Family Picture

It is impossible to get the two boys to sit still but we managed to get a few family photos in this weekend.

This weekend we celebrated my grandpa's 86th birthday (I think). The whole family spent the day at Debbie and Ray's. Jack and Matt played with either the electric train set around the tree or at the pinball machine. I asked Jack if he had fun at Debbie and Ray's and he said yes but he did not have a chance to play with either of them. Maybe next time!

Games

Getting ready for school always takes a long time. We have to wash hands, brush teeth and now pile on coats, hats, gloves and boots. I am trying to get these boys to do things themselves and often Jack is fairly good - but still slow. To speed up the process I gathered all the coats, hats, boots and gloves and put them by the door. I thought one could get shoes on and the other could dress himself. The boys saw the process a little differently. As usual, everything has to turn into a rough and tumble game with them that often ends with a new bruise. Luckily Matt did not get hurt and we all got to school on time.
I do enjoy having the boys play together. Matt is just two and loves being around Jack and now Jack, for the first time, seems to really enjoy Matt. They love to run, wrestle, jump off the beds or couches or just ride bikes back and forth out front. They definitely still fight but it is a whole lot less.

Children's Museum

The last time we were at the Children's Museum someone put a golf ball in the air duct and this little activity did not work. Matt was so happy to see it fixed.

Waiting for Santa

We took advantage of the great weather this weekend and put up our Christmas lights. Jack is especially excited for Christmas. He has already made out a list. He is asking for handcuffs and a juicer. Not too sure what he will do with these but it could be worse I guess.

Green Birds

While running this weekend, a friend pointed out the green birds that have been living in Beverly. Supposedly students at the University of Chicago let these birds go and they have taken up residence in North Beverly. They sound beautiful and are stunning. Jack and I have been looking for them and then today on our way to the library Jack said that he saw the green birds. I did not believe him at first and was shocked to see these birds in our own backyard. I wish I had better pictures but it was a very gloomy day. The birds seem to be all over the neighborhood and I can't believe I never noticed them before. We are not setting up our bird feeder again.

Super Heros

In the beginning of October we received some super hero costumes from a cousin. Jack has been wearing his Spider Man costume so much that I almost forgot about the others. This afternoon we pulled out Batman and Superman which proved to be lots of fun. Jack and Matt (who was not in costume) ran around upstairs jumping off beds and pretending to fly. Jack says when he grows up he wants to be Spider Man. He also wants to know who is the real Spider Man right now and where does he live.

Prehistoric Times

Matt's party was this past weekend and I think he received every dinosaur toy or book in the United States - which is still not enough for Matt. Matt craves dinosaurs morning, noon and night. I swear when he cannot think of a word or doesn't know how to pronounce a word he will just say "dinosaur". Like when I ask him to sit on the stairs to put on his shoes he will say "no mama. no dinosaur." What does that even mean? I am not sure but he uses the word like I should understand.




The birthday boy can do whatever he wants!

So glad Maureen and family were here to celebrate!

Matthew is Two!

Our little Matthew turned two on Friday. Terry and I could not be happier to be parents to a two year old and four year old. Matt is outgoing, personable and very active. Just a few months ago he blurted out "dinosaur" and has had a funny obsession with these reptiles ever since. Both boys love to run around scaring each other. Jack is always a T-Rex and Matt is always a Triceratops. The two have recently been playing a lot of games together including a game in which Matt hits Jack and Jack chases him all around the house until Matt finds Mom or Dad. Matt's laugh is almost too much for me to handle. He has a big belly laugh that I swear neighbors can hear (same goes for his screams).
At age two, Matt is finally speaking pretty clearly. He is saying a few sentences and always says "Please" like "more milk, please", "play tick, tock, please" or "my shows, please". His most endearing word is "Momma". I love it. Jack calls me Mom so I have no idea from where Momma comes but I melt every time he says it. He used to call me "big Momma" but that seems to have faded a little. Matt is still my little baby and enjoys being held and cuddled. I hope this lasts a long time!
Matt also loves to sing and surprised us by singing Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi".
Happy second birthday Matthew Sean. You have brought us so much joy and excitement. We love you!

