Memorial Day!

We had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend and we are anxiously counting down the days until we leave for Disney!!!  The weekend was spent mostly at the pool, and the kids sure did enjoy playing in the water.  The pools were still a little cold, but by the time we get back they should be perfect.  For now, the kids didn't mind hanging in the kid's area and once it is a little warmer I am sure we will be back and forth between this one where they don't have to wear their floaties and the big pool where they absolutely do until they finally learn to swim!

We leave Friday morning for the Magic Kingdom and in the meantime are furiously trying to wash enough clothes to pack (and find suitcases which we haven't needed to use in forever), mow the lawn, and finish up things at work that will be put off for a week.  I haven't taken a week long vacation in a very long time and even though this won't be a relaxing one, I can hardly wait for it to begin!

On the school front things are still stressful!  We now cannot find aftercare at all.  The one at the school has a 10 person waiting list that they don't expect to move, and another we found has an even longer wait for acceptance (plus it is double the cost).  Obviously the school is not keeping up with the needs of the families in attendance since it seems that more families than they can accommodate just can't make it to pick up their children at 2:45/3:00.  We are just going to have to try to make it work with Lance getting them and taking them to his office, me getting off as soon as I can to get them from him, and I don't quite know just yet what we will do if neither of us can get off early.  I also don't know what we are going to do about the two weeks off in October, December and March which becomes even more complicated when we don't have back-up aftercare or care when school is out.  I don't have that many vacation days (especially since I am using up so many now and when school starts with half days), and if Lance has something going on his flexibility is not good - I think I really hate this almost year round school calendar.  I do think it would be great if I didn't work, but with two parents working it sucks!  We are still putting them in Kindergarten, because we will have to figure it all out sometime, but I am really going to have to do a lot of finagling at work to get them to be on board with an early in, early out work schedule when so much of what I do is dependent on working with people who have a more traditional work day.  I also will likely never find another job where I could make it work like I hopefully can here, so I hope that I can keep this one for a while!  Now that Disney is upon us, I think it is definitely time to start saving for summer, fall and spring break camps - those things are expensive and really the only option.  Looks like Lance's poor car needs to hang on even longer  :)!  Hard to believe that Kindergarten is two months away!

Sprinklers!

It was a 90 degree day today and we brought out the sprinkler after school/work.  We grilled burgers, played and ate outside, and had a great time.  I really do love warmer weather and I think it is pretty obvious that the kids do too.  

Tyler has acquired a signature picture pose :)! 

We are counting down the days to Disney - can not wait!  I am doing some research on the best rides for 4 year-olds (who are shorter than average) and trying to get the gear together that we need - but I am sure I will have plenty of time on the drive down to plan our week!  We are trying desperately, too, to find aftercare for the munchkins when they start Kindergarten in only two months.  The childcare at the school is already on a wait list and I can't get the daycare close by to call me back - if we can't figure something out we will make it work with Lance getting them at 3:00 and me when he can't - but that is not ideal.  I have a feeling with all that is going on and all that we are preparing for, this summer is going to fly by (sad already).  Lance and I are pretty desperate for some time with each other sans kiddos, too (already - before we even do the Disney trip - ha!), so hopefully we can sneak that in sometime in June or July as well!  Regardless, we are super excited for the weeks ahead and in light of the tragedy in Oklahoma today we are especially grateful for the time we get to spend as a family.

Busy and Fun

We anticipated having a pretty low-key day since rain was predicted.  Instead we were on the go all day and had a great time.  I played tennis (since there was no rain) and the kids went to visit with Ray-Ray and So-So.  They always have so much fun over there so that was probably enough for them, but we decided to go to Adventure Science Center since I still thought the rain was imminent.  We checked out the new mazes exhibit (meh) and were having fun, but we kept looking out the windows to see bright, sunny weather and started regretting not going to the Bellevue Picnic.  We eventually decided to leave the museum and try to make it to the picnic - and ended up being a beautiful warm, sunny afternoon.  The kids played in jumpy houses, got their faces painted and enjoyed snow cones.  It was a great afternoon.  We are expecting rain again tomorrow, but if it doesn't rain I have tennis again (last day of the season) and the kids are going to the zoo.  We'll see if tomorrow ends up a rain bust like today - I hope so! 

They loved playing "doctor!"

The mazes were a little over their head, but this one was fun!

