All I want for Christmas....

...is my two front teeth.

I thought I had 3 or 4 years until that was on my radar. We had our first trauma on Friday. In an effort to go to the batroom, Braxton tripped and hit is mouth on the bathtub. At first, we thought he just bit his lip. We soon discovered that he hit is teeth too.

I called the pediatrician and they directed us to take him to the dentist. Matt took him while I stayed behind with Brennan and Colton. They took xrays and said that he needed an oral surgeon and his teeth would have to come out. He also got 2 stitches in his lip.

Matt said that Brax took it like a champ. I am pretty sure that it was really hard on his Daddy (and Mommy too). Our little rock star seems to be healing quite nicely.

It might take Matt and I a little longer to get over it.

Stages

 Kids go through stages. Some good.  Some not so good. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the stage that kids go through when they dress themselves.  It cracks me up when I see a kid wearing rain boots, a cape and ski goggles at the grocery store.  It doesn't embarrass me in the slightest if my kid is the one that is "dressed up".  I think that it is a short stage that passes too quickly.  More importantly, it makes my trip the grocery store bearable.  

 Brennan has gone through a few looks.  He wore rain boots everywhere for awhile.  He likes to wear blue and his shirts with Woody on them (I really tried hard with the wording on that one) Now he is into his overalls.  He would wear his overalls everyday if I would they were clean enough to do so. Thank goodness he has two pairs to rotate.  

 Braxton likes to wear green, Buzz Lightyear stuff.  He like overalls too, but nearly as much as Brennan.  Today, I asked Braxton what he wanted to wear and he said "my uniform" (they have Ohio State football uniforms)  Brennan quickly chimed in with "it is NOT game day!"  I told Brennan it didn't have to be game day to wear a uniform.

 Colton isn't there yet, but I am sure that it won't be long!  I can't wait.

The Great Pumpkin

  When I was growing up, my family received a card from "The Great Pumpkin" EVERY year.  The card was typed and there was NO return address.  The Great Pumpkin even sent us our card after we moved. To this day, I do not know who our Great Pumpkin was.  My Mom isn't even sure who sent the card.  

  I decided that "The Great Pumpkin" was going to start coming to our house.  Throughout the month, I kept telling the boys that "The Great Pumpkin" would come to our house if they were good, ate their dinner, etc. They sort of understood...  They REALLY understood once Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin was on TV.  It could not have come at a better time.

  So what did "The Great Pumpkin Bring"?  I filled their candy bucket with the final touches to their costume (Hat, train whistle, and bandana)  I bought some glow bracelets to wear trick or treating and I had purchased some Halloween books a few months ago.  I also filled tiny plastic pumpkins with candy and "hid" them in the family room.  

  The verdict:  I think that this tradition will get better with time.  I love having something to look forward to on Halloween morning!  Maybe next year, Colton won't sleep through it?

On Friday, we took the boys to pick out pumpkins and then we went for a walk at a near-by forest preserve.  This kid showed up again..

Colton decided that he was not interested in walking.  Instead, he preferred to be carried....all 30+ pounds of him.

Matt was up for the challenge (at least for a little while)

Once Colton's free ride was over, he dug his heels into the ground...literally.  Then something magical happened.  Brennan said " I will go get him."  He ran up to Colton and grabbed his hand.  Colton was grinning ear to ear.  

Then Braxton joined them.  I turned into mush in one instant.  

The three of them held hands all the way to the car.  

It was a wonderful day.

EMERGENCY

Braxton has become quite the coin collector.  EVERY time he finds a coin, he immediately wants to deposit that coin in his piggy bank.  (I am going to go out on a limb and peg him as the family saver)  The other day, we needed cash...fast...and we borrowed some from one of the boys. (The money HAS been replaced)  I couldn't get the rubber peg in the right way and I figured that I would fix it...eventually.  Braxton noticed. He found some money and ran up stairs to proudly put it in his bank.

Braxton: MOM, there is an EMERGENCY!

I thought we were headed to the ER. I mean these are the words that keep me up at night.

ME:  What is the matter Braxton?

Braxton:  There is a hole in my piggy bank!

Me: Oh thank God!

I learned two things: 1) Braxton now knows the word emergency and knows how to use it in context. 2) If I am going to borrow money from my kids, I need to cover my tracks a little better.

Apple Picking

Last year I attempted to take the boys apple picking.  It did not work out...AT ALL.  I put that behind us and decided to give it another whirl!  I am SO glad that I did.  The weather today was perfect.  We had a WONDERFUL time picking (and eating) apples in the orchard.  

They even took naps!!!!! I think we might try again next week!

It still fits!

Brennan came upstairs from the basement wearing this...

