So....

I know people look forward to blog updates, but our lives are kinda boring around here. I don't mean to say that I don't have two little boys that constantly keep me on my toes getting into things and running me ragged, but we don't have a whole lot of variety in our daily routine lately. Wake up, eat breakfast, go for a walk, play inside a bit, eat snack, take a nap, play some more (perhaps outside if it's not too hot), eat dinner, swim when daddy comes home, go to bed. We do this EVERY day. I have found that the boys seem to behave better with a strict routine. I'm a bit nervous about the next couple of weeks as TK will be leaving for a scout camping trip for a week and the day her returns we hit the road for Washington where not only the time difference, but visiting with family and the like will completely obliterate the aforementioned routine. I can't exactly say I'm looking forward to 12 hours in a car with two two year olds either, especially since we're taking the Montana route this time so we won't be entirely sure where we're going. We may be shooting ourselves in the foot by trying to drive through the night so the boys will be sleeping most of the trip. This means they'll be rested, but we won't. TK will get the worst of it as he will have literally just returned from a week long hiking and camping trip. Really. He will come home, take a shower and then get back in the car. However seeing family for a few days (five days) will be a nice light at the end of the tunnel. Do you folks have any tips for making car trips like this tolerable??? I'll be making some small neck pillows for the boys to make car seat sleeping a little more cozy, but not sure how to keep the hubsters and I awake during our driving shifts. Anything you have found helpful would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Summer Time

The summer has officially showed up here in Rexburg and there have been some fun adventures now that it's here. I don't think I have captured any of them on camera, so I'll have to start remembering to do so. We make weekly trips to the Farmer's Market (every Friday) where we almost always have to get a "flavor ice." This is the boys' term for the Snoasis shaved ice/sno cone. We always get a "glacier," which means they put ice cream in the bottom (vanilla). It is so yummy and helps cool us down when the sun is getting a little strong. There have been many a trip to the splash park and carousel at Porter Park and we ended up putting up our above ground pool. Even though I really wasn't thrilled about the idea (I had MANY reservations), the hubby set it up and filled it anyway. And though it is hard to juggle two little ones in the water, the cool water does feel rather nice on a hot day and it doesn't cost anything to go to the backyard so it's saving a little money. Very little. The cost to fill it and run the filter is not small. There is a new water park two blocks down the street--Rexburg Rapids--but you have to pay to play so we haven't tried that one yet. It looks fun though, with water slides for "big kids" and adults and wading areas for little ones.
The boys and I have a regular morning walk while it's still cool outside and though I wasn't sure the exercise was doing any good, I'm happy to report that I'm not totally mortified to be seen in my swimsuit. Granted I'm not thrilled either and will stick to the backyard until things fit a little better, but just a few months ago (October) that spandex was stretch to the brink and still wasn't keeping things where they should be. Not. Cute. I have been telling myself that my real body is in there somewhere and I'm excited to see the "extra" start to diminish.
There was a wonderful 4th of July celebration at our house yesterday and we went to the parade in the morning which was fun for the boys because they were old enough to care this year. I will hopefully be posting pictures soon! See you later!

Sorry.

I'm sorry there hasn't been a lot of updating here lately. The sun has finally made an appearance and we are enjoying every moment we can in it. Even if only for half a day until the rain comes. Today we went to the spray park and froze and then dried off and rode the carousel. The boys were so wiped out they fell asleep as soon as I started the engine to drive home. What fun! The terrible twos are in full swing here as well. The boys are often in "the naughty spot" for some reason or another and I have to say that removal of privileges and rewards due to bad behavior is harder on a mommy than I think it is on the little ones. Today has been a pretty okay day with only a few lapses in judgement this morning. I will attempt to put some pictures up soon, when I remember to take them. I'm off to enjoy some more fun in the sun. I'll try to keep you posted soon!

Proof

Here is some proof that I do get dressed every once in a while. Baby steps.....
Daddy was working on the car and Tucker found a toy in the car jack. So, jeans and a sweatshirt with messy hair, but not pjs. Although admittedly pretty close.

This is Cooper changing his "Goober" bear's diaper. He was very proud of himself. And look! An almost outfit on my part.

Okay, so Sundays don't really count because there are two parents home all day and I get ready for church in the morning, but I was dressed all the same! Now to make it a habit. :-p Sad really that it takes so much work to get out of my pajamas, but what do I have to get dressed for? Perhaps some play dates are in order or lunch with friends so I feel a little motivated. Any volunteers?

It's Official.

