Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas. We visited my mom's side of the family like every year in KY. My mom is one of 9 kids all married with 24 grandkids and about 8 great grandkids....a huge family and EVERY SINGLE PERSON was there on Christmas Eve...a total of 66 people in my Grandmothers house. It is such an amazing thing to have that large of a family that is so close. :-)

I wish I could see them all more often. Most live in that same small town and most of my mom's brothers and sisters live within view of each other on the farm property. The boys absolutely loved climbing on the tractors. Hopefully we can get there for a visit this next summe when the weather is better for the boys to explore more.

I used to go for 2 weeks every summer to visit my Grandmother and play with all my cousins. I feel very close to everyone even though I've never lived there.

This is what makes me so torn about having a large family. I want that feeling of a huge family...but boy it is a lot of work and it also just isn't the same as the days when they grew up. We live in suburbia...I enjoy traveling and want my kids to do a lot of activities...much harder to do with a large family. Oh well...we will see what God decides. :-)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Thanksgiving

We had such a great time over Thanksgiving. A whole week was spent with family at the beach. It was a lot of work but definitely worth it. I loved that my parents woke up with the boys letting me sleep in everyday! Heaven!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

We are going to get kicked out

My husband doesn't swear on a daily basis but if he is trying to fix something or watching his Browns football team play then some swear words definitely come flying out. He is quickly learning that he has got to watch it. He yelled Jesus Christ the other day in a temper and now the boys are saying it constantly. It is almost a week later and they still walk around the house and occassionally say it.

I am trying my best to turn it around and say some quick prayers several times a day like "Dear God, Thank you for our cars. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen" so they will try and say Jesus Christ in a nice manner. It doesn't seem to be working. They go to a Christian preschool so I'm just waiting to be pulled aside when I drop them off or pick them up. Ugh....

My husband quickly changed things up on Sunday after watching the Browns fumble the ball. The boys were luckily in the other room but he yelled the F word really loud. Then he comes out of the media room and says loudly over and over "Quack Quack like a DUCK! Quack Quack like a DUCK! Luckily they didn't pick up that new word. :-) Let's see if my husband learns to hold his tongue.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

New York

We had so much fun! Went to great restaurants and had great conversations. Loved Spice Market and Po. I really relate to these girls. Love talking about politics, kids, cooking, etc. It was especially nice that it wasn't all husband bashing. I have been in groups where that is the running conversation. We really had a great time and have lots of new stories!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

New York

I am so excited. I leave tomorrow for a girls trip to NYC. I lived in NY for 3 years after college. The girls I am meeting and I all worked in the same dept back in the big days of AIG. We were the only women for a little while so we got very close. I haven't seen them in over 5 years. The strange thing is that 3 out of the 4 of us had twin boys (without fertility drugs). It must have been the water there, right?? :-)

We have all remained good friends and stayed in touch so I'm excited to finally get together again! I'll have to tell you afterwards about the fancy places we are going to eat at. The girls made reservations months in advance at all the top/hip places. I had to go shopping...I didn't think my Ann Taylor Loft t-shirts were going to cut it. Ha Ha.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

1950's and 2010's

Today during naptime I told my husband I felt like a total 1950's couple because he was doing some chores and I was making muffins for the boys. Then he did the doggie DNA test we bought for our dog...so my husband said "Did they do DNA tests in the 50's?" Ha Ha.

I can't wait to see the results. Our dog was found on the side of the road when he was a puppy by a friend. We think he is lab and a bit of Great Dane but we've never known for sure. He has very long legs and it tall with a Great Dane looking tale. I'm so excited.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Costumes

I have one that is set on Superman (the one with the muscles built in) and one that keeps telling everyone that he wants to be a clown and then when I show him clown costumes screams NO! He said yes to a Woody costume so I bought it and we have a Batman costume and Football jersey as backups.

