Christmas Wishlists

I know - it's just September - but I've already started on the kids' wishlists. I have finished my Christmas shopping for them and Dustin already. I just have a few more things to go, and I'll be finished with everyone actually. I like to do my Christmas shopping throughout the year when we have a little extra money here and there and/or when I find something good on sale.

And just in case you want to start early too, here are some ideas. There is nothing that I can think of that they "need" other than consumables like diapers, wipes, food, etc. So there is nothing on these lists that they cannot live without. Don't feel like you have to shop exclusively from them. It is great if you do, but if nothing else, they will give you an idea of sizes and likes.

Here is the link to Southern's list - http://amzn.com/w/HYOJX1UZZF6V

He has been dying for a camera of his own, so that is one thing on his list that would be important. He only has two towels that are big enough and not the baby size, so that's also something he could use as well as some more pj's (size 6 or larger) and a robe that fits him. And the Columbia fishing shirt would get a lot of use.

Here is the link to Remington's list - http://amzn.com/w/2JUD1VE29NUSC

Of course the matching fishing shirt would be adorable. Remington is very into little figures right now. He loves playing trains with Southern too. Some more forks and insulated cups with straws would be great as well as a couple more waterproof bibs. But again, this list is full of lots of good stuff to give you ideas :)

I can't wait for the holiday season!!

Schlitterbahn

 

The boys enjoyed their first trip to Schlitterbahn yesterday! See the short video clip below:

 

 

We made it a family affair when we ran into cousins Paige, Kate, and Brooke in the parking lot! It was a fun surprise to see them, and we were able to spend most of our time together. We stayed mainly in the toddler play area for the first half of our time there. We ate our packed lunch. Then we did a ride around the "Turbulent River". The younger girls, Remington, Jordan, and I then played in the shallow water on the "beach" while Jordan's mom Cathy took Paige and Southern on a pirate ride. They were able to do it by themselves. She would stand at the entrance and watch them go up the stairs. Then she would run around to the bottom of the slide and be there when they came down. They loved it and would have stayed there all day.

 

Then it was time for the cousins to go home. We stayed another hour or so, riding the river 3 more times. Southern was in a life jacket and was swimming on his own. I was holding onto Remington who was nodding off in his tube. It would have been a perfect nap time if we hadn't gotten sprayed with water so much. It kept waking him up. So we gathered our things, changed into dry clothes, and made our way back home. What fun!

Twins almost 3 decades apart

15 Months Old

We went in for Remington's 15 month doctor's appointment this week. With these two guys, everything's an adventure.

 

 

The appointment went well. Remington was right on target for most things. The only thing he was "behind" on was teeth. He still only has 6. But Dr S said this was an advantage - "more time in the factory putting on more coats" was how he put it. It also means that he will be "late" on adult teeth, and that's what's most important. It's an advantage. Yay!

He checked out well. He weighed 25 lbs 4 oz and was 32.5 inches tall. He has 2 shots and didn't cry for either. The nurse administering them said it was her first in all her years of nursing that a baby didn't cry. She said she's seen them not cry with the first shot, but never with both. Our little brave guy :) He did have some serious thumb sucking right afterwards though.

 

 

 

 

Both boys acted really nicely during the visit. Dr S is a stickler for manners, and he complimented Southern on acting like a gentleman during the visit. And, of course, being in the dinosaur room was a hit!

Little Athletes

I signed Southern up for the Little Athletes Variety program at the local parks and recreation department. Every Monday during the month of August, Southern is learning a new sport. It was basketball first, then t-ball, soccer, and gymnastics. I'm not sure just how much "learning" is going on with toddlers running helter-skelter and coaches saying "good job!" no matter how badly the kid is doing, but it's fun. It's a good activity that gets Southern socializing with other kids his age and exercising.

Below is a short video clips from t-ball day.

Wiggle Worm

Remington has always been troublesome about getting his diaper or clothes changed. And as he has gotten older and more mobile, it has just gotten worse. Right now, when I tell him it's time to change his diaper, he runs away and giggles. I have to put a diaper on my head (he very often tries to resist, but it is just too tempting) so that he will come over to me to get it off. As soon as he is close enough, I catch him and lay him down. Keeping him lying there long enough to actually change him is another matter.

Here is Daddy trying to get Remington into his swimming trunks:

And now time for swim shoes...

What a stinker!

SHS Coaches Summer Party 2012

Every year, SHS has a party for the coaches to mark the end of summer/to celebrate the upcoming school year. They also take professional pictures of each coach with his/her family, and these are the pictures that run in the football program. Even though it was hot, we had a lot of fun.

The kids were able to run around and play. They had the big inflatable helmet set up, and my boys loved running through it.

Supper was a shrimp boil. It was so good! We had shrimp, sausages, wieners, little red potatoes, and corn on the cob. The kids loved it and dug right in.

We didn't bring swimsuits for our boys to get in the pool (because we didn't want to get in the pool too!), but some of the older kids were swimming around. The younger ones stuck to the playground and to the trampoline. Southern found one friend who was 3 as well. His name was Braden, and they had fun doing flips and jumping together. Remington was able to hold his own and stay upright most of the time. Both boys were laughing a lot.

Southern also was able to ride a horse! He was such a natural. Remington sooo wanted to get on as well, but I didn't want him to go by himself (and I was in a dress).

This is not our "official" family photo (you'll have to buy an SHS football program to see that!), but I wanted to get one shot with our camera of all 4 of us before the party's end.