Jake and Miles are growing up...

I took them to the nursery at my church for the first time today. I had built it up in my mind because of our experience at my athletic club and was prepared for a major scene. I've been dreading it and have put it off for quite some time now. We got there and there were tears before we were in the door...MINE! What was wrong with me??? I don't have any logical explanation, I was not so heartbroken to part with them for an hour. I think I was sad in anticipation of their sadness. Except that they didn't have any. Not even one tear. I felt so silly. When I walked in I explained that it was our first time there and then that they had not really been left anywhere before this. I was met with a couple of stares of amazement, so I said "I know, I'm crazy." And a little boy about 3 years old look at me, waved, and said "Hi, crazy. I'm Rowan." It was so funny.

But the boys were fine. No tears at all. They just looked at me, waved, and said bye-bye. I talked about it a bunch with them over breakfast, so maybe that helped. But I also think they are just getting a little bit more independent. The only time they cried was when we had to leave. The women working there said that they explored the room the whole time and were super into all of the other little kids.

I started a Sunday School class today for parents of preschoolers and am really looking forward to the rest of the 6 week session. The class is taught by a counselor and he seems very knowledgeable. Today we focused on the power of positive affirmation. He stressed importance of affirming the wonderful things they are doing in order to give them confidence and build up their self esteem. I feel like I try to praise the positive stuff, but I'm going to try to focus on it more this week and see what happens!

Houston (again)

We have been to Houston a lot lately because there has been so much going on. I did some of these posts out of order, but a couple of weeks ago we were there for my friend's wedding. I've been to school with many of these girls as far back as fifth grade, when we moved to Houston, so these occasions are so much fun. It's such a big group and we have remained so close. We always have a wonderful time together. This was no exception. Peter and I lined up some babysitting (including Papa & Taffy, of course) and actually made it to everything. I didn't get pictures of the boys partying because I wasn't there for much of it. But trust me, they partied! And so did we. It was extra fun because my whole family was at the wedding also. She was a beautiful bride and it was a great evening. Here are a few pictures. I know everyone comes here to see the boys, so my apologies that they aren't in this post...

The bride and groom with his new extended family :)

At the reception

He's actually smiling!

Andy & Melissa

Rehearsal dinner

Happy Birthday, Lucy!

I took the boys to Houston again this weekend to celebrate Miss Lucy's second birthday. We had so much fun! She had her birthday party at the Houston Children's Museum and it was a blast. It was a really quick trip-we arrived Friday around lunchtime and left Saturday around 4 p.m. As usual, we squeezed a lot in. When we got home they couldn't stop talking about everyone and all of the fun that they had!

Grandma, Jake, Papa & Miles

Great Grandma with Miles & Jake

Miles brought a few balloons home from the party

The birthday girl with Jake and Miles

Miles climbing at the museum

Mama and Jake playing at the museum

Miles doing some grocery shopping at Papa & Taffy's

Story time (one of Mama's old books)

Aunt Milly & Jake

Miles (in Papa's hat) and Taffy

Mommy's little helpers

Who knew that unloading the dishwasher could be so much fun? Or take so long? The boys have been finding a lot of joy in 'helping' me with some simple everyday tasks lately (or multiple times a day tasks, as is the case with the dishwasher and laundry). I love that. Here they are doing the dishes with me today. And loving it.

Jake and Miles have been busy...

So busy that it's been hard for me to get many pictures. They are taking a nap right now after a big morning. We went to play with our friends in the neighborhood...sweet little twin girls named Angel and Bella. We checked out all of their toys and then headed to lunch. Twice as many little people than big people. It was fun, but I had my hands full and couldn't get pictures.

This weekend I'm taking the boys to Houston for Lucy's 2 year birthday party. Hopefully I'll get some pictures from that and some of them hanging out with Great Grandma while we're there. They really enjoyed her this past weekend and even got to Skype with her last night! Here are a few random shots.

