Mother of Twins - A Poem

There's two to wash, there's two to dry.
There's two who argue, there's two who cry.
One's in the mud having a ball,
The other one's holding a crayon...another marked wall.
Some days seem endless, my patience grows thin.
Why was I chosen to be the mother of twins?

The answer comes clear at the end of each day,
as I tuck them into bed and to myself I say...
There's two to kiss, there's two to hug,
And best of all, there's two to love!

Montessori School

Our boys started Montessori school at St. Patrick's School in Tacoma on September 7th. Their school is wonderful....their teachers, Mrs. Renggli and Mrs. Joyce are just wonderful and they've loved school from day 1. Even though they love their school, it has been an adjustment to all-day school (8:30 - 3:00 every day, Monday through Friday)....there have been a few tears shed in the morning, but overall, it's been a pretty smooth adjustment.

Ethan is very social and is the first to comfort another child when he/she is upset, gets hurt, etc. He pays attention well and follows instructions, is kind and patient. He had his first time of being the "leader" on Wednesday...it was his day to bring snack for the whole class, be the line-leader and have a special day.

John is excelling in all things academic. They are being introduced to computers and John is learning quickly and craving more challenging projects. The teachers are developing more challenging projects for him because they said he appears to be bored at times with the pace of the rest of the class...our little smarty-pants. John's day to be leader is Monday, so he's very excited for his turn.

We can't believe we're already at the point where are boys are in all-day school....our babies are growing up so fast. They are growing up into such sweet boys!

Movin', Movin', Movin'

Well....to make a long story short, we're moving. We're moving into a beautiful home (much larger...from about 1400 square feel to 2400 square feet) on Tapps Island. It's a beautiful, safe, kid-friendly community. We were renting our house in Puyallup and have decided to make this move...and we hope to be in this house for a very long time. It has a lovely fenced backyard (great for BBQ'ing, housewarming parties :), kids playing and our dog). We are excited and a little sad all at the same time. This new house will be a great new beginning for us (Jason's also starting a new job this week and the kids are starting full-time Montessori school starting next week).

I included a picture of the front of the house below. Our house is not on the lake, but it's accross the street, has a great view of the lake and of Mount Rainier. Once we get settled, we'd love to have our friends and family over to see our new home and celebrate with us. We'll be moving in officially on October 1, so there will be a lot of work to be done between now and then.

We've had a wonderful summer! Jason and I are both working on exercising more and eating more healthy. In about the past 5 months, Jason's lost 93 pounds (those of you who haven't seen him in a while won't even believe how wonderful he looks) and I've lost 23...it's a start. Trying to be better examples for our children so maybe, just maybe, they won't struggle with their weight like we have our whole lives. We've also been working on staying active...we go swimming at the YMCA at least 4 times per week, go for walks, take the kids to the park, etc.

Big things are happening for the Drury family. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers that this move goes smoothly, that Jason's new job works out well and that the kids thrive in their new school. As for me, I'm happy when my family's happy and I'm excited about this next chapter in our lives!

XOXO,

The Drurys

Mickey Mouse Rooms

Last week I was home with the boys after their Tonsillectomies and Adnoidectomies. Overall, they've done really well. This surgery, however, is no joke. It's general anesthesia, a lot of pain and a minimum full 10 days of recovery before they're back to eating more solid foods. As far as handling the pain, our boys, true to form, have been complete opposites. John has been lovey, clingy...generally attached to us at the hip. Ethan has just been mad....he's made many "mean doctor", "stupid medicine" type statements, which he gets in trouble for (not using nice words), but apparently the consequences have been worth the outbursts of anger.

We have had a lot of family fun though staying at home spending time together. We've read TONS of books, worked on our numbers and letters flashcards and watched lots of movies (doctor's orders were to keep them "down" and mostly indoors for the first week after the surgery).

We also decided this week to redecorate the boys' room in a Mickey Mouse theme. They LOVE Mickey Mouse...they watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse every morning, had a Mickey themed birthday party, etc. For their birthday, our very good family friends Chaney and Logan Klespitz and Jim and Vicki Morgan, brought them back all kinds of wonderful things from their recent trip to Disneyland including Mickey figurines, picture frames, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. We have used these items to decorate their new room along with the blankets I made them (Mickey tie blankets) and the wall hangings below that I painted myself.

They love their new room...I think they're like their Momma and enjoy a change of scenery once in a while.

We are all getting very excited for the start of Montessori school on August 31. They will be going 5 days per week from 8:30 until 3:00...they'll even get to wear adorable school uniforms.

We're trying to fit in a little visit to the ocean before school starts....maybe a weekend trip to Ocean Shores....trying to work out the details.

Hope everyone's having a great summer!

I just want you to know...

How much we are enjoying you (our boys) at this age. Your personalities are really distinct and you are both so smart, kind and empathetic. We have no doubt that you will grow up to be wonderful men...just like the men that came before you (your daddy, grandpas, uncles).

