A story about a Mouse and a Duck, Quack Quack.

Growing up, I toot-tooted. I was not allowed to say the word Fart. Even now, I still have a hard time saying Fart. (Sometimes I say a "Omg, a mouse on a motorcycle!" Dan always falls for it too) 

I assumed as my boys grew up, I would also teach them to "toot toot." I never thought I would need to do it so soon. Imagine my dismay (or laughter) when Nicky the other day told me "Nicky farted."  He thinks this is hilarious. I am so lucky.

Last weekend when Shauna and Val were her,  Shauna, um...well she toot tooted! and she said "Omg! what was that?!"

My precocious little boy Nicky said "A duck, quack quack."

with a stright face.

Awesome.

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Love for Boy and Girl

If i could be best friends with Etsy.com, I would. We've bonded. She always has something I NEED. I need lots of things, in case you haven't noticed.

And so do you!! So happy Friday and  here is some shopping love straight from Abelingland. Something special for your boy and girl. Enjoy! xo

For Boy Mommies

For Girl Mommies

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Guest Blogger: Grandma Booba (Bubba)

Last month I posted about "Something New" to Abelingland. A Guest Blogger! As I have mentioned before, I started writing this blog so I could capture funny stories, milestones, and memories to share with the boys when they get older -  the Story of their Life! I asked my family to be a guest blogger once a month to share something they would like the boys to know, whether it be a picture of them when they were little, a favorite book, a story, or anything that comes to mind. My goal is that the boys also have a little piece of them too.

I asked Valerie to be the first blogger, and as you can imagine, Val spent the last 2 weeks sweating, full of anxiety and teetering on the edge of cliff. Kinda like when she had to give the Maid of Honor speech at my wedding. (Thank you Kathleen and Amy for keeping her drunk and calm) Although that turned out great, even if my money tree is dead!

So being the best twin sister I am, I gave Auntie Val a pass and my Mom stepped in...so THANK YOU Mom. I know the boys will treasure this forever...
 ______________________________________________________________________________

Dear Nicholas and Brandon,

There is so much to say about being CERTAIN of what you want.

All I ever remember is wanting to be married, by twenty five, with a big diamond, a real house (no apartment), and twins by the time I was 30.

As luck would have it...... all my wishes came true, accept for the apartment (lived in one for 4 months). Having Victoria and Valerie were the best thing that ever happened to me........ until May 10th 2008.

Who would think that one teeny tiny baby boy could mean so much?????

I didn't carry him, I didn't give birth to him and yet my whole world changed that day. Nicholas filled my heart like nothing I could or would have ever imagined....... The complete love I felt for him immediately was pretty shocking. Yes, I wanted grandchildren, but if it happened great, if not it would still be okay.

Truthfully, I really am not that fond of kids....... I HATE CRYING BABIES.... as my two had colic for 6 months, so if I never heard another baby cry I would be content.

Being so far away from Nicky was torture for me, but I saw him every month of his first year except for the month of September, so we did bond!!!!!!!!! I longed to hear his cry and to comfort him. Vicci was so wonderful about posted weekly pictures, so BOB and I did not miss a thing. To see him roll over, laugh, crawl and walk were amazing. Hearing him say words and sentences, incredible. Selfishly, having him call me Bubba, (Nicky's version of BOOBA, Texas style) was the cat's meow. He is so smart and funny and such a little athlete already (must be in the genes). What on earth could be better than this.........and then a second one???

Yes, another new baby boy. Will I love him as much? Is there room in my heart for another grandson? Oh my God yes!!!!

Brandon was born July 10th, fourteen months after Nicholas, so we had to bond with this beautiful boy. It was a little bit harder as Brandon did not like the bottle in between nursing as Nicky did. So, bonding was not as easy. Also, I did not come out as often, but one week Vicci came home for work and I had Brandon to myself....... WE bonded and I fell madly, deeply in love. He is precious and sweet and he somehow wormed his way into my heart and just made it bigger and they both fit perfectly within the walls of my beating heart.

