Thomas the Train

 ALL ABOARD....

 Where is Thomas?

 Parker handed out our tickets.

 

 All Smiles when the whistle blew....

 Priceless.

 Here comes Conductor Bob to punch our tickets.

 
 

 

 Thomas at the Train Station

Patio lunch at Mi Dia's in Grapevine but first alittle rest with with our new friend.

 

 

Thank you Grandmama &  Grand Pa Pair for a Day with Thomas the Train.

It was a wonderful 3rd Birthday gift for us all to enjoy.

Chugga Chugga Choo-Choo these litte engines had a full day and are all out of steam (so are Mommy & Daddy's engines).

Almost THREE

Where did the past 3 years go????

It is hard to believe boys will be celebrating their 3rd Birthday in April. Yet in some way it all makes sense to us. They are amazing us everyday with their knowledge and vocabulary. Life is very busy these days but all so very funny and filled with ALOT of love.

Latest and Greatest:

• Potty Training has started and they have done really well. Noah surprised us both at how ready he really was to start. We knew Parker was more than ready but Noah yeah! We are very proud of them. Day 5 in underwear. (Update: 4-14-2013 Boys are BOTH potty trained. Diaper only a night time and nap but nap time diapers are dry 50% of the time. Wow what a big change this part is...funny thing now is boys think nature is a potty.)
• Favorite shows these days - Dora, Diego, Little Bear and finally 2 new shows - Fireman Sam and Classic Curious George.
• They are both talking non-stop. Their vocabulary is very rich. Sentences all day.
• They can both sing the "ABC" song, "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Issy bitsy Spider" all the way though - so cute. Love their voices.
• Parker is also reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as well.
• Counting - Parker is up to 19. Noah up to 11.
• Not reading books themselves but love to have books read to them. They get the concept that words on the page are a story. We have started reading Step 1 books.
• Noah 36" and 31 lbs. Parker 37" and 35 lbs. Noah size 8.5 shoe, Parker 9.5 shoe. Size 2-4T clothing.
• Love school. It was a very smart decision. 2 days wk is great. There last day is May 21st. They will start again in September 2 days a week again.

Mama in the photo

I read this great article recently and even though I'm only 2.11 yrs into motherhood, it resonated with me. I only have a dozen or so picture of myself with Noah and Parker of the million I've taken of them. Usually because I'm the one behind the lens, but also because I don't think to get in the photo or I'm not 'photo ready' at that moment.

from the article:

"I hesitated. I avoid photographic evidence of my existence these days. To be honest, I avoid even mirrors. When I see myself in pictures, it makes me wince. I know I am far from alone; I know that many of my friends also avoid the camera. It seems logical. We're sporting mama bodies and we're not as young as we used to be. We don't always have time to blow dry our hair, apply make-up, perhaps even bathe. The kids are so much cuter than we are; better to just take their pictures, we think...
...I'm everywhere in their young lives, and yet I have very few pictures of me with them. Someday I won't be here -- and I don't know if that someday is tomorrow or thirty or forty or fifty years from now -- but I want them to have pictures of me. I want them to see the way I looked at them, see how much I loved them. I am not perfect to look at and I am not perfect to love, but I am perfectly their mother...
...When I look at pictures of my own mother, I don't look at cellulite or hair debacles. I just see her -- her kind eyes, her open-mouthed, joyful smile, her familiar clothes. That's the mother I remember. My mother's body is the vessel that carries all the memories of my childhood. I always loved that her stomach was soft, her skin freckled, her fingers long. I didn't care that she didn't look like a model. She was my mama...
...So when all is said and done, if I can't do it for myself, I want to do it for my kids. I want to be in the picture, to give them that visual memory of me. I want them to see how much I am here, how my body looks wrapped around them in a hug, how loved they are."
 

33 Months Old Now

Noah and Parker are amazing. They make us say "Wow" everyday. Most of the time for good stuff and occasionally the bad stuff.

Noah is a very sweet boy. He tends to be more reserved but when he talks - you listen. It is always so fascinating to hear what he is thinking. He does have a loud and wild side. It pops out about once a day. Noah LOVES to play hide and seek. "Ready, Set, here I come". He has totally mastered riding his tricycle in fact, he is showing off how he can pedal and not use his hands to steer. This little tot doesn't have alot of fear. He feels pretty secure with life - its great. He does know right from wrong and what the "rules" are around the house. He will remind you if you are not following the rules. You know who you are!?! Noah has taken after his mommy - he loves art. He can even paint/color within the lines but loves to color all over too. Noah has a good sense of humor, amazing amoounts of focus if needed and nice golf swing too.

Parker is a teddy bear. He has mastered ALOT more than most at this age. He is a walking dictionary.He talks all the time, says "let me tell you why" and ask non-stop "Why?". He doesn't settle for a a basic answer - he really wants to understand the concept. Parker has taken after his daddy - loves to cook. He is a a big helper too. Wants to help with everything which is plus and minus. He is very considerate and sensative. He is so aware of the world around him. Collin and I keep hoping he will just enjoy the moment more than always wanting to know what is next - I love that he is a planner but he's a bit young. ha ha. Parker is all about mommy these days, gum and coins. Speaking of coins I have to mention he is a locksmith. He taught himself to unlock secondary doors with a coin.