It has been almost 3 years since he wore it last.

Can you believe that it still fits?

I think he looks cuter in it now.  

Pampers Kandoo Coupon

Over the past few weeks, I have been testing Pampers Kandoo Wipes and completing a survey on the products.  I am a believer and have been for quite awhile. Be on the look out for the pink (to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month) P&GbrandSaver this Sunday (Sept. 26).  There will be $1.00 off coupon for a Kandoo product.  

I am SO excited!  This will make for some very cheap (and effective) toddler clean-up.

Best of the Week

I have to admit, I did NOT start the week off on the right foot.  I have been impatient, moody, and basically a monster mommy.  I have done some thinking (and reading) and I have snapped out of my "funk" and back to my regular self (I think that is a good thing?).  Moving on....

It has been awhile since I have done a "Best of Today".  I thought that I would share some of the better momments of the week.  Theses pictures have nothing to do with that.  They are just some that I took while we were in Ohio.

#1.  Braxton informed me that he "likes his privacy".  Don't we all?  I will remind him of that the next time he wants to accompany me to the restroom.

#2.  The ladies at the gym informed me that Colton has come out of his shell and is quite the little flirt.  This is GREAT news since Colton was NOT a fan in the beginning.   I am pretty sure that Colton will LOVE the limelight and continue to provide them with entertainment.  God knows that is what he does at home.

#3.  I ordered the boys new shoes and they arrived on Tuesday.  Brennan has told me at least once every day that he LOVES his new shoes!  I just think that it is so cute that he feels the need to tell me this over and over.  This is also the first time that they each got to pick out their shoes.  I think that has a lot to do with his infatuation.

#4.  I overheard the boys talking after I put them to bed.  I stood outside of their door to listen.  They were talking about Santa and what he was going to bring them.  Braxton thinks that Santa will bring him a "Toy Story Garbage Truck" and Brennan is going to get a "Woody Fishing Rod".  Boy, I hope Santa can deliver...I am pretty sure that a Woody fishing rod DOES NOT EXIST (if you find one...buy it! I will pay you for it)

CVS Challenge

 I have been accumulating pampers points for 3+ years now.  I have redeemed points for toys and what not.  It has been awhile since I have redeemed any points.  The other day I was looking at the rewards they had available and I decided to exchange points for a $20 CVS gift card.

   I began following Simply CVS for a little while.  This blog focusing on deals at CVS...go figure!  I find it amazing how she gets so much stuff for so little.  She pays for her items with CVS gift cards that she receives from filling prescriptions.  

  Between coupons, Extra Care Buck and a gift card, $20 can go pretty far.  I thought that it would be interesting to track the purchases that I make using the $20 CVS card.   You will never believe what I bought today.

I bought:

1 Schick Hydro 5 Razor

2 Reach Dental Floss

2 50 oz Wisk Ultra Detergent

1 Schick Shaving Gel

I paid:

$.51 for $39.00 worth of stuff  and I walked away with $4 ECB.

I am thinking that this $20 might last awhile!

  

Old Glory

Isn't She beautiful?

The Look

Doesn't this look say it all?  Thank GOD I can't hear the thoughts in his head.  I am pretty sure I would want to wipe that smirk right off of his face....Did I just say that?  I sound like such a Mom.  When did that happen?

Our Little Toddler

Colton was an AWESOME infant.  He slept like a champ, he was content to just hang out, and he had a sense of humor.  He always had a smile on his face.  If he was crying, that meant he needed something.  My Father-in-Law referred to him as "the prayer answered".  I believed that to be true as well.  Look at this face!

Then he became a toddler!  There was a period of time when we saw a lot of this kid.....

...and some of this kid. 

 Matt and I couldn't figure out what happened to our happy Colton.  Then I realized he was 18 months.  Luckily, the phase seems to have passed and the REAL Colton has returned (that was a prayer answered;))  He is smiling, laughing and joking around.  I am SO excited to have the little man back!

Colton is also earning his toddler stripes.  He fell on his nose twice this weekend.   His poor little face is all scratched up.  He wrestles with his older brothers and does everything that he can to keep up with them.  

Taking a break.  

Check out those lashes!

Terrible 2's here we come.....

Disaster Strikes

WARNING:  This story is not for those who have a weak stomach.

Yesterday was one for the books.  We started out at the library for story time and a quick trip to Sam's Club.  When we got home, I fed the boys lunch.  Braxton was practically laying on the table ASKING to take a nap. I was giddy with joy at this request because naps are nearly extinct in our house.  We read a few stories, I tucked them in, and I began to enjoy a semi-quiet house.

