The Complexity of Rolling Dice

Marshall shows us the scientific way to roll a dice during a game of Cooties. Just so you know, he beat us at this game earlier today.

Dry is a Good Thing

I know to some of you, this will seem insignificant. However, to those of you who have had children, or currently have children, you KNOW this is a big deal.

For the first time in over three years, we are diaper and pull-up free. Hallelujah! Do the math...it gets expensive...especially if you have TWINS. Shaylen is finally dry throughout the night. We have been waiting to make this announcement for about three weeks now to make sure it was a done deal.

Marshall has been dry all night since he was potty trained a year ago. Amazingly enough, Marshall was the easier of the two to train. Maybe it is because he watched her do it. Shaylen, though potty trained (during the day) since she was about 21 months, has still had difficulty at nights, which is normal. She had been doing really well once we left our home in Biddeford and were temporarily in Buxton, but once we moved here, her dry nights became a thing of the past. It was frustrating.

We are glad to be diaper free. And not too soon. Do you want to know just how many pull-ups were left in her drawer?

Two. We are very thankful.

Story Time with Shaylen

The Adventures of Frog and Toad is on the twins' top list of "Things to Read or Have Read to You Three Million Times a Day". Can you tell that we've read this a lot lately? Caught this story time yesterday (Saturday). Those are really words from the story that Shaylen has memorized. It's hilarious to hear her "read".

Deep Freeze

It is COOOOOLD today. Today's high is supposed to be around 10 degrees. The wind chill is -11! That's cold. The heater has been clicking on and off all day. I have the thermostats programmed to keep things comfortable here at home during the day. For example: The main floor heat clicks on at 8:00 so that it is comfortable for the kids to eat breakfast. It then clicks off at 9:30 when we normally go down to the basement to play. That's when the basement heat clicks on. When I came upstairs to make lunch today, the thermostat read 62 degrees! Don't worry though, the heat is on upstairs where the kids are napping comfortably. Marshall will probably wake up sweaty, as normal, and Shaylen will be just right (she has her afghans from G. Rut & Trena Penny and her Pooh blanket from Grandma Cathy...just like her mommy...likes to be buried).

New Dictionary Entries

avalamp- n; formally known as "avalanche"; French, from French dialect (Franco-Provençal) lavantse, avalantse; a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice. New spelling and pronunciation are credited to Shaylen Joos of N. America.

earthcrap-n; formally known as "earthquake"; a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin. New spelling and pronunciation of this word are credited to Marshall Joos of N. America (spoken directly after "avalamp", hence the "ap" ending, since he's never heard the second syllable of this compound word independently in his life.)

I Found Something

Marshall and Shaylen have been doing really well at going down for naps. We usually calm down by reading a few stories and then they climb into their beds. I tuck them in with their lovey and blanket. Then I trek down to the basement to get some things done. I always turn the monitor on.

Today however, I started in with my stack of books and things to accomplish when I hear Shaylen over the monitor, "Moooommy... Moooooooommmmy." I head upstairs before her volume escalates to the point of disturbing the peace of her already snoozing brother next door.

Their rooms are pretty dark, so upon entering I can see absolutely nothing. I feel my way to her bed.

"What's the matter, honey?"

"Mommy? (long pause) Mommy, I found something."

My eyes are now adjusting. I see her form in the bed. "What is it?" I ask.

At this point in our conversation, she finds my hands and tries to shove something into it. "What could she have possibly found in her bed or on her blanket that doesn't belong there?" I wonder.

It is something small. It fits in her fingers. Perhaps a fuzzy. Perhaps a string from off her afghan.

I cannot see a thing so I am feeling at her fingertips trying to find the "something" mentioned.

"What is it?" I ask again.

I shouldn't have.

"It's a boogey."

Argh!

We had a great volleyball game tonight. Unfortunately, we also lost. Heather, our pint size, dynamite filled, spunky, key player was out tonight with the flu. Though small in size, she left a huge gap tonight. It seemed we were all scrambling to make up for the loss. We played hard.

Oh well. There's always next week, I guess.

A Dusting?

On Sunday night, the weatherman predicted a small chance of snow for us on Monday and that what snow we would get would probably be a dusting.

On Monday morning, I noticed that it had started snowing around 9:30. It was coming down pretty good. Ah! So there was the dusting. Only, this dusting lasted all day! In fact, I should have taken out stock in Pledge to take care of all the dust we got. About three inches of it.

