Tidbits

Time for more funny, interesting and precious comments/actions by the Darling Duo!

Watching a movie on TV one day, the hero dog "dies" at the end, (I was quite PISSED!), but he (thankfully!) comes back to life!  Both boys were cuddled up into me, when Austin lifted his hand up to his face/eyes and wiped away tears.  I've never seen him cry at a movie before and when I said something, "Awww, Austin were you sad that the puppy died?"  I got a loud, vehement, "NO.  NO - I'm NOT crying, Mommy!!  There is just something in my eye!"
~~~~
At their check up this year, both boys had to get 4 shots.  Logan wailed like no tomorrow!  The nurse promised them no more shots until they were 11.  As my life would have it, though - school called and said the boys were missing ONE shot and could not start school without it.  Logan was beside himself with this news!  He started screaming in the parking lot at the doctor's office and didn't stop for one second.  He even tried to "trick" me by saying, "Mommy, PLEASE take me back to the car.  I...I left something in there and we need to go get it."  Austin went first, got his shot.  And stayed in there with us while Logan got his.  While watching Logan cry in Armageddon fear, I once again saw Austin wipe away tears. Logan was on my lap, but I pulled Austin over to me and kissed his cheek.   "Oh, sweetie - are you crying for Logan?" 
Austin:  "NO, NO - I'm NOT crying, Mommy!  Your KISSES made my eyes WET!"

What is this?  What is it that a 5 year boy feels like he has to DENY crying?  Ugh, MEN!
~~~~~
Logan begs me for a Baby Girl Sister.  He is living his life as if this baby sister will be arriving any day - He has asked me to rearrange the car seats so that she can sit in the middle.  He has named her,  Ally.  He asks me several times a day when/where she is coming from. 

What does Austin say about this?
Austin says he wants a puppy instead of a sister.  He has named him, too - Buster. 
~~~~

Random comment from Austin:  "Mom when you die, can I get your Ipad?"  

~~~
The boys "pray" to Santa, "Dear Santa, Please bring me/us a motorcycle for Christmas." 

(And on that note, I have told them that Santa listens to mommy's and daddy's and that if we say "No motorcycles" then, he won't bring them.   They still insist he will and they "pray" harder and more often!)
~~~~~

Cuddling in bed one rainy afternoon, Me; "Ugh, Austin!  Did you just fart?"
Austin, "No, Mommy - it's just your breath."

~~~~

After a long, exhausting, power struggling day - Logan said on the way home, "Mommy, you've been awfully mean today."
And since they always complain when I leave the house to do anything by myself, "Well, then - so maybe you won't mind when I go to work tomorrow?"
Logan:  "No, Mommy, we still LIKE you!"
Austin, "Yeah, it's just your attitude that needs fixin."

~~~~

My facebook status one day:
Future girlfriends, be warned!!  I just downloaded pictures from my camera and discovered that Austin and Logan hijacked my camera one day and took great joy in snapping pictures of their behinds.  If you are familiar with my household, you know that the same 5 year old boys do not like clothing, so these pics were of the x-rated variety!

~~~~
One night, as we were saying our prayers, Austin and Logan began (once again) inundating me with questions about Heaven.  "Will we bounce around on clouds all day, Mommy?  "Mommy, if you go to Heaven first, will you visit us?  "Will we really, really get to see God in heaven, Mommy?  And Jesus?"
Logan asked, "But if you die, who will be our mommy?" "Oh, baby, I will always, always be your mommy, even in Heaven, sweetie!"

This went on for awhile, until Logan was obviously becoming a little more concerned about things.  "Honey, mommy's not sick, I'm pretty healthy, I'm not (that) old.  I plan on being around for a long, long time. Okay?"  Logan:  But, Mommy.....?    "Logan, I will be here for as long as you need me, baby."  Suddenly, his face lit up, he sat up, threw both arms around my neck and squeezed super hard, "Yay! Because I'm gonna need you forever, Mommy!"


~~~

The day after hurricane Irene, the boys and I were driving to a park.  I told them to look out the windows and see who could spot fallen trees.  I saw a HUGE tree down, the roots were easily 15 - 20 feet wide.  "Look, boys - there's a HUGE tree down!  Wow!"  Austin yells, "JESUS!"  and I almost wrecked the car!  Nonnie had been staying with us during the hurricane since she had no power and I immediately figured he had picked up the language from her!  "Austin, sweetie, why did you yell 'Jesus,' sugar, when you saw the big tree?"  Austin: "JESUS!, Mommy! Jesus!"  "Well, I know, honey...but um, WHY are you saying that dear?"  "Mommy, Jesus!  I saw THREE crosses back there.  Jesus!  Remember, Mommy?  He died on a cross for US.  JESUS!"

**Updated to add, In Nonnie's defense, she does not actually ever take Jesus' name in vain!  I can't say the same thing about his father, but she doesn't mess with Jesus!    ;-) 
 
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My dear friend Karen and her family taught us "Yellow Car!"  on the way to the beach this summer.  Since then, Austin and Logan have been relentless shouting out "Yellow Car!" every. time. we see one on the road.  Relentless!

