Caileigh was getting ready to write a letter to her new pen pal in Japan.  I was explaining to her that the girl doesn't speak very much english and that this will be a good way for her to learn.
Caileigh says, "Don't worry Mom, I'll write it very, very slowly.........Hooooooow arrrre yooooooou?"

A sneak peek at Mikayla's new summer clothing line...............

Phone Pictures

The cell phone has been great for a lot of reasons.  One thing I love is being able to snap a quick picture.  Here's a few from lately.......

{This series of 3 pictures is from Mikayla's spring collection.  These were the main outfits from three consecutive days although she did highlight many different looks within those days.  Layering is "in", as is mixing bold patterns.}

{Aiden and some of the Nature Explorers reaching the top of the old ski hill.}

{Caileigh 1/2 way up.}

 {Caileigh on our early morning date.}

{Caileigh and her good buddy.  The toothless girls.}

{Aiden and Caileigh have joined the Archery club.  They love it!}

We enjoyed a visit from Nanee and Bupee this week.  It was a busy week with a ton of activities and we all had a great time.  There was the rodeo, PE day, Nature Explorers, Archery, piano, bike riding and more!

{A special bike ride for the littles}

{Bupee fixing things with his "helper" Jordan.}

The 2 are nearly 3.

Soon I will no longer have 2, 2 year olds.  

There have been so many changes in these "little" guys as of late.  In so many ways, things are easier with the monkeys, and in other ways there are still challenges. (who am I kidding......there will always be challenges with every child!)   I recently had a day where just Jordan was home, and Alex was with Sean for the day.  I could not believe how "easy" it was with just one twin.  I realize that so much of the challenges come from the fact that they are the same age.  There is so much fighting and competition with these two.  When one child was removed from the situation, the other played quietly and focused all day.  

If one child has a tantrum and refuses to listen, you can pick them up and carry on.  When two children do this, it gets a little tricky.  We are working on listening and obeying and hopefully this will come quickly!

{Jordan}

At our house, we play musical beds.

Up until now, both boys have been sharing a bedroom.  Bedtime can be a real battle as they spend so much time fighting!  Both boys are constantly covered in scratches all over their face and body from fighting with each other.  One night I finally had enough and removed Alex from the room and put him into Mikayla's room.  Both boys went to bed quickly and quietly!  After Alex had fallen asleep, I put Mikayla to bed in the room with him and she went to sleep. 

 (Mikayla is back in her old room as sharing a room with Caileigh was leading to late bedtimes and very early mornings, filled with middle of the night excursions.)

The new arrangement seems to be working out.  Jordan likes being in the room alone and doesn't want to try sleeping downstairs, although last night Alex wouldn't go to sleep so I finally put Mikayla into Jordan's room as he was already sleeping.

 Alex is so happy to be in Mikayla's room. 

Mikayla's even decided that she is going to marry Alex because she says you should marry your friend.

At some point, I like the idea of having all the boys together, and the girls together.  In the meantime, we'll keep going with what is working!

{Alex}

Since before Christmas, Alex has been snoring at night and as a result, having trouble sleeping. He loudly breathes through his mouth during the day as well.  Sean took him down to Chilliwack to see the Ears/Nose/Throat Dr.  He says Alex has sleep apnea and moderately enlarged adenoids.  He put Alex on a nose spray that he is to take before bed.  We will go back to see the Dr. in August to see if this has helped.  We have already noticed a difference in his breathing! 

 Alex is so good about taking the nose spray.  He even reminds me when it is time and then says thank you!

Although both boys speech has been steadily developing, I have noticed a few things that led me to make an appointment with a speech therapist.  We had the assessment yesterday and I found it helpful.  She noted that although they have a good vocabulary, they leave out small words in sentences as well as the ending consonant sounds.  It is this last issue that makes it hard for others to understand them.  For now, we will continue to model proper speech and she'll reassess in August.

We're so happy that spring is here and we can spend hours outside.  The boys ride bikes, run around without shoes on and dig in the dirt.  Little boy heaven.

First Campfire of the Year

Caileigh has enjoyed rhythmic gymnastics this year.  

The teacher does not allow parents to watch during the year so it was really exciting for us to finally see what she has been working so hard at.

Caileigh performed two routines.  One included ribbons, and the other a hoop.  The girls did really well, although I didn't take my eyes of Caileigh so I can't really vouch for what the other girls did. :)

She was so excited when we came home and has decided that she is going to practice everyday this summer so she can go back in the fall being able to do the splits.

It was a great performance and I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to go.

(PS  The boys stayed home with a babysitter.  She even got them both to sleep!!!  She did say twice that it was Very Hard, but she did it and we were thrilled.  We've recently tried separating the boys at night and Alex is now sleeping with Mikayla.  More to come on that later..........)

First Hair Cuts

Before

{Jordan}

{Alex}

{Jordan}

{Alex}