Funday Monday

Today I was lucky enough to extend my already long weekend yet another day. My mom had a doctor appointment today, so I stayed home with the boys. We didn't have anything huge planned, except a visit from Caryn. Here is a little bit of the day:

• The boys have a new favorite thing to do. They are NOT content unless they are standing. They like to climb all over you and use you to help them stand up. They aren't able to stand on their own, but are pretty good if they are holding tight onto something (or someone). It is especially tricky when they both climb on you at the exact same time and you are trying to help both of them stand up without either one falling. I must make a great jungle gym!
• Ellis has been having some "Play-baby" centerfold moments these days. He'll crawl a little bit and then turn around to see if you are watching. The way he poses his leg is hilarious (lifting up a pant leg a little bit) and the look on his face -- so serious!
• Caryn came over and hung out with me and the boys for a little bit. It's been so long since we've been able to catch up, so it was great to talk for a while. I can't wait until Logan and Ellis are just a little bit older so they can play with Cole.
• Troy picked up some winter hats for the boys. We already have a warm hoodie for them to wear, but figured that we should get a hat and mittens for them. Nothing but cuties here --
• As for me, I have been trying to figure out what additional degree to pursue. By June of 2013 I need to take 6 college credits to keep my teaching certificate. And, although I don't have to necessarily get another degree, it just seems like a bit of a waste to take classes for no purpose. I would love to get a degree to be able to teach math at the college level, but long story short, it would take roughly 7 years because of all the prerequisite classes, since I only have an Elementary Education degree (which only required lower level classes versus a Secondary Education degree). My other option is to get a Secondary Education degree so I could teach at the high school level. That is only 7 classes total! So, since it has been 13 years (YIKES!) since I've taken Calculus I at CMU and that is the first class I need for the program, I'm looking to take that class as a refresher, and another one at OCC. It is MUCH cheaper, like the price of a 4 credit class is cheaper than 1 credit at Oakland University. Now it's just a process of applying to OCC and possibly getting into a class in the winter, or by spring/summer at the latest. I'm kind of excited...it's been forever since I've actually taken a math college class. I know, that sounds pretty nerdy, but it is what it is.
• As for Black Friday/Cyber Monday stuff, Troy and I have completed our Christmas shopping...well, most of it. We purchased our Secret Santa gifts and gifts for Morgan and Parker. All we might pick up now are a few toys here and there for the boys. I actually bought a few new toys on Friday, but Troy decided that we should give them the toys then. "They don't know the difference between Christmas and any normal day" was his remark, but you know I will have to buy a few more for them to open up on Christmas day!

That's it for now. I guess it's back to reality tomorrow -- back to work. I could really get used to 4-day weekends (or even 5-day weekends!). The countdown is on until Christmas now -- only 19 more school days!

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving

Well, I'm roughly 36 hours late at wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, but better late than never, right? I hope everyone had a nice day -- I know we did!

It's been a busy week or so, especially with work, but I'm glad to be able to have a few extra days at home with the boys. Yesterday was a nice, relaxing day. My parents and Troy's brother Sky came over to spend Thanksgiving with us. We had a nice meal and I met my new favorite dessert -- pecan pie. YUMMY! Good job with that one mom! We decided to have the boys try potatoes for dinner too. They've had sweet potatoes for a while now, but never had white potatoes. I'll let the pictures tell you whether or not they liked them...

"What on Earth is this??" Ellis asks...

"I don't know what this is either, but I'm not sure I want to swallow it!" Logan replied

I think if we mixed them with a bit more milk to make them thinner, it might have helped, but for now, I'm not convinced they were a fan of white potatoes.

We also dressed the boys up in a cute little button down shirt and jeans. Or should I say that we tried to get them to wear cute outfits. The 6-9 month jeans we have are still a bit big for Ellis. So much so, that he little crawled right out of them. I was changing Logan's diaper only to look across the room at Ellis crawling around with his pants about 3 feet behind him. So funny! We thought we'd dress him back up in them though for a short photo shoot.

Today I didn't have any plans to head out in the mess of holiday shopping, but I did venture out for about an hour to go to a specialty toy store nearby and picked up a few new toys for the boys. Aside from that, we just hung out at home. This afternoon, I started to tackle making my Christmas cards. Up until last weekend I was unsure of whether or not I was even going to make some this year, or if I was going to take the easy way out and get a photo card made, but after heading out to Paper Source with Val last weekend and finding a stamp that I liked, it all came together. They are pretty simple, but I'm pleased.

I'm not sure what the rest of the weekend holds, but I sure am glad we still have a whole weekend ahead of us. As for the boys, they are growing like weeds. I'll have lots more updates of them soon.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Video of the Day

Ellis's new talent -

Rest In Peace Grandpa Perez

Sadly, Grandpa Perez lost his battle with pancreatic cancer today. He was a Korean War veteran that lived in Adrian, Michigan most of his life. He enjoyed volunteering, cooking, and gardening. Since he had 4 daughters, Troy was honored to be asked to take on the Perez family name when he turned 16, which our boys will now carry on. You will be missed Grandpa, but it is comforting to know you are now resting pain-free.

