Photographing Preschoolers

Taking a picture of two preschoolers is really hard. James was much more interested in finding sticks and Luke would not let go of his "bribe".

"Hug your brother" - take 1.

"Hug your brother" - take 2.

Oh well, better luck for us next time!

Happy Easter

We celebrated Easter Sunday with some of our favorite people. The boys are becoming very good at finding eggs. Luke is even mastering the skill of opening, especially when he suspects chocolate treats are inside.

Jesus is risen, He is risen indeed!

Pre-Birthday Post

I have been reflecting back lately on my first born. My sweet James Morgan. I remember how painstakingly I prepared his nursery room. Spent hours thinking about making it just right. Anyone remember this nursery room? It was his for exactly 2 months before we moved and I don't think he ever even slept in that room. Baby boy liked the swing and I liked my sleep.

John and I were so excited to be parents. Look at our happy glow in this picture. Also, look at my large belly. This photo was taken in early March of 2007, James didn't arrive until mid-may. I think this picture explains why my body will never be the same. Good grief! I actually winced looking at this picture. Ha!

In May of 2007, the sweetest and loudest baby on the planet was born. I think he and I lived in a rocking chair for the first 4 months. Always snuggling and rocking. Snuggling has never been James' favorite activity, but neither was sleeping. He slept best rocking, so a rocking we would go.

Then he turned 1. That first year seemed so long at the time, but now what I wouldn't give to have another snuggle from that sweet baby boy.

Baby brother arrived in October and James was so angry with me. For 2 weeks he didn't want anything to do with me or his brother. But soon after the three of us would snuggle together. Luke truly was a baby who LOVED to be held.

Suddenly time flew by and James turned 2. Ready to be independent and feisty as ever!

I blinked and he was 3 and best friends with his little brother. Two little boys running around and stealing my heart.

Now we are approaching birthday #4. Where did the time go?

We love you James!

Anything he can do I can do too!

Disclaimer: This video is a little long, but I wanted to make sure you didn't think we had dropped off the blogosphere.

James and Luke have always encouraged each other. Something that I love about their relationship. When Luke was learning to crawl/walk/jump James was his biggest motivation. If James could do it, Luke wanted to try. Similarly, when James has a hard time answering questions or is a little shy, Luke is right there to shout out the answers or hold his hand. Such sweet brothers.

So imagine my surprise when Luke started having an interest in learning James' sight words. My sweet boy who I thought was colorblind because until just recently he refused to learn his colors, who has no interest in learning his ABCs and is quite content just playing and coloring. Yes, my 2 1/2 year old is interested in sight words...why? Well that is simple. Because big brother is totally jazzed about sight words. Love it!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Umbrellas and Look-a-likes

If you say red car, I say Bob the Builder.

If you say inside, I say outside.

Potato, Potahto.

Two boys having fun!

And, just received the picture below of Great Uncle Don. I was struck right away by a couple of similarities. What do you think?

Head, shoulders, knees and what?

Can you guess what body part Luke added to this familiar song?

Sports Coats

Two little boys who like to dress up just like daddy.

Adorable!

Random Thoughts on a Thursday

1. Last night I made Aunt Jemima's Apple Muffins off the back of the pancake mix. Really yummy and really easy. Yum!
2. We are consuming a lot of almond milk lately. So much so, that usually when we check out at the grocery store they ask who has the milk allergy. It works great in baked good and on cereal, plus much fewer calories and no saturated fat (as compared to cows milk).
3. Although if you are having milk and cookies, you need the real deal 2% cows milk.
4. Found Butterfinger eggs in the Easter candy section at Walmart. Have these always existed? And if so why have I never seen them? Although the best question is why did I think I could walk down the candy isle and just look? Seriously?
5. I feel like there is never any news to report on the blog, yet our days are full. We all fall into bed at night exhausted.
6. These boys are growing up too fast. My goodness, don't they look old in this picture?

7. They keep each other entertained very well. Best buds these two guys.

8. Luke is jumping with both feet getting an inch off the ground. I cannot believe it and am so proud of how hard he works to master a skill. This guy is determined to do everything big brother does. And James is right there to cheer him on, or in this case play his "trumpet" so Luke would have music to help him jump. Like I said, best buds.

Luck of the Irish

Today we are sporting our Irish pride.

We made green sugar cookies with butter-cream frosting and green sprinkles. Do you think they were a hit?

Yum yum!

The boys had so much fun making green cookies yesterday with Katie Grace, we had to make some more of our own today.

Can you believe James even wanted to wear a chef's hat? Anything for his lucky lady.

Luke's just happy to be the official taste tester.

Happy Saint Patrick's day!

Spoiled Rotten

The other day I was in the bookstore with Luke and he spotted these. There was a huge Easter display and right in front were Bob and Larry. Those little legs could not run fast enough.

He was determined to have these little toys. First I tried to convince him that he already had enough plush toys at home. He replied "I need to take Bob and Larry home. And the carrot too."

So next I did what any frugal (and desperate) mom would do. I tried to talk him into the full sized options, because buying 2 of those was less then 3 of the special Easter ones. He replied "No, they need bunny ears."

We don't buy anything new. I am a consignment and craigslist kinda girl. But I could not resist my little man's charm.

They have not left his side since we bought them on Saturday.

Sweet Luke. I bet you couldn't resist that sweet boy either.