ABC's and potty training

This video is from about a month or so ago, so Charis has gotten better with the ABC's.  As usual, Price is not nearly as clearly spoken as Charis, but it does not stop him from trying! Funny thing though, both of them at the end of the ABC song, say "now, no more ABC's..." we just laugh because it is so logical!

I figured I'd give a quick potty training synopsis; we started with Charis at the end of May, Memorial Day weekend to be exact.  She caught on quickly but had a tough transition to panties.  Price brought me his empty little potty asking for a "tweet" about 5 times before he decided he did not want to be turned down again and basically just started going on his own! I know I am both blessed and a little lucky :-) He was showing zero interest as of May but by his birthday he was just about there.  They are in underwear over night now, so I felt like I could reasonably post that they are both fully potty trained and I cannot remember our last accident.  I figure summer training makes things easier.  But they just were both "ready".  It was not a struggle and I am SO glad it is done! I have not bought diapers now in probably 2 months (at least) and how great that is for the grocery bill!!

Look out Emeril!

One of our new and most favorite activities is baking! I let the kids help me make brownies one day and the rest is history! They are so cute - and good little helpers! They say almost daily "we need to make a cake."  My mom brought home a friendship bread starter back in September and since that stuff multiplies, we have been making friendship "cake" about every 10 days!  They're just so smart and if you ask will tell you what goes in cake: flour, sugar, eggs and milk...not bad for a 2 year old!  And of course they like to get a little taste before it goes in the oven too!

Update!

Wow - this semester has really gotten off to a busy "start" - funny to say since the semester is actually 1/2 over by now.  I am teaching an extra class this semester so it means 4 nights a week, while I usually just teach 2.  The difference is way bigger than I had anticipated!

We are pretty busy with scheduled activities Tuesday (My Gym), Wednesday (BSF, or as we call it Bible class) and Thursday (Music class at TCU).  Unfortunately we have been shut down for the last couple weeks because of flu season and the kids have yet to get their flu shots.  Better safe than sorry, right?

Here's a couple final pics from summer; just a pretty shot in our neighborhood and then the kids 2 year pics.  They just would not hardly smile for some reason! But they're still my little cutie pies!

Baby Julian

My "little" cousin Michele (she's 30 but still my little cousin!) was scheduled to have a baby shower July 25 - the baby was not due until early September.  But as a big surprise to everyone, he decided to arrive a "little" early on July 21!  He was a tiny little thing and we never imagined we'd be seeing that baby before the baby shower! But he is a sweet little blessing and now, as I post this in September he is just growing and growing and doing great!

During this visit, my mom and I took the kids to the Abilene zoo.  It is really cool! They have a bridge that goes over the giraffe (which my kids pronounce with a hard "g" sound) exhibit.  You can buy treats to feed them and they reach up with their long tongues and take them right from your hands! It is wild!  The kids would just squeal anytime the tongue got close to them!  They also loved the monkeys, which got fed while we were watching, and proceeded to carry their carrots and lettuce around with them - it was really cool to see! The kids pretty much fancy themselves monkeys anyway, what with their cool backpacks and all!

A note on the backpacks - I never thought I'd have my kids wear something that seemed like a "leash".  I mean I looked down my nose at people I saw in the mall with their kids on a leash

 and scoffed "oh I'd never do that..."  Never say never, right? Especially when it comes to parenting.  My kids love those silly backpacks and for me, I can keep them close (aka safe) without impeding their fun!

Summer's winding down

We have had such a fun summer.  We went to the zoo every Monday in June since members could get in early.  The kids love the zoo! I can't wait to go this Fall when it's a bit cooler and less crowded.  They got to ride the train for the first time and boy was that a HIT!  We did My Gym on Tuesdays, which of course is something they love! Wednesdays we did Music Class at TCU (it was also neat having Hannah in our class).  It was a haul getting out there but by the end I had decided it was worth it.  These pics are from the last day of class when you're allowed to bring cameras (and Daddy!).  I think it is so good for them and they really seem to enjoy it.  So we are signed up again for Fall! We also went to Paradise Pond a few times with Adley and Angelina.  We went swimming and to dinner at Central Market with Rilee and Amy lots of times.

We went to the bounce house with Rilee and Reed.  It has just been a wonderful time to play and get closer with our friends!  We are so blessed by the friends we have and are thankful for the fun times we get to spend with them!  It is always sad to see summer end, but Fall will just bring a new set of adventures for us (and some cooler weather...whew)!

Happy 4th of July!!

What a wonderful July 4th we had! We started the day with a parade in Coppell.  The Amersons turned us on to this idea and it was a great one! The kids loved it!  We loaded up some Capri-suns in the little red wagon (thanks Nonnie for this awesome gift - it is a must, especially if you have twins!) and found a nice spot to watch the parade go by! Their favorite was the police officers on their motorcycles, which Chris insists on calling "fuzz"... We will definitely attend a parade next year!  Late afternoon, the family came over and we grilled out, even great-Grandma Ruby was in town.  We created this nice little set-up for the kids - their own little water slide, classy, I know!  The kids still go to sleep between 7 and 8, so they missed the fireworks.   Everyone came back over about 9:30 and we walked to the field right behind our house where we got to see fireworks from 3 different cities! It was really incredible! What a wonderful day!  

I'm 2, too!

Happy Birthday, Charis and Price!! I can hardly believe my babies are 2!! We had a super-fun birthday party at My Gym.  They have been going to My Gym since they were 6 months old and the kids love it there, as well as the owners, Jenna and Jonathan (Price loooves Miss Jenna). We had lots of friends there, balloons, rice krispie cupcakes, and an "airplane" ride (see top left photo).  It was really just perfect.  The kids got lots of wonderful gifts too.  They have just turned in to the cutest little kiddos.  They are more fun, even if more mischievous, every day! Charis is so nurturing, cheering Price on as he tries to climb out of his crib or finish his fruit.  "Yay Pricey!!" she yells and claps for him. He is generally sweet and loving, quicker to give out hugs and kisses.  Walking past a car the other day, I guess Price really liked it, but he stopped to give it a kiss!  They are my little angels and we are so blessed to have these two.  I never would have thought I wished for twins, but I could not ask for anything more perfect!