Snow Central

At this point, we have so much snow in the yard that it is Work to sled, so we've resorted to sledding on the driveway...not much of a thrill! They have to "paddle" to keep the sled moving! They look just like penguins. I couldn't resist the back porch picture...why does every thing turn into a wrestling match? I was just commenting on Saturday (during a match) that we could in fact get rid of all their toys because 80% of the time they are wrestling and the other 20% they spend racing around our loop on rollerblades. The first picture, is two lazy boys who can't be bothered to get through the snow to the real hill to sled! Their sleds keep sinking in because the snow is so fluffy, so they appear to have given up before they started! Matt made a mound with the loader; they are pretending to be penguins and are sliding down on their bellies. The last picture, along the driveway, is just to give some idea of the amount we have! I think about 2.5 feet, but haven't actually measure it.

Lately, the routine at supper has been to help cook it! Last night we had fajitas (isn't it great when you happen on a recipe and just happen to have ALL the ingredients!). They both donned their aprons and Thomas put the tea cozy on his head when they started. I sliced the meat, Thomas found and added all the seasoning. Nathan shredded the cheese, peeled and chopped the avocado, ripped the lettuce while Thomas set the table. Then Thomas, cut up the tomatoes, peppers and onions. Wow! I just kept things going and used the stove! Wonderful to have help in the kitchen! I'll take all I get. The more you let them do, the more they can do!

I did take Nathan to a ENT doctor of Children's Hopsital last Friday. He first had a thorough hearing test in a chamber with an audiologist. His middle ear on both sides are entirely full of fluid causing moderate hearing loss in his right ear and mild hearing loss in his left ear. His inner ear cavities are fine and work perfectly. We are treating the fluid for 20 days with antibiotic. Feb. 12 we go back in for a follow-up. If the fluid persists, he will have tubes put in. I began to fret (in front of the doctor) that I hadn't come to him sooner and the doctor told me not to worry, no permanent damage has occurred. My feeling is that, indeed the fluid may go from the use of antibiotic, but it certainly isn't a permanent fix. Every time we go to the doctor (usually just well-child checkups), he has fluid in his ears. The ENT (who actually is the same one that did Nathan's tonsil/adenoid surgery this summer) says his gut feeling is that I am right, so we actually scheduled the tube surgery for Feb. 22. I was told if it weren't for tubes, Nathan would need hearing aids, that is how bad his hearing is! It took us a while to even realize that he wasn't hearing. We thought it was a "processing" issue and then we thought he was in his own world. We are fixing it now, so I better stop fretting over the past!

First Snowman of Winter

The first snowman that I didn't help with! I came out afterward to retrieve the bag of prunes which had been used for the eyes. Love all the leaves stuck in it! I think we had about 1/2 inch of snow total, so this snowman is an impressive feat. They are really into coloring right now....a nice calm, quiet activity...as opposed to the rollerblading they do around our loop or nerf gun wars.

At story hour today, a mother of another set of twins that are also in T and N's class said she over heard her children mumbling that they needed Thomas to fix it. She asked what they meant and apparently Thomas is the "go-to" in class if anything needs fixing. He is strong and he is mechanically-minded so I wasn't surprised but I was really happy she told me about it. She said it was a snap/clasp on a shoe.

Nathan is reading me level 1 books! He does super sounding out and then using the picture for clues. Thomas is not as interested in reading to me but he easily made it through one book tonight.

More Crazy Pictures

Here are a few more to choose from for the New Year's cards....which should I chose? I just can't decide!

Back at the boy's 5 year check up in May, Nathan didn't "pass" the hearing test which means he couldn't discern what was being said at 20 dB which is very quiet. The doctor was not worried, in fact I don't even think he came back in after the nurse did the test, just sent word that it was fine. The school nurse checked hearing on 10/26 and at that time Nathan had a slight cold so she rechecked it on 12/1 both of which he "failed". She sent a note to get him checked out, so back to the primary care this past Friday. Nathan had just started a cold the day before with a very runny nose. Of course the doctor found fluid and prescribed anti-biotic. He wants to see if we can get rid of the fluid first of all and then see how his hearing is. I pointed out that Nathan has already had two tests while not having a cold (5/12 and 12/1). Interestingly there is nothing in the doctor's record about May's test. Anyways, we are doing the anti-biotic but we also have an ENT appointment for Jan. 21. Hopefully Nathan won't have a cold then! If he does, I will cancel.

My Inside Kid and My Outside Kid

These pictures are from November but I couldn't resist snapping their two different personalities! Pictures are from the same day and same hour! It has gotten much colder, so we are inside much more but have been ice skating twice on the neighbors field. The next picture is to show what I considered sending out in the new year cards! Every year it's most challenging to find a decent picture of both! Notice Nathan's eyes, he is really looking at Thomas to make sure that he is doing the same thing! Standard.

More Fall Pictures

The first picture was scare-crow making at our library. The lady in the photo is the children's librarian and she is excellent. The next two pictures are from the kindergarten fieldtrip to the fire station. The fireman who gave the tour dressed up in his full gear and crawled in among the children so they could really see and feel him. I thought this was an excellent idea to alleviate any fears of the mask and suit. In the group picture, Thomas is under the counter and Nathan is in the front middle. Then, two pictures from our trick-or-treating night. Thomas was a pirate and Nathan was a knight.

Fall Pictures

The first pictures were taken when out touring fall foliage. Nathan was sound asleep in the car. The next few pictures were taken when their cousin, Benjamin came to visit. We made caramel apples with auntie and cousin...there they are unwrapping (and stealing) caramels. Finally the last picture was taken on my birthday trip into Boston to eat at Pagliuca's. We always park at Lewis Wharf and so, took a few minutes to see the water and boats.

School Days

Nathan announced Thursday afternoon that he likes school! This makes it so much easier for me. The first day, I had to push Nathan up the bus steps but having Thomas with him has been a huge help. They are so tired when they get home. They are sleeping in the afternoon at least an hour if not two. Getting how their school day was out of them has been tough. Matt made a declaration at the dinner table that they will tell him something they learned...this has helped. I'm learning what to ask though...like what was your job for the day and who did you play with? Thomas repeatedly tells me that he played with Amanda while Nathan plays repeatedly with Evan. There are three sets of twins in their class! Evan is another twin. Nathan got all dressed by himself this morning for school....little did he know it was Sunday!