Never walk alone...

Dex-left, Jax-right

Jax-left; Dex-right

Despite the fact that the boys are becoming quite assertive in their wants, even to each other, they still tend to follow each other around in the most adorable way. Sure, there are times when each prefers to be alone (especially when playing with a coveted toy), but for the most part, when left to their own devices, they'll delight in the same activity, which pleases me to no end.

Tonight, after a rowdy post-bath dance session (I would love to post photos, but I'll refrain from birthday suit shots of their nightly dance routine), I saw Dex take Jax by the hand and invite him over to play dress-up with him. The two of them pranced around in different hats and, finally, decided it was of the utmost importance that they wear monkey ears and tails to bed. Now, a good hour and a half past lights out, I have just returned from checking on them, to find Jaxon still in ears and tail. How cute is that?

Anyway, these are the moments I love. Above are a few recent shots of the two of them plotting out their fun. Of course, "washing dishes" continues to be a favorite activity, as well as finding new and creative places and ways to eat their morning snack.

Toddler Hopscotch

My goal was to play a good game of hopscotch with the boys, but after three rounds of calling out a shape, number or letter for the boysto jump on in order to make it from one end to the other, they took over and decided to help decorate their new game. I guess I should be happy the game lasted as long as it did... and, truly, watching them color so diligently was pretty adorable. In the top photo, Jax is on the right, Dex is on the left. Dex is in the two middle photos and Jax is admiring our finished product in the last photo. Luckily, once the artwork was complete the boys were happy and willing to play another few rounds.


Of course, less than two hours later, Jaxon decided to pour his own cup of water from the huge water pitcher on the counter, which resulted in a rainbow lake of washable marker ink on the kitchen floor. Oh, two year olds!!!!!

What's yours is mine... or, what I missed while I was gone

I will eventually post the two or three photos I remembered to take while visiting my sis and her beautiful little family... For now, however, a look at our everyday. Sure, we still have chases and silly games, but we have officially entered into the phase of "what's yours is mine." Oh, we've been experiencing bouts of "MINE!!!" for a good year, now, but the boys are now at it constantly! If one boy has something, the other boy definitely wants it... NOW. I've tried creative sharing techniques, timing their turns... anything I can think of... but the battles continue. I'm fully aware that it's age appropriate and, I suppose, one of the few drawbacks of having a twin brother.... they really must share everything. For the most part, the battles are short-lived and tempers are easily calmed... until the next cool toy or object is spied in a brother's hands! :) And, yes, I supposed I even missed THIS while I was away.

To demonstrate how the grass is ALWAYS greener, I'm posting photos of last week's water colors. I gave both boys the same white sheet of paper, the same four crayons and the same set of water colors. Watch Dex, on the left, however, as he starts eyeing Jaxon's set of art supplies, which apparently seem far better than the ones he was given! Too funny!! Luckily, in this instance, Jaxon was happy as can be to share his paper/paint with his brother. Whew!

The big 30

I turned thirty this week-end. Somehow, I thought it would seem more significant than it did. Instead, I found myself going through a normal day and feeling quite like myself when the day was through. The boys and I did find some fun ways to celebrate, though. Chocolate rice milk for breakfast was a big hit. Oh, if only everyday was a birthday! I think the highlight of my day, however, was making spring rolls with the boys. Of course, they were gobbling up all the veggies before they were rolled into spring rolls... and then, after the beautiful finished product founds its way to the table... they would only eat the peanut sauce. Boys!!! Do I have the only 2 year olds that spoil their appetite with veggies?

Speaking of veggies, today's big hit was pea juice. SO GROSS. After eating all their peas, the boys insisted that I pour all the water left in the pan into their cups so they could drink their "pea juice." What little goofballs!

Anyway, the hit of my birthday week-end, aside from the fact that I got to enjoy a big-screen movie with my hubby and a full day with the boys, was D.R.'s gift of sending me out East to celebrate with my sis. I leave tomorrow and I can't wait to celebrate our 30th birthday together. Of course, I'm incredibly nervous about leaving the boys and D.R. I always am. It's just unsettling to think about spending several days away from the three people that give so much meaning to my life. Now, aside from the fact that I still haven't packed, I think we've finally finished the scrambling act of trying to line up helpful friends to watch the boys this week... which means, the ducks are aligning and this trip is going to happen.

Now, let's just hope I don't miss my three handsome men TOO much.

Just for fun, here's a video of the boys and M playing together last week.

Highlights

Today at lunch, after thoroughly examining his broccoli, Jaxon proclaimed, "Broccoli juice, Mommy!" and proceeded to suck on every piece of broccoli before eating it. Of course, this inspired Dexter to do the same thing. Maybe V8 needs to start marketing broccoli juice? I think we'd have two takers!!

As the boys were getting ready for bed tonight, Dexter asked if Daddy could come upstairs to say goodnight. I reminded him that Daddy was at work and with a sad little face, he asked if he could call Daddy to say good-night. I reached for the phone, dialed D.R. and switched the phone to speaker. As soon Dex heard D.R.'s loud voice, he proclaimed, "On speaker, Daddy!" I don't remember ever telling him what speaker phone was, let alone what it's called... just another fun reminder that these boys are always listening!

Oh, man! She found us AGAIN!

I get such a kick out of the fact that the boys like finding little nooks and crannies to call their own. We'll find them under the table, in the downstairs closet or, more frequently, at the bottom of the stairs... planning their next caper. Here, I found them thinking they were pretty clever, hiding with their loot, trying to rid themselves of any evidence as quickly as possible. Apparently, they had been digging in my purse and found my hidden snack stash...two boxes of raisins! What little rascals!! Dex-left, Jax-right.

Hey Diddle Diddle

After spending a morning singing "Hey, Diddle Diddle" and reading Goodnight Moon over and OVER AGAIN... the boys decided it was only natural that we should cut out as many moons as possible. Jaxon was quite pleased to glue is moons to a night sky and decorate with crayon. After gluing his moons to the paper, however, Dexter decided the his night sky was better with no moons and promply tore them all off before drawing his own blue moons. What silly boys.

Sunday's Highlight

After a good solid week of having sick little boys, I think they're finally on the mend! We had fevers, congestion, coughs, sore throats and downright ickiness. This might explain some of the the Jekyl and Hyde behavior... but yesterday was downright precious.

I noticed yesterday morning that Jaxon big toenail was torn a little bit. When I tried to clip it, he scolded me, shouting, "No clip, Mommy! MY yucky toenail!" Okay. This wasn't a battle I felt like fighting, so I let it go. Five minutes later, Dexter was chasing him around shouting, "No yucky toenail, Ja-Ja!!" Giggling ferociously, Jaxon was running around the apartment shouting,
"No catch me!! MY yucky toenail!"

The game continued for a good thirty minutes. I exaggerate not. Every few minutes, Dex would gain on Jaxon, tackling him and trying his darndest to tear the yucky part of his toenail off. The two of them would giggle, Jaxon would wriggle away, and the chase would recommence.

These are the moments I love.

Of course, a few hours later, Jaxon was fine with me pulling out the fingernail clipper...I guess I just had to let him enjoy HIS yucky toenail for a bit. Oh, the odd stubborness of toddlers!