Potty Training Take 2

 

The first time I tried to potty train the boys was back at the beginning of the summer. It did not go well at all. They were just not ready.

I decided we would take another stab at it over Christmas break while the boys were off of preschool for two weeks.

This time around the boys did so much better! It is very hard training two boys at once, but from the very beginning Jackson was having hardly any accidents and Hunter only one or two a day.

We decided to press forward and not look back!

We stayed home as much as possible the first week and did the pantless method.

When it was time to put underwear back on we had a slight regression, but eventually they got the hang of it!

The boys are still doing really well! I think we have had as many as three days in a row without an accident.

And sometimes the accidents happen when they fall asleep in the car which I know can be hard.

But overall I'd say we are doing well!

The boys have even had two successful days at preschool without any accidents. Hoping for more accident free days in our future! They are such big boys now!

Way to go Hunter and Jackson!

Winter Wonder Lights

One of our Christmas gifts was a gift certificate to go see the Winter Wonder Lights at the Science Center here. We went last year and really enjoyed it!

With numbers surging again we felt like this was one safe activity we could do since it is mostly outside.

Finley was not too excited about going, but everyone ended up having a great time!

This seems to be another new tradition for our family!

We picked a very mild night to go, the day after Christmas!

They've added a new section to the science center and had the new part decorated with some fun new lights!

Loved this hippo!

And cute penguin!

Lots of fun photo ops!

The boys also loved playing in the fake snow!

And of course we had to end the night with a Carousel ride.

Thank you so much Bean family! We had a blast!

 

Christmas 2021

 

 

Christmas was upon us before we knew it! Uncle Lew Jack sent the boys some Peppermint "mud" which they were super excited about!

We hosted Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch. I started potty training the Monday before Christmas so I figured it would be easiest if we stayed home as much as possible. It made for a hectic and busy week to say the least!

Jackson getting into the spirit!

David wanted to make a charcuterie board. I think his presentation needs a little work lol!

First course appetizers! 

I had my heart set on baked brie and David also made some homemade guacamole. Its nice to have snacks but then I eat way to much before the nice meal!

Beef tenderloin is our go to for our fancy Christmas Eve dinner.

Main Course:

Beef tenderloin with basil curry mayonnaise, roasted rosemary potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts, and pear salad. 

 

We had both my siblings, Aliza, and my Uncle Michael over in addition to our parents. It was our biggest crew yet!

Dessert: 

Mimi's cheesecake and Grammie's Chocolate Trifle

With a recent surge in Omicron we tried to mask up as much as possible!

And sat at different tables to eat.

Bedtime stories and Christmas eve jammies!

We had the most spectacular sunrise on Christmas morning. 

And I just love the views off our back deck. Such a beautiful reminder of God and his love for us.

 

The boys got up at their normal time and were super excited to see if Santa came (after we reminded them it was Christmas). 

 

We spent the morning doing stockings and gifts with Grammie & Abuelo.

 

Then we hosted brunch with the rest of my family once they made their way back to Greensboro.

And of course more presents with them!

Hunter & Jackson's big Santa present was a hand me down from Finley, a Fire Station. Shhhh!

And some cute 'reindeer' towels.

The boys even had some gifts to us from their preschool under the tree.

This might be my favorite surprise present this year. How adorable are these little bird paintings of their hands?!?

Finley's big gift was a graphics card for his PC that he has been building. Now it is finally complete! Almost a year in the making.

Finley also hand made Hunter and Jackson a stepping stool so they can turn lights on and off around the house lol. So sweet. 

We had a wonderful and busy Christmas with family! So grateful we could gather with everyone safely! We ate way too much good food and will need to work it off in the new year! 

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!