The boys seem to be responding well to the new rules and us being more consistent than we were. Though I keep getting hissed at from Collin, I try to just ignore it like he's not even doing it hoping that will get him to stop. I've never had to deal with a hissing child every time he gets in trouble or doesn't like something I do.

PB playdough

I love making peanut butter play dough for the boys. They have a blast playing with it as they eat it. I have to say I also enjoy eating it. I make a large batch then store a non played with portion in the fridge for myself, it's my secret indulgence :P

Recipe I use:

* 1 cup Peanut Butter
* 2 cup powdered milk
* 1 cup honey

Mix it all together and enjoy

If you like peanut butter you'll start to crave this stuff!

Rules

I put my foot down today and decided I need to be more strict (don't laugh!). I know I need to be more consistent with the boys in order to stop some of the destruction. I ended up crying today after both boys would not listen after continually getting into trouble and instigating each other to do things. I watched from the doorway with out them noticing as Aidan tells Collin "Spit your drink all over Collin" then he does it, or watching them wait for me to leave the room, thinking I'm gone they quickly begin what I just told them not to do, they were jumping off of a dresser on to the mattress left over from Collin's bed that we took out of the room. They are great outside the home, with grandparents, in other peoples care, I can take them to the library or even a store and they are mostly well behaved. But not at home with me, they constantly want to test me. Tonight Jeff and I made a list of rules that they have to obey, we are finally agreeing to discipline the same way and have total consistency, hopefully they will adjust to the new stricter Mommy. We sat the boys down and explained the rules and consequences, of coarse Collin broke the no hitting rule kicking Aidan as we were going over that very rule, so he had time out for the 5th time today. We'll have to see how this goes, I've tried so many things but I'm hoping maybe a list of rules that they are reminded of daily will help. And the consistency on the consequence for breaking the rule to be followed and then I'll reinforce to them that I love them, then I'll hope & pray that they will behave better soon!

Help

I think I do need Supernanny to come to my house as one of my sisters suggested. I thought they were playing nicely in their room. I heard some banging so I ran in, Collin's whole bed is apart! They both were put in the corner but it never helps. I've tried everything, my boys are so destructive! I'm really afraid for next year when it's all 3 of them teaming up.

Terrible Two's

My, what a day is all I can really say. Jeff and I have agreed that after the last 2 days we've definitely hit the 2's with our Collin. Poor guy! Let's see, there's too much to list of what's happened but to name a few:

*Removed his diaper and peed on my kitchen floor 2 times today
*He peed on Dominic and our carpet tonight
*He emptied his room putting just about everything down the laundry chute - Jeff finally today did something more to keep it shut, it will not open now and Collin was quite mad when he figured that out.
*Tonight he knocked the framed art off our wall, glass was broken all over our bed.
*Emptied a can of Dominic's formula all over my kitchen

After getting in trouble repeatedly he would just look at us and laugh and smile and then after a few minute try to do what ever he was doing once again.

On another note Jeff found out today that he only has 3 classes left to finish after being out of college for the past 15 years. He never went back after Alex was born and thought he'd have to redo a bunch of classes but he doesn't. So he's going back in January. That means I may be going a little nuts on the days he works then has school. I'm sure I'll have plenty to blog about taking care of the boys all day and night without his help lol.

Big Helper

Aidan's been such a big help, he has been checking with me on whether or not something has fat in it in every food, Dominic got a hold of Collin's sippy with milk in it and Aidan knowing that there was fat in milk grabbed it away from Dominic thankfully. I've explained briefly a few times about Dominic's condition and how important is for him to not have any fat. I've also told him to pick up any crumbs or playdough of the floor when ever he drops any in case Dominic eats it. I did not think I'd have such a helper with keeping the fat out of Dominic's diet. He also loves to help feed the baby his bottles.

Little Moments

Collin put his arms around my neck, kissed me on the cheek and said "mom, I love dee" which is I love you in his language, melting my heart. He has never said this out of the blue, normally we'll say it to him then he'll say it back. So of coarse it was so sweet and new to hear him say it on his own. I love these little moments, it's so rewarding as a mommy.

Bottle Guns

Collin loves finishing off Dominic's bottles, he usually leaves an ounce left and we let Collin finish it off knowing he does not get enough milk a day. He found another use, he's been using the left over bottle as a squirt gun spraying it all over. So inventive these boys are they amaze me daily with the things they come up with or destroy.

Butter

I entered the Kitchen to find the tub of butter open and a spoon in it. I thought that it had to be the work of the 2 year old. I asked Collin "Who got into the butter" He looked up at me with his beautiful eyes, his hands and his pockets with the most innocent look and said "I un know" which means I don't know in Collin language. But he was caught butter faced, there was butter all over his cute little face.

