Whatever works!

So, I have mentioned it before, but for Madison and Riley, the best things to play with in the house are not toys. Does not matter how many cool ones I buy, they always find some household thing that is seemingly more fun.

Today is was wrapping paper from some gifts my mom was opening, (End of the year presents from her 4th grade students!) and the couch. Yes, the couch. OMG!

First of all, Riley found the paper and Madison found the ribbon...

After that got a bit stale, they moved onto climbing the couch. It was like they were in one of those blow up things you can jump in...come on, you know what I mean. They were giddy with laughter, jumping and climbing the couch and falling into the cushions. They were both laughing so hard they were "panting" due to breathing so hard. It was one of the first times I have seen them have serious gut jiggling fun. We all know it is the best feeling to laugh from deep down in the soul, now they do too! What a treat!

I guess Riley thought he was on a role with being goofy, so he attempted to get into the walker on his own. I will let you guess if it worked...silly boy! See, he is a monkey!

Out and About!

We were SO busy today! This morning, I took Madison to swimming class. Another great day in the pool! She went underwater again! (3 times!!!) The swimming teacher called her a "water baby!"

While Madison and I were whooping it up in the pool, Riley and Bob took a walk, just the boys. It was a beautiful day for a walk.

Both kids were more than ready for their afternoon nap! They needed to get a good rest as we had a big outing planned for the afternoon.

In the afternoon, we all piled in the car and headed over to Bob's Aunt and Uncle's house for his Aunt's 60th birthday party. They live about 30 minutes away on a gorgeous lake. We have not taken the kids to many "parties" so we were kind of entering the unknown. They were all spruced up and ready to go, we just hoped their behavior would be the same! HA! It was, as expected.

They loved the fresh air, the new faces and exploring the grassy areas. We hung out outside the whole time and it was really nice. They were talking and flirting with the other guests and Bob and I got a chance to catch up with family.

M and R got to sample some yummy food and mowed smoked chicken and watermelon. Feeding them their baby food was a bit of a challenge, but we got the job done, he...he...

The 4 of us packed up for home around 6 pm and we were all wiped out! M and R took a little snooze in the car and Bob and I just chatted. Nice. We had a quick bath time when we got home, then it was bottle and off to bed for the kids. I think we will all sleep well. Fresh air, fun and time with your family is good for the soul.

Special Visitors!

All in all it was a great Saturday at our house. This morning my mom came over and helped out with the kiddos. (Bob had to run to work for bit...) She helped me with lunch for the kids. We made fish and green beans, yummy! M and R loved it. Yes, that is fish in the top of Riley's ear...goofball!

After lunch,my mom helped me to keep M and R entertained while the carpet cleaners came and did their magic! Everything looks great!

When the kids were napping, my mom and I went on a weed pulling, get ready to plant flowers mission. Bob pulled out the lawn mower and got to work. It was a gorgeous day and it felt really nice to get some fresh air and feel the sunshine on our faces.

When the kids got up, Bob's grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa S. came over for a visit. It was so wonderful to see them, they were all smiles as usual! They totally enjoyed seeing the kids and Riley and Madison loved spending time with them!

Madison did some reading with Great Grandma S. and hung out on the couch with Great Grandpa and Dad! How sweet!

Riley was fascinated with his Great Grandma's glasses! He also spent some time goofing around with "the boys" on the couch!

Off to the Doctor (not to worry!)

Today we had a pretty normal morning, although it was spent indoors as the weather was dreary again! We are really getting our money's worth out of the toys we have! HA!

Riley has proven that he is part monkey for sure. This boy can scale anything in record time. How someone that small can a) reach the things he can and b) climb the way he does without climbing equipment. OMG! Madison is keeping her title of the happiest baby on the block! She spends most of her day giggling and smiling. The little things bring her true joy!

