches. Next was an all-time favorite - It's a Small World then one of Evan's favorites Peter Pan (in two days we rode it 3 times). Then daddy was off to get FP's for Buzz Lightyear! By this time we were getting hungry again and it was time for a big snack... a Mickey Mouse ice cream on a stick! We shared that then ventured over to The Haunted Mansion. Avery was taking a nap in the stroller by this time so Evan & Alex rode the Haunted Mansion. At that time Evan said "it was scary!", but then when we went back to the Magic Kingdom on Thursday he wanted Avery, Owen and myself to go with he and Alex - so we did ;o) Nobody was scared this time. Next it was time to head on over to Buzz Lightyear! We got to shoot at all sorts of aliens - the boys loved it, they got to shoot and control the car. Each time we rode it Evan HAD to go with Alex - ha! So Avery & Owen went with me each time. We then tried to watch the Laugh Floor - got up to the doors and their was a power surge... shut down! They did give us 5 FP's to use at other attractions. So then to the People Mover - at this ride there were people stuck on it due to that power surge. Then who should appear? Buzz Lightyear - so we rushed over to meet him! Of course there was already a line - then Buzz went to take a break, but we continued to wait! Eventually we got up there and met Buzz - we got signatures & pictures with him. By this time the People Mover was up and running again. At this point it was time for dinner - we decided to try Tony's (from Lady and the Tramp). Tony's is located at the very front of the park so we ventured up there - we did not have a reservation so we sat on the porch - a bit warm, but probably not a bad idea for the boys to be away from the many other guests - it had been a long day. Avery and I ended up going out to the lobby and watching "Lady and the Tramp" while Alex, Evan and Avery had ice cream. It was then time to leave and Alex had Owen and I had the other two - I stopped to blow Avery's nose, turned around and Evan was GONE!!! We told the man who worked outside the restaurant then I went in search of him - I am not sure I have ever prayed so hard. I ended up finding him watching people meet Pluto - so then we had a LONG talk about staying with us! (Mind you we had lost Avery at the Dumbo ride and Evan at the It's a Small World lines earlier in the day, but this was by far scarier.) I must say the other parents at Disney are very thoughtful and helpful! (When Evan was lost in the It's a Small World line there was a family who refused to move in the line until someone was found for Evan - how wonderful were they?). So now we had 5 FP's to use prior to the Electric Parade... we asked Evan and he requested Buzz Lightyear - so off we went - we all rode it again - how fun! We still had two FP's since Owen and Avery did not need them so we asked Evan what else he wanted to ride... Peter Pan. Alex took a smelly Owen, to change him and got us seats for the Electric Parade. I rushed over with Evan and Avery to Fantasyland and rode Peter Pan. Evan wanted to come back to Main St THROUGH the palace - but it was closed due to a show. So around we went and were able to find Alex and Owen. Avery had pooped in the potty and earned a lollypop so Evan, Avery and I went to the candy store at the corner of Main St and let the boys pick out lollipops! And did they ever - ha! Evan got a large round Strawberry one with Minnie Mouse and Avery picked the large round multicolored one with Lightening McQueen. So back to daddy and time to sit and wait for the parade to begin. The parade was awesome - Evan was sooooo cute and blowing kisses to all of the princess's - already such the lady's man! When the parade was over we headed straight to the car - this time we decided to try the monorail. As soon as we were in the car at the Simba parking lot the boys were OUT! When we got back to the hotel I carried Owen in and Alex loaded the boys and stuff into the double stroller. Who knew Evan's head could bend back so far - ha! They were definitely OUT! So into their PJs, into bed and sleep to prepare for the Animal Kingdom!