The boys started school and are doing awesomely well. Their first real report cards demonstrated what we all know, they are socially amazing, gifted, and Augustus was called the school's "knight in shining armor" for all his chivalry, and Raleigh is known for being so polite and quite the story teller. They are delighted to have them in their school and we are looking forward to their pre-K start in the fall of next year, and I honestly cannot believe half of their school year is actually over already. The boys are still imaginative little men with a love for the magical, mystical, all things a little spooky, but not too spooky, and superheros are still awesome to them, including the superheroes around town like firefighters, some police, and they know what the army and soldiers are a now, too and they think they are pretty awesome as well. While Mommy is still not keen on guns and gun playing, they still tend to be the sweetest boys who really are not too into it either. I take the balance of these boys any day. They love to cook and clean still and are not afraid to pick pink first and play with baby dolls, even if it is just to strip them down first and foremost.
We have had a few holidays since my last post in September. Firstly, Halloween was a big one for this family of course. The boys still manage to dress up on a regular basis, and this year enjoyed three costumes each. For their multiples party Augustus was too sick to come, but he would have made the cutest Captain Jack...pictures prove that, and Raleigh was the most swashbuckling of pirates in his home-made Captain Hook outfit. Next year we may re-purpose it as a Prince costume ;) Then they were police and fire men for their school party. Finally, on the big day they were "storm troopers" or really Boba Fett and Jango Fett from Star Wars. They did not know what Star Wars was when they picked these, but they loved the outfits and the sword "thingy" - which we did not buy, but they still loved the outfits. Now, they have seen a few scenes of Star Wars and Augustus is asking for the movie when he gets to talk to Santa...we'll see about that buddy, we'll see. They do have a really cool Star Wars ship coming, so hopefully that will suffice. Here are a few pictures of the boys during the Halloween extravaganza that was October. They enjoyed trick-or-treating, but little Kaine, the boys cousin, may have had them all beat this year for cutest, most excited kid on the block.
Thanksgiving was a tough one this year. The day after Thanksgiving would have been my Dad's 68th birthday. My mom has moved out of our house and was in her new place in November so she has gotten her new space and hopefully will continue to have more good days than bad. We tried to keep her and all of us busy that day and even ventured down to the tree lighting in Hyde Park and had a "muff-cake" or cupcake for those of you who don't speak Augustus & Raleigh, in honor of Grandpa Pickles. The boys had a ball, and I got there early in an attempt at taking the boys' Christmas photos, and while I got some magical shots of the boys being themselves, I just did not get that one shot, so we had a few more attempts this year. Always fun for me to try new locations and try to capture the boys, so I am not complaining! The saddest part of the day was when we waited for what seemed like for forever for Santa to show up and then when he did it was in a drive-by in a truck, no not a decked out Christmas truck, just a truck with the jolly guy riding shot gun waiving to the littles
Next up is Christmas, and I will have more about that after the fact, but I can say 3 is more exciting for the boys than 2, but they are also so excited that they are also more out of sorts with their excitement than last year. We finally settled down a bit with sleeping better and not all crazy behavior we had when we first started the season, but the old Elf on the Shelf, Hugh Caillou is not quite as effective as last year for our little family...sniff, sniff. One of my friend with an older son put it best though, enjoy the crazy, in 10 years they won't have time to be cute and magical about Christmas. So right, Jennifer, so right!
Favorite Things Right Now:
Augustus was at the park and a little girl who spoke no English kept talking to him and he just kept playing and talking to her in English like it was no biggie, and then yells to me from across the park "Mommy, this girl is speaking Magic words to me!!!" He was so excited and I almost melted from the cuteness on that one!
Raleigh starts EVERY sentence with "You know Mommy..." and that usually starts with "you know, you know, you know, you know Mommy blah, blah, blah" because he is so excited to tell me something.
They have moved from fighting each other for things and fighting for our attention to working together to fight us! It is funny, they have become more buddies now and it is great, although it is really more for the evil mastermind to see how much we can get away with together instead of fighting each other. It is just another milestone, and I take the good with the bad knowing that each day they are moving forward toward more and more independence.
They are still the best lovey, snugly, happy boys. We are truly blessed. The eat well for the most part, they sleep amazingly well, and nothing slows them down. They love life and everyone that meets them adores them too. We are blessed, and yes, I have to remind myself of that when we are having those moments, and yes, sometimes those moments turn into days or weeks, but they are just so amazing. I try to remember to tell them that all the time and am trying to loosen up on my hovering of making sure they are being behaved all the time. I think we are at a good balance for now.
They have some great friends and get so happy to see friends they don't see as often now that they are in school two days a week. Raleigh has a new love affair with a little friend E who is about a year younger and he just talks about her all the time. If we see her at a play date it is E, E, E, E the entire time. She is just as infatuated with Rals, so it is great. He also love his neighbor friend, H, but is more of a buddy than a love, love, love friendship. Augustus pretty much loves everyone and tends to play with the big boys, although his chivalrous side at school leads me to believe he still has a soft spot for his girlfriends, too. They still have completely different friends at school despite being in the same classroom. It is amazing their self-reliance and ability to be so sure of themselves. I love it! Not all twins or siblings are like that and these boys are just so self-assured.
There are no secrets at this age with these guys! NONE!!! So let that be fair warning when we see a certain set of Grandies in a few months...ha! They also have more awareness of different stores we drive by now as well, so let's say, you are the grandma, and you decide to take them to Dunkin Donuts, say, one time, well, then from that point on, you love Dunkin Donuts. Every DD you drive by, they will tell everyone who will listen how Nonnie LOVES Dunkin Donuts, and that she takes them there all the time, and yeah, Mom, don't you want to go there now too? If you let them watch something Mommy doesn't approve of, I'll hear about it! If you ever say "dude, that guy cut me off" the next time you are driving with someone, they will point out every person who cuts you off, or merely changes lanes in front of you!!! They will say things in the same tone as you, and man, it is hilarious to have all your idiosyncrasies come back at you double time!
Wishing you and yours a Merry, Merry Christmas!!!! Here are some shots of the boys as we get ready for the big day!
For the real behind the scenes out takes from trying to photograph your own kids...
How cool is this train IN THE TREE - $30 from Home Depot, highly recommend it!
Boys outside the Magic Kingdom on a special trip with Daddy! Looking VERY IDENTICAL HERE! sorry for the grainy picture, but have to resize for web publishing!
The Polar Express ride again this year was FABULOUS!!!! The boys are already pumped for next year's trip.