I could hear them talking and playing up there (totally normal).  After about 30 minutes I hear Braxton yelling "Brennan's got to go potty".  I ran up the stairs to find 2 naked boys.  I took them to the bathroom....they did not have to go.  I put diapers back on them, tucked them back in and continued some cleaning.  

Another 30 minutes go by and I hear Braxton yelling "I pooped-ed! I pooped-ed!"  I ran up the stairs to find Braxton wearing a diaper and Brennan in the buff.  I went to grab some wipes to change Brax, and when I came back in the room (15 seconds later) Brennan had gone #1 and #2 ON THE FLOOR.  I was in shock.  I mean, SERIOUSLY?

As if that wasn't bad enough, Braxton began gagging at the sight of Brennan's "work".  This is not unusual.  Braxton and Brennan gag easily.  However, this was the first time that the gagging led to THROWING UP.  Now Brennan is yelling " Braxton puked-ed.  He puked-ed Mommy." (they add and extra -ed to everything)  

Now, I had to figure out a plan to clean this up.  Where does one begin?  I chose to clean up Brennan first.  Doing so caused the toilet to back up. ( I know, this is special)  Then, I tackled Braxton's contribution.  In the mean time, Colton decides that THIS would be a dandy time to wake up from his nap!  All of this happened in approximately 3 and a half minutes.

So all I can say now is TGIF!  I am looking forward to my college roommates coming into town!

Vacation

Matt took a week off following the 4th of July.  Since we live on a lake, we decided to take a  stay-cation.  We filled our week with swimming, boating, and whatever else tickled our fancy. I have to say, it was really relaxing and the boys loved EVERY minute of it.

Colton climbed up on his brother's 4 wheeler.  He discovered that pushing the pedal makes a really cool noise.  I just happened to have a camera in hand to capture this discovery.  Doesn't he look like TROUBLE?  

Splish-Splash

Braxton

This child has NO fear of the water.  I mean none, zero, zilch....I haven't decided if this is good or bad yet,

Brennan and Braxton had more fun jumping on this tube.  They did this for hours.

Win some....lose some

  I wanted to head to the mall today since outdoor activities were out of the question.  There is a mall about 35 minutes from our house that has a nice little play area that is for toddlers.  I figured that I would kill two birds with one stone and take the boys.  I have done this a million times and (for the most part) it is no big deal.  I have a system....take lots of snacks and  make sure that Braxton is secured in the stroller.  Plus, if things get out of hand I will just leave.

  We get to the mall and the boys are excited that they will get to play there.  (I am excited because I have a coupon from the The Limited burning a hole in my wallet.)  I find a shirt that I like in 2 minutes and go to check out.....only to realize that I left my wallet at home!  Oh well, some times getting out of the door is enough of a victory.  The kids had fun playing at the "park"  and they fell asleep on the way home.  THAT is a victory.

I LOVE a Great Deal

I have ALWAYS loved finding a great deal.  I have been using coupons for awhile now, but I have finally gotten the hang of Super-Couponing!  I have been following a few blogs that spell it out for you and think it is safe to call it a hobby now.  I scored all of this stuff for $14.88 and I even have a $4.00 Register Reward to use on my next purchase at Walgreens.

Is it weird that this excites me?

KrustBuster

Lately, we have been packing up lunch and taking it to the lake or to the park.  I have been making PB&J like it is going out of style.  I saw "uncrustables" at Sam's Club, and I started thinking....I should be able to make these myself.  I googled it.  

I came up with this....the KrustBuster!

 (aka my new favorite kitchen gadget)

I just make PB& J by the loaf (we go through at least 2 per week)

I put the sandwich in the KrustBuster and I get amazing little "uncrustables" of my own. 

I keep them in the freezer.  Each morning I take enough out for the day and they are ready before lunch. I guess it is the small things in life that make us happy, because I am giddy over this!

Happy 3rd Birthday

It is hard to believe that three whole years have gone by since the twins were born.  Where has the time gone?  To say that it has been a blur is a true understatement.  Look at how cute they were...

.....and now they are cool!

We kicked of the day with the big birthday surprise.  Daddy has waited patiently to give Brennan and Braxton these four wheelers since New Year's Eve.  I am still pleasantly surprised that he stayed strong (He was REALLY excited)   Braxton hopped right on.  Brennan watched Braxton for awhile, but he warmed up eventually.

We were really fortunate to celebrate the big day with family.  My parents, sisters and Steve-O were in town.  We had a lot of fun decorating the house with Toy Story garb.  The boys LOVED all of their decorations and squealed with delight when they realized that they were having a party.

I only wish that I was able to get more pictures.  The day happened so fast and I did not get all of the photos that I wanted.  Maybe next year?