The tornado tunnel was great - but I hope they don't want to feel the wind now in a real storm!

Outdoor Fun

We have had a lot of fun enjoying the warmer weather these last few days.  We spent Saturday afternoon at Centennial Park at the free music concert with kids activities. 

Katie was the lead singer in an impromptu band performance with some school friends we met out at the park.  Bubbles are always a hit, especially when you can wear a snazzy hat like Tyler's while playing.  

After work today we met Lance on the golf course and had fun riding around in the golf cart, finding turtles, and trying to learn to hit the ball.  I really want to learn to play and of course Lance wants the kids to enjoy it.  So far so good - they thought it was great and it was awesome to have some time to play outside as a family while it isn't too cold or hot, or dark too early! 

Katie most enjoys getting to drive the cart. 

Tyler tried hitting the ball a few times - but he was using Lance's clubs that are way too long.  He loved it and even said that he wants to play golf when he gets bigger.  We'll probably get him some clubs of his own (Katie too) for Christmas (although we have decided that Christmas gifts this year will probably primarily limited to small things in preparation for having to enroll in summer camps now that they will be in school).  We have always said around 5 for all "sports" - golf, tennis, t-ball, soccer - whatever they are interested in and still hoping that they like some kind of sport, but we also realize that might not be their thing).  Right now, though, Katie is still begging for gymnastics which I am OK with but need to work on convincing Lance. Either way, we have had a great time hanging out on the golf course and are counting down the days until the pool opens - the kids so they can swim, me because the have tetherball and fruity drinks  :)  !

Me - According to the Kids

At school the kids did this questionnaire about me for Mother's Day.  Their answers were really funny, and made me realize they don't know me at all  :)!  When answering "what is your mom really good it" they both said cooking/baking - ha!  Tyler said that he likes baking with me - that makes the frustration of letting them "help" worth it - because it can sure be trying to let them crack eggs and get shells all in everything, to say don't touch it's hot a million times, and to really slow the whole process down trying to figure out what they can do!  When asked what does your mom do to relax - Katie said "sit in a chair," and Tyler said "first she is downstairs and then she comes upstairs and sleeps."  Pretty funny that they think I am "relaxing" when I am downstairs listening to them run around when they should be in bed and having to go up and down the stairs to reprimand!  Both of them answered - "where does your mom like to shop" with Publix.  Ummm - definitely not my top shopping venue of choice, but it is where I most frequently visit and actually make purchases.  Katie guessed that I am six years old and Tyler didn't even make a guess!  If they could buy me anything Katie would get me a wallet (?), and Tyler would buy me sweet tea  :).  They both very sweetly answered that what they love most about me are hugs (Katie), and when she gives us hugs and kisses at bedtime (Tyler).  They are too cute and it was a fun card to get.  I let them help with dinner tonight (breakfast for dinner so it was easy) and really am going to try to teach them to play tennis soon (so hopefully they will realize I can do some things relatively well other than making scrambled eggs). 

We are all getting very excited for Disney (us more than the kids at this point just because they have no idea what to expect).  I picked up a bathing suit for Katie (and me) today in preparation for our visits to the Disney waterparks and time at the pool this summer.  I felt a little guilty because I know the only thing I should purchase at this point are things they can wear to school (since it is only a little over two months away) - but I am sure we will get plenty of use out of them and I got a great deal - $15 for my suit and $8 for Katie's.  My so lean little boy can still wear all of the hand-me-down bathing suit trunks that he used last year and hopefully can incorporate a few more that fell off of him last year.  They are both still relatively small compared to others their age, and Tyler is in that strange stage of needing longer pants and shirts (with bigger head holes), but still really needing 3T for the waist - or at least an adjustable waistband.  For that reason I am holding off on uniform purchases in case there is a growth spurt this summer even though everyone tells me that if you wait until right before school starts there are slim pickins.  We still need to get new floaties and maybe a couple of pairs of shorts for everyone and then we should be set for the summer and for Disney - I can't wait for the trip, for warmer weather, and for summer fun.  I know I am strange, but summer is my favorite season.  Long, hot days - fun in the sun, swimming and ice cream, grilling out and seafood (just seems like more of a summer thing to me) - lots of my favorite things! 

Arghhh!

