Disney on Ice!

Aunt Amy and I took Ethan and Isaac to Disney on Ice this morning.

They seemed to have a great time. Both watched the show quietly but intently... and did participate some when asked to clap or yell something. It was focused on The Incredibles taking a family vacation to Disney. Syndrome was there, of course, and Ethan was not at all happy about that. Fortunately, The Incredibles saved the day!

Watching the show...

Intermission...

A-splishing and a-splashing...

Splish splash, I was taking a bath long about a Satur...er... Tuesday... night.
A rub dub, just relaxing in the tub...

Not too old yet for bath shots (of the boys)! Daddy is a minimalist... thus the few toys. Mommy just throws them all (50 or so) in. Daddy also wouldn't go for the funny shampoo head shots... he can be such a party pooper sometimes!

Yes... that's none other than Aquaman Oliver is holding!

And of course, Mr. Ham himself insisted he too be in on the action (photos)...

Security breach reported

February 21, 2009, Westerville, OH. Earlier this morning, authorities report being called to the scene where an apparent security breach occurred. Adults at the scene, identified as 'the parents,' were unable to comment. They were found huddled in a corner, rocking back and forth repeating the words: "We have lost all control..." over and over. The two offenders both had comments. The offender identified as Collin Moore was quoted as saying: "DAAAAAA! Dooga dooga dooga." and the other identified as Oliver Moore said: "Yeaaaao dooga bleha dauao seehiittt!"

Security cameras captured these still photos of the crime:

Visitors from the NW...

Amy, Katie, Ashley and Ben came to visit us yesterday on their way back home (Tacoma, WA) from visiting Amy's parents in North Canton. It was great to see them again – it’s been two years – so we have really missed them. The older kids are close enough in age that they had a lot of fun together. As for the twins, Oliver (our people person) really loved all the attention. Collin wasn't so sure at first, but still enjoyed the attention in the end I think.

Once the twins went to bed, the basement (aka kid's playland) became the hang out.

We can't wait to see all of you again!

On a side note, how old do I feel? I used to change Katie’s diapers when they lived in Columbus. She just turned 18! Since I am only 29 (okay...32), I am not sure how it's even possible that she is now 18… ???

Plastic sandwich baggies... who knew?

We have been brave lately - we are letting the twins roam that first floor (normally they are gated into their play room, aka our family room). These adventures are very supervised of course, as you might imagine one goes in one direction and the other in another direction! Kitchen drawers have naturally been a source of interest. In one, Oliver found the plastic sandwich baggies, of which I let him pull out a few.

Collin saw this and came sprinting over (which is a thundering noise for those of you who haven't heard it) to get in on the action. They both played with these three baggies for a half hour! Scrunching them, trading them back and forth, fighting over them and taking turns sticking them into the different drawers.

Who knew plastic sandwich baggies could be so entertaining? Forget Toys R Us, I'm going to Giant Eagle for their next birthday!

For any of you concerned (about babies and plastic bags of any sort), the baggies have been moved and the twins are always fully supervised. You can now sleep tonight. :)

Can I borrow your card mom?

I walked into the living room, looking for Oliver "lighting feet" Moore, and found this...

By the time I ran for my camera, he had my cell phone. I hope that explains any calls from me that you might have received with just heavy breathing on this end.

He worked his way to my wallet and was quickly successful getting into it. He left the money (there wasn't much) and went right for the credit cards... which he just kind of ran his fingers over and gave me an eye twinkling smile. Really, at 18 months this starts?

Celebrations!

Today was a day of three celebrations.

First it was Valentine's Day. I hope you all had a wonderful day with your loved ones.

Second, we had Papa and Grammy Moore over to celebrate their birthdays (which were/are last Wednesday and tomorrow respectively). Happy Birthday!

Blowing out candles...

Third, the twins turned 18 months old! I think I realized just this week that they are now toddlers and not babies. Part of me is sad to say that... my babies are growing up. It happens so fast. I don't think I am going to stop calling them "my babies" just yet though... so humor me.

I thought everyone might like to see some photos from birth until now, to see how much they have changed and grown.

August 2007 - 1 week old...

September 2007

October 2007

November 2007

December 2007

March 2008

July 2008

November 2008

February 2009

"The best snack mix EVER!"

