A Day at Scusett State Beach

Another gorgeous day! Can you find Matt in photo #2? He's there!

Whale Watch out of Gloucester

What a wonderful day! Beautiful weather, good company and lots of whale sightings!

I took a picture of the boys next to the rose of Sharon bush which I am trying to do every year. We finally made it to Jennie's yesterday to celebrate her birthday! The boys love to go there. There is a beautiful outdoor garden with her building that we sat in soaking up the sunshine. Finally, a picture at breakfast this morning of the boys in their new sunglasses. Aren't they adorable!

The first two pictures are from July 4th. We went out to eat to celebrate my parents anniversary. On the way home we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. The next pictures are from a weekend trip out to western NY for Matt's high school reunion. We spent one morning with Matt's sister and family. Thomas and Noah were playing at the water table. Then Sunday we went to visit Thomas and Nathan's uncle and aunt. Got a picture of a little bonding time over a fake guitar!

For a couple of months now, Thomas has been able to get himself entirely out of his carseat by releasing the latches. We have this crazy routine when we get home. Sidenote: we have a long driveway. We come to the street end of our driveway, I stop the car, Thomas jumps out, lets Nathan out of his seat, one of the boys gets the mail out the sliding door, then they jump up in the front (usually one sits on my lap and the other sits between the front seats), then we go down the driveway while one beeps the GPS screen and the other uses the DVD remote control to "take pictures" of the coyotes along the driveway. It's crazy the little routines that we get ourself into but they love it!

Hoffman's Playland

The last weekend in June we went for a visit to Clifton Park. Upon my sister's suggestion, we took the boys to Hoffman's Playland--a little fun park for kids, some place we went as children. Still in business! It was really fun going there. The first ride the boys went on were the little boats. About halfway through, Thomas decided it was not fun and burst out crying. For several rides after that, I rode with them which allowed Thomas to relax and get used to the idea of "rides". I'm glad we went to the park.

We've been swimming some this summer at a lake. My goal in going was to just get the kids used to being in the water. We've been using life jackets on them and noodles. Nathan, who has liked water all along has been doing great. He actually kicks his arms and feet and moves himself around alone. He does not mind getting his face and head wet, but comes up smiling. Thomas has gradually being making progress. The first time, he would barely come in and when we got him in, he hollered the entire time and clung to me. The next time, he just hung on tightly without hollering. Now he comes in, but is still not terribly comfortable but eagerly asks to get out after about 3 minutes.

A weekend with Grandpa

That's Thomas in the first picture painting his fingernails pink! Matt's Dad came to see us for a weekend early in June to build the boys swings. Thomas was starting a stomach bug that weekend and the rest of us were getting it so the weekend fizzled out into a Long week of laundry, gatorade and bowls of cheerios.

One day while I was on the phone, I noticed Thomas was very quiet and I got worried. I found him tracing his letters...not bad!

Thomas calls oatmeal, eatmeal. Nathan calls chap-stick, lip-lip.

When we were leaving my parents house last weekend, I told the boys that it was time to go and to say goodbye. So, Nathan looks up at me and waves his hand saying bye-bye Mommy! That's not what I meant! Last night and tonight Thomas is staying with his grandparents and Nathan is telling me that Thomas should be home to keep me company (not him!).

We saw fireworks Thursday evening in the next town over. Thomas kept his head covered with a sweater and peaking out in between booms. Nathan did a little better although at one point he announced it was time to go home. As much as we tried to tell them about the noise, it's only until they see it that they can appreciate it.

Boston Aquarium

Please ignore the scowl on my younger son's face. We hope this is just a phase! He either won't face the camera or puts on this horrible face. I took 4 group pictures and each one looked worse than the previous! We took the commuter rail into town. I think the boys really enjoyed that part of our day. The aquarium was packed with people so I found it a little scary keeping track of the boys. I tried to stress to them to stay with me but it seems a difficult thing to really get them to understand the necessity of this. I quick snapped a picture before we got back on the homeward-bound train. Aren't they adorable?