John - This week you, one again, showed your independent and curious side by deciding to brush your teeth by yourself. However, you used mommy's raspberry shaving cream as toothpaste. Once we realized what you did, you exclaimed it was "yummy" and your teeth were "fresh....so fresh", which cracked us up. For probably the 5th time in your life (at least), I called poison control to make sure there wasn't anything in the shaving cream that would harm you...after giggling, the poison control operator told us that an upset tummy is about the worst thing that can possibly happen. You constantly make us laugh and amaze us with your curiosity and independence. You are my heart.

Ethan - This week one of your most amazing gifts, your empathy, really shined. Daddy has been recovering from surgery and you have just been amazingly gentle, sweet and helpful in taking care of daddy. You also have really helped to care for our dog, Duke, after his neutering...you've given him lots of gentle loves and even covered him up with your favorite blankie when he slept. When I watch you care for your family, it makes me so incredibly proud to be raising such a genuinely caring, kind child. You are my heart.

In other events, this week you both had to see the Ear, Nose & Throat specialist because both of your tonsils are unusually large (a genetic curse you inherited from Aunt Holly :)). After giving you both a look, the doctor recommended strongly removing both of your tonsils and adnoids, to which, I, your mother, immediately felt a cold sweat, panic-type feeling come over me (2 kids post-surgery to care for at the same time = worried mommy). Your surgery is scheduled for August 4th...Ethan first, John second. Your recovery time will be 7 to 10 days, so it was important for us to get it scheduled prior to the end of August (you are starting all-day Montessori school at the end of August). We will be stocking up the freezer and fridge with lots of ice cream, popsicles, yogurt, jello and juice....that part of it you probably won't mind at all :).

Here you are the "really cool" chair at the doctor's office:

Summer Pics

Summer 2010

Wow...it's been a long time since I've updated our blog. We've had a busy summer so far.

Firstly, the John and Ethan celebrated their 4th birthday at the end of May with a Mickey Mouse themed party. We had soooooo much fun, complete with lots of friends, family and, of course, a jump-jump castle :) (our new birthday tradition). The boys continue to amaze us every day with how smart, sweet and wonderful they are.

John:

At age 4, John weighs 38.5 pounds and is 41.75 inches tall. He remains (and I hope will forever be) a total momma's boy. He is cuddly, super smart, and a big helper...he loves to help us with any task including dishes, cooking, folding laundry, vacuuming, making beds, etc. He is a complete joy. He is also hot-tempered and, VERY talkative and, lately, pretty opinionated about a variety of topics. He frequently is in time-out for backtalking. Daddy and I think he will grow up to be an architect or an engineer because he loves to figure out how things work, do puzzles, read and build lego towers (attributes of engineers or architects??). Recently, at his dental appointment, we learned he still has no cavities. We are so proud of our boy!

Ethan

At age 4, Ethan weighs 39 pounds and is 42 inches tall. He is a little more of a daddy's boy, but comes to mommy when he's hurt or needs a little extra reassurance. He is adventurous and loves to get dirty...playing in the dirt and searching for "wormies" is one of his favorite activites. Ethan is a real go-getter...he gets very excited about doing special activities (even if it's just a new sprinkler in the backyard). Ethan was a born lover...he gives lots of hugs and kisses. He is so sweet with our dog, Duke. Ethan is also very smart and especially loves learnings his numbers. Ethan is a good leader and I can totally see him growing up and working with people as a leader...maybe a teacher? He is very empathetic and is the first to comfort anyone who gets hurt or is sad. Recently, at his dental appointment, he had 2 cavities....no fun. We are so proud of this boy!

Jason started and completed a truck driving school and now has his CDL with all the associated endorsements and is excited to get back to work after quite a long layoff. He has, however, been able to spend a lot of quality time with the kids over the summer, so that has been nice for their "boy bonding". He is looking forward to getting back to work soon.

Work has been keeping me busy....not much new there, except we moved offices (1 door down) and I absolutely LOVE my new office space. I have a lot more natural light and a larger office...both good things.

So far this summer, we've done trips to the zoo, Northwest Trek, lots of swimming and sprinkler days, airplane ride & visit to Aunty Holly & Cooper in Spokane, berry picking and making jam, visit and ride on the REAL Thomas the Train, BBQ'ing and lots of get togethers with friends and family, including a couple of trips to the cabin in Leavenworth.

BIG NEWS....the boys will start all-day Montessori school at St. Patrick's school (only about a mile from my office) starting at the end of August. They will go 5 days per week, all day. They are soooooo excited, as their best friend, Logan, goes to that school and they feel like very big boys. I'm sure there will lots of proud mommy tears on the first day of school. We feel that this will be great for their development and will really help to prepare them for Kindergarden next year.

We feel blessed to have the support of such a wonderful family and good friends. Most of all, we are blessed to have each other.

Summer pics to follow :)