The Twins turn 3....sigh

Wow, seriously, 3 already?  My how our life has changed in the 3 years since they were born.  It is completely true that with twins, what one doesn't figure out, the other one will.  Here are some of the highlights of the last year:

Jake is a total boy, but has a heart of gold.  He is always on the go, I don't think that his system has a slow speed.  He can get his little legs running so fast that it reminds me of the road runner...he likes to say that it is going "Super Fast".  Jake loves Diego, Airplanes, Sports, Batman and Spiderman.  He likes to play with Cars and Trucks, Diego animals, and loves the outdoors.

Jake loves to chase his sisters around the house and the teasing has already begun.  He likes to pull Megan's chain by verbally arguing with her about something he knows isn't true, just for the sake of arguing.  And, Jake and Jenna's arguments end up being on the physical side.  It is rare that either of them back down, and an adult usually has to intervene.  However, with that being said, Jake already protects his sisters and nobody better make them cry.  When we have had to punish Megan or Jenna (which is rare), Jake is the first one to come to their defense and Leigh or I usually get scolded for talking "mean" to his sisters.  It is the cutest thing ever.  And something I hope continues throughout their High School years.

Jake has finally mastered potty training and loves his Big Boy Underwear.  Each trip to the bathroom is a huge event and loves making us "sooooo happy" by going potty.  Each family member is also required to check out his "duty" when he is done, and he always tells it bye-bye before flushing it down.  We will have to break this cute event before sending him off to pre-school next year....

Jake loves it when Daddy "wrestles me up".  The rougher and tougher, the better with that kid.  But at the same time, he is the first one up on my lap when I get home from work to snuggle with his momma.  He is also very cautious and always tells us to "be careful" when going out for a run or climbing on a chair.  Jake is a very happy little boy and usually only shows a different side when he is tired.  He doesn't like to get in trouble and is quick to say "it not my fault, me sorry".   He is such a great little boy.

Jenna "bean" is our cuddle bug.  She especially loves men and just climbs right up in their lap and gazes into their eyes or wraps her arms around their neck and pats their back.  It is soooo sweet.  She is already beginning to melt men's hearts at the age of 3.  We could be in trouble later on....  She also loves to sit and have someone tickle her feet.  She climbs up on the couch, takes off her socks and plunks her feet on your lap and says "tickle please"...if you aren't doing it right, she will show you how...and you aren't done when you think you are because she will change feet and say "more tickle".

Jenna loves animals of any kind, but especially kitties.  She holds them so gently and tenderly and could sit and pet them for hours.  She also prefers her stuffed animals to dolls of any kind.  Her animals get dressed in doll clothes, fed a bottle and walked in her stroller.  Jenna always looks up to big sister Megan and follows along with whatever she does. They play dressup, tea party, kitchen, house, doctor, etc.  She loves having "Dance parties" in the living room while she "spins like a princess".  She also loves to sing nursery rhymes with her favorites being Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Itsy Bitsy Spider, hand motions and all.

Sweet Jenna usually rules the roost at our house.  She has the sweetest singing voice, but when Jenna ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.  Jenna is very determined and knows exactly what she wants.  Her voice can go from sweet and innocent to deep, loud and frightening in a matter of seconds.  When her and Jake aren't getting along about something, all she has to do is "growl" at Jake which sends him running.  Jenna growls and Jake screeches.  It is quite comical to watch.  And Jenna uses every opportunity she has to "throw Jake under the bus".  Everything is "Jakie did it"...even when she has pooped her pants or smeared makeup all over her face.

All and all..we are so blessed with such wonderful kids.  We couldn't ask for anything better than Megan, Jake and Jenna.  Leigh and I have proven to be a great team.  Our lives are getting a bit easier as we now venture out of the house more for family shopping trips or meals out.  Leigh and I are also finally getting "brave" enough to take all 3 kids out together on errands by ourself.  We have just been chicken up to this point, the kids aren't bad, just the thought of what could potentially happen when you are outnumbered 3 to 1 is a little unnerving.  Everything ends up turning out fine, but to this point, it's been easier to do everything as a team.

It is exciting to think of what this next year will bring...Megan will be in Kindergarten, Jake and Jenna will possibly start pre-school of some sort, Megan will be in T-ball and Soccer...bring it on.

Birthday Pictures

Jake and Jenna had quite the B-day parties this year.  Friday night before their birthday weekend, we celebrated their birthday with the Franklin's and the Tobolski's with a Dora and Diego cake.  It is so much fun to see all of the kids play and have fun...although we may soon outgrow their basement.  We are up to 8 kids with a couple more on the way. 

The following weekend, we celebrated on their actual birthday at our house with the Flenar's and Backus's.  (It was an impromptu party on Sunday as Leigh and I spent all Friday night in the ER while I passed Kidney stones..fun times had by all...so, the party was cancelled on Saturday)  This time we had a Spiderman and a Ballerina/Kitty cake.  Once again, the kids had a wonderful time.  Anything that had Spiderman or Kitties were the hit this year.