Increasingly Difficult

We tried shopping for patio furniture this past weekend . . .

In all honesty, it wasn't 'that' bad:

Yes, Finn.  We'll buy it; but only if you promise 

to break it in the next few years.

Mirabelle is revolting against society's shoe wearing requirements . . . 

but not against kisses from Daddy . . . she LOVES those!

Dear Universe, Please Buy Me . . .

. . . a portable DVD player with dual screens.  If you don't feel like a part of 'the Universe', but want to help in some small way . . . click on these blog ads every time you visit my site.  I, nay we (my babies will directly benefit), get paid each time you click on the ad even if you do nothing afterwards.

Last week Aunt Quinn & I spent five hours in the car crossing my home state, and another six hours on the way back, in an effort to spend some much needed quality time with my Grandma (visiting my Oma will require crossing an ocean . . . maybe I should ask the Universe for a private jet instead because we miss our Oma dearly).

Yes, I am aware the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages TV watching before the age of two.  Out of curiosity, has this Academy tried taking an extended car ride with 12 month-old twins in the last two weeks?   I'm a firm believer there is always an exception to the rule and my exception is this:

Dear Universe,

If you buy me a portable DVD player (Sam's Club has the Phillips 9" dual screens on sale for $177) I promise to only use it for out of town trips.  I also promise to never show Barney, Barbie Princess crap or anything with a sock monkey in it.

Sincerely yours,

World's Best Mommy 

In other news, our trip to Grandma's was wonderful!  She fed the babies Krispy Kreme donuts every morning securing her status as favorite-person-in-the-house.  The twins also enjoyed creating a new game:  See How Fast Grandma Moves When We Try To Touch . . .

Finally, I was raised to believe a wonderful house guest is one who leaves no trace of their visit.  Unfortunately, with two snotty noses, one drool bucket and table manners my dogs would disown, it's safe to say we left a large blinding sign that read:  'Finn & Belle Wuz Here:  On the carpet, the counters, the dining chairs, the kitchen floor, the bathtub and most of the upholstered furniture'.

Hopefully we're invited back sometime, we promise to work on our table manners before then.

Grandma with Finn, Belle & Scout (Finn's new BFF)

Best Teether EVER!

My girl, Sarah, is a speech language pathologist.  When the twins started teething she reached into her 'toolbox' and pulled out some Chewy Tubes (extremely creative name with equally savvy website to match).  These are typically used for her patients, but being a MOT (Mother of Teether) herself, she's found them very useful for teething.

These tubes just happen to be Finn & Belle's all time favorite chew toys.  Since they are designed by speech therapists specifically for oral rehabilitation they fit perfectly into the mouth.  Of course they are non-toxic and made of FDA approved material.  The T-shape ensures the tube won't become a choking hazard and also provides various points of friction to sooth multiple sore gum spots.

I'm proud to report the twins also learned how to make it a whistle (I know, I'm raising geniuses).

Happiness Is A Room Full Of New Toys

Folks, we've been in a playtime rut recently.  Now that the babies are crawling, (climbing, standing, cruising, screeching, barking, etc.) they find it more enjoyable to play with my glass vase full of fake flowers, pretty coffee table books that were never meant to be read (much less touched) and any available power cord, coaster or remote control.

Then it dawned on me, as the obvious eventually does, they're bored with their existing toys.  Why shouldn't they be, rattles really aren't that complicated.  So, thanks to our yard  sale we've upgraded the play area with more exciting toy options.

Here's some of our favorite things right now:

IKEA's MULA stacking rings (come one peeps, for $6 I really should have bought two).








IKEA's KORALL ANEMON lady bug tent.

My sister teaches at a Waldorf school.  I like some of their philosophy on early childhood play, particularly the idea of creating 'secret' cove-like environments for play.

We bought some cool pillows (from IKEA, of course) to go inside Ms. Ladybug.  Each morning I set up a new toy experience inside the tent for the babies to discover when they crawl out of the nursery.





IKEA's SPEJA tunnel

A personal favorite with the babies.  As soon as they started crawling on their hands and knees we ran to store (or rather  drove 4 hours to the nearest IKEA) to get this asap.

Mirabelle loved it immediately, Finn was a little unsure of it for about a day before venturing inside.

Playskool's Step Start Walk 'N Ride

Nana just sent this to us (thank you! thank you!).  Finn is ready to start his first triathlon just as soon as he can learn to walk. This will surely get him conditioned and ready for his first 'Look Ma, no hands!' steps.

B. Wheee-ls! for Target

'Aunt' Shannon told us about these!  You pull them back, let them go and they race forward (just like magic).  


Oddly, Finn was a little upset about them at first and would only play with them from the safety of my lap.  Now he spends all morning trying to recreate the magic on his own.

B. Whacky Balls for Target


Okay, these were geared towards 1 - 3 year olds, but I already believe my children are geniuses.  They understand the concept, but have a hard time with the motor skills.  


The hammer is a little problematic (Finn hit me on the head yesterday for fun).  We now hide the hammer and teach them to hit the balls with their hands.