On my way to the New England Rehabilitation Center to see Mrs. McIlwaine, I pondered the fact that weathermen make a pretty good living on being wrong. They can be wrong so often, and yet keep their jobs. In fact, they get paid regardless of how well they predict the weather. It gave me a good chuckle as I tried to navigate the treacherous roads. The speed limit on the turnpike is 65 and I was going 45 on the way and at times 25 on the way home. It was pretty bad.

In spite of my thoughts about weathermen, I was thankful for the mistake they made and the accumulation of snow I now have to look at from my front window. It is beautiful. I love how it makes everything sparkle and look fresh. I wish it would "dust" more.

One final note: You might notice the tracks in our yard. Our 7 year old neighbor has a pint sized snowmobile. Since school was delayed this morning, he was out having a ball. We don't mind this at all, especially since his daddy cleared our driveway too!

Sports Update

Got the volleyball stats yesterday from the recreation programmer of the Saco Parks and Recreation Department. Come to find out, our volleyball team is in second place! If we can win our games tonight, we will be in first. To put this all in perspective for you, you need to know that last year, we were in last place. This is great news for us. We've come a loooong way.

Tonight, the game face will be on.

From the Funny Paper

Two stories hot off the press for you tonight. Shaylen had two guffaws today and I had to write them down before we forgot.

Getting Shaylen ready for bed tonight I noticed that she had some blood residue in her nose. I called down to Taigen, "Honey, did Shaylen have a bloody nose today?" She had not.

Shaylen said, "I don't have a rusty nose!"

After baths tonight, Shaylen was sitting on the potty with a "baby" Snoopy they acquired in Aunt Karen's office the last time we were in Seattle. Apparently, Shaylen took Snoopy for a dip in the Porcelain Pool. When he came out wet, she freaked! "Snoopy got wet in the potty!!!"

Snoopy will be getting a better, more sanitary bath tomorrow...in the Whirl-Pool washing machine!

The Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home

Monday morning I went downstairs with the kids and proceeded to turn on our computer. It would not even boot up. It was dead. You never know how much you appreciate something until it is gone. I missed that extra contact with people. Thanks to the Geek Squad at Best Buy, we were able to get it fixed in no time and it was back up and running by Tuesday evening.

Here's the other news: Shaylen came down with an odd fever on Wednesday that wouldn't stay down no matter how much Advil or Tylenol I dosed out to her. We snuggled and read and she took a really good nap. Taigen took Marshall to the mid-week service and Shaylen and I threw on our pajamas and snuggled on our bed and watched Mary Poppins. That was a treat and something special since she wasn't feeling up to snuff. Poor baby. She seems to be doing well today.

We have gotten a dusting of snow this morning and it has just started to fall again. There isn't much to talk about, but it's nice to see the wintry weather.

Snow Day

Taigen got up this morning at 5:30 to look at the weather outside and to watch the weather. He had to make the official call today (of whether or not to have school) since public schools were not in session. If looking at our van was any indicator of the roads, they were bad. Our van was incrusted in ice. The weather reports were saying that the weather was going to worsen throughout the day, so Taigen called and cancelled school, much to the relief of the parents who were worried about transporting their kids to and from school today.

We haven't gotten much snow, but the snow plows have been on our street and have also sanded. As I type, I can hear them making a second round. It looks beautiful out there, but I know it is cold, cold, cold!

New Dictionary Entry

We've been playing "Telephone" here between the two of us (Taigen and myself). Shaylen is merely the wire between.

She's wacked herself three times tonight by rough-housing off and on.

I told her, "Go tell Daddy, 'I'm a tom-boy!'"

She dutifully marched off and told Taigen, "I'm a convoy!"

The Storm Approacheth

It is dark and gloomy outside. It looks like a ghost town. There has been a mixture of rain and snow all throughout the day today. Our church attendance was way down this morning. Pastor announced at the beginning of our service that there was to be no evening service. That almost never happens. I'm hoping this is an indicator that FINALLY our Alaska, Washington, Montana and Colorado relations have decided to share some of their snow with us. It is our turn. The roads were somewhat clear coming home. The sanding crews had already been out. Once we reached the Saco line however, roads were slick. Looking outside just now, you would think it was just raining. The roads look harmless. There is no snow accumulation. However, as I listened, I heard the plink, plink of the ice that is falling. I ran my finger over the back deck and it is one solid sheet of ice. I guess looks can be deceiving. I'm glad we are off the roads. We are snug and warm here inside and enjoying the bonus time together as a family. Bring on the snow!

