Hanging with Richgels

Back in Madison for the holidays, our "uncle" Richgels from Portland jumped right in with the everyday world of raising the Littles, including acting as the reading pillow during the naptime reading of Curious George Goes to the Hospital. Thanks Richgels...Hope to see you again soon.

"Peanut butter toast makes me happy"

This is a random quote from breakfast yesterday. Shortly after Henry proclaimed his love of toast, a giggle and snuggle-fest broke out, as you can see from this picture.

Christmas, take 2.

Since it's the holidays, why not a stroll down memory lane. The first is of my two pudges at 5 months old at Christmas number 1. The next is them at 1 year 5 months!! Call us scrooges, but back then Jay and I never bought them gifts at Christmas. It always seemed they had so much, and you how we do at shopping. Not to mention that they had no clue and I have to say that if we hadn't told them this morning was Christmas, they would not have noticed!!


Everytime I look at the above picture I just laugh. Bryn's little sparkle is all there in her heeled black shoes and my ham of a man next to her just cracks me up in his wingtip shoes (found by Jay at St. Vinnie's). No fancy clothes this year since we were here at home, had no one to impress, and 3/4 of the house is sneezing and coughing.



I'm sure this is what you have all been waiting for............. the opening of the brooms. They each had three gifts to open and we saved the brooms for the finale. When I asked Henry what he thought was inside the wrapping he replied "A snowblower?" Yes, he likes those too. Hope everyone can be filled with as much excitement and joy as these two were today.

Don't listen to what he says at the end about "lots of dirt on the floor."
Tonight as we were marching up the stairs for bed Henry asked if he could bring his broom to bed with him. After a discussion, they both decided that they could leave the brooms by the broom closet so they could play with them again tomorrow. I never imagined that brooms would be the the dream gifts for two year olds.....

Peace and love to all our friends and family. Love, the Affies

Christmas Part I

Our first of 3 Christmas gatherings began at the Affeldt cabin with ice fishing lessons on Lake Sherwood. First thing one should notice in the upcoming photo is the fact that Jay is setting his watch. He's got this ice fishing gig set to a 5 minute timer just in case he hasn't surveyed the ice holes for a "tip up". It's almost impossible to draw his attention away from those holes in the ice. As soon as someone spots a little flag waving in the wind, boots are laced, coats are thrown on and it's a race to the ice. I am the kinda fisherwoman who has a blast as long as there is plenty of action and not much sitting around and Saturday was just that. Norbert and Jay gave me the honor of yanking up the first Northern Pike of the afternoon, bonus that it was a keeper! Bryn and Henry watched pretty carefully out on the sloppy wet ice and then had fun just running. Haven't figured out how Henry could fall as I was holding his hand but then could run himself back and forth across the ice without a splash-landing once.

Here is Henry with his first catch. This little perch was about the size of the minnows we were using as bait.

Here is our version of "Frosty", so named by H and B. We didn't last outside long enough to give him any appendages as Bryn's feet were red, cold and hurting from all the water that managed to soak on through her boots.

Saturday evening was spent giving gifts and watching B and H tear into their presents but also watch carefully as the rest of us opened our gifts. Henry presented Grandma with his work of art and made sure she was impressed with his handiwork.

Thanks Grandpa for some pretty fancy toolboxes packed with slippers and gloves. Grandpa made the boxes himself with cherry wood thanks to Mr. Pickhardt.

The gloves were a hit. Henry decided that they will be the perfect accompaniment to his outdoor biking this winter. How can it be easier to put on gloves when it takes us forever to find and stick their thumb into a mitten?

You know Christmas is a success when the evening ends with both of them in their undies, new slippers and gloves!

We were then stuck inside Sunday due to 30 mile per hour wind gusts, blowing snow and blowing noses. We did manage to have some fun with Phil and Joan later that night and play several rounds of hot potato! P.S. Thanks for the magnet books, we have had them out several times already.

The only bummer is that we didn't get to see Jen, Shawn, Mia or Allison for the holidays. It seems they are on pretty strict orders to avoid any children under the age of 13 (!) ,who tend to be germy, for their first year. Can't believe we have to wait that long but since they were so premature we don't want to mess with anything. The Day clan will be taking our place at the cabin this week and presents will be traded via Grandma and Grandpa this year with hopes the kiddos can reconnect this summer! Seems like forever. Our holiday wishes to Jen and Shawn are for longer nights of sleep, happy babies and a smile every now and again!!

Grandma and Grandpa A deserve many hugs for the food, fun and frolic............ and of course the toys for H and B and gifts for us parents! Who would have guessed the two 2 1/2 year olds would pretend play that they work in a pizza parlor and take orders by phone, while baking the pizza under the ottoman?