The boys are best friends. They are very different yet rely and are concerned about the other all the time. They have started playing well together and get the concept of "sharing". It's very cute in fact tonight they had Popsicles (a favorite the past few weeks) and the each had a different flavor. They asked each other to "taste" the others.

Other topics at this season of life...
Potty: We will do an intense 3 day potty training in a month or two after the holidays and the newness of the house settles. The boys are both well on their way. Parker has pretty much got the whole #2 on the potty down. Time Out: We have moved to a more firm approach on discipline because for the most part these little guys KNOW what they are doing or trying to get away with now. They get 1 warning then a 3 minute time out. If the infraction is biting, hitting or running into the street it's an automatic time out. And I never thought the day would come that I would spank. I was totally against it but I will say there are some stunts, dangerous stunts these boys pull that need a little spanking. It is rare, thank goodness because Collin and I hate it. We have also started the 1,2,3 and for the most part it works really well for us. It helps to avoid alot of fussing and yelling. Manners: We have kicked up the please, thank you and table manners. Growing + Eating: They are still about the same size but seem taller and leaner if that's possible. They eat all the time. Mac + Cheese is a favorite. We have allowed more sugar products but its crazy its so addictive. They they get a bite they ask for more which we end up saying no. Its a struggle. Sleep: Most nights they are in bed by 7:30pm and wake up around 7:15am. They will talk + play in cribs with tents for a good 30 mins before we get them out. They both still nap for 1.5 to 2.5 hrs. (blog time for mommy). Still in sleep sacks but I see that ending soon. No more pack n plays - they both crawl out of them. They now have Kidco tents (which we safety pin to prevent 4am escapes). Boys enjoy them.

Since the last update the boys have started school, been Handy Manny for Halloween, traveled to  their Grandparents in AR, played on the Texas Coast - Beach for 10 days, learned all about Santa and had a big snowball fight.

Fall is here - this was PJ day at school.

Handy Manny for Halloween

Tricker Treating Party at Stevie Dee's

 Ready for school.

 Grandma & Grandpa Stoops in Bella Vista, AR

Constrution School at Home Depot - the 1st Saturday of every month.

Painting our Thanksgiving Turkey Napkin Holders. 

Stoops at Port A on Texas Coast. Family Photo day. November.

Parker is a total surf boy. Loves the waves. Warm or Cold he was in the water.

Noah is all about being in nature. Enjoyed the sand and waves. Smiled all day long.

Tis the Season to enjoy the Christmas Spirit.

 

Christmas Day.

 

Christmas Day with all our family.

Happy Birthday Jesus.

Santa brought us 5 inches of snow on Christmas. It was a White Christmas this year.

 

Now on to the NEW YEAR 2013......wheeeeee this is going to be fun!

 

Welcome Home

 

This is our NEW house?!?

Let us in....

30 MONTHS

The Boys are simply amazing. They are completely embracing life. This photos speaks volumes. Noah loves to fly as high as he can yet Parker closer to the earth. The boys can be so much alittle but in a blink of an eye totally different.

This is were they are today:

• Parker just in the past 2 days has started to tell stories as he is looking at books and when he hold up papers he acts as if he is reading what the words are to us. Its so incredible. He is talking way above his age level.
• Noah has started the famous "WHY?"
• Boys have finally adjusted to preschool. They seems to really enjoy their teachers Mrs. Karen and Mrs. Lacey alot. Coach Amy is a hit too. Noah had his first "show n tell" this week. It was with the letter H. He brought his Handy Noah tool box filled with kid hammers and even wore his Handy Manny t-shirt. Next week is Parker's turn with the letter I. He is bring ice cream cones.
• Boys got their flu shots. Parker is 37" and 35 lbs. Noah is 36" and 31 lbs. Strong and very healthy boys.
• They are still totally hooked on Handy Manny and Little Bear tv shows. We have added a new one called Tickey Toc. Silly but sweet. They typical only watch an hour a day tops.
• Food: they love to eat. Sushi and Fruit are their absolute favorite. Oh yes and anything sweet. They go goo-goo for cookies, ice cream and yup bubble gum. They can chew gum like they are 20 yrs old. Its so funny.
• More later......

Over hills and thru the Trees....

Boys first trip over the hills and through the woods to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

 

Our first day was filled with hugs, golf, and a nice visit on the deck.

 

 

 

The next day we were greeted by a true fall day filled with rain and cold wind.

This doesn't stop the Stoops from have fun.

 

We had workshop class, a nap, 9 holes of golf and toured the New beautiful Crystal Bridges Art Museum. A must see on your bucket list. Stunning architecture and art.

 

 

 

Handy Noah & Parker Toolboxes custom designed by Grandpa Stoops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday we woke up and had a wonderful breakfast made by Parker and Grandma.

We spent the morning at an amazing Wildlife Park in Gentry AR.

 

 

baby lions - very rare experience

 

kangaroo's - so gentle and funny

 

 Noah just leaned down and kissed the piggy.

 

 

 

 

 

We headed back to Bella Vista for alittle bike time and walk.

BOTH boys are pedaling and loving the freedom of a tryke. Wheee....

 

 

 

Wonderful Trip.

Happy Fall Ya'll.