It should be interesting tomorrow to see what he will put on when dressing for his preschool parade. :-)

Monday, October 18, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

We had the best weekend. We went to the pumpkin patch on Sat and then to a Children's Festival on Sunday. The boys are so funny. Really this weekend was all smiles. Yea! I love that they are old enough to enjoy these types of things...makes me feel good.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Ants















We found tons of fire ants in our house yesterday. My husband and I cleaned out the closet where we keep our dogs food and he put the dog food in our garage. So guess what happens within 10 mins after the bug guy came and sprayed....yep! They spilled the entire container of dog food in the garage. Yes...that will help our ant situation a ton!

This is weird....this picture is saved the correct way in my files but when I upload to blogger it twists it to the side. Anyone know why??

Carolyn

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tennis

Yea...I won my match last night and today. My game is back on. :-)

I always feel like I'm skipping school when I play on Tuesdays during the day. I drop the boys off at a babysitter about once a month to play with a tennis team during the day. It feels so weird. My regular team is a night team so my husband can watch the boys but this day team asked me to play and it is some of my close friends so I said yes. Initially my husband was not to happy with me paying a babysitter so I could go play tennis but since he's been working a lot of weekends he mentioned that I could hire a babysitter to give me a break on a Saturday occassionally and I said I'll just take that babysitter on Tuesdays and play tennis. He knew there was no argueing with that. Ha Ha.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Pink for boys?


I did some fast talking in the store today when buying the boys helmets. We almost came home with pink Dora helmets. I needed to take them with me to see what size they were (they have really big heads and needed the 5+ size even though they are 2) but once Dean saw the pink Dora helmet he just had to have that one...oh goodness. I knew that DH would not be happy with that purchase so I did some convincing that Lightning McQueen would be sooo cool! Then I realized there was only one. Ugh. I've got to go find another Lightning McQueen at a different store in town.

I decided we needed some helmets even though the boys only ride low big wheels and plasma cars. We had our 3rd head injury yesterday. We play with our neighbors and sometimes they don't realize that they shouldn't push my boys fast on their riding toys.

I want to add that I don't have a problem with the boys wearing pink (we even have a play kitchen even though that stressed my father out) and my husbands favorite tie is pink but I thought a pink Dora helmet was just a bit too much.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fall Decorations

This is my half hearted attempt at fall decorating. I am just not the best decorator (or cook). :-)

This is a very large crystal candlestick that was a wedding gift that I have never used...I didn't know what type of candle to buy since it is such a large square...not that I think of it maybe it is just to use for decorations like this?? Hmmm...the pumpkins and pinecones are from a box of decorations sold at Walmart for $5. I think this room would be perfect to add more fall decorations since the walls are painted orange but I just am not sure what to add. Any ideas?? Maybe a runner? But I don't know why but when I think of runners I think country decor...which is not my style.
The previous owners had painted this room and it is the only room I didn't have re-painted when we moved in. I think it is a great color but would never have picked it myself. :-)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sisters!

I went on a last minute trip to visit my sisters. It was a lot of fun. My husband was playing in a golf tournament on Fri, Sat and Sunday so I figured if he wasn't going to be around anyways...why not take the boys with me to go on a road trip. I'm so glad I did it. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the boys did on our 5 hr trip each way. I'll post pictures when my sister sends them to me since I forgot my camera. :-)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Hamburger Helper


I have been trying to feed my family healthier foods. I've read alot about MSG, Yellow dye and other items that are just not good for you. I am a terrible cook but I try my best and have to follow a recipe. I've been working hard the past few months to make some good meals and even put some in the freezer. So here is what happens to me....Harris Teeter is having a major sale on Hamburger Helper, my husband says he wants some and likes the strogonoff version. I don't even remember ever eating it myself so I wonder what it tastes like. I see there is also a coupon so I go and buy 3 since that is what the coupon requires. We made it last night and..

IT WAS FANTASTIC!