Love,

Grandma BOOBA

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Texas Bluebonnets - Texas Pride

3 years ago I moved to Texas and saw the craziest thing: PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES OF THEIR KIDS IN THE WEEDS! ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! EVERYWHERE! Then  I learned about the Texas bluebonnets.

...As historian Jack Maguire so aptly wrote, "It's not only the state flower but also a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat." He goes on to affirm that "The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." 

Apparently, there is a rather annoying tradition of people wanting to take pictures of their children (and Pets!) in the bluebonnets once they sprout in early March all the way through Mothers Day... consequently, most of the displays beside the highways, which the State seeds at some expense, end up looking pummeled. Apparently a  few years ago, the Texas State Troopers started ticketing people for grabbing a handfuls of them... that's illegal! (Like picking California State Poppies)

Anyhow,  if you have kids its is not only normal but EXPECTED to act like a nut every March/April, get your kids all dressed up, walk through mud and dirt to get these actually really gorgeous and totally Texas pictures. And well, if you know me, then you know, that I HAD TO DO IT TOO! I love embracing tradition!!

Year One Pictures  - Just Roxy Roo, first born and still my princess
(courtesy of Shauna and Val and her camera phone)

Year TWO - Nicholas & Brandon on the way...
(photo credit Georges Schemagin)
Roxy and Zeus (yes I know those are not technically bluebonnets, but they are so pretty!)

Year THREE 
I hopped over the back fence this past weekend and had Shauna take pictures of the puppies in the bluebonnets. I call these "Boston Bluebonnets" (original huh?)

One of my good friends, Tara Pottichen is very talented, starting her own photo boutique, and offered (maybe I begged?) to take pictures of the boys in the bluebonnets. We set off last night and look at just SOME of the fantastic pictures she took. I am so in awe of her talent..and my beautiful babies :)

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Easter Weekend in Abelingland, Austin

Happy Easter from Abelingland! I hope you had a great weekend! We had a fun filled weekend of multiple Easter egg hunts, Easter pinatas (!), tractors (of course), candy, family and friends. Grandma Booba, Grandpa Bob, Auntie Val and Shauna all flew in.

We started on Saturday morning with the crazy Steiner Ranch Easter Egg Hunt. We saw all his friends, Kylee Jo, Haylee, Alex & Evan, Jack and McKenna, Hudson, Michael and Ella. They had over thousands of eggs, face painting, petting zoo (Brandon especailly loved the goats) and a fire track! I was excited to see Nicky hunt for eggs this year, since last year, he was still too little to understand. Just about the same age as Brandon is now.

After the Easter egg hunt, Auntie Val made me take Nicky to get his mullet removed. I cringe just thinking about haircuts. He hasn't had a haircut since his first cut back in Sept. The girl had to sit on the floor while Nicky played with the trains to get some hair cut. And all they were able to do was cut that  first baby curl off...anyways that was a nightmare, and this this time we were much more successful.

Saturday night, we had dinner at Boat House Grill, were we listened to music, watched Nicky play on the playscape, ate hushpuppies and watched the grass grow ;)

Easter Sunday we woke up and decorated Easter Eggs. It was also Shauna's birthday so we made a red velvet cake for her. Yum. The birthday girl got to vote on the best looking egg. Nicky's egg was so pretty! but I came in 1st and second! Yay me. We hid all the plastic eggs my mom MAILED to us (In a huge box, filled with baskets and treats!) around the front yard and Nicky and Brandon had fun finding all the eggs. Nicky even found one in a tree! Some were filled with cars! Horray!
Or neighbors invited us over for their 2nd Easter pinata party and Nicky enjoyed playing with all the neighborhood kids and collecting all the treats that fell from the sky. Dan's father Ray and friend Achim came for dinner. Mom got Tyler's pulled pork recipe and we let that little Boston butt cook for 7 hours until it "pulled" off the bone. We also had tater tots, corn, corn bread, and broccoli -  served dinner on my fine china :)

I took Monday off to enjoy the day with my sister. She decided to take Nicky out of school, and left me at home by myself, while she and Shauna took Nicky to see some tractors. figures.

