Potty Training

Here's the honest truth with the potty training, as it stands tonight.


The boys are doing very well with going #1. They don't tell you they have to go but if you remind them to to potty every 30 minutes or so we can get by with 0-1 accidents per day. They're still wearing pull-ups during naps and at night. They are wet most times when they wake up. Ok, as I re-read this paragraph maybe "very well" was a little aggressive.


#2 is another story. The are terrified of this potential change. They refuse to go in the potty and, in fact, have no issues whatsoever pooping in their underwear or pants. The only way to get them to "hold" it is to have them naked. If it was August I wouldn't feel guilty telling them they can't wear pants! They know they'll get a diaper at nap time or at bed time so they'll dance around all morning or afternoon holding it in until we put a diaper on them. 


Big sigh!


All of these statistics are, in my opinion, very average (at best). The last thing I want to do is wish time away but  - but I am officially ready to be done with this!


I've tried bribes. I've tried making promises I won't hold up to (I told them they could have 100 chocolate chips if they went poop on the potty. Clearly that won't happen).


In the following video I am handing out chocolate chips when they "try" to poop. Enjoy...

Happy Birthday Dad!

Ben turned the big 3-4 this week. Geez that seems old! He is a whopping 3 years older than I am (at least until February...)


The boys surprised him with these adorable birthday cake cards they made with Erika. I LOVE them.

M/P showing off their creations

The boys love birthdays - mainly because of the CAKE! They enjoy blowing out the candles and they're starting to learn the happy birthday song. We had Ben's favorite: coconut cake.


The boys kept asking about when we were going to have their birthday party and cake. They know their birthday is in February but they obviously don't have a ]concept for time. I started asking them a few months ago about what they wanted for their party and they decided they want a dinosaur theme. The planning has begun!

Farmin'

The boys think the farm is the coolest. And thanks to this gorgeous December weather we really got to enjoy it over Christmas.

Let it be known: we'd trade the snow for this crazy warm weather any day. Even Christmas!

One time (even before the boys were born) Denny told me if we moved closer to Dedham he'd (maybe) buy me a horse that would live on the farm. Obviously that meant he would feed it and care for it.

While we did technically move closer to Dedham, he hasn't come through on his end of the deal (yet). I guess 10 miles didn't quite meet the definition of "closer".

However, we DID get to ride horses during this trip! We also found even more cool toys at great-uncle B's farm: a big rig where we even got to pretend to drive it and honk the horns, a skid steer, a big pig trailer, cats, and horses. 

We also rode in the "loader tractor" while Grandpa put the bucket up and down and up and down. VERY cool.

We helped feed the cows breakfast. And got a close up picture of the bull - for obvious reasons!

It is so much fun taking the boys back to the farm!

Christmas 2011

Prior's 'dear santa' letter  that he made with Erika. He drew a picture of a "tool one". 

Mason's picture of a train set.

The boys didn't really get this part - but they will next year for sure. That will give me some time to work on disguising my handwriting.

Santa came through on the train set - and it is a HUGE hit.

Santa also brought a pedal tractor. 
One. 
Uno.
 Did Santa forget there are two boys?!

Using the tools to fix the tractor

Notice it's still dark out - they were excited to get up to see what Santa brought!

 A beautiful Minnesota sunrise...

In the stocking: fun band aids and some Dora/Diego books

Next up? Some serious windshield time.

And some serious naps - how cute is this?

We stopped to help Grandma at work.

oops.

Trying to open the safe.

PRESENTS! At this age opening is even more fun than what's inside...

Showing grandma and grandpa how we can sing along to our John Deere movie.

Happy (early) birthday Dad!

"helping" with dishes

Love this picture!

Trying on Miles' ski goggles

Roselle church - a beautiful clear afternoon

Christmas mass

These two yahoos (P and M that is) hadn't napped, so the only way they could keep themselves awake was to move CONSTANTLY! As you can see, that made for very meaningful and reflective prayer time at church.

16 and counting...

Cuddling with grandma

I told P on the way home that his feet were stinky - he didn't believe me.

Merry Christmas 2011!

Merry Christmas to all!

What a FUN year! Not sure what could be more fun (or more work) than raising twin toddler BOYS!!

 Looking forward to a happy and healthy 2012.

(Mason is on the left in all the pictures...)

(photos taken by Annie Torrini Photography - October 2011)

This photo shoot is so OVER!