Maybe it is because I am not a great cook but I was shocked. :-) Now, those of you who are good cooks will probably think it is nasty but I went back and bought 4 more boxes with coupons so there were extremely cheap since it is double coupon week at HT. I don't think I'd ever buy them full price and maybe I'll see if I can find some copycat recipes that make it healthier. Ugh....I feel so bad about it (hiding my head in shame) but we'll be eating some more of this in the near future.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Supper Club

Yea...its Supper Club night and the extra bonus is that my parents are in town so are taking the boys to their beach house overnight. Sooo...I might get a little crazy tonight and have more than my normal 3 drinks.

Do you all have a set limit for yourself? I only let myself have a max of 3 drinks anywhere we go because that is my limit for waking up not hungover. It is just not worth it to me anymore to feel the slight bit hungover when dealing with two 2 1/2 year olds. :-)

I'll probably only have 4 drinks so I can enjoy my free morning tomorrow without the kids. Maybe I'll actually attend church. I've been wanting to start going again now that the boys are older. We had nursery issues at church so I don't trust leaving my boys in the nursery so we had to stop going. It was a long story but we went regularly prior to having the boys.

Ok...this post ended up very random... Have a Great Saturday Night!!!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Swaddling!



Remember swaddling?? I swaddled my boys till they were 4 months old. I had to wean them off of it like a pacifier. :-) My husband was good at it...nice and tight and we did the "double swaddle". First the hospital blanket, then the velcro swaddle on top. They were never going to break out of that!!

They thought it was funny when I swaddled them in their bath towels last night.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

These boots were made for walking

So I've got to get back in the swing of things. I used to walk all the time. During the boys 1st year people used to comment to me how often they saw me out walking with them in their stroller. I play tennis on a USTA team at least once a week but I used to walk several times a week as well. For some reason I stopped during the past year and it has finally caught up to me. I've gained 5 lbs in the past 6 months.

Ugh...I have a tough time with eating. I eat a lot when I am bored or trying to relax. It is a relaxing thing for me to just have my hand in a box of crackers. I used to be able to maintain my weight with staying active. I hate losing weight. I haven't really been happy since having my twins. Not that I ever thought I was perfect. Here is a time line so I don't get too longwinded.

High School/College - super fit and skinny....was a swimmer and swam for a Div 1 school.
Age 22 - 25 - gained 30 lbs...lived in NYC for 3 yrs with a 24 hr McDonalds across the street and lots of late nights at the bars...nuff said. :-)
Age 27 - somehow get in a zone and lose 30 lbs. My dating life gets much better (so sad to say) and I feel so good.
Age  27 - 35 - easily maintain. I played tennis several times a week and power walked at least 3 times a week. Ate whatever I wanted
Age 35 -37 - pregnant with twins...gain 65 + lbs. Lose it all quickly but body is royally screwed up!!! I weigh the same as before pregnancy but stomach is jacked up. I get asked a lot if I am pregnant. It sticks way out....I think my stomach muscles are slightly separated. This happens when pregnant with twins...plus "twin skin" I'll spare you the details. Still walk often and play tennis about 1 x a week.
Age 38 - Stop walking and this doesn't help things with my stomach....gain 5 lbs in last 6 months.

So....I'm gonna try to get back to walking. But I know that will just deal with stopping the gain...I'll have to do something about eating better to get the 5lbs off, that is the hard part. One day I'll try out some pilates or something for this big belly issue but I'm not that motivated to deal with that in case we have another baby. Hopefully soon, wink wink. :-)

Any tips for flattening a belly with possible separation of stomach muscles??

Thursday, September 9, 2010

First day of 2K


They had a wonderful day. Not upset at all to be dropped off. I'm so glad.

Unfortunately today Caden is throwing punches in the air, pushed his brother and hit our dog on its back. He has never done any of that before. I hope he isn't learning this at school but something tells me it is the only place he could have picked it up. Ugh...I hope there isn't a "bad egg" in his class where he is learning this behavior.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Labor Day

This was me for a portion of last week. I drove down to my in-laws with my boys...all by myself! It was much easier than I expected. Then I dropped them off and went to meet my dearest friend at the beach for 3 days and 2 nights of total relaxation. She has 4 girls 8 and under so we were both ready for some R&R.

