First 2014 trip to the farm

A few weeks ago I took the boys to the farm to hang out with Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie Crystal - although Auntie was showing her horses and not at the farm!!!!  We had a good time visiting the horses, and riding the tractor.

Charlie was a big 'helper' for his Auntie.  He helped get hay for the horses, and helped feed them their treats.  He pushed the wagon when it was full and helped fill the water bucket as the horses were thirsty.  Charlie DID NOT ride :(.  I'm not sure if it was because they were in town and not at the farm, or if he was overwhelmed with everything else going on, but he wouldn't ride.  And Moe didn't want to either :):). 

We also took Moe on his first tractor ride.  He definitely knew what was going on and wanted to be part of the action - he even tried to climb up the ladder to the cabin. Ha - like Mommy was going to let him do that!  Moe lasted a good 45 minute, I think, until Grandma came to get us so Charlie could ride by himself.

We had a great time!  I'm sure we'll make more trips this summer - hopefully Dad will be able to join us at least once - it is always more fun with Daddy! 

West Ed trip!

Just over two weeks ago, the four of us headed up to Edmonton for some meetings that Doug was attending.  I thought the two boys and I could have some fun, so I decided to brave Galaxy Land by myself :).  We opened up the amusement area at noon sharp and were the second in line for tickets, and as it turns out, we also closed the place down!  I was not expecting to stay longer than a couple of hours, but Charlie and Moe were having so much fun that I wanted Daddy to see it!  I had my fair share of whining and tired crankiness from Charlie, and crying tantrums from Moe when he couldn't go on the big boy rides with Charlie, but we had way more smiles and squeals of delight than I could count.  We walked onto all the rides, and had so much fun.

I was very proud of Charlie for going on some of the rides by himself.  He has been going through this phase of only doing things with Mom and Dad, and some of these rides he had to do by himself.  Which means he definitely had to be brave at the beginning when he didn't know what to expect.  But he was awesome - and he let me know that if he really wants to do something, he'll do it on his own.  I had so much fun watching him ride the plane and flying it high.  He loved this ride from the beginning - needless to say, it was a special moment as his Mommy witnessed him conquering his fear!

We'll be back West Edmonton Mall - we had too much fun!!!!!

Soccer 'Class'

We enrolled Charlie in soccer for May and June....before we had our first experience in swimming lessons.  Needless to say, I was a little concerned that Charlie may react the same way he did at swimming.  And soccer costs 3 or 4 times more, so I really didn't want my money wasted :)

I am happy to report Charlie has done much better at soccer!  The weather during the first day of soccer was probably hovering around 0 degrees, but with the wind, it was freezing.  I couldn't believe I was about to take Charlie and Moe out into the weather for SOCCER!  We went and Charlie did well with some encouragement.  However, he did have some meltdowns over not being able to be the goalie.  He obviously didn't realize that he wouldn't get to be the goalie the whole time like he thought, but when he did, he was great!!!! 

We missed one week and went again last week.  This time it was much warmer, and I had better prepared Charlie about having to take turns.  In the end, he wasn't the goalie, but he now wasn't happy that he couldn't get the ball - from his own teammates.  Imagine 5 kids from the same team running altogether after one ball - I would be a little frustrated too :).  By the end of the game, he was scoring goals as most of the other kids had lost interest!!!! :)  He is definitely enjoying soccer class, as he calls it, so I am glad we pursued this sporting option. 

Here are some pics from the first cold day.  My children were a little under dressed - Charlie refused to wear a warmer jacket, and I honestly hadn't thought about gloves.  Good thing Charlie didn't want his jacket, cause his little brother looked pretty cute!!!!

1.5 years old

My sweet baby boy is definitely not a baby anymore at 1.5 years!!!!  To me, he has stayed a 'baby' longer than Charlie, mostly because his walking took soooo long :), and because he is just starting to talk.  BUT - he is growing up and quickly becoming a fun little brother for Charlie.....if only Charlie would see it that way!

Over the past month, Moe has pushed out two of his canine teeth, and the top two are right behind with his gums opening up and making room.  For the first few weeks Moe was up almost every night for some advil assistance, but settled quickly back to sleep (thankfully).  I knew something was up because Moe is such a good sleeper.  Plus, those teeth were pretty visibly pushing out the sides of his gums - the teeth were right there :).  So there we go!  Four more molars and we are done!

Moe is also starting to talk!  Daddy, denden (Treyden), Momma, and more are very common.  Bubble was the first non family word that came out.  He pointed to bubbles in the sink and said the word.  I was a little shocked - I was not expecting him to say bubble :).  He has just started saying hi, and bye - and he definitely is trying to say more words like dog, but it comes out 'dou' - without the 'g'.  Hearing him talk and try to say words is pretty priceless, maybe even more special than the first time around.

Even though he isn't saying much, I can pretty much tell what he wants, when he wants it :).  I always wondered how parents knew what their children needed, but I guess we just do. 

On a final note, Moe is a persistent little guy.  He often wants to do what is brother is doing, and will let me know his displeasure if I ruin his fun.  This dude is going to have his fair share of tantrums, or wait, they have already started! :)  But he is also a fairly independent little boy.  He does not require his Mom and Dad to watch his every move, and is quite content to play in the basement or outside as long as mom or dad are in the same vicinity. 

Moe you are such a precious addition to our family.   We are so thankful and blessed to have you in our lives.  Stop growing up so fast!!!

Bowling at Grandma and Grandpa's

Grandma and Grandpa M. introduced Charlie to house bowling a little while ago during a sleep over, and that was definitely on Charlie's mind during the Easter weekend.  Like the pins???  The only problem was that Charlie had to share one of his bowling balls with Moe.  This started an immediate complain/whine/wail session that lasted a good ten minutes before he realized that sharing wouldn't be so bad as Moe was clueless to the bowling pins.  Moe could have a great time with his ball, and Charlie could bowl away!!!!

Eating the Easter Candy

My boys definitely inherited my sweet tooth, but more for candies than chocolates.  So I had put gummy bears and dinosours in their eggs.  Moe realized he could open them and quickly helped himself to his gummy bears.  However, I don't think Charlie barely realized.....he was too excited about his jersey :).  I was able to sneak off and empty all the eggs without them noticing or caring :).   It was nice not having to police the candy eating - maybe because they got enough at my parent's house anyway!!!!

Oh yah - I gave Peeps too - sour watermelon ones - not as good as I was hoping!  Here is Moe trying it out for the first time.  I don't think he ate it all.