~~~

The boys and I were playing baseball in the street the other day.  Austin dropped his ball. "Dammit!"
I looked at him.  He looked at me. 
Austin: "Nonnie says 'dammit." He explained. 
Logan chimed in, "Yeah, our whole family says dammit!"

Austin, "Except Daddy.  And Daddy says we shouldnt be saying it."
M: "Yeah, well, you shouldn't.
Austin, "Dammit"
Me: "Austin, please stop."
Austin: "I just wanted to get my last one out, Mommy."
~~~

One day before school started, I was explaining to Logan about collecting "Box Tops" for his school.  Next thing I knew, he had pulled out about 1/2 the pantry's content and ripped up boxes were strewn about my kitchen floor.   
*Note to self, explain "collecting" AFTER the item has been consumed!"
~~~~

Logan threw an all out, full on force melt down at the mall.  The boys are getting too big for me to "man-handle" and/or carry them during their episodes, so it took us quite a while to get out to the car.  Nonnie and Austin were going to run to one more store, and I was supposed to move the car to a closer spot to pick them up.  I could not get Logan strapped in, so he just rode in the front seat beside me, screaming, yelling, kicking and thrashing.   While we were driving through the parking lot, he yelled something else to me.  "What baby?  Mommy can't understand you."  Between hyperventilating, he yells it again, "Mrmphcrhgh!! Mommy!"  ??  Logan, I'm sorry.  I know you are frustatred, but Mommy just cannot understand you."  "Yellow CAR!!!  Mommy!"
Can I tell you I was speechless!?!  This is how obsessed they are with the "game!"  In the middle of a complete mess of emotions, He still needs to get the "yellow car!'  I thought it was hysterical! 
~~~~
Mixing up phrases a little bit:
Logan walks up to me one day and hands me a piece of paper, Mommy this will break you heart!
I open it up and it was a note to me, "I heart Mommy."

~~~

You know that kid in tv show,  The Middle?  The one who whispers to himself all the time?  Well, Austin does this thing where he strikes a karate stance and "whispers" Tae Kwon Do.   I dont know why, but I absolutely cannot stop laughing when he does it.  He tells me it's because he is sneaking up on his enemies and he wants to surprise them with his fight method ;-)  One day as I was having fits of laughter watching him do this over and over again, he asked me, "Mommy, are you all cracked up?"

~~~~
I hesitate to write this one, but this is our live.  So...here goes.

In the car, Logan says: "Mommy, I really, reaaly, really, really, really, wanna go home and snuggle-up with you and your big, fat, ginorous boobies!
Austin:  "You're not supposed to say "fat" Logan."
"BUT, Austin - They ARE!  They are SO big and comfy!!  I just LOVE Mommy's boobies!"

I just chose not to even respond to the conversation.
~~~~

And if you hung around this long, here are a few pics of my precious, cursing, boob-lovin' kids:

 Their first real, official sleepover at their best buds house (the neighbors that abandoned us!)

(I'm still working on my feelings on that issue!)

 They always seem to find each other in the middle of the night!

;-)

Some call it a basketball hoop.  We call it a launch pad!

 Ever jump on a wet trampoline?  It's really loud, gives a whole different kinda bounce!

My love bugs!

This is the Big ONE!

With the twins as active as they are,

I've been sort of forced to remain calm with their constant jumping, leaping, non-walking always running lifestyle.

I have always, always been afraid of heights, though.

Not for me, but for them.

We always rent beach houses that are 3 stories high and lined with decks and built-in benches.

I'm always freaked out that the twins are going to go over the ledge.

Malls, hotels, baseball games, bleachers, everywhere there are balconies - I see "danger!"

The twins favorite ride at the amusement park near us, is the "bucket" that you take across the park.

It FREAKS me OUT!

Because it's not an enclosed cage - and I always fear one of the boys standing up, leaning over too far -

and falling out.

God forbid!

Needless to say, skiing and those death defying ski lifts will never, ever be a part of our lives!

And then,

The other day,
on a random,
nothing special happening day,

Logan flipped over off the side of our backyard deck.

And I thought, "Dear Lord, THIS is the Big ONE!"

We have been spared numerous, upon numerous injuries.

