Bubble Baths

I've mentioned before how much I love bath time. I think I love it so much because my boys love bath time so much.

 After Makai's bath, Ezra took a jacuzzi bath that he went crazy for. There was too much water for Makai, so I opted to exclude him from the fun.

That little face is my favorite of all his faces. It's his "you made my day" face. I love it.

He's so proud of himself anytime he goes under water.  

Makai was extremely interested in the bath. I think he felt left out :(

Aren't babies squatting so adorable? I love it. I think he was trying to jump in.

So I put him in the tub again. This is what happened. I guess that's not what he wanted. Look at that sad wittle face.

Then he tried to climb out. That was the end of Makai's jacuzzi bath experience.

 It cracks me up how excited kids get when you change up their routine a little bit. I love those bubbly boys.

Tressler Boy Update

Ezra:

Ezra chose this pic for the post 

Adorable

Runs everywhere

Is only slightly dramatic

HAS to be the one to say EVERY prayer

Makes himself laugh
Has the highest pitched laugh

Loves "cool" baths (bubble bath, jacuzzi tub style)

Favorite color is green

Is obsessed with our "Learning Time"

Loves doing projects

Sings while he plays

Constantly tells me I'm his buddy and best friend
Loves playing rough with daddy
He especially enjoys sword fighting and saying "take it like a man!"
Eats like a very picky bird, but is slowly getting better at trying new things (liking them is another issue)
Has THE WEAKEST gag reflex ever and vomits regularly because of it
Always has to show off his shirts first thing when he gets to preschool
Strokes my hair while we snuggle
Still loves the wii, but thankfully asks for it much less
Every show and movie he has ever seen is his favorite
Paranoid for his brother's safety (you'll never hear him scream as loud as he does when he thinks Makai is in danger)
Knows everyones name at preschool and says they are all his friends
Loves when he's praised for good listening
Has to know what's going to happen when he wakes up before he'll go to sleep
Wakes up early every morning and asks if it's too early to be awake
Stays awake anyways
So proud that he can hold his breath and go under water
Excited to learn to read
Makes his bed all by himself and reminds me what a big boy he is because of it
Mommy's little helper (He helped me fold laundry and actually did a decent job!)
Never picks his nose (I thought all kids did that, but he thinks it's gross)
Loves to have "talks" and asks for them often
Called Grandma in after bedtime to ask if bread started with a "d"
Can verbally spell his name and can write all the letters for his name
Calls himself Ezra James Trexler
Thinks Makai's name is Makai Neil Mommy
Says and does the funniest things
Favorite toys that he just can't sleep without are always small and easy to lose
So excited to be a daddy, but told me the other day that he will wait
Always asks if he can stay on 2 anytime I give him 3 or 5 minutes before we leave
The funniest, sweetest little boy I know and he really is my best buddy.

Makai:

Also adorable

Goes up and down stairs like a champ

Loves slides; climbs them and goes down them all by himself

Mega daddy's boy

Eats everything, especially broccoli and cheese

Won't give up his double naps

Stopped nursing in October and hated me for a couple days because of it

Enjoys coloring

Walks the opposite direction we want to go any time we go somewhere

Says "mama", "da", "go", "di jit"(did it), "a go"(all gone), "mo"(more), "aww"
Snuggles a lot and loves to give hugs
Says "aww" while he hugs you or a stuffed animal
Doesn't mind sharing and is very tolerant of an occasionally bully brother
Has the saddest sad face
Has the funniest mad face
Makes the cutest surprised face
Can sit through anything as long as snacks are endless
Loves animals
Got a bloody finger after trying to pet a chicken
Guzzles water like it's the best thing he has ever tasted
Thinks it's hilarious to drink the bath water
Signs "Please" and "More" (I've tried teaching him others, but these are the two that normally get edible reinforcement, so they've stuck)
Intrigued with the spice drawer and brings us spices often
Says "mmm" after just about every bite
My fearless escapee
Can't help but dance when he hears music
Plays "ready, set, go" with daddy anytime he picks him up (Makai puts his fist in the air, James says "ready, set" then Makai pulls his fist down and James says, "go", then they run up and down the hall literally laughing all the way.)
Puts his hands out to the side and tilts his head to say, "I don't know"
Totally attached to his binky
Still a little guy
Points to his ear when you ask where just about any body part is
Does not like to perform "tricks" on demand
Has the squishiest tush in all the world
Loves to be held
Laughs any time we play with his bouncing Tigger or his Jack in the Box
Really enjoys having his teeth brushed
Hates when I close the door while using the restroom
Cries a lot
Likes to stand on his head
The squishiest, most snuggly baby in the world and I could just squeeze him.

