A Shocking Update*

– Something a little different here, everyone.

– Although I not sure what it could be.

– So maybe I just sit here a spell...

– ... until I figures out what it is.

*It turns out the slide on our new Nickel Fortress came with hidden feature in the form of a Van de Graff generator – at least if you happen to have inherited Mommy's fine hair.

Nate's hair is not affected, but he sure does love giving me a "shock-kiss!" when we're playing outside. In fact, he seemed a bit miffed this morning when he gave me a kiss and it turned out to be just the regular kind.

- L.

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Christmas Day. Supper-time. The table is set and dinner is served.

24 hours later. Boxing Day. Supper-time. The table is set and dinner is served.

Did you spot the big difference? 

Hint: it's not the babies or the table linens.

We've kissed our high-chair trays goodbye and are sitting in our converted big boy chairs for the first time! 

– Well, 'dis is new.
– I wonder what we think of it. 

– Food still taste same.
– Yup. Food still yummy. 

– And we still look adorable.
– Yup. Can still make silly faces too. 

– Being able to reach the serving dishes not something Mommy bargain on I bet.
– No, Mommy not see that one coming. Still, nice feature for the 10 seconds it last.
– We don't even like turkey.
– No, we does not. Is never about the having though. Is always about the getting.

• • • • • • •

Mommy note: As much as I love watching my boys growing up, there will always be a small part of me that feels a little sad when it's time to leave the last phase behind – and a little bewildered at how it all keeps going by so fast. 

*sniffle*

A little trip down memory lane can be found here and also here. I have to admit, it's hard to *sniffle* properly when looking at this picture, even for a sentimental Mommy like myself.

- L.

Speaking Of Baths...

I decided to make the OP's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies again today, except this time I served them while the chocolate was still more melt than actual chip.  

Results were interesting.

But not varied. 

Gooey chocolate, however, led to a new game. 

Stick chocolate in your brother's hair. 

Then giggle your butts off. 

Rinse and repeat. 

Until the inevitable sugar crash.

Let's just say it was a heavy shampoo night.

- L.

My Awesome Mother's Day: Part I

AKA my favorite part because unlike Parts II and III, my boys really did come up with this one all by themselves.

It all began shortly after everyone woke up.

Nate started it.

But then Seth pitched in too. 

And he even stuck around to pose with the finished result. 

This was better than flowers any day. Colorful, fun and made of awesome – and if I can take a moment to brag a little – downright ingenious.

I halfway considered buying a second train set for salvage just so I could make these permanent drawer-pulls.

I'm still not entirely sure I won't.

And while I know they didn't actually do this for me, the gift of watching my boys put this together was priceless. 

- L.

Operation Defeat Is A Success!

This is the warning on the package for almost every baby-proofing device currently in the house, but in this particular case on this particular morning, "it" happened to be this gadget: 

See? Total defeat.

Which led to the discovery of this:

No, it doesn't normally look like that. Yuck. This was shot post-rescue.

And as much as I would have loved to bring you pictures of the "Penaten Twins", I was too busy scrambling to clean everyone up before any more Penaten-laced fingers made it into someone's mouth. Yes. I said "any more" because it was pretty obvious that Nate and Seth had been sampling the wares before I poked my head into the nursery. In hindsight, I should have known it was a little too quiet in there for anything other than shenanigans.

Just when I thought I had everything anchored down and locked up tight, it all came unravelled in the span of 5 minutes. What can I say? My guys work fast.

Seth's PJs afterwards: 

And some impromptu testing on animals: 

In hindsight, perhaps buying them this last week wasn't the most prudent move, but you'll have to trust me when I say they were already well on their way in the latch busting department. Which, of course, is why I thought they'd enjoy that toy so much. You have to admit, it's certainly been educational.

- L.

The OP Proudly Presents... The Amazing Nate!

– Oh, hi everyone! It's me, Nate. I's about to have lunch. 

– ... or, you know, maybe not. What are these strange bits of orange and white doing on my tray? 

– Is I supposed to eat 'dis? 

– I think I do a trick instead and make whatever 'dis is disappear. 

– I tap out a dramatic drumroll with my Touching Finger while you head over to our YouTube™ channel to see my amazing lunchtime trick.

•   •   •   •   •

Mommy note: Today was the first time Nate and Seth tried fish and cooked carrot pieces (instead of carrot pureé). I figured the carrots would be an easy hit since it's one of their favorite foods. I wasn't as sure about the fish, although I went with sole for its mild flavor. Both were a hit with Seth. And Nate? Not so much. I do recommend heading over to check out his antics on YouTube™ though.

It really was a pretty good trick.

- L.

Peanut Butter: File It Under Stinkeroo

Then he got an idea. An awful idea. The Grinch got a wonderful, awful idea. 

– Dr. Seuss 

So, uhmmm... yeah. Gamma Rita had an idea during her stay.

This is what Nate thought about that idea:

– Oooh, what's 'dis Gamma is offering to me? I hope it yummy. 

– Mmmrph. 

– My face... 

– ... is stuck. 

– Was 'dat supposed to be funny everyone? 

– What you mean would I like more? Is you nuts lady? (Pun intended everyone!) 

•   •   •   •   •

And now for Seth's take on it as well:

– Mmmrph. 

– Whatever 'dis is... 

– ... is really stinkeroo! 

– Why you let Gamma do 'dis to me, mommy? Why??? 

•   •   •   •   •

Mommy note: I'm so sorry guys. I'm just glad it wasn't my doing this time.

- L.

And A Merry Christmas Too!

– Oh, 'dis nice. I think you better come check it out Seth.

– What is it Nate?
– We get a present. 'Dis very nice present. It from a great-grandma who live very far away. 

– What's a present, Nate?
– Dunno. But we get one and is nice one. 

– Is twinkly lights present too? 

– Twinkly lights is nice. Is nice like nice present. Maybe even nicer. *touch* *touch* *touch* 

– Oh yes, very nice Seth. You keep looking at twinkly lights. Pay no attentions to anything over here. I take care of it, no problem. I is selfless like that.

•   •   •   •   •

Mommy note: Yes, the boys were very spoiled by us all but I was pleased that at the end of the day toys were kept to a minimum and the bulk of their gifts came in the form of clothes, necessities, some new CDs and books. And when I say books I mean we could probably open a small lending library soon. We really scored some good reading material this Christmas and as someone who has read Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb more times than I can count on my hands, fingers AND thumbs times 100, it's nice to have some new material to work with. : )

In the words of Nate and Seth...

"Thank you everyone!"

- L.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Two creatures were stirring
And they said...

"We isn't up to anything mommy - honest!"

Of course, I beg to differ – although I will admit I was pleasantly surprised at how good they were around the tree. As someone pointed out, they're kids not cats but I wasn't so sure. I thought they might turn into cats at the sight of a tree to climb. Turns out they're kids after all, so scenes of pulling babies out of a tangle of branches mercifully never happened. Nate used his touching finger for the most part (I really must get to this in a future post btw) and even Seth who is more inclined to approach life with his grabbers fully extended (and grabbing) was remarkably subdued. I was almost a little disappointed.

Almost.

- L.