Pool Toys are Awesome Now

So pool toys are *way* cooler than when I was a kid. This is basically one small step below having an actual boat for your two year old. The boys thought it was a blast to steer and honk the horn. Thanks to Uncle Mike for bringing it along.

Drinking Pop

One day I pulled a can of pop out of the fridge and Ben gestured that he wanted it. I handed him an unopened one and he did what he always sees mom and dad with it. Matt had to have one minute he saw Ben with one. And so they had a good time 'drinking' pop for awhile. I'm not sure if they think mom and dad just enjoy holding cold metal cylinders to their faces or what. Side note: Notice the noise Ben makes when he stands up on the couch. Its remarkably similar to the noise Dad and Grandpa Wetzel make when they lift heavy things. So its either genetic or learned early. Also, it goes without saying that the playing with pop cans lasted another 10 minutes before a can was punctured and Resolve had to be used.

Matt and Ben: Another Comparison

Our Friends Brian and Christi have the coolest kid toy I've seen. The kind that when I was a kid (did i just write that?) required a trip to Chucky Cheese or at least a County Fair. They were kind enough to set it up and let the boys play along. The boys had a blast and we learned that Ben is very cautious and deliberate. And that Matt has no fear.



Even going head first Ben is still cautious and in control:



and more of Matt's headfirst tumbling:

Ben Crashed Out

Ben Crashed Out, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

Ben wasn't feeling well one of the nights we went looking for houses. He made it through 3 of 4, but crashed hard on the last one.

Matt and Duncan Playing

Duncan has decided he likes Matt's game of "Lets Go in Circles" They've tried playing where Duncan leads, but Matt eventually gets lapped.

I've also decided that the area rug on our living room floor will be the equivalent of the rust orange shag carpeting from my childhood pictures.

Missing Mom

So Jess is out of town for work. This means that the boys get to hang out with me and eat frozen waffles for dinner every night. We did get her a webcam so she could chat with the boys while she's out of town. Ben apparently decided that she must really miss Giraffee.

This a New Game We Call "Stand on Daddy"

IMG_5019, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

It consists of stepping up on my chest, then stepping down, then stepping up, then stepping down.

I'm hoping the novelty wears off by the time they're in Junior High

Grandpa and all the Grandkids

IMG_0102, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

No chance of getting all the kids to look at the camera. No amount of singing and stuffed animal waving would work. Heck, it took Ritz crackers just to keep the boys sitting down.

Blooper Reel

So for every great picture I get of a smiling boy looking directly at the camera, there are often many many that are the exact opposite of that. Sometimes they're as amusing as the picture I'm actually trying to take. I've included a few of them below

Different Soccer Styles

The boys have started taking soccer. I should say they've started taking "soccer." It's held in a soccer practice facility, and they do kick soccer balls. However there are bubbles involved. songs are sung. And a parachute does come out at the end.

Ben is getting pretty good with the kicking. Matt still seems like he needs to be convinced not to use his hands.

In Which Ben Attempts to Guess my Password

Teaching Ben to Blog, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

Here Ben attempts to hack into my blog so that he can remove all the embarrassing pictures I've put up so far.

Matt and Grandma

IMG_4350, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

Matt and Ben have the AL and NL Covered

Matt and Ben have the AL and NL Covered, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

I'm not too worried about them being conflicted over a World Series anytime soon.

Whatever One has, the Other Wants

We've reached that point where if one of the boys has something, the other wants it. Even if he already has an identical item. I find myself saying "No, he had it first." over and over. This is just a stage and only lasts a few months, right?

Smiley Matt

IMG_4925, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

Ben: Matt, quick, distract Mom with your best innocent smile while I tie her shoelaces together.