Loosing control?

This morning, I was heading out of the door on my way to work when I realized my purse was in the bedroom. I headed back into the house to retrieve my purse from the bedroom. As I was walking into the room, I was followed by two little ducklings.... Andrew and Wesley. Andrew snuck into the room before I closed the door but Wes was trapped on the outside. I was only going to be in the room for a second to grab my purse.

While in the room, Wes began yelling through the door "Andrew, open the door." He said it multiple times.

I looked at Andrew and told him that we would be leaving in a second and he should not open the door.

Then again, Wes yelled from the other side "Andrew, open the door." Andrew began to move towards the door and I reiterated by saying, "I said do not open that door."

Andrew's reply, in his oh so sweet and innocent way was... "but, Wessie said open the door."

I then asked Andrew, "If I tell you something and Wes tells you something different, who do you listen to?"

Andrew paused for a few seconds and I could tell he was thinking hard about the right answer. Then, he provided his response .... "Wes?"

Oh no my darling, I told Andrew that he always listens to Mommy or Daddy over Wes. Wesley is not in control of this house.... or is he???? Sigh....

Take care,

Herding CATS

On many days, it feels like we are doing our best to herd cats when trying to get all three boys to move in the same direction. This morning, during 'Brush teeth, wash hands and face' time, it REALLY felt like we were herding cats...

The boys' are frequently imitating animals and cat seems to be the favorite animal of choice. Gotta love how Jared continued to Meow while his mouth was wet. This was too funny not to share!

Take care,

Cracking the 'Water' code!

At dinner, we have started allowing the boys to prepare their own cup of ice and water. This is allowed if they choose water over milk for dinner. Tonight, Jared wanted a second cup of water but the water dispenser on the fridge was already locked. There are many reasons why we did not unlock the water and permit the second cup. However, all three of the boys got into the act of helping Jared crack the code and get to his water. The team of safe crackers were unsuccessful tonight but, the do not seem far from stumbling upon the method to unlock the water and ice.

Andrew spent the most time trying to get the water working. In the video, you will actually hear him recognize the letters W-A-T-E-R and confirm the button he is touching is water. However, still no luck! Maybe the water is just sleeping? I love how their little minds work...

Jared also tried to gently coax the water out of the fridge. In addition to spelling and confirming the water button, Jared also recognizes I-C-E as the ice button.

Wes applied minimal effort to this activity. He didn't want more water anyway....

Things are sure going to get messy when they figure out the secret. I enjoyed watching them work at solving this problem and their ability to limit their frustration when their efforts were not successful.

The action of pointing out letters and then running their finger across the word as if they were reading is something that is happening more and more. In these videos, they actually spelled and then announced the right word. However, most of the time, they are spelling accurately but not getting the word correct. A few funny examples....

I have a Dell computer. Yesterday, Andrew pointed to the letters, D-E-L-L and then ran his finger across the word as if reading and said "Mommy's Computer." Also yesterday, Jared pointed to the letters on his shirt that read Pro. He said, P-R-O and then read the word as "Shirt." On their bathroom stool, we have our last name, Darnell. Andrew read the letters, D-A-R-N-E-L-L and then read this as "Stool."

It won't be long...

Take care,

Rock 'N Roll A-B-Cs

The boys know the A-B-C song in sung in traditional style. However, they also know the A-B-Cs in Rock 'N Roll style. Thanks Daddy!

Here is Andrew singing his 'Rock 'N Roll' A-B-Cs! Note - We realized tonight he was saying 'X' instead of 'S' and we corrected. You have to appreciate his desire to self-correct, even if he slightly missed the mark with 'F.'

Watch to the end to see the 'Rock 'N Roll' punctuation mark on the end of the song....

The 'Dad's Rock Star' jammies were perfect for tonight! Thank you Daddy!

Take care,

Swimming Lessons - Day 4

Swimming lessons on day 4 started off with the boys wondering where was Coach Kayla. As our start time came and went, Coach Kayla was no where to be found. As there are two swim classes (beginners and advanced), the other instructor told us that he was willing to take over our class after he finished his own class. Our new instructor is Coach Christian. He was really great with the boys and the boys responded really well to him. He was more authoritative and directive with the boys. Here is our progress on Day 4....

