Our Amazing Technicolor Dream Coats

I'm including three photos of the same scene here to illustrate how nearly impossible it can be to get a nice face from twin two year olds simultaneously.

The paper sacks were the boys' pre-school project from this week. How appropriate! Of course we tell Joseph and Benjamin the Bible stories about Rachel's two sons, but there was something nice about the visual of our modern-day miracles wearing a mock-up of that original coat.

It reminded me of when Matthew and I took all four of our parents to see a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. No, it wasn't Donny Osmond's version, but it was still impressive. Afterward my Dad commented to me how he thought the multi-colored coat might be symbolic of all the different nations that sprang forth from the patriarchs of old. Of course that fit right along with the show because if you've ever seen it, every one of the twelve sons is depicted by a different nationality.

Good Friends

Last night our good friends the McComb's

came to visit and we had such a good time together. Rebekah and Melody are growing up so quickly. This photo was a special treat for me because while all of us moms were talking, Rebekah had somehow managed to corral all the kids to sit together on the couch and pose like this --even though there was no camera in sight! So of course I had to run and get it because even if I had tried, there is absolutely no way I could have orchestrated this shot. From left to right: Abbi Dennis (Trevor and Krissy's daughter) Joseph, Rebekah, Benjamin, and Melody.

Above you can see the finished product. Below you can see the fun that went into making it! Several times a week I get the boys involved in helping make dinner before Daddy get's home. I've been impressed with how helpful they try to be. Benjamin is covered with flour here because he was helping me measure the flour to make the crust. When he pulled the measuring cup out of the flour bin he somehow managed to dust himself in the process. And Joseph was more interested in eating the turkey sausage than putting it on the pizza!

Zoning Out

Lately Joseph's favorite thing has been sitting on the arm of the couch or chairs in the living room while watching the Pixar movie "Cars." I really try to limit their television and screen time. But when he walks around the house with such a pitiful face saying, "Mommy, cars, more cars" it's hard to say no. He's seen it so many times that he knows three to four scenes ahead when the scary combine scene is coming up and comes to get me so I can fast forward it. I'll be so glad when spring is here and we can get outside more.

Our Little Lincoln Log

I ordered the boys some Lincoln Logs online and when they arrived, of course, the metal bin they came in was more interesting to them than the contents. Here is Joseph with Olivia (my occasional mother's helper and baby sitter). He and BoBo (as he calls brother) were taking turns stuffing themselves into the container.

Benjamin Feeding the Animals

We keep a little table and chair set for the boys in the kitchen and the other day Benjamin decided to put his giraffe "Raffie" in the chair and feed him breakfast. "Spoon Momma, spoon!" Benjamin insisted until I got him a utensil. Obviously Raffie is a rather particular eater who likes to be spoon fed.

Cool Dude!

Daddy taught Benjamin how to put his sunglasses on and say "Cool Dude."

Bixby Boys

Winter Pics