I've let myself go. You may have noticed the complete lack of pictures of me on this little blog of ours. This is for a reason. It is perhaps the biggest perk to being master of the blog at our house. I don't even think my husband knows how to find our blog online. Well, as I said, I've definitely looked better. And felt better for that matter. I take the time to get clean and somewhat dry most of the time and then I just eat whatever it is that my boys are eating (y'know, the part of you that can't stand to let any of those fish crackers go to waste or make another smoothie that is not packed with calories your little ones need?) And then I am run ragged by the two little... uh, angels with more curiosity than I really need them to have (mischief comes so easily to them) so I just sit still and relax when I get a moment to myself. Then after bedtime, I treat myself to a snack or goodie or several goodies and sit some more while I stay up way too late. Then the next day starts and we do it all over again. So here it is. I am making a public declaration (well to all three of my followers) that I plan to get myself back. I used to be so active and energetic and up for anything (and rather toned as a result). Now I'm too tired. I used to spend time making myself look cute stylish. Now it's the mom ponytail and pj's or a pair of jeans on "special" occasions. My poor husband, though he says I look better without make up (because he rocks like that), actually made a point of asking me last night, "Um, you know how much I love you right? But have you looked in the mirror today? Or at all lately?" I know! The sad part is that I just had to smile and nod because I knew exactly what he was talking about. I had actually avoided looking in the mirror yesterday because I knew I would have been too embarrassed and honestly a little guilty. I've just been so lazy. If I have to chose between sleep and a workout? I choose sleep. Sleep and a morning shower? I choose sleep (don't worry. the shower comes at nap time). Between watching a movie as a family or going for a walk? I choose the movie, with treats and popcorn, of course. Even between going upstairs to get some sewing or crafting done and watching TV (well, computer) on the couch? I think you know which one I choose most often. I know being a mom is all about saving time and putting your kids and family first, but I think I may have taken it a little too far. An extra 20 minutes in the morning to dry and maybe curl my hair won't kill me. And though the pj wardrobe does cut down on laundry costs, and most of my clothes don't really fit anymore, I should at least attempt to get dressed each day. Earlier this year as the snow just kept piling up and I was bemoaning being cooped up inside with sick kids who played in the snow a little too much I made a promise to myself that I would go outside as soon as it was nice enough or even sort of nice enough to. That was a bit of an easy out though because the weather really isn't nice until after Easter here. Sometimes Memorial Day. But I am proud to say that on all of the days that the mercury has crept above 40 degrees, the boys and I have been outside in it. There was actually a day exactly a week ago that was so glorious that we were outside almost all day and I got a sunburn. It was so exciting! I have also made a promise not to complain about how hot it is this summer like I did last year. I actually stayed inside sometimes hiding from the sun! How crazy that seems now! If I get too hot I will just drink some more liquid, roll up my sleeves and pant legs or find some water to play in. All while being sun safe, of course. And I am going to work out however and whenever I can. I have the Zumba DVDs but use them only twice a month! I'm always too tired. So, I'm going to bed and getting up earlier. I am going to feel healthy again if it kills me. :-p
So now that I have made it known I will hopefully have a better time sticking to it. You can all hold me accountable, but don't expect any before and after photos peeps. Well, maybe an after. Yes I am apparently that shallow. I have been thinking about posting a photo daily of what I am wearing. I think this might keep me honest about all this so those can be the "before" pics. Well, there is a little one whining for me. See you later, folks!

Going Crazy

Cooper's oh so cheesy response to the "smile" command. I'm not sure why I can't get any text above this photo, but I'm too tired to care.

When you tell Cooper to hold still he really takes it seriously. He didn't flinch or move a muscle for this picture. He does some pretty funny stuff lately and I find myself constantly wishing I could find the camera. I'm never in time to catch the shot I want. He (they) just moves so fast! The other day, Tucker was sitting on the arm of the couch facing outward with his brother and said, "Suh-lide down!" Then after a few moments of silence, he turned to Cooper and with a sweet and sly grin on his little face inquired, "You comin'?" Times like those warm my heart. I try to remember them during the chaos that fills the other 95% of our lives.

This is Tucker showing off his new duds from my sister. She's a very thoughtful auntie who surprised us with a box in the mail with new clothes in it!
The boys and I have some serious cabin fever over here in the land of never ending snow. We've exhausted all of our movie favorites (one of them is actually no longer working properly) and toddler-friendly indoor activities. I would like to have more time to blog, but with the two of them (the boys) following me as though we were magnetically connected, I don't get to do much. I never knew I was so interesting. :-p

This is what happens when Tucker gets a hold of the camera you're holding.

Some serious monkey business.

Two Times Two

I can't believe that these guys are almost two years old! My sister just had her first little one (the most adorable girl I've ever seen...so maybe I'm a little biased) and it just reminded me how small the boy's were when they were born. Granted they didn't stay that way for long at all, but sometimes I miss those squishy little newborns. I'm now faced with the "terrible two's" times two. It's not so bad for the most part, but there are certainly days it can be VERY taxing. January and February have been filled with some playing in the snow, getting sick and going stir crazy. We are dying for the snow to melt over here! We miss going outside to play in the GRASS and be warmed by the sun as we stroll around the block waving to our friends and neighbors. Luckily we have been able to have some family and friends over for dinner to at least change things up a bit and feel connected to the outside world. The boys ask every day to go "owside?" and it breaks my heart to tell them that it is too cold. They're pretty good about it, but I know they're a little bored with the daily routine. We've tried to change it up with some fun indoor activities (today we will be making necklaces). And there is a lot of silliness that happens while we try to maintain our sanity. For example: Cooper "smiling" for a photo while wearing daddy's stuff in the hopes that I will let him out the door behind him.

What a cheesy little grin.

And then we attempted a camp out in the living room after having Aunt Carrie over for dinner for her birthday. You can see how well this turned out. After 10 pm the boys ended up back in their beds and so did we. We'll have to try again sometime when they're older. I don't think they really understand what camping is, though they certainly love their "tet!" (tent).

There has also been quite a bit of this around here lately. The boys are determined to choose their own wardrobe lately and to dress themselves (with a little help from mommy) most of the time. Here is Cooper's most frequent choice. As long as the house is warm, I'm choosing to pick my battles and let this one slide.