While visiting Isabelle, the kids had a good game of tug-of-war. Funny, you don't need to teach kids how to play that game. Next picture is of Thomas on our deck...I wanted a picture of the morning glories. Thomas is a good sport about getting his picture taken; I think his eyes were on his unruly brother who won't pose quite as easily. This double stroller was given to us by a man at work. I took it out to clean it up to pass onto someone else at work and the kids decided it was their favorite play area! They both climbed into the back. I love Thomas' dirty face! Yes, that's Nathan in the johnny-jumper! Matt found it in the basement and decided to set it up. Nathan loves it and can spin himself at a good clip. Last picture is of Thomas. Yes, they still get warm milk in a bottle every morning. They love their morning bottle.

I wish I could explain how much fun we have. The boys alone enjoy each others company immensely. For example, they found a rope up next to the shed and they carried all over the yard each hanging onto an end. Neither was the leader, total give and take. I think they enjoy the most just tooling around the yard together. The only time they fight is when they need a nap, that's my cue to get them inside and to bed. We went out to story hour this morning. Thomas hid behind my skirt most of the time and Nathan wanted up in my arms. They did sit well to listen to the story, just the activities unsettled them. When we are home, if one is not in sight, they are quick to ask where is....? They definitely look out for each other. They also remember to take care of each other. Like if one is getting a lollipop, they will grab a second one for their brother.

Nathan, especially is quick to apologize. Half the time, I have no idea why he is apologizing to me. They are also getting away from beep, beep and using excuse me. Pretty cool!

The first picture is of Zach B. with the boys after Sunday lunch. The next picture is Ellie, our Siamese, out on a beam in our family room. I love the angelic look on Thomas' face in the third picture. The last three pictures are from the Labor Day parade in Marlboro. The boys eagerly waved their hands at everyone in hopes of candy. Many in the parade throw candy to the kids. What a neat parade, everything from bag pipes to school bands, from clowns to horses.

The other day when Matt and I went out the kids stayed home with their grandma. Nathan called out while we were waving good bye "I lub you!" then he told his grandma that Daddy and Mommy were going to work which was not right but that is where Daddy usually is going in his blue car.

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Trying a different video host - instead of youtube, it's putfile.

Like Jen said, the boys really like to ride on the ATV, or fwa-waa-waa. One night last week , made it a family outing and the four of us piled on, including a camera toting Mommy. That interest in the ATV explains Tommy's twitch in his right hand as he is revving up his "four wheeler..."

A few days in Plymoth, MA

We enjoyed a few days with extended family down in Plymoth, MA at my aunt's cottage. Mom and Dad came with Jackson and my sister Amy came with her family from Ontario. We had cool days but spent lots of time digging in the sand and throwing rocks into the ocean.

Thomas has started drawing me pictures and informing me what they are. It used to be just scribble, scribble, but now it's scribble, "look Mom, Doodle!". I definitely need to be told what it is.

I've been doing some painting which the boys have wanted to join in on. So, we donned old clothes and went to work on the garage doors. It's fun to teach them how to. Like don't dip the entire brush in....of course I didn't think of that bit of advice until a moment too late. They really are good at trying to follow my directions. They seem to find it more difficult to go do something, like go upstairs and get a pair of shorts. I'm not sure if they get distracted just by walking out of the room or maybe they don't like to leave the scene of activity. Anyway, it's neat to teach them, like how to take their shirt off by themselves and then you see them trying to do it the way you said a few days later. You can tell they were listening.

The boys love the four wheeler. The routine is for them to ride with their dad when he gets home from work either when I'm getting dinner ready or when I'm cleaning up after. We have quite a wooded hill on our property. Whenever, the ATV is pointed downhill, they say "Whee, Daddy" which translates to, turn it off and lets coast. Even when I drive them, I get the Whee command....I haven't the guts to try it yet. For some reason lately, no matter how long Thomas has ridden, he cries when it's all over so we are working on "say thank you to Daddy for the ride you did have!" It's a new concept, but I think he's getting it.

It's been so neat to listen to them progress with their words and sentences. Thomas' words aren't as clear, but I would say I can get about 80% of it. He's a good boy about repeating for me until I do get it. Sometimes, I have to ask him to take me to it or point to what he's talking about. Nathan is so funny about repeating what I tell him. He repeats everything I say! Must be his way of learning and he's practicing new words. For the longest time, he referred to himself as Nathan not using I and me. Just the other day, I heard him carefully and slowly tell Annie "don't bite me" so he's picking up on the use of what are they possessive nouns?

They are so incredibly cute and I feel thankful for these two precious lives that I've been trusted with for a short time.

These pictures are from a day at state beach in Plymouth with Sara and Isabelle in early August. The boys decided to sit in the pails as tippy as they were on the sand. Nathan is playing with the tractor in the third picture. The last picture was a little walk we took up the beach for which most of the time was spent chasing sea gulls. Similar to the boys chicken war cry, they had a seagull war cry.