This afternoon we made a trip to the doctor. Madison has had a dry patch near her eye for a while and I just wanted to get it looked at. My gut said eczema, but I wanted to be sure. My mom met us there as going to the doctor with 2 active babies is nearly impossible. So nice of her! She managed the monkey, I mean Riley, while Madison and I chatted with the doc. The doctor thinks my theory is correct, but we will watch it over the next week and see if the treatment helps. If not, it may be some other sort of dry skin we can treat another way. Nothing serious or a big deal, but worth checking out.

While at the doctor, both kids got weighed...Madison is up to 19 pounds and Riley is at 17 1/2 pounds. They did not get their height, but I have a feeling Riley has taken a bit of a lead in that department. We will see...

When we returned from the doctor, the kids were ready to RUN! Well, crawl and climb anyway. Riley immediately found a box that was delivered to the house today and Madison hit the ground crawling.

Yahoo! Tomorrow begins the weekend! Daddy Days! We hope to get some stuff done in the yard and the carpet cleaners are coming...yikes! I will have to take the kids out while they are here as they are totally scared of the vacuum, I cannot imagine what they would think of the big carpet cleaning deal...I am sure there will be good stories tomorrow!

The Pacifier Game

I have got to try to figure out how to put videos on this blog because I took probably the best one ever today for Madison and Riley! I caught them sitting facing each other and "chatting!" They were then stealing pacifiers from each others mouths and putting them in their own! It became a game for them... in one mouth, plunked out of the other! At one point, Riley grabbed both of the pacifiers, held one in each hand and shook them up and down as if to say, "Hey, Madison, ha! ha! I have them both!" She put out a pouty lip and promptly grabbed one back!

I know it is a drawn out babble of a scenario, guess you really have to see it to believe it! I will try to get it online...

After their "conversation" they had about a half an hour of goofy time! They were just silly! I snapped a couple pics of the smiles...

We had a lot to get done today, so we were out and about a lot. I do not know if it was that or the fact that it was another rainy day, but the "fussy twins" activated! Yikes! It was a rough afternoon for mom! Oh well, tomorrow is another day and I am sure the happy twins will be back in action!

Good Day Sunshine!

So, we finally were reassured that the sun can shine in Minnesota! YAHOO! It was not too warm, but hey, I will take sunshine any day! I think it puts us all in a better mood. :)

This morning we spent some time with a neighbor. Such a sweet person. Last summer, their home was hit by lightning (luckily they were not home) and caught fire. It was quite a loss. They have spent a great deal of time rebuilding, de-smoking and refurbishing some of their belongings. The kids and I went to see all that is done and chat. Our neighbor finally seemed at peace and I could not be happier about that.

So after all the visiting and fresh air, the kids were wiped out! They had a great nap and when they woke up were a total comedy act! Riley's "bed head" hair was hysterical! Check it out!

Madison did not have wacky hair, but was looking at her brother with a skeptical eye...

Well, Riley wanted none of that, so he went on an attack towards his sister..she thought it was too funny!!

Of course, I had to join in the fun..a tickle fest followed! Then, we were off to the grocery, oh joy!

Where is Spring?

I feel as if I sound like a broken record when I say this, but it was ANOTHER awful weather day here. It was cloudy, breezy and barely made it into the upper 50's. It was even to brisk to take the kids on a walk in their stroller. Ick, ick, ick! So, you say, just stay inside and play. Well, you can only keep 10 1/2 month olds entertained for so long before they begin to lose it, and quite frankly, I get stir crazy myself! Even I get bored with the toys and such! He...he...

So, about an hour before the kids afternoon nap, we piled in the car and went back to the home improvement store that we had to leave over the weekend due to the sever weather. We all had a blast! I was able to pick up a few things and the kids loved looking around.

When we returned, they were pooped, as was I and they had a super nap! I had two happy campers in the afternoon! When they wake up in the afternoon, they get a bottle. Afterwards, they love to hang out with each other and their bottles! Whatever floats your boat I guess!

After afternoon snack bottles, we hung out and played for a while. I had a huge smile on my face just watching them, they were having so much fun with each other and exploring their environment. I am amazed at the new things they can do every day and I am not just saying that! Each day is like a new beginning. :) How cool!