a helping hand.

in case you're worried that i only like babies, it's not true. i like big'uns, too! look how sweet kid #1 is to help kid #2 around while he is skating. their uncle isaac bought both the big guys skates, but only kid #2 has been brave enough to try and master it. so cute. he'll even help kid #2 up if he falls and encourages him the whole time "you have this! take your time. good job!" it is truly sweet. i love how their relationship is changing to one where they really enjoy one another and are learning to communicate well

ps. how hilarious is it that the hubs tried to photo-bomb my pic? :) love that big'un, too.

potty training

i'm finally trying to be the good mom i know i should be and get this kid using the toilet instead of diapers. i've flirted with the idea for a while (he's been ready a long time) but the moving all around didn't seem to be the best time to get things started. the cutie is being put in undies during awake, day time at home. today right after lunch, i asked him to use the restroom and he said "okay" and then i soon followed him in.
almost instantly he said "i'm done"
to which i said "how about i get a book for us to read- stay there until i get back"
as i'm grabbing the book, i hear "i did it!"
and so i rush to the loo and double check the comment. he said "yes, mom, i think i did. wet stuff came out of my body"
... i love that he is so precious.

we've made phone calls to daddy and grandma and he's gotten three cheers from us all. i'd say we have a foot in the door with this and we're not turning back now.

snow!

cutie is standing in the snow... love

movie review!

well, i saw the trailer for the movie, country strong, over the Christmas break with my sister in law prior to watching, how do you know? i seriously fell in love with the trailer. watched it almost every other day i liked it that much! (and i really don't like country music all that much).

last weekend, i got to see the film with the hubs while his parents watched the boys over nap time. i knew going into it that i might be disappointed in what i had thought in my head how the film would play out. my mom and dad got to see a free screening of it (because my dad is cool like this and has connections to see movies prior to full release often) and mom warned me that it might not be the *best* movie to watch. i'm an emotional lady, some of the stuff that this girl is going through might resonate with me, and simply- movies play out in my dreams later.

to not spoil the movie to any one who still reads this blog and is curious- i liked the movie. it has affected me, and the movie saddens my heart and almost lifts it at the same time. such believable characters. beau has crazy eyes and make me wonder if my first could have that kind of eyelash action when he's older.

anyway- all that to say, see the movie if you want, but it is a tough one to walk out of. you gotta be country strong to handle it. aaaand when i look back at the storyline, it's kind of like a country song. :)

merry Christmas

here is a glimpse of our holiday fun!

Christmas Eve, left out snacks by the fire. cutie big brothers put out the treats for us (er, santa)

santa left them a note!

the stockings were opened, and even kiddo #3 got into it!

these might be the biggest hit in general. the kids love hiding in the dark to turn on their light. no way does it get to go in their room for nap/night time!

loving it!

cinnamon roll breakfast!

kid #2 got a real bike.

the in-laws tree. i love it against the wall. next year, if it is the same tree, then i will actually get off my tush and take a way better picture of it.

the lil' man with one of the gifts. the kids call it "cleaning" when they shoot the ball out of the hand held part. hilarious- apparently firefighters are cleaning up!