Spreading the cheer

Well, it's settled. We are definitely going back to Oakwood. We decided to visit Oakwood retirement village today in hopes of spreading some love, smiles, and candy canes. I have to say that the residents gave us more than we gave them. Thanks to Marcy, the activities director at one of the Oakwood retirement homes, who introduced us all to some warm, friendly "grandmas and grandpas" (although the women sure outnumbered the men). She not only had a room full of smiling faces to greet us when we entered but she also led us around to "meet and greet" other residents and some animal friends as well. Bryn, Henry, Hadley and Aidyn handed out candy canes that we brought and wouldn't you know, not a one came back with us. All 84 canes were given away, some lucky few had a lapfull thanks to our four. I really want to instill in my kids that life is about giving, not just material gifts, but the intangible stuff. I, of course, in the last remaining hours of holiday shopping, need to remind myself of that too.



The woman who is leading the pack, so to speak, really enjoyed tagging along with our crew. We were jokingly calling her the Pied Piper!

Miss Aidyn, all dressed up in her holiday duds, doling out her candy canes.

Henry had to make sure the guys were covered with some sugary goodness as well. They all managed to spit out a few verses of some holiday tunes with the help of Courtney, me and Miss Marcy.

I almost forgot..... getting into the car on the way to Oakwood, I was prepping them for what we were doing and showed them the bags I filled with candy canes. When I asked them what they were going to say to residents, they both chimed in with "Trick or Treat". Bags full of candy,what else could that mean but Halloween?

If it were up to Bryn, this would have been our tree to take home and decorate..... she said it was perfect!




We did it. One week to go until Christmas and we got the tree.


With backs to the wind, they sat down to watch Jay saw the tree down. I asked him if they were fine sitting there, as a hint to him to make sure the tree fell away from them. Seconds later, Bryn's face was a look of horror as the Frasier Fir landed about a foot away. Oops.

Bouncing around

Our Saturday morning started at the Mother's of Multiples Christmas party at a local gymnastics place. Since it was kinda nasty outside, they burned off plenty of steam indoors. The best was watching Jay throw them into the pit with arms and legs all over the place! It was great meeting Sandra and kids since Bryn and Henry seem a little more adventurous with their older friends around.

Henry, trying to get as high as Eliot. Henry did take notes when Eliot climbed up some cubes and jumped deep into the pit. Someday Henry.

So, for those who have read my earlier posts, you will know that this next picture is something that I was convinced may not happen in my lifetime. When Santa came to the party, they both saw him right away and made it pretty clear that they wanted to pretend he wasn't there. If it wasn't for Jocie, Eliot and Maya, they never would have attempted even a Santa walk-by. They not only saw that they were having fun on his lap, but this Santa was also giving out toys!! Kudos to Santa for thinking of the candy lure!! No, they did not run up and sit on his lap as this photo suggests. Jay and I sat next to Santa with a kid on each lap and once they realized he was a genuinely nice guy they slid on over. When asked what they wanted, Henry didn't hesitate a second and tell him he wanted a broom and Bryn answered with "people toys"(not sure what she means by that) Thanks for taking the pics, Sandra.

On the way home, they both talked endlessly about the fact they sat on his lap but are still not sure if he needs to come to our house.

Henry and Bryn both loved this bouncy ramp. I was doubled over laughing every time Henry took off running across the ramp. I just couldn't help myself, as you will soon hear. He usually landed on his face, got up and kept on going. Check out his high knees!! Go Henry GO!

Birdie girl has bangs!

I'm sure that many of you are letting out a huge sigh of relief now. Bryn's hair in her face was getting a little too much and was starting to resemble my rag-tag mess of a hair-do, so we dug for a comb and scissors and crossed our fingers she would sit still. She, of course, enjoyed all the attention and kept asking me to cut more hair off. Henry pulled up a chair right next to Bryn so he could be a part of this monumental event. We swept the clippings into a ziplock bag, since we have saved Henry's hair from his two haircuts. Don't ask me what we intend to do with the locks. Any ideas are welcomed.

Jay and I have never been into the whole "decorating for the holidays" so we usually feel pretty good if we cut down a tree before Christmas and string up some white lights. I have now realized that I need to swallow my pride and start buying every little Santa, elf, reindeer or snowman I see. Although Bryn and Henry are scared of the Santa at the mall and refuse to let us drive by Hilldale (which is where Santa lives, by the way), they LOVE all the little Christmas decorations that seem to be everywhere. Christmas has a whole new meaning for me now that they are here. To see their face light up when they see a lawn snowman and then break into a version of "Frosty the Snowman" is so fun.

