Boys who are sick together

Nap on the couch together.

 

I totally nailed today!

When the boys woke me at their usual 6am, I saw the forecast of high of 49 today!

I decided I was going to rally and make this one successful winter day!

We started with their new favorite game,  Basement Obstacle Course.  I time them against their own best times and change up the course once they reach their best time. Watch each one's run here.

Watch "Basement Obstacle Course" on YouTube
Basement Obstacle Course: http://youtu.be/r9N8tE5-wEw

And

Watch "Gavin's obstacle course" on YouTube
Gavin's obstacle course: http://youtu.be/SrDMDHd8jtU

After everyone was worn out,  Gavin went down for his nap and Ethan and I settled in for our traditional weekend afternoon snuggles. Soooo much more comfy on our new couch! Major win- Ethan actuality slept!  That never happens! I, of course, immediately joined him.

Then we met up with our neighborhood pals Thane and Dan for sledding,  snowballs, and snowmen.

About 5 seconds after they proudly posed with their snowman classmates Thane and Ethan pummeled and demolished it.  Frosty, and Gavin, didn't see it coming. Tears quickly flowed. Kindly,  Dan made Gavin a new one 2 minutes flat.

I couldn't because,  you know,  Floridian. But boy I'm faking this winter thing best I can! 

Cuddles may resume!

Remember how I shared that we broke our sofa after 6 years of snuggles and show watching?

Today we found it's replacement! In the as-is section of Bob's Discount Furniture. (Hey, we still have two small boys, now's not the time for a bigger investment!)

It looked deep and comfy in the store, but seemed to grow in size once it tried to fit in our car!  The loading crew told Chris, "sorry, man, no way that will fit!"  Then they sat back and watched.

Chris made it fit. Nothing stops us from a good deal!

Our friend helped us move it in and, woah. This couch is way bigger than in the show room. I mean we measured and all but WOW.

Just more room for the boys to grow and still snuggle!

We've broken our sofa

With too many morning cuddles.

Seriously, we are shopping for a new one that can handle the snuggles.

We <3 Science!

Maryland Science Center saved the day again! Cold day off from school (professional development day, see my post wondering how people keep their jobs managing their kids days out of school!).

Anywho, I digress.  They hit all their favorites.  Every strength test possible, Ethan sending love notes to me via the bank tube thing, and a circuit board activity at the Shed. 

They had the right amount of fun for a peaceful ride home!

Science Museum Sillies

Here's some highlights of our visit to the Maryland Science Museum today. We've gotten our money's worth from this (Groupon!) family membership!  Bonuses...No accidents and a quiet car ride home!

Christmas Eve 2014

This year was our first planned Christmas at home (Gavin's early entrance squeaking out of the NICU in time didn't quite count). We hung lights, had our first real tree, and went to mass. Here are the Christmas Eve highlights!

The boys on the alter for the children's mass.

Ethan was quite the devout Catholic, often closing his eyes in prayer. Gavin on the other hand was piiiiisssed we woke him from his nap to wear a button down and sweater vest. We made it halfway before we had to leave.

 

 

 

 

Ethan penned Santa's note for his cookies and milk.

They blew out candles on the pink heart birthday cake for Jesus they chose and baked.

And the modern twist, they watched personalized video messages from Santa. In Gavin's case, over, and over, and over.

They prepped the reindeer's carrots and Santa's key.

The lights were lit, inflatables blown, and village glowing.

I wish Santa came every night because those boys RAN to bed!

 

Luckily just in time! He came, he ate, he gave!

 

 

The presents are from their parents and family. The stockings and the item they each asked Santa are for from the man in red.

 

Unlike the boys, I couldn't get any sleep! Suddenly 6am couldn't come fast enough!!!

 

Washington Trip Wipe Out

This morning Gavin and I took a train ride to DC. Being downtown made him want to sleep, it made me want to get my suit and heels back out!