Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone had a great holiday season. The boys enjoyed playing with their cousins and looking at all the Christmas lights. Santa is still a bit scary to them--Adam and Zach wouldn't even look at him when we saw him at the mall.

The Saturday before Christmas we had a huge blizzard…white out conditions. You couldn’t even see the road when driving. So we had the bright idea to go bowling! Actually, we had already planned to go bowling with some friends at a bowling alley on the east side of Wichita (which usually takes about 20 minutes to get to). We decided to brave the weather and headed out. It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to get there, and then nearly two hours to get home! There were cars off the road everywhere! And if you weren’t following the cars in front of you, you had no idea where the road was. It was quite an adventure. Adam and Zach thought it was funny that Scott had to get out a bunch of times and scrape the window and windshield wipers. It’s probably not the smartest thing we have done.

We had two more episodes of snow this month. We went sledding twice and built a couple of snowmen and even a tunnel and fort. I’m ready for it to melt, but the boys keep asking when we’ll get to go sledding again. It’s been really cold here, so we’ve had cabin fever. How much longer until spring?

Zach starts tumbling this month, and Adam will be playing basketball.

The holiday season is in full swing...the tree is up, the lights are outside and the cookies have been baked. We saw Santa at the mall (but no one wanted to stop and say hello) and bought gifts for the Angel Tree. We've even discussed how Santa knows you are asleep...magic, of course. Adam thought maybe he shined a flashlight through the window into your room. Zach's continued fascination with our singing/dancing/annoying snowman singing "Holly Jolly Christmas" just adds to the holiday spirit. And I heard Adam tell Zach "if you keep doing that you're going to get coal in your stocking!"

We've added a new favorite game to our list...monopoly. Not jr. monopoly, regular adult (for ages 8+ is says on the box) monopoly. Two nights last week we played for an hour and a half (that took some patience on my part). We all made it around the board twice. It is actually a great learning game (counting the dots on the dice, identifying letters and numbers on the deeds, and counting money). Scott and I were very surprised it held their attention that long. Adam even got sent to jail! What excitement! It was better than Candy Land, which I can only take in small doses.

Last weekend we went to a glass studio (what were we thinking???) and designed an ornament and then got to watch them make it. But the best part was there was a front end loader in the back where they were blowing the glass. We had to go check it out, which according to Adam and Zach, was much more thrilling than seeing a glass ornament being made.

Snowing Thanksgiving

Happy Snowy Thanksgiving! We woke up this morning to 2.5" of the white stuff. 

The boys were out about 8:30 am with Grampa building a snowman, having a snowball fight and making snow angels.

They came in for about an hour, but then saw the neighbors having fun outside, so it was back to the coats, snowpants, long underwear, socks, hats, gloves and warm pullovers.

Being the smart mom I am, I had thought this might happen, so I'd put all their wet stuff in the dryer.

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house. Scott's parents arrived on Thursday morning.

After we ate, some watched the football game, some went on a walk, some took a nap and some were busy surfing the net.

Friday we went to Y. The boys (big and little) burned off some pumpkin pie by climbing on the rocks, playing foosball and air hockey and enjoying a game of basketball.

Then it was off to the "Bee Movie." When we came out of the theater it had started snowing. Adam and Zach were so excited.

Tomorrow we'll "haul out the holly" (Sherry-I know you can't help but sing the rest of line of the song...) and decorate for Christmas.

Trick or Treat! This Hallween, Superman and Batman roamed the streets protecting citizens from evil...oh and collecting mounds of candy while doing it!

Halloween has been the main topic of conversation for the last week. The boys debated endlessly about who was better, Batman or Superman. Superman can fly, but Batman has the Batmobile. Superman can run faster than a locomotive and has x-ray vision, but Batman has cool gadgets on his belt and is techno-savvy. Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne? They are both leaders in the Justice League so it was decided they each have something to offer, and are cool in their own ways.

While we are on the subject...Why is it that EVERYTHING is a competition? I'm constantly hearing "I got dressed on before you", "I washed my hands first", "My picture looks better than yours," "I can write my name better than you," "I got in my seat before you." I'm waiting for them to break out singing "Anything you can do, I can do better; I can do anything better than you." I just googled that song and it's from the Broadway hit Annie Get Your Gun, for those of you who didn't know (Scott). I have a feeling it's only going to get worse.

So back on Halloween, Scott and I were able to attend the preschool parade. Afterwards the parents helped the kids make a couple of crafts. The boys came home with a bunch of candy, like we need any more sugar. Tonight we went trick or treating with our neighbors. In addition to Superman and Batman, we had two Ninja turtles, a sting ray and a shark. After going through our candy and picking out the "good" stuff, the boys enjoyed answering the door when we had trick or treaters. We had to remember who got to hold the bowl last time, to ensure everyone got an equal opportunity to hand out candy.

We are taking a break from sports until after Christmas, when Zach will take tumbling again, and Adam is going to try his hand at basketball.

I guess that's all the news.

The boys had their 4 & 5 year old checkups last week. Zach has grown 2 1/4" and gained 2 lbs--he's now 38 1/4" and 32 lbs 4 oz. He jumped from being in the 3-5% last year to 25% in both height and weight. He passed all the tests...even the hopping that he didn't want to do (and we all know he can!). The doctor made a comment about the boys' different personalities and how he can tell which one is more independent and stubborn...more of a "handful." Adam grew 3" and gained 4 lbs...he's 39 3/4" and 36 lbs 4 oz. He also jumped from 3% to 10% in height and a whopping 50% in weight (he was at 25%)!

We're almost done with the soccer season. Both the boys have had a great time...Zach really got into it and has scored at least one goal at each game. Adam continues to be assertive--I think he feels confident on the field and has scored several goals each game (one time he said he was going to make 55 goals...).

We celebrated Zach's 4th birthday on Sept. 26. At our house on your birthday, you get to choose what you want for dinner. Zach chose chicken, cheese and chips, and chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream (just like mom)!

Both are doing well in preschool and enjoy going. Zach says he has five "best" friends and Adam has three friends. They always are excited to see if they have a "job" that day. I guess the most sought after jobs at preschool are holding the flag during the pledge of allegiance (which they say in English and Spanish) or being the line leader because then the next day at preschool, you get to bring snacks and show and tell!