Santa visit 2013

We had an awesome visit with Santa this year. Normally visiting with Santa can be a real struggle because the boys get overwhelmed and have a hard time. Historically visiting Santa hasn't been a ton of fun but we have always wanted to have the picture so we "made it work." One year everything was good until the woman behind the camera shook a long strand of jingle bells and freaked Summy out.

This year we had breakfast with Santa as a part of my twin mom's group. It was a lovely time and the kids made ornaments, ate, and then visited with Santa. I cannot tell you how much of a relief it is to see them enjoy visiting with him and to have no tears!

4th of July

I am quickly realizing I need to give up on the hope of A) Getting 5 year old twin boys to smile at the same time and NOT jump, make silly faces, etc.and B) Have hope of getting a great picture of all 3. It is like finding the Loch Ness Monster.

Mario Birthday Party!!

Well, Mario Galaxy to be exact.

On Wednesday, we picked the boys up after special needs preschool and took them to the mall for a special lunch and to play. They were so excited!

At preschool on the morning of their birthday, they had special cupcakes. I frosted/sprinkled them to look like the 1-up mushrooms.

Then today we had a big birthday party for them at Magic Mountain. They have been playing Mario Galaxy with David on the Wii and are slowly working their way through, and so they knew immediately they wanted to have a Mario themed party. Pinterest has become my best and worst friend, as there were tons of great ideas on there I wanted to try. First I brainstormed a cake. I found inspiration here, but needed something a bit more manageable. I like to make cakes for the boys, but with Truman knew it would be hard this year. So I made a sketch and took it to my local Kroger. I hunted and found sprinkles, a Mario and Luma cake topper, and then I made the remaining characters from sculpey.

We made some mushroom favor bags, David made Mario mustache straws, and I made a boo balloon for the table. I wanted to make more and hang them from the ceiling, but we couldn't.

And we went from this:

To this:

They had an awesome time. I cannot believe that they are 5!

Halloween 2011 - The cast of "Up"

This year we went as the characters from the movie Up. Summy was Mr. Frederickson, Jack was Russell, I was the "house" (fitting for a pregnant lady?) and David was the snipe. (Kevin)

I made Summy's costume from a suit I found on ebay, suspenders, a walker we put tennis balls on, and glasses from the Target 1.00 bin that David drilled the lenses out of. To top off the look, he wore an ear plug as his hearing aid, and we sprayed his hair white.

Jack's costume was a boy scout shirt, brown pants (too cold for shorts) a sash I created with fabric and simple felt circles for "badges," an old-school tiger scout neckerchief, a neckerchief "slide" from the 60s, a tan ball cap, an orange backpack, and various paraphernalia. David created the flag from felt and a fiberglass wire runner. (Like a dowel rod.)

For my house, I painted a box brown and then cut circles out for my head and arms. I then colored and applied windows, trim, door, and other effects to match the house. The house in the movie is super colorful, so I made the strips/trim colorful to match.

For David's costume he wore a blue sweatshirt and sewed feathers onto the arms. He used a hat, and some stiff felt to create the beak, and then put felt eyes on his hood. He used feathers sold at a local craft supply to make the "crown"/sticking up feathers on Kevin. He carried a stuffed "Doug."

Enjoy!

Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A lot of love from Summy and Jack to you! Thanks for loving all of us, and caring so much!

Merry Christmas!

We have a lot to be thankful for! I am so thankful to all of you, and your continued support and love for our boys and I. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!

A visit with Santa!

Yesterday we got to go and visit with a special sensory sensitive Santa. It was hosted through a local Easter Seals organization, and to prepare, we filled out a sheet about the boys' special needs, and even read them a social story.

We went and the building was amazing. They had a sensory gym (the boys were over the moon to see it) that had been donated by the Columbus Blue Jackets. My mind immediately began questioning if something similar could be done in our county's BDD building, but I digress. (The seed is planted, and I plan to contact them...)

They had a blast playing in the room. (Complete with tons of swings, OT equipment, a ball pit, adaptive bikes, slides, and even a mini locker room with bluejackets equipment!) I'll post pics of all that tomorrow.

We had an appointment with Santa, so the boys went in and although Jack wasn't keen on sitting on his lap at first, (remember last year's incident?) he eventually warmed up, and although we didn't get a smile at first, Santa did later get some hugs. After briefly sitting on his lap, they played in the room while Santa talked to them. (The people there wanted them to get a chance to get comfortable without rushing them, particularly Jack.) The boys then both went back and gave a hug.

Summy asked for an "Iron Man toy" and Jack asked for a "Choo Choo Train toy."

They played some more, and on the way home in the car, Jack told me "that was a special Santa, a quiet Santa!"

All of the volunteers and workers were amazing! I cried when we were leaving the room with Santa...it was such a better experience than we had ever had. I am so thankful we got a chance to take part in it!





Special thanks to Ryan Glaze Photography for the pictures!

santa

Sensory sensitive santa went so well today, I cried. I cannot wait to write more about it/post pics soon. First positive santa experience ever. I don't even know what to say!

Happy Halloween!

The boys went as Phineas and Ferb this year, complete with a stuffed Perry, and David was Dr. Doofenschmirtz while I was Candace. While I worried about making a "Phineas and Ferb Costume" per se, and my attempt at sewing satin made me realize I have no hope on project runway, it all turned out well in the end!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Fourth of July

We spent the fourth of July at my Papaw's house. We had an awesome meal, went to the Park of Roses which is where D and I got married, and watched fireworks from his driveway. The boys had a blast! I'll post pictures from the parade (5th) tomorrow. Here's a recap:

First, we left Papaw's for the rose garden,

When we got there, we looked at the rock dedicated to my grandmother overlooking the wedding garden,


Listened to the band that was playing,

Took time to "stop and smell the roses,"


Climbed in the "couples" tree, a giant weeping tree near the wedding garden with tons of initials carved into it,

and finally watched fireworks, complete with "ear hats" (5.00 at Harbor Freight!)

To be a mother

I never knew.

I never knew when I had you that it was going to be this wonderful. I never knew I would laugh, cry, sing, worry and feel like this.

I never knew I would love you like I did from the moment I saw you. I never knew that love would only grow.

I never knew you would make me scared and worried and afraid in the way I can be.

I never knew you'd make my heart so warm. My life so full. Challenge my mind in this way.

You are my children. I love you in a way deeper and broader than I ever thought possible.

Happy Mother's Day to all. To those with, and to those longing for their own.