We have only had two trips to the ER - one netted a staple in the head and one cost us an emergency room issued $100 tube of neosporin!

The other day, as we began our backyard fishing from the deck. 

I was getting Austin set up, when I heard Logan
scream
from the corner of the deck.

He was standing on this bench and he had just leaned too far over.

His belly lay flat on the railing and his feet were still on this side (and he wasn't smiling like the stick figure is).
And as my heart dropped, I screamed his name and took a step towards him to grab him...
....only to see his feet go all the way over the edge...head first.

I screamed his name again and ran down the steps.
In those 2 seconds, I tried to prepare myself for a broken arm, a broken leg
...and prayed that he had not landed on his head or his back.

I came down, rounded the corner and became instantly confused
as my child
was
not
on the ground.

??

I heard him screaming, looked up and bless his little heart, he was clinging to the outside of the deck. 

God only knows how that child went head over heels over the balcony and had enough foresight and ability to grab the rail, hold on, plant his feet on the ledge and cling on for dear life.

I had to pry him off and together we both fell to the ground in a heap of crying mess. 

And of course, his first words to me were,
"Mommy - YOU did that!  YOU put the fish TOO far out!"

And who can argue with that!
Yes, I had expected him to wait for me, but this is my child and he is gonna forge ahead where there is potential fun and adventure!

I play the scene over and over again in my head.
And I still don't know how he did it!

It could have been so much worse!
And all he had was a scratch was where he had grabbed onto the rail during the flipping over.

And.
I. THANK. YOU.
GOD!
And any and all guardian angels involved in that save!

Later that night, at bedtime,
he told me very seriously, "Mommy - I'm soooooo sorry I fell off the deck."
"Oh baby, it's okay.  You don't have to apologize.  Mommy thinks you are a hero because you saved yourself.  I am sooooo, so very thankful you held on to that railing!  You are one smart boy!!"

Kindergarten!

Yep - it's HERE!

First day of school for my little ones.

I do believe they were more excited today than they've ever been on Christmas - or at least it was darn close to the same amount of enthusiasm!

I had barely said, "Good Mor'...." when Logan threw back the covers, hopped outta bed, and was half-way dressed before I finished my greeting.

He ran to the window.  Confirmed that it was "dark" like Mommy and Daddy said it was going to be.

And ran to wake Austin up.

Austin, too - flew outta bed, ran passed me, got dressed, ran downstairs for his backpack.

Time elapsed since waking them:

45 seconds.

;-)

Stall time!

I had prepared for at least a good 30 - 40 minute spread.

So, we filled the extra minutes by calling our Grammy and Grampy in Maine.

And snapping some pictures:

 Logan, left.  Austin, right.

We woke up to a very, very rainy morning.

So, we drove the van to the bus-stop.

Two over-the-top excited boys!

 I'm not proud to admit it, but they did CUT in line BIG time, to load that golden mecca of a school bus!

And I attempted to snap a picture of them on the bus, but that didn't quite come out.

I heard them tell the bus drivers, "But we're brothers."

And she said, "Well, just for today, sit where you are and then we'll make sure we put you together."

They seemed very agreeable to that.

;-)

Their bus comes extra early.  It's a first run.

So, we've signed them up to eat breakfast at school.

Then, on the way down the kindergartener hall,

Austin will drop Logan off and then head to his classroom!

Action pay day, snacktime, recess, lunch -

Where none-other than NONNIE-The-Great will be volunteering as a lunch lady!

Woo-Hoo!

Can't wait to hear about their day!

 Austin and his teacher.

Logan and his teacher!

No tears....yet.

for me. 

Gone Fishin'

In the backyard, that is.

With magnets!

;-)

I find it's way less messy!

 Austin casting!

 Magnet man fishes!

With Nonnie's help, Logan catches one!

And for the record, the very next day, Daddy took the boys real fishing.

But sadly, no fish were caught!

;-(

We miss our buds!

This summer, we have not spent nearly enough time with our best buds,

Van and Zak as we would like to.

But no matter when we do get together...

it's all energy,

it's all fun,

all the time!!

Introducing the latest world-reknown Unnamed famous baseball team!

 Van, Austin, Logan and Zak!

Team Pose!

Tracey and I met at a new park, one not affected by Hurricane Irene!

As we discussed how much of a "A Mommy Who Governs by Routine" we are not,

we had to laugh as at 4 o'clock the playground instantly became packed with families.

And by 5 o;clock , it instantly emptied again as those clearly on a schedule went home for dinner.

;-)    

With the start of Fall and full-time school for three of our four pack,  not to mention various sports activities,

Tracey and I sure hope we come up with a way to increase our playdates!!