Although at the time I just wanted to fade into the woodwork, I can now giggle when I think of what happened today. After music class I made the mistake of walking through the children's store Happy Bambino with H and B. I should have learned my lesson after we brought them to TJ Max a couple weeks ago and they found the toy department. Henry literally ran over to a display that showcased hanging children's brooms and was in love. He grabbed one and told me he wanted a broom and his face was plastered with his adorable Henry grin. Bryn needed one too. I never thought I would be the parent who caved in to this kind of want/need from my kids but I was thinking... "It's a broom, how cute is that? I mean, they can clean with it...." So, within seconds I convinced myself that they each needed a broom for Christmas. Next thing was to figure our how to buy it without them figuring it out. So I slyly grabbed two and paid for them (while they continued to take more brooms off the hook and ask for them) and then tried to leave the store. Henry threw a fit, screams and crying....... He wouldn't leave without the broom. I either pushed him or side carried the kid out the door and then had to figure out how to get Bryn out. After I strapped them in their carseats, wet faces and all, I had to run back into the store to grab the much coveted brooms and stash them in Courtney's car. The rest of the drive home we chatted about how we need to ask for brooms from Santa and that they can't always get what they want. Since they don't particularly like him (well, they don't like the idea of talking to him in person), they decided that I should either ask him or write him a letter on their behalf. I guess that's OK, right? Then came the talk about giving is better than getting... here we go.

So, in regards to decorating, my plan is to find some tucked-away attic box that holds a few decorations to adorn our shelves and tables so Bryn and Henry have some Christmas fun at home too.

My mom went so far as to buy a fake little tree to put in my parents' upstairs that is the perfect height for them to decorate. They took the job very seriously and carefully hung each of the handpainted ornaments and were impressed with themselves when they were done.

December biking

Henry is obsessed with riding his bike these days. It doesn't matter that we happen to have ice, snow and slush all over the driveway, nor does he mind the fact that his hands are beet red and freezing cold. He insists on riding that bike everytime we go outside. Bryn will ride for a bit but she doesn't like the uneven surface. Jay, Bryn and I shovel and Henry scoots around us, crying everytime he gets stuck on a patch of nasty ice, whining until one of us goes over to help him. Then he's happy as a clam again. The sleds have become a source of frustration with them both because they each want to pull the other one on the sled, and neither wants to be the one sitting in the sled. Who knows, they will probably both want to be pulled tomorrow.

Bryn BEFORE mittens.....

.....................and after mittens

American Idol wannabes

He's back!

It has been a LONG 6 days of life without Jay. I endured one ice storm, one snowstorm and two sick kids. Thanks to everyone that listened to me moan and groan and to mom for coming down to help out with sick Henry on Tuesday. Everytime Jay called, or I called him to report the latest damage report on pukey covered clothes, Bryn and Henry asked him when he was coming home, if he was going to fly the plane with the steering wheel and said over and over "I love you". I think it was just as hard on Jay to hear those words than it was for me to be on my own (well, maybe). On Wednesday afternoon and evening, once they both had some food in there bellies that was staying put, they were letting off some steam. Here is what they did after I rearranged their downstairs bookshelf.....




And here is what they did for at least 30 minutes leading up to Jay walking in the front door. It was full out running from the living room into the kitchen until I started getting dizzy watching them. I think they were tired of being sick and mopey and were bored with me. I was bored with myself so I don't blame them one bit.

Jay was met at the door with hugs all around and I scurried upstairs to just chill for a bit. AAAHHHH. Once they all joined me upstairs I couldn't stay away long when I heard all the laughing coming from their room. They were burying Jay with every blanket in the room, all decked out in new Texas T-shirts!

As a side note they both demanded on sleeping in their Texas shirts. When I asked Bryn what the T-shirt said she pointed at each letter spelling " B....R...Y....N! " News to me that she can spell her name. When Henry was asked the same question he said " B...R...N" Identity crisis already?

Wish come true

What a difference two days makes. On Thursday and Friday B and H were bugging Grandpa and Grandma to take them sledding even though we had barely a dusting of the white stuff. As you will see, G and G obliged and pulled them on the grass in the front yard. When I got home Friday night, all they talked about was snow and sleds. Their wish came true and we got our first snow yesterday.

All I can say is Jay picked a great time to head to Dallas for a conference. He keeps telling me that it's cloudy there, as if that's any consolation for a wet, heavy, back-breaking driveway full of snow. Actually I enjoy getting fresh air and hanging out with Bryn and Henry but man, was the snow an armload..... They were a little miffed when they started walking in the snow and continued to fall since it had a crunchy top on it, and of course they weren't wearing mittens (do any kids wear them?). I carried them over to the garage where they sat and played with their sand toys. That only lasted for so long until I had to find something else to keep them busy. This is what I saw from my vantage point at the bottom of the driveway.

After I finally made some headway, they joined me at the end of the driveway and pulled each other in the sleds. I have to admit that I wondered why we put in such a long, wide driveway as we inched our way towards the garage.

We did take breaks and head into the neighborhood with Finn chasing after us. They ordered me to run while pulling them in the sleds down this street. When we got too this end and I couldn't run any further they jumped out and ran with the sleds themselves. A couple neighbors stopped their work and watched them go, it was pretty cute.

One scoop at a time

Note to self.... get them bigger shovels