Duke

Some of you may have noticed when we updated our blog design that the name changed from "Two by Two by Two" to just "Two by Two." This is because we made the decision a couple of months ago to find a better home for Duke, our youngest Pointer. Unfortunately, at this stage in our lives, with very small children, we are not able to give him the attention he deserves. It was very hard to make this decision, but we felt it was the best thing for Duke. The couple was in the process of relocating to Atlanta and had overseas travel planned the months of June and July, so we were not able to deliver Duke until today. I drove up by myself because Todd had some things he had to take care of here. I thought I had prepared myself for this day, but I find that I am very sad tonight. I know he will get the attention he needs with his new family and will be very well taken care of, but I can't help but feel we let him down. I know he's a dog, but I hate that I left him with complete strangers today.

Duke, we sure will miss you buddy!

Touch A Truck

We recently took the boys to a local function called Touch A Truck in the downtown area. they close off a few streets and bring in all types of vehicles for children to crawl around in, honk the horns, and flip some switches. Our boys had a very good time. The event was for Toys For Tots, and people were asked to bring one new toy as a donation for entry.

Parks acting out how a "he-we-cota" flies.

Seriously, the only picture we have of Randi or me. It was hard to keep up with them at this event.

Wyatt driving a WWII Army Jeep. All he wanted to do was honk the horn.

Parks throwing the hammer down in his rig.

A preview of the school years, Wyatt up and down the aisles.

"Hey, hurry it up, bus driver!!"

Don't expect these letters getting delivered on time.

Every little boy's favorite: the fire truck

Wyatt holding down the front bumper.

I had to climb up into the fire truck to get Parks out. He did not want to leave.

The both got fireman hats, balloons, coloring books, bouncy balls, foam fire trucks and so much more. They slept like logs during nap time that day, and, of course most those items I mentioned were in their cribs too.

Question: What can brown do for you? Answer: Brown can sure fill up some diapers!!

Two Snips: Parks

We figured that Parks would be much more of a challenge. He hates for us to brush his hair, which is why it usually looks like a bees nest. Parks has some huge curls, and we were fearful they would all be gone after his first haircut. He's looks like a little Q-tip.

Parks at play, pre-cut.

Parks really liked the taxi, but because he saw Wyatt getting his hair cut in the fire truck, that is where he had to have his cut as well.

Heading out to pick up a fare. Notice the tongue out denoting intense concentration.

So far, so good. Parks let her use the spray bottle on his hair and comb
it before the cutting began.

Still good, and as you can see, we have moved over to the fire truck.

All done, and Parks pulled it off. I think he actually might have enjoyed.

Now, what you can't see in this picture is the huge grin he had on his face when getting tickled by that brush. We were so proud of them...now let's see how they do at the dentist's office.

One Snip: Wyatt

We took the boys this weekend to get their FIRST haircut!! At this rate, they will only have 10 haircuts before age 20. Wyatt, with his very straight hair, had developed quite a mullet. Business in the front and party in the back. If it was not for him needing a haircut, I think we would have waited even longer. Nonetheless, we went for the snip, snip.

We took them to a kid-themed shop called Pigtails & Crewcuts. It was actually better than I thought it was going to be. They had all kinds of toys for our 30 minute wait and barber chairs that looked like cars and airplanes. Both boys insisted on sitting in every one of the chairs.

Here is Wyatt, pre-cut, in the fire truck. It was his favorite, and he loved the bell on the front that spun around and "ding"-ed.

He was fascinated with turning the wheel and making "vroom-vrooom" sounds.

Wyatt was perfect getting his haircut. I guess he is used to getting poked and prodded, and now, nothing phases him.

There go those golden mullet locks. He looked so grown-up after his haircut. We could have put a suit on him, given him a briefcase, and sent him to work.

"Hey, what'cho doin' back there!?"

It was a good day. All smiles.

Blowing Out the Candles

Happy Birthday, Parks and Wyatt

"Why are all these people singing at me?"

Everyone gets a chance to blow out their two candles.

Wyatt lunging for the cake!!

The ice cream cone cup cakes were very popular...

...and Wyatt wore his well.

I had to throw this picture in of one of our party guests. I'm not sure if her expression is from all the fun she was having or from the sugar.

The Birthday Setup: Circus Time

FINALLY....we have some pictures of Parks and Wyatt's second birthday. We (Randi and I) decided to go with a circus theme. We joked around that it best resembles our life over the last couple of years. We think the boys had a really fun time. There were a lot of kids there to share in the fun. I wanted to show off some of the good finds that Randi found on Etsy.

Here was the spread we had for birthday cake and fun extras that we had out for everyone.

My sister made the cake for us and had it look like a big top. It was real yummy and took forever to get all that colored icing off the boys. Randi found the HAPPY BIRTHDAY letters on Etsy.

Randi and I put together the cotton candy packs for everyone and I used Photoshop and Word to create the ticket placards for multiple goodie stations.

Randi made these cupcakes in ice cream cones and then frosted them. The fun little signs came from the same Etsy store.

Here is a picture of the boys after devouring the birthday cake and ice cream cone cup cakes. They are wearing t-shirts that were silk screened from another friend of ours in Atlanta that also has an Etsy store. They also have a big numeral "2" on the back. We will start posting some more pictures of the whole day now that I have had time to edit them. The boys were wiped-out after a big day of fun and filling their bellies.

Wrasslin'

This is what we do most evenings before bedtime. The boys love, love it. And I have a sneaking suspicion that Daddy loves it too.