New Year’s Resolution

This is it. This is my New Year’s Resolution. This blog. This poor abandoned blog. I didn’t admit to anyone that this was my resolution, because I am fairly certain that I will fail. I guess I can’t succeed if I don’t try.

I actually write this blog for my kids . . . or maybe it is just for myself. I don’t want to forget anything . . . or everything. I mean, I can’t even remember what flavor of coffee I drank for breakfast yesterday (I got a Keurig for Christmas!), so how on earth will I remember what cute little things Adrian said at 25 months when I am 52 years old?

So, here I am, diving back in.

I know I don’t have many readers - mainly my boys’ grandparents and a few of my close friends. But as the mother of TWO toddler boys, I am trying to cut myself some slack for skipping the last 5 months. Come on. I am busy - as you will see if you read this blog. So, for those few readers out there, I know I can’t just skip forward to today. I should give a small update on the last half of 2011. Who knows how long that will take. Here goes.

August was a hot month in our little corner of the midwest. We spent most of the month outside swimming in our little blow up pool on our deck. The boys love water almost as much as they love each other.

Dave and I had a fantastic day and evening at an awesome little music festival in Memphis, Missouri called the Old Lake Bash. Our great friends, Tim & Kellie from Kirksville joined us and Dave’s best friend, Mitch, put on a great show as the lead singer of 80’s hair band Tiger Blood. You had to be there.

We celebrated Isaac & Adrian’s 21 month birthday in August. I know. I know. Someday I will have to quit celebrating each monthly birthday - maybe around the age of 12.

Adrian had his first haircut in August. That was a special moment for me as his mother. He sat so sweetly in the chair, barely moving at all. We didn’t cut off all of his beautiful curls. We just shortened them. And the curls still blow in the breeze today.

Before - a little nervous

During - such a sweet boy

After - with his stylist Kim

The same evening of Adrian’s first haircut, we converted each of the boys’ cribs to toddler beds. Isaac started crawling out of [escaping from] his crib that week, so we really had no choice. They love their big boy beds. They are usually great about staying in their beds, too. Although, one day at nap time they were both continually getting out of their beds to goof off. I was getting very frustrated. As punishment, I finally began taking a stuffed animal, or “buddy", away from them each time they got out of their bed. Finally, after about the fifth time, Isaac had an arm full of “buddies”, ran to the door, said, “Here. Mommy. Buddies.” as he cried his eyes out. So sweet and so sad at the same time. I am still not sure if that was a parenting success or failure.

We celebrated my aunt Carla’s 50th birthday with a surprise party at my cousin Travis and his wife Jacqui’s home in St. Joe. It was great. The following day, the entire family loaded up and visited the KC Zoo. Isaac, Adrian, and their cousin, Palmer really enjoyed it. They had all been to the zoo one previous time. Adrian is such an animal lover. He just couldn’t get enough. They also enjoyed their first ride on a carousel.

Jacqui & Isaac

Gramo and Adrian

Palmer & Tonya

Isaac & Uncle Jeff

We spent one weekend in August running a 5K in our hometown of Memphis at the annual Antique Fair, a weekend festival. Their Grandma Oleva (“Gramo") and her friend Cathy pushed the stroller and walked with Isaac & Adrian while I ran. The boys enjoyed the parade with their cousin, Palmer. They each had several pieces of candy - a rarity. They really enjoyed those suckers.

Isaac & Adrian's Great Grandpa Burdett’s antique International tractor (that he bought new in 1954) was in the parade. The boys were able to sit on the tractor with Gramps (my dad, Ron) after the parade. Later that afternoon, we celebrated our friend Hilary’s first birthday with a party at her home. She is a cutie. I’m sure the boys will fight for her affections one day soon.

We rounded out the summer with lots of jogs and walks with me behind the jogging stroller, “The Bob”, while Isaac & Adrian lounged with a snack and enjoyed the ride. Oh, how they love The Bob. We usually made a pit stop at the Brashear Park for some swinging and climbing. Isaac & Adrian also spent a lot of time cruising our neighborhood in their little red wagon. They used that time to find their good fiends, Jersey, Payton & “Baby Brett”.

The best news of the summer is that Dave and his business partners completed their latest project, Park 1600. It is a large professional building housing a slew of physicians, Century 21 and his law firm. I’m so proud of him.

Isaac & Adrian visiting Papa while he was moving into the new office.

I will have to spend some time posting about September, October, No . . . Oh. My. Goodness. I can do it. I can do it. Stay tuned.