A relaxing weekend

I think this was the first weekend where we weren't busy, busy, busy around the house and the yard. We have actually been able to relax a bit and not rush around when the boys are sleeping, to utilize every minute they are napping.

Troy and I each had our own time out of the house yesterday too. I went to a few stores to look for Secret Santa ideas (my parents, Nicole and Mark, and Troy and I have a tradition of doing Secret Santa for the past few years) and then got a much needed hair cut. After I got home, Troy headed out for his 1.5 hour massage and then went grocery shopping. Since it was reasonably nice outside, I took the boys for a walk. It was their first time as "big boys" in the stroller (sitting in the stroller seats and not their car seat), so that was fun. Logan, the big brother, sat in front so I think it was a bit of a shock for him because he couldn't see either me or Ellis, but I stopped every so often to see him and he seemed to relax as the walk progressed. Ellis just sat back and relaxed, kicking his feet every now and then.

Ellis lovin' it.

Logan was definitely happier at the end of the trip after

he got used seeing things on this new level.

It's funny how the boys pull and dig their toys out of their little toy bin. Most of the time we just put the bin on the floor and tip it over and they go get their toys out of it. Then they proceed to play with the empty bin - go figure! Well, today, daddy thought it would be funny to put Logan in the bin with all his toys. Silly daddy!

For now, its time to relax and watch some football. The boys will be awake any time now so I better go grab some lunch before they wake up!

Awesome giveaway and Etsy Annoucement

My very talented sister, Nicole, has opened up an Etsy shop, prompt, and is giving one of her first products away in a drawing, that she mentions on her blog. Those of you with children, soon-to-be children, or those that have small children in your family, will LOVE this book. It is a memory book titled, "20 questions", which is a birthday interview album for kids. This book provides 20 questions that you can ask your child at each birthday to track their responses, favorites, and thoughts each year, for 10 years. It is awesome and I plan to get two of them for Logan and Ellis, so if you are interested, check out her blog by Monday if you'd like to enter a drawing to win one, or check out her Etsy store if you are interested in purchasing one.

Such a fun age

We have been having too much fun with these boys lately. They are becoming more independent, yet starting to play with each other -- or should I say Logan tries to play, but Ellis never fails to take the toy that Logan has, even if there are a dozen other toys around him. Logan is a good sport though. Most of the time, he just ignores Ellis and gets a new toy.

They are crawling around everywhere. Ellis is even starting to crawl like a frog. Instead of army crawling where he uses one leg to move, he is starting to use both legs more and scoots around pretty quickly. We have used the baby gate a few times between the living room and kitchen, mainly when we are cooking, but they do NOT like it if they can't join us in the kitchen when we are in there.

They are too cute in all their new clothes. They just made the move to 6-9 month clothes (although they still fit in some of their 3-6 month clothes!), and they are able to wear some of the clothes that we bought them about a month ago when it started to get cooler out. Little boys in their little jeans and graphic t's. Too cute for words...

They have been a little clingy lately too, although I don't mind. I love cuddling with them. I think Logan likes cuddling with me because of my robe. It's so soft and he likes to rub his face on it. I think he's been a little more clingy (and whiny, if you ask Troy's opinion) because I just noticed tonight that he got his first tooth! His bottom right tooth has just poked through. I thought I saw something in there after dinner, but in the past when I thought I saw something, it was just food or drool pooled up in there. Well, I stuck my finger in his mouth, much to his dismay, and felt the little tooth. He has been sticking his bib or other soft materials in there lately, but wants nothing to do with anything hard, which is unusual, so I thought something was going on. He's taking it like a champ though. Definitely not acting like he is in any pain...so far.

Ellis is making the most hilarious growling noises lately. Logan likes to chat quite a bit, but Ellis seriously sounds like he's trying to mimic a lion or something -- roaring. It's so cute. I'll have to try to get it on video this weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, we don't have any major plans. The outside is as ready as it's going to be as far as "winterizing" goes. Troy is getting a massage on Saturday and I am getting a much needed hair cut. Aside from that and regular weekend "chores", we have nothing planned. It will be nice to just sit back and relax.

Hopefully I'll get some pictures and possible a video or two this weekend to post. Until then, happy weekend to everyone!

No more "Mr. Round Butt" -- and more

Little Ellis is sitting up all on his own now. He must not have liked the fact that Logan could do things that he couldn't. He is still a little wobbly, but Logan definitely has it mastered.

I also got the boys a little laptop yesterday. They are so drawn to mine when I have it out, so I thought they might like their own to play with. They look so serious playing with it too!

Logan also learned that his car seat is a fun toy. Let's climb in!

And Ellis said, "Forget the car seat, Logan. YOU are fun to climb on!"