They have been really into these hats that they got last summer. Here is Miles sporting his, along with a sweet expression on his face.

Lucy and Jake had a little kissy-fest when we got into Houston last time

Playing in their fort (under the table)

Playing puzzles on their table

Helping Mama with the laundry

Miles and Jake Skyping with Great Grandma!

Jake woke up a little earlier than Miles from his nap and we had some solo time. First we read some books and Jake is so cool that he had to wear his shades.

I pulled out the old Moses Baskets because I'm reorganizing. Miles and Jake saw them and I explained that when they were little babies they used to go night-night in the baskets (both boys in the same basket!). They were super into it and just kept getting in, going night-night, getting out, and doing it all over. (See the small picture at the top of the blog to see them sleeping soundly in one basket).

Catching up...

It's been a while since I've posted anything. Things have been pretty quiet and I guess that's a good thing. We're heading to Houston this weekend for a wedding and I'm going back with the boys the next weekend for Lucy's birthday party. Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks...

Jake coloring at his new table

Miles and Jake playing in their new favorite spot...under the dining room table. Notice Jake's interesting outfit.

Taking a little break on one of Cassidy's beds

Mama and Miles relaxing

Lately they have been asking me to help them into the pack-n-play. I don't know what that's about.

Yay! My friend Blythe came into town and hung out with us for an evening. Sooo fun! The boys are still talking about her.

Miles watching some football with Dada!

Haircuts...solo!

The boys have hit that point where they can't see out from under their hair again and it was time for a cut. Mama sucked it up and took them alone today. I was pretty nervous because last time it was all my mom and I could do to manage the two of them. Neither one was happy with getting it cut (despite the race car seat, elmo movie, etc.). The thing that saved me was the train table in the waiting area. They were fine as long as they weren't getting their hair cut so I was able to try to comfort them each as they were in the hot seat. Both seem to have gotten pretty good cuts and look super cute. I definitely wasn't able to take pictures while we were there, I didn't even attempt it. I did get a shot of each of them here at home afterwards.

PS Try to ignore the drool! I think we're working on two-year molars and the drool has been insane lately!!

Brrrr!

It's getting really cold in Austin right now so we had to bust out the winter coats. We probably should have gotten them out a little sooner, but now we definitely need them (temperatures in the 20's!). Here's a couple of pictures of Jake modeling his coat and looking really sweet.

Babysitter-in-training

Eva came over on Tuesday and helped me with the boys. They were in heaven! They are so into their bigger cousins and she was so wonderful with them. I can already tell that she is going to be my best babysitter pretty soon.

Jake and Miles taking turns crawling under the tunnel

Eva, Jake and Miles playing night-night

Eva reading a story to the boys (she had a real lap bug with Jake)

Having a cheese snack

Strelitz - McGill New Year's Eve, Part VII

This is the seventh year that the McGills have celebrated the new year with the Strelitzes! It's such a fun tradition. It's been getting better and better and of course having all of the boys together makes it that much more fun now! We had such a nice visit. We visited the Children's Museum and Going Bananas, played at home a bunch, took the boys out to lunch and just enjoyed the great company. Here is a picture of bath time and a few from our NYE celebration. We had a really fun group of friends to celebrate with!

Miles, Jake and Henry

Peter and Adam

Alison and Ashlie

Meredith and Alison

Adam, Judd, Mona, Rob and Peter

Ashlie and Adam

Peter and Alison

Going Bananas

There's a place in Austin called Going Bananas that we decided to check out this past weekend while the McGill's were here. The place was just room after room of inflatable bounce houses and slides. It was a little bit challenging with little ones... dodging bigger kids left and right... but we had a fun time. Check it out.

Peter, Jake, Adam, Henry, Miles and Mama post slide

Mama and Miles

Adam and Henry in action

Ashlie and Henry in one of the many bounce houses

The boys also enjoyed playing in a little fire station