3 Year Olds!

The past month has been kind of crazy, hence lack of blogging. My gram passed away which has broken and left a hole in my heart. I am still trying to live by my motto "enjoy each day to the fullest" my last conversation with my gram. Sometimes this is so easy to do, other days...well not so easy. Boys have been doing so many new and exciting things but they are really showing how head strong they are. I thought the terrible 2's were a challenge....NOTHING compared to the strong wills of 3 year old twins, especially when they work together as a team! Nicolas has sprouted into a giant it seems over night (including his sassy talk back to me). He loves to always tell me "No-Way", when I ask him to do something.

Nicolas was looking at himself in the mirror and very seriously said: "Mom please cut my hair". I asked him why and he said: "Because I don't like it curly or long, I want a trim - PLEASE TRIM IT MOM"!

Christian this week during a tantrum said: "Stop Mom..you are NOT listening". Then he proceeded to have a meltdown and all of sudden very seriously said: "May I have a tissue for my eyes". I couldn't help but start laughing at the kid.

Nicolas and DaddyBoys having a conversation with Aunt Maura

Boys wanting to be right by Great GrandpaNicolas can't help but to hug Grandpa- however he leaped into Grandpa, good thing he was sitting.

Christian wanting to take a"pretend" snooze...Nicolas not letting him and wanting him to play, play play

A Good Game Of Hide and Seek With Grandma...

This is What Happens!

This is what happens when you try to take a family photo of a group of young boy cousins (ages between 7 - 2 1/2) as we are literally walking out the door to fly home. Grandma desperately only asked for a simple photo of her grandsons that were all finally together. However, we waited to the last moment as things were chaotic and hectic....... Socks / No Socks ~ Smiles / Tears ~ Switching Spots / Running For The Hills ~ Terrified/ Happy ~ Tired / Awake !!! Just doesn't come out how you imagined as you can see the progression!

Family comes to town!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when family comes to town and especially when they stay with us! This past month we had so many come into town- it was fabulous! Not only do we love hanging out but I get so many breaks which I desperately need to keep up with these two little guys.

I love that I have a huge family (7 brothers and sisters - my youngest sister is 12) but I hate that I don't live right next to them! I really miss having all of them near, especially having sisters that are the perfect age for babysitting!

Last week, my mom came down with my three of my sisters and brother! The boys loved every moment of it! My mom was in her glory, she has always been the "children type" - hence having 6 kids and working as a teacher's aid for years. Honestly, I don't know how she did it - and she never ever complains about how tired or hard it is/was and is a calm, quiet person by nature. Nothing like me, right? She has been a great sounding board and always seems to have the right thing to say when I am at my wits end.

For example, last week I called her: "Mom, they are driving me crazy with the tantrums and wanting to do EVERYTHING themselves. Is it something I am doing wrong that they are always it time out - is this normal"? Very calmly, she says to her panicked daughter - "Honey, they are two - of course it is normal. Haven't you heard of the terrible twos -its all a phase, they are testing their boundaries and learning".

Oh.....that's right! Whenever I feel like I am going nutz with these little guys, I keep trying to remember that. She jumped right in when she was here and started reading to the boys, playing ball and hide and seek.

I love the photo below of Nicolas - he has this hysterical face of joy.

Mama citas! Cousin Donny (Kens cousin) came in for a visit this month as well. I haven't seem him in 9 years, so it was great that he could see the boys!

Aunt Di- Di (Kens sister) came to visit for a few days and I was in absolute joy. She is always so much fun and a burst of sunshine. It was great having her stay with us - we are blessed because she gets to come more frequently and is a HUGE help when she is here.

Having a family meal for Ken's Birthday!