Movers, Shakers, Mischief-makers

That's what we have in our household these days, now the Frankie is rolling all over the place! He's six months old already, and he's taking over the house and getting into anything and everything. Just last week, TJ helped wrap his cousin Mary's birthday present. He very gently put the bow on it, and I stuck it in the box to be mailed. In one swift move, Frankie rolled over, reached his arm into the box and ripped the bow right off! Luckily, TJ's been pretty good about the change, and he keeps all his small toys off the floor - mainly because he doesn't like Frankie's slobber, but whatever works!

The two are playing together more, much to everyone's delight. TJ loves it now that Frankie interacts with him, and he's actually really good about sharing with his baby brother, which is great since Frankie wants everything TJ has. (This is just the beginning.) Frankie's pretty much always has a smile on his face, and he talks and talks and talks. We know we're in for it, but we just love how expressive he is. He's extra-chatty when he's talking with TJ, so that's really fun.

At his six-month appointment a few weeks ago, he weighed in at 17.5 lbs! Our little chunker is trying to get used to eating baby food, but he's a lot pickier than we expected. He has taken a liking to carrots, but forget plain rice cereal or oatmeal! Mommy is trying to make his baby food again, and she just whipped up a batch of peas, so hopefully those go on the "like" list.

Mommy's taking Frankie to storytime on Thursday afternoons, and he absolutely loves it. He just sits there with a giant gummy grin on his face during the stories and songs... it's so fun to see! TJ's doing great as well. In addition to gymnastics, he now goes to basketball practice on Monday afternoons. (That means, no naps for Mommy on Mondays and Thursdays, but I would trade sleep for time with the boys!) He really loves playing, and the coaches are awesome -- teaching him basketball skills through fun games and drills. He's actually a little natural... he's picking up dribbling, and the first time he had to throw an overhead bouncepass, it was perfect! We just love watching him play, and it's so fun to share my love of the sport with him.

TJ's skills at gymnastics are improving as well. He can do the balance beam by himself, and he's becoming a pro on the bars -- he can do a front-support and straddle on his own, and he's working on flipping over the bar now. It's crazy! Aside from playing with the cubby-full of cars and super heroes,

TJ loves to draw. Aunt G bought him a desk/easel for his birthday, and he uses it almost daily. He draws pictures of him and Frankie as well as BoBos the cat and pretty much everything his mind cooks up. He drew Pa a picture of him for his birthday, and he even drew a kidney stone on it. Silly boy. He's also really good at writing his letters... not just his name, but everyone's names!  He even draws on himself... this one, he wrote his name, upside down (looking down onto his belly), and while we told him he shouldn't write on himself... it was pretty impressive!

TJ loves to sing songs... songs from preschool and songs he makes up in his head (which are really quite good.) Both boys are such a joy to be around, and while it's so fun watching them grow and become who they are, it's really sad to watch how fast the time goes by.