Can we skip age 2 please

I love my kids at every stage but 2 is hard. I'm having one of those days again, Collin tore down our new curtains, breaking the rod the shears hang on. Things like this happen often around here lately. I said to Jeff right after we put them up "how long till these are torn down by one of the boys" well I guess only 3 days of having them. Not sure if we should bother putting them back up at this point. I walked out of the room for 5 minutes to put laundry in downstairs. Then this afternoon they were having a snack, I had the Bisquick on the counter but away from the counter where the boys are. I checked on them, left, came right back within 2 minutes and it was all over the counter the floor, everywhere. I have to check on the wrecking crew very often but I'm starting to feel like I can't leave them in a room for a minute without something happening. Aidan's been pretty good about telling me when Collin is doing something but it's usually too late as it only takes Collin a few seconds to climb anywhere. I just want to skip past the "no's" and the seeming like they don't understand age of 2 and go to 3 where at least I know they understand when I tell them not to do something.

Laundry Shutes

They seem like a good idea. But not if you have kiddos. As you can see we nailed it down, put wire around it as well since they once got it through the nail. We also put it behind their toy bin rack. They still got through to it.



Oh look, there's a phone, diapers, toys, a sippy cup, one of Dominic's spoons. If we can't find something we'll have to start looking in the basement.

Diaper heads

Collin decided to take off his diaper, he's been doing this a lot lately. I'd love to get him potty trained but when I ask him if he has to go potty when he removes his diaper he says no then pees on the floor, so it's not working too well. But he found another use for his dirty diaper. A hat! Luckily it was only peepee. As a germaphobe it's so hard to see these things that my children do, between Aidan picking his nose and eating what comes out and this, it's really not easy for me to handle and makes me cringe.



Aidan thought it looked like fun but he used a clean diaper.

Collin words

Dump Truck - dum fwuk
It really does not sound good, the w is pretty silent when he says it, poor guy. I'm trying to get him to say it at least so it sounds a little different than this. Alex of coarse thinks it's hilarious and keeps trying to get him to say "dump truck" over and over again.

Wow!

They are all sleeping and it's only 7:30pm, normally they are not down until 9:30pm or so. Jeff and I don't' know what to do with ourselves. This is Jeff's doing though, he bored the kids to sleep. Dominic crawled right over to Aidan, laid next to him, grabbed the bean bag seat to hold and fell fast asleep.

Sweet little Dominic

Singing Aidan

Today

The day started off bad with the boys not listening, getting in trouble over and over. Collin dumped a huge thing of apple juice all over my kitchen floor flooding it. Aidan got in trouble for shoving/hitting Collin over toys, the usual. But then the afternoon came around and everything settled, they have been doing great, playing together nicely, listening. I was able to calm down as well, parenting is not easy, there are plenty of books on the subject but I find it hard to remember what advice or techniques I've read when I'm in the middle of a bad day with a baby fussing and 2 boys that want my attention as well, trying to divide myself 3 ways at the same time. I want to be as good a parent as I can be to the boys to raise them into sweet, confident, strong men. But like today I have those days where I think I could have done differently rehashing each incident and feeling like a not so good Mama. There is always tomorrow, I can do better!

And I think I'm a bit post happy today :)

Our Very Own Santa

Here is our very own Santa, well creepy Santa. Alex has been going through some sort of image change once again, there have been a few along the way. But this one is odd and kinda funny so I must share. He's been walking around with a Santa hat and sunglasses for a few weeks now, and even talking in a deeper scary voice. Teenagers, that's all I can really say. Though it would be nice to be that young again, I'd never want to go back.

My Eco Conscious Boy

Aidan love to play garbage man. He runs around the house collecting toys and whatever else he can find, puts it in piles and says that he's recycling. I love that he does this, he watches the real videos on recycling and trash, and now he's addicted to watching them on YouTube. Our subdivision trash company does not have a recycling pick up but Aidan is inspiring me, I think we should try to find a pick up service and start really recycling, I know I'll have a little helper. He's also made friends with a few of our Garbage men, runs outside waving to them when he sees them picking up our trash. We've gotten a few toys (of coarse I know where they came from, eww!, and had to bleach them down) and even Christmas ornaments from them. If they would only pick up recycle!

How Many?

How many boxes of cereal dumped and Collin getting in trouble for it before he stops? It's driving me insane! Yes, we have a lock on the pantry but it's loose and comes undone easily, that and I forget everything lately so I forget to latch it sometimes. But you'd think that eventually after getting in trouble over and over for the same thing that it would get old, right?

Wow, 3 year olds know how to bribe

Laying in bed this morning I was so tired, as usual the boys are up and jumping all over me. Dominic wanted to play, I just wanted to lay in bed as long as they would let me. I asked Aidan to please grab some toys for Dominic, he usually does it with no problem and sometimes even brings him toys with out my asking. Today was different, in the morning many times Aidan tries to find my belly button, yes this does have to end, this has been his infatuation like a blankie or lovey would since I quit breastfeeding him well over 2 years ago. I tell him no and remove his hand when ever he tries. So after I asked if he could get me a few toys for Dominic, he says "Mom, I'm not getting him toys unless you let me have your belly". Wow, I was very surprised, I wasn't sure what to say to this. Of coarse, no, he could not have my belly, I'm trying to keep him off of it for good. I decided I better just get up myself and start the day instead of those few extra minutes of rest, but I just can't believe how these little minds work, suddenly they know how to bribe and bargain for what they want.