Surviving Twin Issues

I wrote recently that my daughter, Mia has had a lot of questions about her twin brother, Parker and about death in general.  While I try to be honest with her...I'm just not sure where her questions are coming from.
Last night, she screamed.  She did not want to go to bed.  When I asked her what was wrong, she said, "I miss Parker".  I don't know if she is using that for attention (as she knows she'll get it) or if some how...some way....she really truly misses him and is grieving.  If that is the case, how do I help her?  I feel like a terrible mother today.  I comforted her a while after she said it, but then she just kept whining about everything.  I ended up losing it and yelling and finally, Chris took over.  Today, I'm looking back thinking....was she really sad about her brother?  Did I seriously just yell at her when she is grieving? On the flip side...he was still born and she's almost 5...she can't use this "excuse" for everything, forever.   Then again...is it an excuse? 
Any surviving twins out there????  I need help...

Trendy Tots...all day I dream about SOCCER

Right now, it's all about soccer in our house.  Both kids are signed up to play and their first game is this Friday.  

For Mia: 

Mia got addidas cleets..with pink inserts for the stripes.

    

Her shin guards are from Vizari (bought on Zulily)

I got Paxton blue with flames from Vizari.  He LOVES them. 

Since they are "playing soccer", they also like to dress in soccer clothes.  I found a few cute options so far:

 

Crazy 8 for girls

Gymboree Boys

For those chilly days (Crazy 8)

Pajamas Found here at Gymboree

What sports are your kids into?

Let's go fly a kite - weekend shananigans

This weekend, we made a quick trip to Long Island to visit Chris's Grandmother.  She turns either 99 or 100 this year (not sure which as she has different dates on her immigration papers and drivers license.

Either way...she is amazing.  I hope to look this good when I'm her age.

Chris and Grandma

Mia, Grandma, Pax, and Chris

They love her

Mia giving big hugs. 

We also visited Chris's cousin Toni and her family.  They are awesome.  We drove home Saturday evening.  Pax decided that driving was scary and wore a helmet.

Yesterday, we took the kids outsite to fly kites...  They LOVED it!

These two kill me.  They love each other so much.  It melts my heart.  Here are a couple of pictures from this weekend.  I hope they are always this close.

I'm bringing Upsexy Back...

When I read this on Raven's blog a couple of years ago...I laughed hysterically.  I've even thought back about it and laughed again and I knew I had to try it.  I tried it 2 years ago with no luck, but I was convinced I could pull it off this time.  First try...the husband.

As soon as he got my message, he called me so the joke was over.  :(...but this was his response which was still kinda funny. 

Next, I tried my BFF, Melissa.  She did call after she got my first text on April 1st, but I didn't answer.  I wanted to force her to text me back :)

That went so well, I decided to try my other friend, Melissa...

By this time, I'm laughing hysterically and totally hooked on doing this all day.  Unfortunately, the rest did not go as well...

Next up...our friend Mike...

OK, so that was pretty funny...

My brother in law, Doug did not play along...

I waited all day...no response ...sooo....when I got home, I made Chris try :).  See the bottom message...

Still no response.  BOOOO Doug!

Next up, My SIL Jan.  I thought for sure I could get her to say what's upsexy.

But...she's far to clever....

This also gave me the bright idea to text our pastor.  Yup, you read it right...we (by we, I mean I made Chris), text our Pastor.  Of course, I didn't ask about upsexy, but we instead tried updog (thanks to Jan's clever comeback).  Here's how it went down:

This is Chris's first text to Pastor Byron:

This is Byron's facebook message to Chris...I felt guilty for all day for making the youth choir search for an updawg.  Finally, after grabbing Chris's phone and reading the messages myself...I learned the truth. 

SO...that was my attempt at bringing upsexy back...your turn!  I'd love to read your screenshots :)

SO what Wednesday

  I'm linking up with Shannon this week for So What Wednesday.  This week, I'm saying so what if...

• I spent all day Monday trying to pull off a good April Fools joke.  You can read about some of my efforts tomorrow.
• I am frustrated with some of my volunteer activities.  I volunteer with a non profit, spend my own $$ on gifts for the kids that I volunteer for, and they (the organization) have no qualms about asking me to do more.  Today they asked me to do an interview 45 minutes away (one way) from my house.  I feel like I can't say no.
• I am also frustrated with some issues I've had with the Sunday school class I help teach.  Sadly, I am considering not volunteering next year because of it. 
• The mattress that goes in our spare room is still on our dining room table.  We've been in the house 3 weeks, but we've been steady working to get the rooms set up and right now, the guest room is also serving as Chris's workshop to finish the hardwoods/trim/steps. 
• I have started a book club at my house (first meeting in May) and I'm totally afraid no one will show.  I had about 15 people say they were interested and coming, but when I emailed information about the book, only 1 person responded.  If that's the case, I'll have a lot of food to eat and drinks to drink alone or with a friend :)

What are you saying so what to this week?  

Easter Favorites

This year, I let my daughter pick out her own Easter dress.  While it isn't what I would have chosen...I do like it.  Since she took the lead, I picked up a matching tie for Pax. 

Mia 2013.  Dress:  Gymboree.  Shoes:  Target.  Cardigan:  ??  Headband:  SassyShope

Paxton 2013.  Shirt:  Childrens Place.  Tie:  Gymboree.  Pants:  Kohls  Shoes:  Crazy8

Here are a few other options I considered this year:

Gap kids

Gap Kids

Janie and Jack Rosette Dress

Love this plaid seersucker jacket from Janie and Jack

He Has Risen

I can't think of a better reason to celebrate than the fact that Jesus has Risen!  I hate that the true meaning of Easter often gets overshadowed by the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, and baskets of candy/gifts.  That isn't to say that we don't participate in some of those things....we definitely do, but I'm working extra hard this year to teach my kids the true meaning of what Easter. 
This year, we talked all week about how Jesus died on the cross and on the 3rd day he rose from the grave. While my 4 year old doesn't exactly understand, she does get it.  Unfortunately, that has also led to several other questions about death...mainly about her brother, Parker.  While I was not exactly prepared, I am glad that our talks got her thinking and realizing that Jesus did in fact die for us. 
We do not talk about the Easter bunny a lot in our house.  My kids understand that he is a character, much like Cinderella, but that Easter is more than a man in a bunny suit.  They get Easter baskets, but they also know that the baskets are from us.  They receive an Easter basket (gift) because that is how we celebrate the gift that God gave us.  While you may not agree with our approach, I'm really happy with how it went this year.  I'm happy that my kids had a fun time hunting eggs with their cousins, playing with their new toys, and spending time with family and friends. 
I hope you all had a great Easter!

Easter Sunday in front of the cross of flowers at church

Easter love