We're still alive.......

Don't worry. I'm still here. Hanging in there.......

I'm blogging because I want to remember what life looked like in September 2014. I have had so many days that I wanted to write but the day gets away. Then I get too tired. I didn't set out on this endeavor to quit, so I'm pressing on and writing today. I've got to figure out how to get it on the books, carve out the time instead of just waiting for time to write to present itself. It's not going to.

Gage started second grade. He clearly loves this tradition.

He actually told me it was the worst tradition ever. In general he seems to be enjoying school more than he has in the past. He still hates homework but it's not as bad as first grade. He's eager to participate in school activities and never wants to miss anything social at school. He's playing soccer and has improved since last year. Last year I cringed watching him from the sidelines (don't judge me; it was cringe-worthy). I'm glad I can enjoy watching him this year. I'll share pics from games over the next few weeks.

At the end of August (cause that's how behind I am) we celebrated his 8th birthday. PJ came to stay the night and Matt took them to see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. I made him the chocolate on chocolate cake he asked for.

We got him a skateboard and a fishing pole and bag for his tackle. Alyssa got him a Fresno State jersey that he was very excited about.

He also got a guitar from his dad so he started lessons a few weeks ago. He seems to be enjoying it so far.

Gracie got a big girl bed. She's been in her crib converted to a toddler bed for a LONG time. She was coming into our room almost every night between 12-3am and we always just let her into bed out of fear that her crying would wake the twins. We converted it to the full size bed. In order to make her feel positive about the bed I did something I NEVER do-I bought character sheets. I hate character stuff. Even Disney-it's just not me. But she wanted a Lalaloopsy bed and I wanted her out of mine. We both got our way. She's only been in our room once over the last few weeks since getting her new bed.

She also started a tap/ballet combo class.

She loves it. The first two classes she was just watching, doing a little bit, but very observant. Now she shows everyone her favorite things. Shuffle change toe and her basket.

She's been busy cracking us all up by using words like, "literally" and shouting, "I think something amazing is about to happen!!" every time she hears her dad open the garage getting in from work. This week I started Phemom, a women's ministry program at Peoples Church. When I went to check her out of the childcare they said, "She is VERY observant. She saw some others misbehaving and she just looked at them, then looked at me, then looked at them, then looked at me.....waiting to see if I was going to do something". She's also very sensitive and cries anytime she even THINKS she's in trouble. She get it from her mama.

We decided not to start preschool with Gracie this year. I feel like ALL of our friends start preschool at three and everyone's been asking where she's going but she's not going anywhere until next year. I would be lying if I said I didn't sense some judgement from other parents. On one hand it's selfish-I don't want to spend the money, I don't want to have a schedule to adhere to, I don't want to have to get the kids all out by a certain time. It would be different if she needed it. She's fine. One thing I learned with Gage is that she'll have PLENTY of time to worry about school. For now she has friends that she plays with at the gym, at home, and she goes to her dance class. She loves to talk about letters and numbers with me so I know she'll be just fine. For now, I'm going to let her be little.

Ashlyn is talking quite a bit. She has a bigger vocabulary than her brother for sure. A few weeks ago she started calling Jay "Brudda" and now she says his name too. She's putting little phrases together like, "Bye-bye Gage" and "Crackers please". She can also clearly let me know that she needs a new diaper, often by taking off the one she had on. She loves showing us what she knows. Almost every night I read them two books, Bunnies Picnic and My Mommy Hung the Moon. I don't love either of those it's just what they like. Now when I read Bunnies Picnic Ashlyn yells, "Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama!" until I reply "Yes Ash". Then she says, "Bunnies"......."Yes Ash, bunnies"......."Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama!"....."Yes Ash"....."Cook" ......"Yes, they are cooking"....."Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama!"....."Yes Ash"......"Floor"....."Yes, they spilled the stew on the floor. Now stop interrupting the book". I can't figure out if she's just excited or if she's dragging out bedtime.

Here she is in her determination....

 Making mud pies with sister...

 Showing me where her nose is.....

And just being sweet.....

Jay is hilarious. Yesterday I took them to the park. He probably fell or tumbled off of something at least six times. He never cried. He just jumped up and looked at me as if to say, "I'm okay, right?" and I just give him the nod and he goes on. Unlike his sister he never lets me know he needs a new diaper and when I try to change him he runs. He is my only child that LOVES milk. That's probably where he gets this belly.

He loves to take a walk in the wagon, even if it's just to get the mail. He loves to go outside and throw things. He throws everything. You know how they say babies learn about things by putting them in their mouth? I feel like Jay wants to learn about everything by observing what happens when you throw it.

 Poor little guy just can't stop drooling. He's a mess.

They kids are all so much fun. I remember another twin mom telling me that the second year was harder than the first and I can see why. They're just everywhere and into everything. I've been putting them in their high chairs a lot, just to play. I give them crayons and a paper or a book. Sometimes I just need to have them contained so I can make dinner or concentrate on a necessary phone call or just make my grocery list with a little more focus.

That's what we've been up to and how we're doing. I'll be back sooner than later!

Love.