The Austins

Army Coat

From Nate:

To Luke:

To Calvin:

Group Shot- Take 72

I thought the Hampton cousins had set the bar pretty low when it came to coordinated, special occasion "Cousin Group Shots." There are photos of us from way back when with knees tucked up into pretty hand smocked dresses, index fingers being held up (yes as in "we're number one") while in pretty hand smocked dresses. I think it was our way of getting revenge for all of the pretty hand smocked dresses and ridiculous hats we had to wear.

However, the Austin Cousins are going to provide some fierce competition in this department.  I don't know how many pictures i took...but this is the best one i have, with everyone in it.

Way to go kids.

It's FALL Y'ALL!

We spent last weekend in Grady, AR. 

With COUSINS.

And very little sleep. 

More to come...

Twins on Hay...Take 3

10 months...

1 Year, 10 months...

2 years, 10 months

2 Years. 8 Months. 4 Days.

Calvin and Sloan,

Oh I am so bad at updating.  I like to blame it on our dinosaur of a computer.  The truth is that facebook is so darn convenient I tend to neglect the blog. 

So where are we now?

Potty trained.  It's a good place to be.  You decided to get serious about it after our June beach vacation and ever since July, with a little help from something that starts with "S" and ends with "kittles," we have been in underwear and panties (and may anyone be stricken down that calls panties underwear or vice versa).  Still doing pullups at night, but there are many mornings you wake up dry.

Talking talking talking. You both use words like "actually" and say things like, well, you speak like small adults.  You have learned how to express your feelings. For example, you will say, "I am sad about Mommy being at work.  But I am happy about you mama!"  When your wonderful first teacher for this school year had to leave due to illness (long story) you would say, "I am sad about S___".  You can both count to 20 (with a little help in the teens), say your ABCs and the pledge of allegiance. You know that fish have gills and humans have lungs. You know that mama is a "nurse prac-tish-o-ner" and mommy is a "zecutive sisstant". 

Calvin.  You have become very energetic as of late.  You can be very wild, sometimes throwing toys, or yourself.  You are oh so sensitive, but such a good boy.  You try so hard to be good at everything and to do all of the right things.  Your feelings get hurt when you mess something up, get in trouble, or have an accident.  You are obsessed with sports, specifically Hockey.  I cut down a little lefty hockey stick for you and everyday after school you want to play hockey out front with Mama.  You have learned to hold the stick correctly and your slap shot is a force to be reckoned with.  You love cereal, riding with the window down in the car, and flags.

Sloan.  You hardly ever leave the house without one of your babies or a purse.  You are so sweet to your babies and you are happiest when playing with them.  Your favorite colors are pink and purple, your favorite movie is The Incredibles.  You have become -extremely- picky about what you wear.  You are very concerned about things matching, even your underwear.  You love chapstick.  You play very well by yourself and have very strong opinions about...well, everything.  You can still throw a viscious tantrum, and are a little slow to apologize at times.  You will even put yourself in timeout...just to undermine our authority :) You have an imaginary friend!  Her name is YoYo.  The other night I asked you where she was during dinner and you pointed right next to me saying, "She's right there. She's looking at you,"

Things you guys like to eat right now:  blueberry pancakes, broccoli, pizza, chicken legs (you call them chicken bone bones), blts, we have salmon every tuesday when mommy works, corn, peas, enchiladas, fruit... you are both great eaters and will eat just about anything we put in front of you. 

Favorite books right now:  Tango Makes 3, Mad About Plaid, Huck Runs Amuck; Richard Scary "big book"

We have been spending lots of time in the front yard, at the zoo, marmee's house, & papa and lolli's house.  You love going down to Grady to Papa & Lolli's house in the country, and up to Sparky's cabin in Snowball.  You went to the Buffalo River for the first time in September and had a blast throwing rocks.

2 has been a very trying, but very FUN age so far.  You guys are incredibly entertaining.  Hope you are enjoying this year as much as we are.

Love,

Your Moms

Conversation...

This was a conversation Calvin and I had the other night and I wanted to write it down so i didn't forget it.  It's heartbreaking to hear him so upset, but I am in awe of his ability to communicate at 2.5 years.

This has been a rough week for him.  He has always been our sensitive guy and this week it is showing.  It is our last week with our current teacher at daycare.  Next Monday is "Move Up Day".  I'm pretty sure Calvin knows whats going on...and he is sad.

So the conversation?

I was giving the twins a bath and I was trying to talk to them about their new teacher...trying to get them excited.  Sloan was super interested but Calvin was being very quiet (NOT normal for him)  I also have to add that tara was working that night so it was just the 3 of us.

I asked him, "Calvin, are you excited about your new teacher?"

        -silence-

"Buddy, are you excited about your new teacher?"

        -"I don't want to talk"

"Why don't you want to talk?"

        -"Because I am sad"        "I am sad without my mommy."

:(  Poor fella.  I know he will be so happy once he adjusts...but this week has been hard!

Sloaney B

  My sweet girl.  I have been meaning to do a special post for you like I did for your brother a few months back.  You are something else right now.  You can say your abc's, count to 12 (still leaving out 5 of course), and throw the most amazing temper tantrums.

You are so sweet to your baby dolls and you are fascinated with human babies.  Your favorite part of the zoo is seeing all of the strollers with "liiddel babieees mama!"  Last night you head butted me and made my nose bleed-I think it was a little traumatic for you because this morning you were very concerned about my nose, saying

"you're sick in your nose mama?"  "it's ok, i'm sorry."  mmmmmmhua!

You looove pony tails, dresses and babies.  You are definitely what one might call our "dominant twin" because Calvin likes to see what your choices are first and then follow suit. I love your confidence and strong will- I think it will serve you well down the road. 

Because of you I find myself paying attention to hairstyles and dresses in magazines (whaaaaaat???) I now watch youtube videos entitled "How to French Braid" and google things like, "what is the best toenail polish for toddlers?"  You made your first basket playing basketball this past weekend and I went berzerk--you loved it.  If you turn out to be a basketball star I'm pretty sure that moment we shared will be your "root."

My little lady, I get so excited thinking about your future...but I am just fine with you taking your time getting there. 

Quintessential Calvin

Beach Lady

The Ocean made her so happy. 

Beach...Cheesy Family Pic Edition

I forced Tara to buy the fam coordinating outfits :)

Our trip to Seacrest beach was AWESOME!  We all had a blast...the twins especially. I have about a million pictures, but the family shots are the only ones I have managed to get through so far. Here's a few...