Squirrelly Matt

As soon as I took this picture of Matt escaping from Kathleen's arms, I thought of the Minnesota couple's vacation picture....

School!

Jack had his first day of school and so far so good. He could not wait to go and woke up so excited.
It was hard to see him go - especially now since it is every afternoon - but I am glad he likes it.



Matt gave him lots of hugs and even a few kisses before he left. I tried to sneak a hug from Matt but no such luck. Oh well.


Before heading to school we went to a "new park". A neighborhood park just opened and it is beautiful. I know the women who worked on the renovation and it was nice to see all of their hard work come to fruition (4 1/2 years in the making!).

Recent Happenings

Jack's first day of school is tomorrow. We have spent the last two weeks preparing for the big day. Jack has new "fast" shoes, a snazzy new haircut and a back-to-school outfit all picked out. We have even had a few play dates with some of his classmates to reintroduce the kids again.

I am just wondering how Matt will adjust to Jack being in school. He will be napping for the most part but he is so used to being by Jack's side and going where Jack goes. Tomorrow will be interesting.
This past week we have been spending a lot of time playing with legos. Matt is a obsessed with them and has spent a lot of time building trucks, crashing them and putting them back together.


On Monday Terry and I took the boys to the Museum of Science and Industry. We usually just visit the trains but this time we were able to visit a few new exhibits including Idea Factory which is mostly water games. Terry took Jack to one side of the area and I was with Matt who loved putting large plastic balls into a tube that pushed the balls across the room. This was a highly competitive game. The balls seemed scarce and there was only one tube for about a dozen kids. Matt had no problem with the activity. Jack joined us later but did not like pushing and shoving his way to the tube so he gave up and went on to something else. This just illustrates how different the boys are. Matt loves to compete and push him self physically. Jack enjoys challenging games and is up for anything but is not going to fight to play.

A Road Trip with the Boys

This weekend the boys and I made our first long trip together. We went to Milwaukee to visit Kathleen and Griffin. Jack was so excited to go that he woke up extra early and told me he would not ask to watch any of his shows so that he would not be late.
It was a great weekend. Kathleen and Griffin rolled out the red carpet for us and treated us like royalty all weekend. We went to the Children's Museum, played tennis (Jack's new favorite game thanks to Griffin!) and went to the park.
Jack was so sad to leave. Even with Dad waiting for us at home, Jack wanted to stay and asked if we could come back everyday. I told me "we'll see" and any Johnson knows that means no but it seemed to satisfy Jack.


Matt fixes a flat tire


Jack moves a box left and right and up and down (for about 45 minutes)


Kathleen puts the boys to bed


Matt decides mom's bed is better than the pack n'play

My Becky Healy Plant

Becky gave me a little tiny plant (which she grew from seeds!) for my birthday in June. I kept it in the house for several weeks until she told me that it would be a "good idea" to replant it. Per Becky's suggestion, I found a very big pot and transferred the little sprouts from its cute little purple pot. Now two months later I think I need another bigger pot for this plant. It is massive and beautiful. It makes me feel good that I can grow something so big and hardy. I love watering it everyday and watching it grow. Unfortunately Becky said it will not last the winter. I will try very hard to prove her wrong but if she is right I will really morn the plant when it dies.

My Little Matt

Matt wants "no help". He can do everything himself!

My little Matt is getting so big. His eczema has been clearing up and he has been drooling a lot less (finally!). He is also eating so well which is wonderful to see. When we sing songs for bedtime I can still see a 6 month old Matt in him but most days he is surprising me with his athletic ability and his love to run and play.
Today was a little cool so I pulled out some of Jack's clothes that he wore last winter and they fit Matt just fine. Where has my little Matt gone?

On the Mend

Jack and Matt had a hard week with high fevers and supreme crabbiness. I am not sure what sort of illness the two had but it was not fun and I am glad the boys are running around again with smiles on their faces. This weekend we went to County Fair's annual petting zoo. Although I made the mistake of wearing flip flops the morning was nice and both boys took long naps in the afternoon.
My sister Lauren spent the night on Saturday so she got to have a lot of time with the boys. They loved waking up with her, playing games and showing her how much they can eat in the morning.


Big boy bike!