Backhoe needed!

This won't be exciting for anyone to read, but I had to post because I have a huge sense of accomplishment for my 3 hour chore this morning!

I tackled one of my worst nightmares this morning.....cleaning/junking out the girls' bedroom. Wow! Who knew two little girls could have so much STUFF!?! It's not just one of a lot of things, it is mostly two of most things, it could be two baby dolls, or in our case 20 baby dolls (who needs that many)? Or two of every kind of coat imaginable.... I know I am complaining but I am very grateful for what we have, and what has been given or handed down to us, I wouldn't trade that for anything! BUT jeez louise, the time has finally come to get rid of some of it! It seems like I am constantly sorting through their clothes and passing them on, but today I did even more. I filled up TWO garbage bags worth of toys, stuffed animals and baby dolls. I am very happy to give it to someone in need! I am going to give some to a few of my younger clients and then take a few trips to the Goodwill. I am thrilled to finally be able to see the carpet in their room. When I was finally done they just kept running around in circles in their room, there was actually space to move! I know it doesn't look too exciting, but we were all thrilled! Here is D in shock. I also took down the changing table/pad and now it is just a regular "big girl" dresser! I am so glad that I can put pictures in their room now, hopefully they will last and the girls won't break them.....

I also got out the comforter covers that I bought a while ago and finally put them on their "big girl" beds. They were happy for new blankies too. Wow, I can't believe my girls will be three in two months!

Here are their cute little "twin" picture frames. They each have sayings on them that I love!

I also had to include these pics. of story time that I had with the cousins a few days ago when they were over. All the big kids sat in a semi-circle and were ready to listen. It was so cute!

Ellie decided she was going to read her own book to Owen.

*Take note, that pile of toys in the corner is no longer there!!! I sorted all of that stuff too, and I made a "baby station" in a corner of the living room where the two cradles, two doll high chairs and two strollers go, along with a doll changing table. We are set!

My Little Fish

My excited little boy: I signed Brayden up for swimming lessons at the Y. Now that we're finally members, lessons are half price. You can't beat that. B is thrilled! Luckily I signed him up the day before it started so he didn't burst with excitement within 24 hours, but that's all I heard for a day, "I CAN'T WAIT FOR SWIMMING LESSONS MOM!" I was thrilled that he was excited and loves the water as much as I do. He did great, it was the first time I've seen him have a hard time listening to a teacher because he was SO happy! He only got to swim with the teacher 3 times in the half an hour because there's five kids in his class. Hopefully next session I can find a class with less kids and he'll get more one on one time. While he was supposed to be sitting on the steps waiting for his teacher, he took it upon himself to venture out and test the waters. He went flailing into the open water and doggy paddled/splashed/sunk for a few feet. He thought he was the best swimmer there, you couldn't help but laugh at his bravery/pride! This was also the first time I witnessed him leading the naughty pack, by not following the rules. Not saying it has never happened before, but he is usually smart enough to not be outright naughty when I'm sitting RIGHT there.

As he was swimming back with his teacher, he yelled across the pool, "MOM, do you see me!?! Why aren't you taking more pictures!?! Take more pictures of me MOM!" My face turned beat red, what am I raising? I guess I should put my camera a way for a while!

It was a very fun night with a very proud little boy! We may not have a Michael Phelps on our hands, but we have one eager little guy!

~By the way, the goggles were a must, and they were lost after the first night. Who knows, they may turn up some day.