Overall it was a great weekend and hope you all had a great one too!

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Half Way Helmet

We are at the half way mark! Brandon's little head is still under construction and making good progress. Since the start, his head has grown over 8 millimeters and has already made noticeable improvements! You can track his progress here. I got about as far as putting his name on the helmet and then stopped. I couldn't seem to find any stickers that would stick, and then I gave up. He doesn't seem to mind. Maybe for the last month, I will get creative. Here are some recent pictures of Brandon in his helmet, enjoying the warm Austin weather

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Happy Easter!

When I was 3 years old, I had chicken pox. My parents got me a white bunny. She had red eyes and floppy pink ears. I named her Red Eye Floppy Pink Ears. I loved her.



I will back later this evening with Easter pictures and a new post. In the meantime, Happy Easter, have a wonderful day with your family and friends, and enjoy some pictures of some bunnies!

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Secret

Here is a little secret. I do most of my shopping online and make $$$ back through shopping rebate sites, like Lucky Shopping.  One of my favorite shops for babies is Mini Boden. Right now, Mr. Rebates and Ebates are both offering the following deal: 20% off any Boden Purchase + Free Shipping + Free Returns!!!
 Making this deal even better?  Both Mr. Rebates and Ebates reward you $5 for signing up to become a new member + 4% cash back on your purchase! In all, this means some very excellent savings for, in my opinion, one of the best stores for fun and unique kids clothes ever.

My favorties this season are:

Don't forget to Thank me when you get your little 4% check back! Happy Shopping.
PS: they also have clothes for Mommys and Daddies!

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Daddy and Me Tie Set!

Easter is right around the corner and while I was browing for Easter outfits, I came across Apple & Ivy.  I could not resist these adorable matching Daddy and Me Tie. Perfect for Easter, Bluebonnet pictures, or even a Father's Day gift! I requested Daddy and (2) Me Tie sets for pictures we are doing in June. Can't wait! Aand if you buy a set don't forget to share pictures with me. :)

PS. they also have Daddy and Daughter set too!

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LOVE

Dear Sweet Boys,

I am not looking forward to the day you stop holding my hand, letting me kiss you, dress you, walk you to school, take your pictures, and all the random hugs I sneak in.  Is it OK that I want you to be mommy's boys, never grow up and stay with me forever? I know this time is fleeting, so I am going to soak up as much as I can until I haver to let go.

What I AM looking forward to, is when you find "the one" (and I get to plan the wedding!!) and you get married;  I hope you are as happy as your Daddy and I. Instead of listing all the corny things I love about your Dad, I thought showing you a funny email would suffice for today.

This morning I recieved an email from Daddy that said "Can I go?" and attached was an email from one of your Daddy's best friend Mark about their plans to have another Boys Trip this summer. In the message, Mark listed out some of the rules for the trip. Here is a snapshot of the email and "rules" that made me laugh out loud.

"...Because we all have busy lives and Dan may have this 3rd or 4th kid by Fall, I suggest we start planning now so we can set aside work, family, Dan's 6 kids, etc., and give plenty of notice. ....
Only other rules I suggest are:

1. We keep additional invites to bare minimum. If we want to invite someone else, all 3 of us as founders have right to veto.
2. Person who is designated to plan trip does so from start to finish (e.g., activity, lodging, restaurant reservs, etc). I only mean make plans, not actually pay.
3. Dan can only call Vicci twice a day and has a cap of 3 "babes" per day.
4. No blackberrying work...."


 Nicky, you have even started calling us "babe" we say it so much.

So here is to LOVE and wishing the two of you great LOVE in your future too.

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