You should never assume...

One would assume that if your eye was swelling shut, you would notice. That's the problem...you should never assume. Evidently when you are Eli and you don't feel pain...you don't know your eye is swollen and purple. And if you are Eli, you have no idea how that happened or when it happened...

No more diapers....for real.

I've been in denial that Zeke is actually potty trained. It just doesn't seem possible that after 10 1/2 years we would actually be without diapers. It's real though...Zeke truly is potty trained. He was having a lot of trouble pooping...as in, only pooping in his underwear, but on Saturday he figured that out. He told me for the first time ever that he had to poop....and has been doing it ever since. That's a funny story....

We were at Evan's AAU state meet. Evan was match number 20 on his mat. It was on match 16 and Zeke tells me he has to poop. He has never never done this before. Knowing it is going to be close if we leave, I decide not to risk it....dirty underwear at Wells Fargo Arena does not sound like a good idea at all. Hoping he just has to sit on the potty and fart,I take him to the bathroom. Nope not this time. He really has to go. It takes a long time. Like ....long time....but of course there isn't anything I can do about it. I'm by myself and Ben is coaching. We rush back in the arena. I find his mat and see that the score board says "Match 21” ugh. I missed it. Like drove all the way to DesMoines to watch Evan's first ever state competition and I missed it. Evidently matches 16, 17, 18, and 19 were all first period pins and get done way faster than they should have. At this point I just want to cry.

In fact, that's what I do. I call my mom, and cry.

I know it's not the end of the world. But I felt horrible. Horrible but extremely excited because for the first time ever....Zeke told me he had to poop, and meant it. That really was a big deal and so exciting for all of us. From that point on....Zeke has it figured out. Funny how a bad situation can be so wonderful and exciting with just a little change of perspective. No more baby in this house...only four big boys!

I wike you, Mommy.

We were extremely blessed with good sleepers with Evan and Isaac. They were (and still are) very good sleepers. I don't remember having the issues we have with Eli and Zeke. Every night one or both little boys end up in bed with us. They don't just go to sleep on their own....we have to lay with them. For the longest time, we had Eli going to bed in our room and we would lay with Zeke in his bed. Not the best habit, but it worked for us since they share a room and would keep each other awake. This week we have been having Eli go to bed in his bed while we lay with Zeke. It has worked surprising well.

Tonight I asked Zeke if he just wanted to lay in his bed by himself while Eli was with him in his room. He told me "no mom. I don't want to lay with Eli. Wanna lay with you mommy, I wike you."

Of course I will sleep with you tonight, Zeke. I wike you, too.

State AAU Wrestling

Here is Evan wrestling this weekend at State AAU in DesMoines. This is the match that he won...He lost his first match - I missed the first one because I was in the bathroom with Zeke and his last match he got beat. He loved the experience and now is very motivated to work hard to get there again. He asked if I could make him a video with music so here it is:

Common Sites

Zeke's "sweet and innocent" smile. The one we see 90% of the time…His "I'm-not-in-trouble-see-how-cute-I-am smile"

Eli…with a giant bruise on his head.

These two are about the same size, are starting to look alike and cause us to do a double-take multiple times a day when they walk by.

Random costumes. Zeke and Eli constantly have a costume on. Like everyday.

Nose picking…I live with a bunch of boys and they are gross. Enough said.

Toothless smiles.

Evan all grown up

AAU Districts

Today Evan participated in AAU district wrestling. The top 4 kids out of each weight bracket get to participate at the state meet. There were only three kids in Evan's bracket so he gets to wrestle in the state meet on February 23rd.