Let's start with some kicking.....

Jared's swimming progress....

Andrew and Wesley's swimming progress...

Jared, Andrew and Wesley's floating practice...

Coach Christian also included jumping from the side wall...

The boys had a really great class. We look forward to more of the same!

The boys are also still enjoying their swim rings.

I really enjoy how the boys are interacting and coordinating their play very. The new game they organized today was to line up on the stairs and jump into the water...

WES' BIG JUMP....

Andrew takes a leap...

Last but not least, go J go...

Loving their rings...

The pictures may give an idea of what they are doing but nothing compares to a little video. Here is some above water video and under water video of the boys playing their new game...

Above water...

Under water...

Grandma was with us during the first week of swimming lessons. We truly appreciated Grandma being there so Daddy could become familiar with the swimming lesson routine with another set of hands to help. The greatest assistance Grandma provided was making the bathroom runs when the boys have to go to the bathroom. Sometimes, this is everyone at once and other times it's one at a time. Here is Grandma returning from a bathroom break with her little ducklings (our new Coach in white towel at life guard stand)...

Week 1 of swimming lessons is complete. The boys have made great progress over this week. I look forward to next week to see the continue to transition into swimmers!

Take care,

Swimming Lessons - Day 3

On Day 3 of swimming lessons, the boys practiced the skills already learned, moved onto floating on their backs, started to learn the back stroke and played a game to dive and grab a submerged ring.

Warming up...

Practicing swimming skills - Andrew...

Practicing swimming skills - Jared...

Practicing swimming skills - Wesley...

Now, it was time to try it on our backs!

Andrew...

Jared...

Wesley...

The last activity of the day is attempting to grab a ring that Coach Kayla drops on the stairs. Percy and Zoe, our classmates, both are able to go under the water to grab the ring. The Darnell boys are monkeys that prefer to just grab the ring with their toes...

After class, Andrew and Zoe continued to practice getting the ring. Andrew tried and, as you can see in the video, REALLY wanted to go under and get the ring. There were several video clips of Andrew trying to go under and Daddy encouraging him to do it. I watched last night and was trying to will him under the water but it didn't happen. Very soon, very soon...

Another great day at swimming lessons boys!!! Keep up the great work!! I look forward to going to the pool with you guys this weekend so you can show me your new skills in person.

Take care,

Swimming Lessons - Day 2

Day 2 of swimming lessons looked a lot like Day 1 as Coach Kayla directed the boys through a practice of the skills learned on day 1, blowing bubbles, ice cream scoop hands and flutter kicks. I was not able to experience Day 2 of swimming lessons first hand but Daddy video taped much of the lesson. So, it was just like I was there!

Warm up...

Practicing flutter kicks on land....

Practicing flutter kicks in the pool...

Individual practice on the stairs - Wesley...

Putting it all together - Jared and Andrew....

Coach Kayla with her little class (L-R - Jared, Wes, Andrew, Zoe and Percy)....

Andrew gives Coach Kayla a hug after class...

After class, the boys stayed to enjoy the pool. The boys had been using two pink rings in the 'community toys' to float around the pool on our last few visits. As the boys did so well on Day 1 of swim lessons, we got the boys their very own swim rings - Diego, Nemo and Sponge Bob. The boys could not wait to float around in their own rings.

While the boys were enjoying the pool, Daddy handed over the camera to the boys and they actually captured some good pictures. Here is Daddy and Jared (photographer - Andrew)...

Jared, Daddy and Wes (photographer Andrew)....

Just chillin....

Way to go boys! Mommy is so very proud of you! You are all so open and eager to learn, keep up the great work! I look forward to hearing about Day 3 when Coach Kayla begins to teach... floating!

Take care,

Swimming Lessons - Day 1

Today was an exciting day! Our community pool offers swimming lessons to the neighborhood children starting at the age of 3. We signed the boys up for the first class and today was day 1 of swimming lessons. Grandma is visiting this week to help out with the boys at the pool since I will not be able to make each of the classes. However, I was able to make it to day 1 of the class.