I'm slightly biased, but I think my kids are pretty great. Time outs or no time outs, I think I'll keep them.

All I Want for Christmas ...

Ezra keeps asking me when Santa is bringing his spinning toy. I made the mistake of buying it in front of him and telling him that I was going to give it to Santa and see if Santa could bring it to Ezra for Christmas. I love that a 3 year old will believe my obnoxious lies. Though I do feel badly on occasion for them. Now whenever we go to the store or flip through a magazine Ezra decides he wants everything and he tells me to tell Santa. He would be happy with a lollipop for Christmas, but I think it's fun for him to feel the freedom of asking for everything. Especially when my response isn't always, "It's too expensive." I usually just say, "Okay, we'll ask Santa."

Up until last night I believed that he really wanted everything he pointed to. However, we've been listening to Christmas music and while at the grocery store last night Ezra was going around singing, "All I want for Christmas is ... a toothbrush." Really? Great! That saves my Santa's budget.

He also turned to me in the check out line and said, "Mom, that girl is really pretty." I'm telling ya, this kid keeps me smiling.

Fall Leaves

One of my favorite fall memories as a kid is jumping in the leaves. Since we lived in Idaho (not known for having many trees) we didn't get any chances to jump in a pile of crunchy leaves. It was so fun to be able to jump and roll in the leaves with the boys. I just never realized what a chore it can be to rake them back up after each jump. I guess that must've been my dad's job :)

Looks like he's having fun up until he gets a piece of leave in his mouth and vomits all over our leaf pile. That's when we moved to the front yard.

Then the boys decided to help Grandma plant some bulbs:

I really love Fall.

Mr. Charming

Every now and then James gets sweet. And twice in 4 years it has resulted in surprise flowers. Surprises make me feel awkward and special all at the same time. The boys thought it was great to get flowers. I gotta admit, I had extra smiles that day because of these beauties. Ezra decided that my favorite flower was also his favorite. I was most impressed that James remembered. Ezra couldn't wait for the Stargazer Lily at the top to bloom and neither could I.

 They're dying now, so I'm ready for some more. 

Thanks Tressler. I really like when you're sweet. It makes me like you. More.

A Visit With Nana

My mom came to visit last week. It was really nice to have her here. James' Grandma had just passed away the week before, so things were a little crazy around here, but everything worked out. She made it just in time to see Ezra play soccer. We went to a Pumpkin Festival at his school, the Fire Department for a safety class and tour and we even ventured to the beach. We were also able to spend two days visiting my mom's best friend, Sandee. We went on the Naval Base and saw all the cool airplanes. We  went downtown Annapolis, had lunch where the Obama's apparently go when their in town and we checked out some cool boats on the water. Then we went to Port Discovery. And of course we did some shopping and even stayed at a fancy hotel (one of my favorite things to do).

My niece, Ashley and Ezra with our new friend The Fireman. I'm so glad we took Ashley, because she knew all the answers during the fire safety class.

That helmet seriously weighed at least half as much as Ezra. He was terrified of firefighters before, which is why we went to meet them, but now every time we drive by the department, he gets so excited and shouts, "The Fire House!"

Nana Kaffy (Kathy)

Sandee (family friend for almost 30 years)

PORT DISCOVERY:

We probably spent most of our time at the water exhibit.

 James had just as much fun as the kids at Port Discovery. He is easily fascinated by so many things and I love that about him.

Just had full knee replacement surgery and already surfing?

It was really nice to have her here for a short visit before her big cruise. Thanks for coming Nana. Ezra still reminds me how sad you are because he didn't come home with you. 

Halloween Festivities

Happy Halloween Everyone!

We had a good Halloween this year. It started with our Trunk or Treat. Then on the 28th we walked with Ezra's preschool to the Elementary School Costume Parade. Then Sunday night we had our Halloween dinner. I was hoping to have a family party, but dinner didn't go so well, so I canceled the fun. We were going to go Trick-or-treating at the local shopping center on Saturday, the 29th, but due to the cold, wet weather we skipped out and replaced that with Trick or Treating at the mall Monday evening. Then James put his finishing touches on the outdoor decor and took little Ez trick or treating "the real way". Now I'm just putting away decorations and munching all of the boys' candy.