On Sunday (yes, I know it's Friday... it's been one of those weeks), Ethan and Steve were running a couple errands. Apparently Ethan was getting hungry and told daddy that he was going to make a snack mix when he got home. Immediately upon walking in the door Ethan announced this plan to me. "Mom I am going to make the best snack mix EVER! I need Cheerios, Mighty Bites, Wheat Chex, pretzels and raisins. Can you get those out for me?" (he said with a serious but excited tone)

While eating it, he was very pleased with himself and his creation. All the boys enjoyed it actually.

Yes, the above is our goofy little ham... do you see why it's so hard to get decent photos?!

I thought it was very cute and very big boy like. Hopefully his joy of making things continues. Maybe by the time he is six he will be making us dinner! Hey, a mom can dream...

Say...

CHEESE!!! Or is it cheeser?!

And yes, that is also cream cheese all over his face, hands and cup... to go with his cheesy smile.

A new 'sport'...

We apparently have a new sport in our house - stripping. Don't panic, I am not talking about Steve and I... ewwww. I am talking specifically about two of the three little boys in our house - Oliver and Ethan. They have done it randomly over the last few months and it appears to be here to stay. Just last week Erin called me to tell me that when she went to check on Collin and Oliver, who were supposed to be napping but were not, she found Oliver completely nude standing in his crib giggling. Yes, diaper and all. He's good. I wish I could say that was the first time, but alas that was not.

This afternoon, Steve and I were playing with the twins in the family room and Ethan was on the computer in the living room playing a game. Lauren came downstairs, stopped in the living room to talk to Ethan and then walked over to us with a somewhat concerned look on her face. She said, "Um... did you know that Ethan was playing on the computer wearing nothing but his socks?" After all three of us laughed... Steve said, "Get your camera...!" Ahhhh, memories.

Contributions to the Moore children's therapy fund can be sent to...

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah...

Somehow in our house hair grows faster than we can keep up with and next thing we know we have the fifth Beatle living with us.

Well, Collin looks more like he is a 1990's skateboard throw back with his LONG bangs and Ethan just gets bushy. Lauren is the only one who can still look good no matter what.By the way, in case any of you who have known me for a long time think that I purposely am grooming Oliver to look like a Beatle - that is not so. True I did have quite an affinity for all things Beatle (especially involving Paul) in my younger days. But I haven't been a Club Sandwich fan club member since 1996, really. It is also true that I tried very hard to convince Steve to name Collin - Collin McCartney Moore (which obviously did not work - but doesn't it flow nicely?) And it is also true that if Sir Paul would ask me to be his third wife I would graciously accept. Oh don't feel bad for Steve. If Paul McCartney asked him for his hand in marriage, Steve would accept as well - come on people - it's Sir Paul McCartney!!! But regardless, none of that is why Oliver currently looks like a Beatle... I swear...

LOOKIE!!!!

Look who's walking!!

Collin has been attempting a step here and there for over a month. Two weeks ago he became adamant about standing up in the middle of the room by himself to where he would do it over and over and over and...etc... again (but not for video cameras!!!). Sometimes he would fall immediately, sometimes take a step or two before falling, but he just got right back up every time. He is now walking consistently at least five steps. He is best at accomplishing this when he is standing holding onto something and then walking away, rather than standing up in the middle of the room and walking.

He is SUPER proud of himself when he does this (you can hear his heavy excited breathing in the video if you listen closely)... it is so cute to see his excitement!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!!

PBA Watch Out!

Ethan was invited to a bowling birthday party Saturday. This was his first bowling adventure ever, as a matter of fact. He did pretty well... only ran down the bowling lane once... of course it only takes once to learn that lesson the hard way (it's slippery and he went down hard on his bottom.) For the most part, his preferred method was to sit on his knees and push hard... but he threw it from a standing position a few times too. (guess who forgot her camera and had to use the camera on her phone???!)

I was feeling a little stress and guilt over the fact that we have never taken him bowling, mostly because I found out that out of all the kids he was the only one who hadn't. So, I set up a mini bowling lane in our hallway (welcome to my special brand of crazy mom.) Ten round wooden blocks and the twins' 5 lb medicine ball put us in business. Surprisingly it DID actually help him prepare!

On a side note... if you are wondering how long one game with eleven kids (ages 4-7) lasts - the answer is TWO HOURS (and that is with two active lanes!!) That is NOT the cake and present part... NOT even the getting shoes and balls part. That was the time it took for them to BOWL one game with two lanes active... and also, if you are wondering... the machine is not sensitive enough to detect balls rolled as lightly, nor thrown as softly as theirs were (once they made it to the pins the momentum was gone) so you must have a designated 'reset button pusher.' But... it was fun... and definitely funny... and we might do it again... in ten or so years...