Our Activity of the Morning

Last night on our way home Shaylen asked if we could paint. Of course, it was past nine o'clock at night so it was out of the question. I told her, "Maybe tomorrow."

The first words out of Shaylen's mouth this morning was, "Can we paint now?" So we painted after we ate breakfast and put on articles of clothing that were "paintable". They always have so much fun.

Miss Rump--hius Guffaw

Marshall and Shaylen both love having a bit of reading material while they use the bathroom. Shaylen was reading, or maybe I should say, "singing" her Miss Rumphius (by Barbara Cooney)book today. Her song contained nonsense words, not quotes from the book. I just about died laughing!

Fidelity Fiduciary Bank!

For those of you who didn't get this the first time around...I am posting it here. By now you probably know that Mary Poppins is our favorite video and favorite soundtrack. Here are the twins...mostly Shaylen...singing a snippet of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...What?!?

Spring. That's what it felt like today. Today's high was 67 degrees. It was balmy. As we were taking down Christmas decorations today, we kept getting hotter and hotter. I looked at the thermostat and was shocked to see it reading 72 degrees. The sweaters and sweatshirts came off. The kids played outside with no coats.

Can you believe that we opened our windows in January? This is New England!!!

Neither can we. Can you send us some snow? I'm sure Colorado has some it could spare.

Battle of the Blahs Part IV: Surprise Attack!!!

The enemy has shot me. I have acquired Pink Eye...again. No worries, I still have the prescription from the last time I got it. So I am now faithfully applying the petroleum like substance to my eyes every three hours. What fun.

Slow Signs of Recovery

Yesterday proved to be a slower day. I must admit, I kindof loved it because it was quiet and full of snuggles. They love their new afghans from friend and Sunday School helper, Trena Penney. They like being wrapped up in them. After naps we snuggled on the couch and listened to "Mary Poppins." I think they are feeling better today, but Marshall is still having to run (pun intended) to the bathroom here and there. Hopefully the Pedialite will help in this matter. Thanks for all the calls and well wishes.

The Sickies are Surrendering!

Here's the latest update on The Battle of the Blahs:

Taigen is back at church today. He slept in and went in around 11. He's feeling much, much better.

Marshall is still finding lots of time to sit and contemplate in the bathroom...on the toilet. Hopefully that will end soon as he is still complaining of his tummy hurting. Poor baby.

Shaylen only got sick once last night. Her appetite was back by lunch time.

They are currently taking a GREAT nap. Hope it helps them get back up to par.

Ah Ha! It has yet to conquer me. I hope I don't speak too quickly, but I feel great.

3 Down 1 To Go...the Battle of the Blahs

Well, as of an hour ago, we have three sickies in this home. Marshall is continually headed upstairs to sit on the toilet, Taigen is still sick and sipping ginger ale, and now Shaylen has decided to make the sick people in the house the majority. Her first hit landed all over the bathroom rug, my socks, half the toilet and on her leg. I'm holding the fort, but my chances of avoiding this garbage are slim. I'm now spending my time watching Marshall, but making frequent trips up to the main floor with him, then up to the top floor to check on Shaylen and Taigen.

My weapons of choice? Lysol Bleach cleaner and Lysol disinfectant spray, Antibacterial hand soap, water and lots of scrubbing. Let's hope for the best. If there are no posts in the near future, you'll know the enemy got me.

Can we start 2007 over?

Happy New Year!!!

While Taigen is upstairs recouperating, we have been busy in the basement. Here's a glimpse of what Marshall & Shaylen have been doing. Of course, I helped a bit too!

Fresh Photos from Sunday

Marshall and Shaylen donned their new attire for church yesterday and looked like a million bucks.

Shaylen's outfit is brought to you by Grandma Sherry, and Marshall's outfit is straight from the fashion center of Grandma Cathy and Grandpa LeDoux. You guys did a great job picking these out!

The Doctor is....sick

Taigen woke up this morning at 4:something feeling sick. It hit him full force this morning at 6:something and he is still in bed. I'm hoping he's up there sleeping, but I doubt that the sickies are allowing him to do much of that. Wasn't it so nice of Marshall to share? I'm wondering who will be next.