"Mom! We look like twins!"

No, really? They shout and I always get a chuckle.

The past week, they've been announcing it when they wear the same clothes. Actually, the same PJs. It's this cool new game to wear matching PJs. It only took them a few years to figure how fun that could be I guess :)

I've never pushed or even suggested matching clothes. In fact, I won't even buy them identical clothes (always coordinating - same shirt, different color).

PJs on the other hand...there are only some many choices out there. Since comfort certainly outweighs looks when it comes to good pjs, I buy 2 if I find good ones.

Oh...I guess there is another exception to my 'no matching' rule. Coats, shoes and backpacks must be identical. I just don't have the patience on the way out the door for the brawls over one vs. another. In fact, though they had matching coats this winter one was labeled 'Alex' and one 'Tanner' for school purposes. They were fighting over which named coat they got to wear, so we wrote boldly 'Wooden' over the first names to make that fights go away.

Anyhow...yes fellas...you look like twins when - and only when - you wear your matching pjs :)

Bedtime Piano

We just found clip-on lights for the boys beds...and Alex is happy as can be playing his little piano book in bed. He plays away (having memorized nearly the whole book of songs) while Tanner reads out loud next to him. Not exactly quiet up there...but calming for each in their own way.

The Potty Dance

No, I'm not referring to the traditional shuffle and leg crossing you expect from a kindergartener. I'm talking about MY potty dance...which is performed while waiting outside the mens restroom...waiting for 2 little 5 years olds to emerge from their duties. MY nervous shuffle knowing that the curious little dudes are in there all alone - because they refuse to go in "womans" because they are "mens".

I can hear them...I can imagine the trouble they are getting into...but I can't control it! Perhaps it's God testing me...I can't control all aspects of my life...I know...they are my daily reminder!!!

Tonight at the library a 50 year old professionally dressed gentleman stepped out briskly, steps ahead of the little dudes. Alex says 'I'm following this man!' and starts chasing after him. I quickly grab his hood (thank God for hoods!) and keep him back. So I begin to wonder and groan...why so fascinated with this man? (Which prompts me to find a book about strangers...we'll see if the Berenstein Bears can get through on that front). I have this terrible suspicion that they probably peeked at him under the stall door and chased him away from his private time.

Why oh why? Why boys? Why curious boys? Why fearless and social boys? Why 2 of them? Help me Lord...or help all those looking for some peace in quiet in a public restroom when the Wooden boys stop in for a visit.

And on a sweeter note...

Alex is upstairs sitting on the kitchen floor with his guitar in hand (neck to the right) strumming away and belting out 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond. Perhaps Neil can retire soon and his young protege can keep his tunes alive :)

Throw Down Time!

When I find the movie or CD or video game or TV show that has corrupted my sweet little kid I'm going to destroy it! Tanner's new response to adult direction is a forlorn 'Whatever'. He's compliant - but he's throwing a 'Whatever' at me and he's only 5!!! Time to wipe that word from the vocabularly!