Pancakes and Flapjacks, February 26

The boys have been requesting pancakes breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week. Not sure what is up with it, but they're cheap and fairly easy so I cave, at least for breakfast. I think they'd eat their weight in pancakes if possible.

Daddy has started a new game with them which I think has only added to the fascination. He calls it "Flapjacks". It basically consists of Mark holding the boys over his head until they nearly burst from giggling so long and then he flips them over onto the couch or bed. They, obviously, adore this game. In honor of the week-long griddlefest and Daddy's newest activity I've posted today's picture.

Dizzy, February 19

Snow is gone, mostly. Boys are happy. The yard is theirs to play in again. Nothing more than mud slowing them down. Although today didn't even have that, it is back to seasonable temperatures which left the ground too frozen for all that.

The swing has always been a favorite yard toy. Why we have one swing and two boys is beyond me. Although I'm not sure how I'd be able to push two kids in two swings simultaneously. I thought Liam might outgrow the swing this year. It is a "baby" swing after all. He definitely hasn't outgrown it, just getting creative in how he uses it.

The swing has now become a thrill ride. Liam likes to be spun up until the ropes are so twisted he can't be spun anymore. Then Momma, Daddy, or whatever adult he's coerced into helping him lets go and the real ride begins. He spins and spins and giggles and spins some more. When the swing finally comes to a stop I expect to see a green little boy asking to get off. Instead I see a kid smiling ear to ear and begging to go just one more time. When he finally does get off I can see he isn't immune to being dizzy as I thought, after begging to be spun a third time, he might be. He stumbles around the backyard like a drunken sailor...although I think that's half the fun.

Snowed Out, January 19

Just when we thought all the snow we could take had fallen we woke up to another 6-7 inches this morning. All of the nicely shoveled surfaces were once again covered in a thick blanket of white. Liam practically bounced out of bed. Once he saw the snow he was beside himself asking to go outside right away. Connor is pretty indifferent. He likes the idea of going outside, but once he gets out there he is NOT a fan of snow that makes it difficult to walk.

After nap time we headed outdoors. Wait, that makes it sound way too easy. First we went through the ritual 20 minute getting the snow clothes on, no easy feat, I assure you, THEN we headed outdoors. There was about a foot and a half of snow on the ground, plus large piles left from Mark's shoveling. As predicted, Liam had a ball climbing the hills, not minding even when he lost a boot. Connor wasn't really enjoying himself until we got in the backyard.

Today's picture is of the boys inside their playhouse. Normally they'd walk right up and open the door. Today they had to climb in the side all Dukes of Hazzard style. Once they crawled in they got down to the usual business however and had an amazing time. Snow is great, but enough is enough. Although as I type this more snow is falling. Who knows, maybe by tomorrow the playhouse will be covered?

Hide and Seek, January 14

Liam and Connor have taken to playing hide and seek. Well, Liam has taken to playing. Connor will participate in any activity that involves running around, giggling, and his big brother. It doesn't matter to Liam that Connor doesn't get the concept of hiding, that is Liam's favorite part anyway. It doesn't matter to Connor that Liam picks the same three places to hide every time. It just gives him a better chance of finding him and giggling like mad when he does. This picture is the look of disdain I received as Liam was afraid my picture taking would alert Connor to his hiding spot. I decided now was not the time to discuss how the chances were much greater that only hiding in three places was probably a bigger threat to the knowledge of his whereabouts. Secret Agent he is not...