Twins | The TaterTwins

Random Wednesday.

2 May posted by Jayme

A group of my online friends decided to start watching what they eat and working out. This way they can motivate each other, and be accountable for actually doing it. I usually zone out when they start talking about carbs and jogging, but somehow I got sucked in this time, and decided to maybe join them.

I downloaded an app to track my food and (lack of) exercise. I figure the first step is figuring out what I do wrong when it comes to my food choices, and going from there. It’s a step, right?

We’ll see how long I last. I’m not feeling especially motivated yet.

The boys have been to their group speech therapy twice now. I really like it- it’s fun to sit back and watch them interact with kids their age. All of the kids that are in the group happen to be boys, and they are all within a month or two of the twins’ age.

I was a little nervous that my kids would be a little too rough for the others- they are always wrestling, doing karate, and just all around rough and tumble. And since they’re the youngest, and they’ve never been around babies, they haven’t learned how to be gentle.

I also wasn’t sure how they’d be in regards to the fact they’ve always played together- but I was pleasantly surprised to see them split up and play with other kids, and do separate things. They were aware of each other but they didn’t need to be playing with the same toys. One would string beads while the other was driving cars. However, I did notice a few times where one would realize the other wasn’t playing next to him and he’d try to get his brother to do what he was interested in.

Another thing I noticed is that Dylan would insist on playing with a green toy when given the option of several colors. Ryan wasn’t as picky. I think it stems from when they were teeny newborns- we always gave Dylan green bottles and Ryan blue ones- to track how much they’d eaten and not mix them up. The brand we used came in those two colors.

Ever since then, when I buy stuff in two colors, I get green and blue and Dylan gets green and Ryan gets blue. I do it for sippy cups, toys (if it’s something I am going to buy two of), their backpacks- pretty much whatever I don’t get in identical versions.

I think that my boys should grow mustaches. What do you think?

2 Comments
Filed Under: 1featured, random thoughts, twins

Oh! My! Boys!

26 Apr posted by Jayme

Oh my dear blog, today is a DAY!

First Dylan was running around the kitchen, prancing and hopping as he likes to do, when he smashed his head into the corner of the counter. It created like a puncture wound- it’s deep and it bled for awhile. And it’s under his hair, so we couldn’t put a band-aid on it unless we were willing to shave a spot of his head.

Aaron was home for lunch when that happened, and we decided he probably didn’t need a stitch for it since it let up after awhile. He sat and watched TV for awhile holding a napkin to his head. Ryan was sweet to him for half a second and pulled a blanket up over him and patted his head.

I’ll spare you the bloody wound photos and just share the cute one of them acting like they like each other:

Then the girls came home from school, which immediately makes the boys go crazy. They get all wound up and today they went from cuddly, sleepy twins to spastic and energetic punks. They were in the living room, and Ryan decided to jump off of the recliner. He’s half blind and not as agile as Dylan, so needless to say it didn’t go as he planned.

He face planted and teeth went through his teeth and lip. Blood poured out- and I couldn’t see where it was coming from at first. Once I finally got his mouth to slow down so that I could clean it up from the rest of his body where it dripped, I noticed he also has rug burn on his forehead.

Two bloody boys in one day- it’s a record.

2 Comments
Filed Under: 1featured, injury, twins

Bazinga!

19 Apr posted by Jayme

5 Comments
Filed Under: twins, video

Hold On!

27 Mar posted by Jayme

I came across the coolest thing recently- Hold-On Handles. I’ve been struggling with the twins lately when we are out and about. They don’t want to stay in the shopping cart or their stroller a lot of the time. They whine to get out, and I can’t hold two toddler’s hands while trying to push a cart and shop for what I need. So when I saw Hold-On Handles, I just knew I had to give them a try and see if the boys would use them.

They arrived about a week ago, and I was immediately impressed with the thought put into the creation of the Hold-On Handles. With a parent wrist strap, a huge, easy to work carabiner, and adjustable lengths for the handles, it’s perfect for so many situations. I’ve used it hooked to my purse when my hands are full, attached to the shopping cart, and looped on to my wrist- all with great success. I wish I had these years ago, I think they’d have been perfect for when I had a few older kids and a baby or two in a stroller to keep everyone together at malls, fairs, and other events.

The kid’s handles are painted adorably, and the adjustable straps have quick release buckles just in case your kids tangle themselves up. Our set is the one pictured above, the Ocean Odyssey Double Handle Set, but you can get them with just one handle, or purchase extra handles as well. There are two other handles that coordinate with it. Additionally, there’s another double set that is bug themed.

It only took the twins a short time to learn that they could either hold on to their handles or ride in the cart- and they clearly preferred to hold on as told. They enjoy the freedom to walk beside me, and I am not constantly chasing them or sending the girls after them. These are an amazing help, and I highly recommend Hold-On Handles to anyone with more than one child, especially multiples!

6 Comments
Filed Under: 1featured, gear, Review, twins

Step2 My Clubhouse

6 Mar posted by Jayme

A couple weeks ago, we were delivered the Step2 My Clubhouse right to our front door and the twins were SO excited! They ran outside and tried to drag in it themselves, it was so funny.

step2 my clubhouse

They got lucky because that same day, Aaron happened to come home for lunch and was able to put it together for them. He was able to build the My Clubhouse in less than a half an hour, with two little helpers getting in his way and no extra hands needed from me. I was so impressed- often toys like this are difficult to set up, but not so with this one!

building step2 clubhouse

The size of the My Clubhouse is just perfect for the twins. It’s not so huge that they are too small for it, yet it still allows some growing room. It’s recommended for ages 2 & up, and as you can see, Dylan is tall enough to see out the door, but definitely no where near the roof, so he’s got plenty of years of play to go.

step2 clubhouse

We weren’t thinking ahead though- because we built it right in our living room. So now, unless we take it apart (which Aaron said would be simple and quick to do), we’re stuck with it in our house. But since it’s winter, we figure we’ll leave it inside for awhile longer. The boys really enjoy eating at the little picnic table that’s built in.

In addition to the the picnic table and chalkboard that you can see in the photos, there’s also a secret compartment inside the My Clubhouse, as well as the weather resistant fabric roof. There’s a side door, and the boys will open it up like it is above and the way the clubhouse is situated in our house, it makes it seem even bigger inside. They’ll bring in chairs and toys and play for hours.

The Step2 My Clubhouse is available exclusively at Toys R Us and retails for about $170-$200. If you’re looking for a fun playhouse for your toddlers, I highly recommend checking this one out. Not only is it fun for the kids, but it’s sturdy and aesthetically pleasing- no primary rainbow colors here! It easily coordinates with your house and decor, whether you choose to use it indoors or out.

Just a quick little video of the boys filling their clubhouse up with some toys. It’s not uncommon for the twins to retreat into it with several toys- I think they hide from their sisters in there!