Surprise!!!

Cora and I successfully surprised Jared and Justin with a 30th birthday party last weekend. Yay! We had it planned for about four months and well over a hundred people knew about it, but no one spilled the beans. Thanks to all our friends and family for helping us celebrate the big 3 - 0.

Preschool update

So, the first DAY of preschool was great! The following two WEEKS of preschool - not so much. Sigh! Sage and Kai both cried every morning - even when Jared dropped them off. Kai got better as the week went on, but Sage was worse. By the end of the first week, he was crying as soon as we started getting him dressed. He wanted to stay home with momma. (Insert tears here.) Once they got to school, they did pretty good though and they were always happily playing when we got to the school in the afternoons. The second week was better - we would actually make it to the door before tears fell. And, amazingly, we were tear free on Friday!

The boys have been having a hard time being separated though - like I worried about. The teachers say they ask for each other and when they do see each other they give big hugs, but also start crying again. :( Fortunately, they spend about 2 1/2 hours a day together (outdoor play and lunch). So, at this point, they are doing okay, but still having a rough time with separating from us and each other.

Honestly, this has been the hardest two weeks of my life as far as feeling guilty and worrying about them. I cried every day (not when the boys could see me).  I also just really miss them because I went from spending 24/7 with them to only about four hours a day. I'm sure this is normal, but I really hope it gets easier and soon...

First Day of Preschool

Today was the first day of preschool for Sage and Kai. I was stressing about it all summer because until now, they've always been together and in a home with no more than four kids. I was mostly worried about Sage because he has been extra clingy since I've been home with him all summer (he even cried about going to PaPa's last week).

As it turned out though, Kai, who is usually really laid back, was the one who sobbed when I left. Then, I cried too! I felt sad because Kai cried, but more so because I already missed my boys. Lots.

When I called to check on them, the boys were happy. They missed each other more than anything. Kai cried again when he had to separate from Sage after outdoor play. After nap, Sage asked for Kai-Kai.

At the end of the day, however, both boys were smiling and didn't want to leave! I am so proud of them for being big boys and being brave! I'm proud of myself too for being brave. Yay! We did it!

Sleepover Sillies!

Last night, the boys and I stayed at the lake house and had to sleep in one bed. Both boys were up WAY past their bedtime. Kai gets quite silly when he's tired - actually quite crazy! Needless to say, two silly boys and one tired Mama all in the same double bed does not make for a quick transition to actual sleeping. I was trying every trick in the book to get the boys quiet and still. So, I thought I'd read to them from the book I was reading on my phone hoping just the sound of my voice reading quietly would lull them to sleep.

It was at a very serious part of the book where two characters in Nazi Germany are speaking to each other in hushed voices (one character is hiding the other Jewish character). The Jewish character briefly touches the fire in the fireplace. I read the other character's part in a solemn voice, "Did you burn your elbow?" Kai looks up at me with his mischievous brown eyes and says, "Mmhmm." All three of us dissolved into a fit of giggles! Little stinker! He has some true comedic timing!

Although sleep was still more than thirty minutes away, I couldn't help but be delighted by the cause of the delay. I love these boys!!!

A Whole Lot of Pottying Going On

With summer, comes more time off for mom and that means...time to potty train! Sage has been experimenting with pottying for awhile, but we really it hit hard about a week ago. The first few days there were many accidents and Jared and I were perplexed. We really had no idea what we were doing! After a week of patience, washing many pairs of underwear, lots of M&Ms, and a brand new train set, we think we might have figured it out. Now, the accidents are few and far between. And, as of last night, Sage has even pooped on the potty!!! Such a big boy! (Kai is just experimenting - we'll try again with him at Christmas break...)

Celebrating Mommy's Birthday

Here are some fun pics from my birthday celebration - complete with cake (made by Jared) and ice cream!

Close Encounters of the Trash Can

The other night, Jared and I took the boys to dinner with some friends. Sage and Kai behaved really well during dinner. But, they soon reached their limit on sitting still at the table so I took them outside. Sage and Kai decided to race up and down the sidewalk while I cheered for them. Kai had just finished running and I was giving him a celebratory hug. We looked over at Sage who had drawn the attention of all our friends. He was so excited with all the attention and cheering, he closed his eyes. But he kept on running...and...BAM! Hello, trash can!

Sage ran full speed into the side of a trash can earning a collective "Oooohhhhh!" from the crowd of onlookers. I set Kai down and ran to Sage on the sidewalk who was crying, but relatively unscathed. He walked away with a bruised thumb and a swollen lip and perhaps a lesson in life (always watch where you're going).

Of course, everyone was initially sympathetic to Sage, but when we replayed the scene in our minds, we couldn't help but giggle. Poor buddy!

Our Little Sports Boy

Kai has recently developed a love for all things sports related especially if it involves a ball! He loves to play catch and has quite the arm. As long as he has someone to retrieve the ball, Kai will spend all day batting balls off the tee. He can even throw the ball up with one hand, swing the bat with the other and actually hit the ball! He is quite coordinated for someone who isn't even two yet. Oh, and he throws with his left hand - future pitcher?! Definitely a slugger!

Fun at the Lake - round 1

The boys and I joined my parents and my niece, Ella, at the lake for the weekend. The boys had a blast! At first, they were a bit timid in the water, but by the end of the weekend, they were little fish. Sage loved being thrown off the dock into the water, but "not too hard." They both loved riding the wave runner with PaPa. And, the fireworks - the boys were ecstatic! Ella and Papa put on a small fireworks display that had Sage and Kai cheering, dancing, and laughing joyfully!

Can't wait to go back in August when Jared and the rest of the Clines go too!

A New Niece!

She's finally here...Ms. Parker Renee Kelly. Justin and Cora's little love arrived on Wednesday, June 29th. The boys were so excited to meet their new cousin and Jared and I were thrilled to meet our new niece.