Our Disney tickets came in the mail today!  Today, I almost decided though, that my misbehaving, up to no good all the time, defiant children don't deserve to go.  I say that as my children are still awake  at 11:00 at night and while I am incredibly frustrated that we haven't found a way to get them the sleep they need.  We have tried everything we can think of to try to get them to sleep, to no avail.  I mean everything - reward charts, allowing them to read or play quietly before lights out, moving up bedtime, eliminating tv and kindle or anything else stimulating before bed, separating, waking them up early - you name it, or the www says it may work and we have tried it!  I am at such a loss, and at my wits end trying to deal with this all night, and then dealing with cranky, over-tired children the next day.  I am hoping that this is a stage that is coming to a end, and if that doesn't happen, I am hoping that the Disney trip will wear them out so much each day that they will finally get at least a few days of the sleep they need! 

The Perks

I won't say that having twins has not been a challenge, but now that we are beyond the days of tag-team baby care it is a lot easier to see that there are great benefits too!  They really are the best of friends and will play together well most of the time.  They seem to really enjoy having someone to play with these days now that their games of pretend and art projects are even more involved.  In fact, they get quite upset if the other is looking for a little alone time and doesn't want to play with them.  They even share kindle time a lot when we usually have two available - they like to figure it out together.

They put their heads together for "evil" too.  Last night we were patting ourselves on the back because bedtime seemed to go so smoothly and it was very quiet after one last bathroom trip.  Well, that self praise didn't last long since when we went up to bed at 11:00 we found them playing "school" with all of their stuffed animals.  While Tyler was giving us a play by play of his bathroom break (yelling down the stairs) - Katie was apparently stealthily moving animals and books into the playroom for them to play with while he was distracting us.  Then they schemed to close the door as if they were going in their room (they insist that they have to go to the bathroom together when it is dark) while standing on the other side of the door so they could escape into the playroom unnoticed.  It definitely worked, we had no clue that they were not yet asleep because we assumed that when we heard the door shut they had gone into their room, and we didn't hear the usual pitter-patter of feet and getting in and out of bed from their room because they were in the playroom and obviously trying really hard to be quiet.  Lesson learned - go up to check on them if all seems quiet a bit too early!

We took Tyler to the doctor today since Katie had an ear infection last week and he has been complaining of ear pain.  Plus, he has developed this habit of making a gulping noise while sniffling (still constant, still Spring) and we were afraid he was having trouble breathing again.  All was fine, but they were the cutest things this morning.  Katie gave Tyler a big hug and told him that she hoped he felt better, and at the doctor Tyler went through all of the stickers to pick out the best one for Katie (he chose Belle because she is her favorite).  When I took Tyler back to school there was another hug and Katie squealed in excitement over his sticker choice.  There are so many moments like that where you just marvel at their special relationship.  I know that things will change as they get older and make new friends and separate some in their interests and activities, but I think they are so lucky to have each other at this point and surprisingly I think they realize it, too.  

Luckily for us, they haven't yet figured out that you don't tattle on your brother or sister, :).  Tyler is still struggling with behavior at school - he has had quite a few "cloudy days."  They are either on sunny, cloudy or stormy based on how well they listen, if they are acting out, etc.  Tyler is resistant to telling me exactly what happened, but Katie can still be counted on to give me a play by play!  Yesterday Tyler was on cloudy,  so I asked him what happened.  He told me that he got in trouble for not listening to his teacher but didn't recall the details.  Katie told me that they were supposed to be matching spoons (?), and Tyler matched his and then was playing with them and when he was asked to stop playing with them he wouldn't.  It is good to have those details because it is easier to explain to him what he needs to do to behave better when I can give my literal, stubborn boy concrete examples of what he should have done differently in the situation.

Discipline is one area that I think is more difficult with twins.  Not only do they team up to cause more mischief, or get into squabbles that just wouldn't happen with age separated siblings, but they also respond to different discipline techniques and are at the age where they think everything should be equal and fair.  Twins definitely present some other unique challenges, too.  I have to think that bedtime wouldn't be such a debacle if they didn't have each other to entertain and coerce, not to mention devise sneaky plots with.  We probably wouldn't have taken a second trip to the doctor because Tyler wouldn't have suffered from "me too" syndrome.  We would have much more manageable trips to the grocery store, have an easier time getting out the door in the mornings, and could certainly enjoy reading a book without it turning into a competition of who gets to sound out the words or turn the pages.  But, there is so much we would have missed out on that is truly awesome, and we wouldn't wish it to be any other way!