The class stared with some stretching! Wes immediately jumped to the front of the class and participated (dark shots in front of class). Andrew stood a little further back in the group and spent most of the stretching time watching the other students (dark shorts on right side of picture below)....
Jared was a little resistant to joining the class. He stood back a little ways but eventually joined in on the stretching...

Once the stretching was complete, all of the students were given a quick 'swim test' to determine their current level so the class could be split into beginners and advanced swimmers.

Wes seen here about to start his swim test with Coach Kayla...

Our guys are in the beginners group with Coach Kayla. With swimming tests complete, it was time to start instruction...

Coach Kayla taught the children to move their arms with 'ice cream scoop' hands...

Once Coach Kayla would teach something new, she would spend some time with each of the children to practice the new skill. The boys waiting their turn....

An important 'Day 1' skill is, of course, blowing bubbles in the water. Our little guys love to blow bubbles so the group quickly advanced past this skill. Here is Andrew showing Coach Kayla his bubble blowing skills...

Jared's turn...

Coach Kayla taught the group that 'power comes from kicking' and taught the group to do flutter kicks. This must be a very powerful group because they were not shy about showing off their kicking skills....

Watch out Coach Kayla....

Yep, we can even kick this way...

Now it's time to start putting it all together. Jared spends some time with Coach Kayla...

Here is a little video of Jared's turn...

Andrew practicing on his own...

Here is video of Andrew's turn with Coach Kayla....

We were all so proud of the way the boys performed today in their first swimming lesson. The boys have 7 more sessions in this class. I will miss being there during class but I am confident that Daddy and Grandma will give me a full report on how the boys are doing. I am also confident that Daddy will continue to take pictures and video of the boys progress.

Good luck on Day 2 boys!!

Take care,

What do you want to be?

When the boys are resistant to doing something, we will ask them... 'do you want to do it or do you want me to do it?' This is usually enough to get our little control freaks to jump up and 'do it myself.'

A couple months ago, the question of 'do you want to walk to bed on your own or do you want me to carry you' resulted in an answer of 'carry me.' So, I began carrying to bed. I thought this would be short lived. I actually enjoyed it because I am starting to realize the days of actually carrying the boys are quickly coming to an end. They usually want to walk everywhere and they are also getting heavy.

This carrying started as simple carrying and then morphed into 'carry me like an angry bird.' I wish I could remember who asked for it first but I don't. This caught on quickly and I was carrying everyone like angry birds to bed. This involved, simulating a pulling motion and then launching them towards their bedroom and landing in their beds. If you do not know what I am referring to when I mention 'Angry Birds,' click here. The boys love this game on their iPod.

The bed time 'Angry Bird' action continued for a while and then we introduced some variety. This has evolved into us all having creativity with the way in which we get the boys to bed. When it is bed time, the boys get to the end of the hallway and we ask 'What do you want to be?" The responses to this question are sometimes easy to comply with but others require Mommy and Daddy to stay on their creative toes.

Here are a few fun responses the boys have provided:

Angry Birds - Yellow, Red, Blue and White. All have their own style!

Fighter Jet

Wiggly Fighter Jet

Big TV

Outer Space

Rocket Ship

Diamond

Vacuum Cleaner

BIG BIG Beach Ball

Little Bouncy Ball

Daddy tried to influence Andrew's choice tonight so when I returned from putting a Rocket Ship to bed, Andrew responded to the question by saying, "Chef Salad!" What?!? He quickly changed his answer back to what he wanted which was Rocket Ship. This involves a group countdown to the rocket launch, arms pointed above head like a nose cone, wiggling of booty at 6 seconds to represent main engine start and then a rapid launch upon 3-2-1- LIFT OFF!

We never know what to expect these days when we ask our favorite question of the day, "What do you want to be?" The boys are so creative and I love it! It's a fun way to get them to their bedroom each night.

I will be sure to update this post if some additional creative bedtime approaches are identified by the boys.

Take care,