Halloween 2011

Gretchen went as the bride of Frankenstein while the boys got to be football players.  This was really their first year of trick or treating where they even understood the process.  Last year I don't think they went to more than one house.  This year, they were were all about it!  Evan and Sean followed Gretchen from door to door to pursue candy.  Their stamina for the evening was better than Gretchen's when she was three.  I walked them as long as I could.  At one point Sean started sitting in driveways to get a rest.  Evan had me carry his candy pal because he was so tired.  Next year I will let them pick their own costumes now that I know they get it and will remember it.  So much fun and yet I'm glad it's over!

Growing up fast!

Just a quick update on the boys!  They seem to be doing well in Early Childhood (with speech and occupational therapy).  We separated the boys into different classes to give them both a chance to become independent.  I had been more worried about Evan in this scenario because he really looks for Sean and Gretchen when they are not in the room with him.  Evan is doing well however but it doubles the amount of paperwork I get in their backpacks.  It's a challenge to keep their papers and assignments straight along with Gretchen's stuff. 

Evan is talking quite a bit - his latest thing is telling me he can't like something.  For example:  I can't like cheese.  Or I can't like a nap.  Now I'm asking him about school and his answer to those questions is yes.  It doesn't matter what I ask, he says yes.  Me:  Did you roast marshmallows at school?  Yes.  Did you color at school?  Yes.  We have been working on the dialogue between us and the boys.  I ask Evan what he did at school every day.  For a few weeks the answer was "I colored"...  Then it was "I play centers" (their stations of play at preschool).  So... we're getting there.

Sean is also talking more.  He seems to speak up more when asked questions.  He really likes to sing and we can often get him to sing songs.  He likes the songs he's learning at church and on his favorite singing show "Fresh Beat Band".  He actually tries to dance and sing while watching this show which is the only reason I tolerate it.  Steve calls it the "Glee" for preschoolers....kinda true...

We've been working on potty training so the boys can go to Gretchen's old daycare.  It hasn't been easy.  Sean seems pretty close but consistency is still an issue.  Only in the last week or so has Evan gotten aboard the potty train.  He gets more excited when he uses the potty which is very very cute to me (look!  I made tinkles!)...  Over the summer I locked the boys out of the house so we could try them in underwear but they did not get it.  We took a break and started again... I've tried treats (rewards) and underwear underneath the pull up but they will be ready when they are ready I guess.  I know, I know.. they won't be in diapers in kindergarten....

School Picture Day!!!!!

First Day of School

First Day of School with New Backpacks!

The boys started at Gretchen's grade school in the Early Childhood (Special Ed) program.  They will get the speech and occupational therapy they need at preschool.  It will the first time they are in a structured setting but we are hoping they will adjust.  In preparation we have been trying to potty train them but it has not been successful.  One day last month I had them outside (locked outside) in t-shirts and underwear to try to train them to use the toilet.  It was not successful - I was a bunch of underwear and had to hose down the deck a few times.  Once they get potty trained, we can send them to Gretchen's old daycare for before and after their preschool.  We decided to separate them at Early Childhood so that they each get an opportunity to do their own thing.  Once they go to daycare, they'll be together so it's not a huge separation.  It should be interesting to see how it works out!

Summertime Gauntlet

We were very very busy this summer.  We must have hit Six Flags at least a dozen times to make our membership worthwhile.  We did Milwaukee Zoo a couples of times.  We went camping twice (once at the Zoo).  We went to the Cubs game twice (once in Milwaukee and once at Wrigley).  And we swam as much as we could before the erratic weather of August hit us.  If there was a theme to our summer it was grind the kids down!  Hee!  No really, we did what we could to minimize the time spent sitting around the house and I think we were successful.  Check out the pictures.....

3rd Birthday

It has been a crazy July but we managed to fit in 4th of July at Six Flag's, Gretchen's birthday party, the boys birthday party and a Cubs game!  We had a small party for Sean and Evan with close friends and family.  The boys had fun - Sean is still not interested in cake but Evan definitely has a sweet tooth.  He likes cake, ice cream, candy, donuts, etc.....  Gretchen had her annual Gretchenpalooza but maybe for the last time.  The boys are due for a big party and we may do that next year.....  No matter how big the party, the cake is always fun. I was going to do two cakes but I think two candles was plenty!

RollaCosta

For the second year in a row, we spent the 4th of July at Six Flags.  The boys missed the fireworks at the end but we awake the rest of the time.  Gretchen watched the fireworks but did not stay awake for the short drive home from Great America.  All in all they had a great time.  They can ride so many things now that we have really gotten our money's worth.  A down side is eating at the park.  We have been getting away with bringing in food for the boys but it's not always easy.  The best deal is the popcorn bucket for $6 that you can refill all year long for a $1 each time.  We had to buy two buckets since all five of us kill the first bucket really quickly...