Bikes, boys and jumps...what more could one ask for?

The past week or so has been beautiful. It's been right on par for the end of January week of sun and warmth (50+ degrees). The weather is supposed to change back to cold, typical winter weather in the next couple of days so we made sure to make the most of it this weekend. The boys have been having so much fun on their new bikes that it's usually the first thing they ask to do in the mornings. 

I (Kai) decided that I would like to take a shot at commentating since Kadyn is usually the one to do it. However, I have recently found my voice and have begun speaking in sentences and even paragraphs...so it's due time for ME to tell you about our day. We went down to Shevlin Park with Nana and Papa while Daddy studied. 

 I made sure to collect rocks and sticks on our bike ride because I knew that we'd be throwing them in the river later on.

 After jumping off the tree stump (notice it's bigger than I am) with the stick IN MY HAND, Nana showed me how to throw it to the ground first, and then jump after it.

 Since I'm in to doing everything my brother does these days it was an easy decision to jump off the tree stump after him. However, I had to teach him the proper arms in the air technique.

 Don't forget...arms in the air "Tay-nin!"

 This is how it's done...

 I have already perfected the feet in the air strider ride and Kadyn is doing great on his big boy training wheel bike.

 No Papa, I think this stump might be too high for even the most skilled jumpers like us.

 After Kadyn fell off his bike, I took a turn. I insisted on doing it all by myself, but every once in awhile I had to let Papa give me a push.

 When we were all done riding bikes we went down to the river to throw in the sticks and rocks I collected.

We had such a wonderful day. 

Some funny kid quotes over the past couple of days just so you can all appreciate life with these wonderful boys...

Convo #1:

Kadyn: Kai, can we trade toys in a couple of minutes? 

Kai: What? 

Kadyn: (a bit slower this time) Kai, can we trade toys in a couple of minutes?

Kai: What?

Kadyn: Kai........can we trade toys in a couple of minutes?

Kai: What?

Kadyn:  Kai, you heard me.

Kai: What?

Kadyn: Kai, stop saying what.

Kai: (with a coy, sideways smile on his face) What?

Kadyn: KAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! MOMMY!!!!

Convo #2:

Kadyn: Does it hurt when mommies have babies in their tummies?

Mommy: Sometimes babies stretch out mommies tummies so much that the skin gets tight around the belly button and that does hurt a little bit.

Kadyn: Hmmm. (Stops to think for a bit) But Mommy, when I was a new baby, the only thing that hurt was when you and Daddy would give me a bath to clean my belly button. 

Mommy: (eyes wide...DID HE REALLY JUST SAY THAT?!) Um...wow. Okay. (This child will be in therapy when he's 30 recalling the trauma of being born.)

Every little boy's dream

We have to get creative when it's yucky outside. We're wishing we could have the snow the rest of the country seems to be getting, not rain. Yes, this is INSIDE our house. Ryan hooked up these rings to eyelets he put in our skylights. 

And Santa brought Ryan a helicopter that has brought hours of fun for ALL the boys in the house. 

It's hard to see, but it's about a foot above Boulder's head.

I'm BAAAAAAAACK...

No, I'm not committed to writing 6 days  a week like I was doing, but it sure feels good to write again...

www.transparenciesofmotherhood.blogspot.com

Christmas!

For Christmas this year we had our 5th annual Christmas Eve fondue party. It was very special to be able to spend it with Nana, Papa, Grammy, Pops, Uncle Drew, Uncle Anders, Aunt Chelsea, Uncle Cory, Cousin Isak, and our friends Canyon, Sawyer, and their parents Stacie and Greg. Despite Aunt TT and Uncle Jesse (and Laila!) not being here, it was such fun. 

I made sure we read T'was The Night Before Christmas (tradition) complete with passing the ball every time the word THE is said in the story. Grammy won the prize. How I remembered this was a tradition a year later is still amazing everyone.

Picture is missing Uncle Drew

Uncle Anders even read me a story in the middle of the organized chaos.

I was more than ready to go to bed (in my new Christmas jammies--also a tradition) so Santa could come. As previously mentioned, I really wanted a fake Christmas tree of my very own...complete with my own lights and ornaments. Santa snapped a quick picture before wrapping it up...

We woke up at the relatively reasonable hour of 6:45 am. To all that don't know...this is actually sleeping in for the Cheney household. (Mommy loves the picture below because it clearly shows how much Kai loves me...he watched EVERYTHING I do and repeats/parrots EVERYTHING I say.)  I was a little nervous while I was opening stockings that Santa hadn't brought me my tree...then Daddy plugged it in. I saw the glow through the wrapping paper and was SOOO excited. 

After opening our stockings and gifts from Santa we were able to Skype Grandpa. He enjoyed watching chaos resume as we tore through all of the other gifts from extended family. Shortly thereafter your typical Christmas morning began...I fell into the bookcase and smacked my head (Mommy thought for sure I was going to be gushing blood). After an hour of crying, Kai decided he wanted in on the fun and split his lip on the bathroom counter. Yup, just how Mommy pictured Christmas morning. After we composed ourselves we went to Nana and Papa's house to open more presents.

Isak caught on to opening presents quickly...we were very impressed. His technique of sitting on the gift while unwrapping I might need to master for next year.

For the afternoon/Christmas dinner we went to Grammy and Pops. I got to practice riding my new bike...the pictures are on Daddy's phone so you'll have to wait to see those :)

Merry Christmas!

Herding Cats

 Great Grandma wanted a picture of the 3 of us in our matching sweatshirts. When I told Isak this, he didn't believe me.

Isak insisted I teach him how to do it.

 First, Nana helped appropriately place us.

Then, I instructed them on the appropriate group picture taking etiquette. First, fold your hands nicely in front of you. 

Okay, maybe Isak is too little to fold his hands.

New tactic...Nana, we may need your help again. Okay, Isak. Skip the folding your hands part. Instead, sit still. Then, stick your tongue out.

Okay, Kai got the folded hands thing down...and Isak is still here. We're on a roll.

Okay boys, now put on your best face.

Hmm. That's the best you guys can do?

 Okay, fine. Just be cute.

Sorry Great Grandma...I tried.

Rub a dub dub

Bath time is so much more fun when there's THREE boys in the tub. Especially when there's new bath toys to play with.

Big boy snow shoes