I love catching up with girlfriends, we were roommates for all of college and talk several times a week so even though we haven't actually seen each other in 2 years it was like we fell back into old times. :-)

The rest of the week was spent visiting my in-laws. It was a good time but no Disney trip yet. Waiting till the boys are a bit older. :-)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Differences

I hosted our my Moms group weekly playgroup today. We were having a conversation about putting our kids in preschool. I was the only Mom that did a Mothers Morning Out program 2 days a week last year and now am doing 2 yr old preschool. A few of them are doing the 2 yr old preschool this year and they talked about how they were going to cry when they dropped them off and were talking about how sad they are going to be and not know what to do with themselves while the kids are in school. OMG...that is so opposite of me!! Maybe it is because they all only have 1 child and I have twins but man...even that first day of Mothers Morning Out I felt immense relief when I walked out of the school the first day. It was the best thing ever! A few hours of time to do what I needed to do...normally clean my house...but still, I could get it all done or run errands.

I love my kids but man...I love my breaks!!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

My Husbands Favorite Things

This weekend involved some of my husbands favorite things.
1. Taking the boys to the club to hit golf balls.
2. Going to Wild Wings with some of our favorite friends
3. Letting the boys try some of his favorite wings.

Why is this post centered...ahhh.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Recall

Our cribs were on the recall list. It has been a huge discussion between my husband and I on whether to buy new cribs or go ahead and make the switch to twin beds (with safety rails). I wanted new cribs that convert to toddler beds so we can keep them in the cribs as long as possible. Our bedroom is downstairs while they are upstairs so I don't want them wandering around. I also want to avoid the whole transition because it seems like so much work. I can't ask my friends who don't have twins their opinion and advice on how to make the transition because it is just different when you have two 2 1/2 year olds in the same room versus one toddler in a room by himself. They would just play together.

We have it so easy and have had tons of people mention how easy the boys go to sleep for us. We have had several dinner parties where at 7:30 we take the boys upstairs, lay them in their cribs and just walk out of the room. Less than 45 seconds later we are back downstairs talking to friends. The cribs make that happen for us.

My husband thinks I baby them and thinks they can make the switch and I just need to make them lay down. I say it is totally different when I am by myself trying to get them to take a nap. I chase them around the upstairs and finally catch one and take him to the crib and lay him down and then go chase the other one. Imagine if the first one wasn't contained...I would go crazy. :-)

Guess who won this discussion??   Yep....me! I just ordered new cribs. They convert to toddler beds in case we need to make the switch if/when they start climbing out on their own. They haven't done that yet.

Here is todays big mess....our first writings on the wall. Any tips on how to get that removed? It is ballpoint pen on my pantry door.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Procrastination

So guess what?? Yes, I'm a procrastinator. I am in every task but one example is starting to write about myself. I just don't know where to begin so I keep putting it off. So, I'll just get started. Problem is...with what??

Ok, so I am the type of Mom that I try and keep us very scheduled with outside activities. I know...the trend now is to leave your kids with tons of free playtime. Ugh....they just destroy my house and I get annoyed with them and lose patience. So I'd rather us actually have fun at playgroups, playdates, gym classes, music classes, playing at the library, etc. If I have a free morning on the calendar I panic and start calling friends to see if we can all get together and do something.

See...I got started so no more procrastinating. :-)

Carolyn

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Welcome

Hi,

I am finally introducing myself to the blog world with my own blog. My name is Carolyn and I am a SAHM with identical twin boys who are 2 1/2 years old. I have been lurking in the blog world for 2 years. I started being interested in fellow moms raising mulitiples and then branched out to blogs about cooking, frugal living and even bloggers who have older children for inspiration. :-)

I have had a family blog  since my boys were born but was never comfortable commenting on many blogs using it because we had so much personal information on the blog. So....I decided to start my own blog so I can come out of hiding.

I'm sure my blog will be all over the place in topics and amount of postings but I hope to let you all know a bit more about who is reading your blogs. :-)

Take care,
Carolyn