Mama, Mommy, MA

As always, it has been a busy few weeks. Kathleen says she can tell we are extra special busy when I haven't even taken the time at midnight to update this thing. We have had a good bit of cousin time and it has been really fun. Colter and Eli are getting along great and we spent several days and even a sleepover or so together. They are so funny and I am always amazed at the collective imagination of little boys, they come up with the best games. One day I thought we would put on a nice puppet show. So Colter and Eli each picked out a dolphin puppet (both dolphins are named Ava) then there was the shark and the parrot puppets- no names- then they proceded to show me how to catch and chomp up a dolphin about 700 different ways. Hmmm..
Gideon and Dylan are starting to interact a bit more and they had one morning of sitting on the floor playing Thomas the Train that was very sweet. They were even trading toys and Gideon was talking to Dylan. Dylan is still learning more signs and ways of communicating that are both very effective and mostly non-verbal. He can, however, say Mama, Mommy and MA in several different ways. He has a very clear word for Colter now "Dolder" and loves to yell for Dada/Daddy as well. He learned the sign for turtle today and was walking around the house showing everyone a picture of a turtle and then doing the sign, genius I tell ya! He has started using the potty quite a bit and thinks it is so special when everyone cheers for him, that and he likes to take the toilet paper off the roll like a cat. I don't want to curse the potential early potty training by posting this, but he is doing very well. He loves bathtime and any water play and is getting better at following Colter around without getting in his way. They are becoming more of a team these days.
Colter really surprised Trevor the other night when Trevor was reading a book about dinosaurs and extinct animals. Trevor was reading about a marsupial (still can't spell-sorry) and Colter says "Daddy, you know that word you just said" Trevor says "you mean marsupial" Colter says "yeah, did you know that not just kangaroos are that, also koala bears. They're not really bears" I think Trevor about passed out. He has an amazing memory for details, I can't wait to see what he does with that skill in his life.
We finally got some of the sickness going around. Not to bad just a head cold for Trevor, Colter and Dylan and it seems to be passing. Colter told me that he felt like he had two logs on either side of his head with nails and screws on top to tighten them together. He is very descriptive.
After eight weeks I finally tried out the ankle on the slopes. I took the boys skiing on a beautiful sunny springlike day and we had a great time. Dylan is standing on his skiis really well and seems to have no fear. Colter was skiing backwards down the Magic Carpet so that he could watch Dylan ski and Dylan loved it. I still have to be right there because Dylan can't stop, but he goes straight and giggles at Colter the entire time. Colter and I made a few runs on our own while Dylan went home and napped with Tim. Colter is a really good skier. He controls his speed with parallel turns and can stop whenever. He loves to jump and turn around to make sure slow Mom saw everything.
Days are getting longer and I can't wait for spring!

Firetrucks and anthills

I should have updated sooner, it has been a crazy week and I forgot most of the funnies that Colter has been spouting off. We went to Denver last weekend for Noah's surgery, that didn't happen as scheduled. He did have his surgery yesterday and is recovering well. Trevor, Mom, Sharon and I took five boys to the Children's Museum one day and it was so cute. They had a wonderdul time exploring the ant hill, the huge fire truck, building in the tool stations, shopping at the pretend grocery store. It was really cute and yes, Nana, we did dress them all in their matching CSU sweatshirts so that we could spot them easily. That worked out in our favor. We also played all around Sharon and Gary's house, the weather was wonderful. Sharon and Gary turned their garage into a giant play room and that was a big hit. Elijah and Colter were very busy climbing HUGE trees by the park. They have no fear of height, the only concern was who could climb higher. When we got home Colter and Daddy went skiing all over the place. They have so much fun together these days and go all over the mountain to find little jumps and walls to ride up and down. Our week back home was filled with sunshine and blue skies. Colter had Comets ski school on Friday and Dylan and I went to "Baby Coop". It is a fun mommy/baby group that trades off babysitting. Dylan and his little buddies get a chance to hang out and play a bit. Dylan continues to come into his own little self. He loves to follow Colter around and try to imitate whatever he is doing. He loves to play music and dance and his face lights up and he belly laughs if a flashlight is turned on- oh the little things! Colter and Elijah are having a sleep over tonight, so I should really try to get some sleep! Tomorrow will be a busy one-