FHE: the little theatre

 

Another bonus to my sister/neighbor arrangement:  I dropped the boys at Mandi's this morning when I went visiting teaching.  Anyone who has been visiting teaching with two terrifying toddlers immediately knows the sigh of relief that comes with this statement. 

But, payment was exacted later when Mandi had the idea of building a puppet show stage out of her leftover giant bunkbed boxes.  She approached the right person.  My specialty is anything non-practical and completely unnecessary that keeps me from cleaning bathrooms and folding laundry.  So the two of us ignored our husbands' eye-rolling (as they slaved in the other room putting together bunkbeds) and outfun-ed the kids as we painted away at our (oops!) their little theatre tonight. 

The littles admired our handi-work proudly.  And were quite excited to perform for their dads. 

And sometimes that's what it's all about. 

   

I relied on my trusty printer in order to avoid socks or brown paper sack puppetry.  For now.  But the kids definitely got a kick out of *being* themselves in the story.

boy hair.

It grows quickly.  And I truly fail at keeping it hairdresser trimmed & under control.  Yes, mine are those children..they only look motherless. 

So Jim bought clippers and took matters into his own hands Friday night.

BEFORE:                                             AFTER:

     

BEFORE:                                             AFTER: 

   

While I do think that non-attached hair is a little vulgar, I couldn't resist snapping this shot because of the unbelievable pile on the floor after two tiny boys' cuts.

 

And then I cut Jim's.  And did a damn good job.
...if I say so myself.

the latest solution

Lots to be done?  Kids in the way? 

Here's my most current remedy:  

1.  Ask the hubs to bring home throw-away plans.

2.  Tell boys this job site needs some "work".  

3.  Spread out the pages & bring out the crayons. 

4.  Enjoy *quiet concentration* on both sides.

 

Serious business. 

breakfast at my house

This is for my own memory purposes.  In case this phase ever ends.  Every.single.morning my boys wake me with requests?...nay, demands!..for "eggs & toast & circles".  Sometimes I try to shake it up with offers of pancakes or cereal or oatmeal.  No.  They want their eggs. 

And toast. 

And circles. 

So this is my stovetop each morning:

 

Aidan takes two.  Davyn takes one, with a side of anywhere from 2 to 4 scrambled eggs (once we counted 7).  Did I mention that he's only 2?  Yes, I'm building giants. 

     

A drinks water.  D much prefers milk.

When there's fruit on the side, A needs it on an entirely separate plate or bowl.  D doesn't so much mind the co-mingling of peach juice and egg yolk. 

Do you forget all of these detailed preference (demands!) when they are old & gone?  I imagine it all fades despite how insistent it seems NOW as they dominate my days.

But I'll record them {just in case}.  

late night in my bed

10:30 P.M. and the boy was obviously not tired.  His latest nickname is evident even in his flirtation with the camera.  Davanova.  Rightfully earned when Madee rode home from Utah with us.  Poor girl sandwiched between Aidan's pokings and Davyn's kissings.  And when he wasn't busy puckering up, his plump fingers would reach to softly rub her arm..or leg..or back - any contact works with this one. 

Jim tacked a sing-song "all the ladies love him" onto the Davanova title about two weeks ago, and a whole new level of this persona erupted in my boy.  Along with a strut and shoulder-shaking moves.  So when we let a Davanova slip, he slides right along with "all the ladies love me".  And really, they do. 

I love this stage.  When they realize their own potential to captivate, produce laughter...how the mesmerizing power of *an audience* takes over.  I also love the {nearly once a week} nights when D stays up beyond his brother.  His charm turns double, as this second born relishes the full attention of two tired parents.  The "8:00 PM bedtime" blurs, and somehow that's fine.  Because, (somehow) he needs this, and (somehow) we do, too. 

Pure D-Light.