Brought to you by Bounty

Prior to the day getting warm (and dry) enough for us to venture outside the walls of our house for the first time in 4 days, the boys discovered just how fun paper towels can be.  Again, I have to thank Sam’s Club for the large number of rolls of fun we have in our basement.  Apparently these are the blocks of choice today.  They are easy to carry around, somewhat challenging to stack up, and loads of fun to knock down, kick around, and collapse on.  And the great thing is, they don’t hurt when you get hit by one.

Shecklet #2 has discovered that his spoon (which he only parts with when he sleeps & eats) makes a great catapult.  Today’s launch item was chalk.  He challenged himself by loading up the spoon and attempting to stand up without dumping the contents prior to being able to throw the pieces everywhere.  Where do kids learn this stuff?

Yes, the boys were dressed alike today.  We were going for “comfy” and when Shecklet #1 saw what Shecklet #2 was wearing, he wanted to wear the same thing.  This is the exact opposite of what we experienced a week ago when Shecklet #2 HAD to wear the same Lightning McQueen outfit that Shecklet #1 had on.  Good thing we had an outfit his size!

Melt my heart

This morning did not start off well. I woke up at 4:30 with a migraine, which proceeded to last about 12 hours. Yuck 🙁

Jake worked from home today and took care of the boys so I could rest.  (I sure have a wonderful husband!)  At one point during the morning, Jake brought me something for my migraine along with my water bottle, leaving the boys downstairs.  When he went back down to the living room he saw this:

The boys were saying a prayer for their mommy to get better. Talk about making my heart melt!  Jake said Shecklet #1 was leading Shecklet #2 in a combination prayer of the Our Father and Angel of God (which Shecklet #1 has recently been singing with his classmates at preschool.)  Their prayers must have been heard; I’m feeling much better this evening.  The plan for the week is that we have no plans.  Our calendar has been cleared and the goal is to rest up and hopefully recover by week’s end.

Twinkies and the telephone

Shecklet #2 must have known the Twins are closing in on the end of the season and hoping for a trip to the playoffs.  This afternoon, he donned the Twinkies hat in support of their efforts, taking after big brother Shecklet #1, who started the hat trend by sporting the Rocky Mountain National Park hat from Grandma Patti & Grandpa Dave.  Speaking of Grandma, she called to talk to Shecklet #1 today.  They chatted about what he did in school this morning.  Very cute!

I also just had to post this pic of Shecklet #1.  His eyes are this crazy gold/green color and the shirt he wore today really brought them to life.

This one’s for Auntie Stacie

Jake and I both went to the U of M, so naturally, we’re Gopher fans.  However, it seems that Jake’s sister, Stacie, would like to see our boys wearing red & black instead of maroon & gold.  Shecklet #1 has been asking to wear his “Badger socks” for months (probably since we stopped wearing socks for the summer.)  With today’s temps in the 50’s, I figured today he could bring Bucky out of summer retirement.  Shecklet #2 naturally followed suit.

Here’s the kids’ feet all decked out in their Wisconsin footwear.  We miss you Auntie Stacie!

Who needs toys when you have…

club size packages of diapers and wipes.

A recent trip to Sam’s Club replenished our stash of size 3’s and wet wipes.  I threw the packages on top of the clean laundry I was already hauling upstairs and let the boys help me unload everything in their room.  They had so much fun playing, building, crashing in to, and moving the compact & semi-cushy “blocks.”  When we finished putting away their clean clothes, we switched rooms and the diapers & wipes came along with us.  Here are a couple of shots of the boys building and destroying a “road.”  I love how Shecklet #1’s creative juices are flowing so much lately and how Shecklet #2 mimics his brother’s every move.

Sunday Funday

We started the day off with mass at St. John’s.  Nana & Papa (my parents) showed up and surprised us.  I love seeing the boys’ expressions when they see any of their grandparents.  It’s always pure joy.  Since we had more adults than kids, we kept Shecklet #2 with us instead of having him play in the nursery.  The boys did really well.  I wonder if they were on extra-good behavior for their grandparents…

Our house was full of lovely women and super cute kids this afternoon.  We figured out that today’s group was a mix of 1st, 2nd & 3rd cousins from my mom’s side of the family.  It was really nice to be able to spend time with all of them today.  Shecklet #1 and Shecklet #2 enjoyed showing off for the group.  It’s so funny what the two of them will do to entertain others when they’re in the spotlight.

While Shecklet #2 was napping this afternoon (after our guests departed,) Shecklet #1 helped me put together brownies for an impromptu dinner at our friends’ house.  He cracked the eggs (with just a little help :)), stirred the batter, and scooped it from the bowl to the pan.  He is really big into helping lately.  I wish I could bottle some of his enthusiasm and have it on hand for when he gets older.

The day ended the way it normally does, but with a small, sweet little twist.  We said bedtime prayers with the boys like we always do and I picked up Shecklet #2 and held him while Jake rocked a little while with Nolan.  Nolan asked me to sing a song for him.  (This has become part of the nighttime routine along with having his back scratched.)  So I sang “Jesus Loves Me,” and he joined me like he usually does.  Next, he asked me to sing the song he calls “Daisy” or “bicycle built for two.”  Well tonight, instead of waiting for me to start the song and join me, he sang the song himself – and remembered most of the lyrics, too!  It was so sweet to hear his little voice.  He sure loves music!