Making Vivian Laugh

All it takes is a game of peak-a-boo and some ice cream:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAypoPOMlk0

Mom's group at Susan's

A few pics from Janel from Mom's group at Susan's. This was a great day as we learned Michaela will be a big sister. Yay!

I actually found Pip smiling nicely at the camera on this shot. I thought it wasn't possible!!


And I got myself trapped behind the sofa and the chair and decided to make the best of it and smiled too.


Later we went outside for birthday cupcakes (cleaner that way) and tried to determine exactly how many kids can fit into a preform kiddie pool (about 10).


Vivie even braved the slide (which she LOVES!)

Vivian's first ketchup

Verdict: WONDERFUL. Vivian would only eat the chicken covered in ketchup, preferring to scoop just the ketchup sans chicken.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch

While I frolicked in NH on my get-away weekend, Phil took Pip and Vivian to the park. Going over in the wagon was fun until Vivian refused to sit on the way home and Phil had to carry her with one hand and pull the wagon with the other the whole way home!





Later they attempted breaking down the gate for a run at bathtime!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qt2C3w9CKY

Mom's get-away weekend

This weekend I went away with 4 other moms from my Mom's Group to Liz's NH cabin. Shopping, good food, great conversation, crafts, and copious wine. Proved I could still stay up (barely) until 4am.

Camping

It's been raining so much here Phil and Pip had to settle for indoor camping.



And a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtI-NAEGPjo

Mom's group at Amy's

Just a quick pic of me and my extended kids at Mom's Group at Amy's. She brought her picnic table into the kitchen because it was raining (again) and it's easier than having the kids run with food!

Father's Day

For Father's Day we spent a fun-filled day in Boston. It was so fun, I think Pip and Viv were still recovering from the excitement even today!

First there was the train ride in:


Then Pip and Viv ran all over Faneuil Hall:



Then we went to the Aquarium and saw sharks, fish, turtles, jelly fish, sting rays, snails, urchin, coral, eel, frogs, ...

And Pip touched a starfish (all while Vivie slept).

We stopped by the Cafe for a snack and Pip showed off his lion roar...

ans sweet smile.

Back outside we hugged a penguin.

Despite overcast skies, there were patches of sun and it was actually warm. Viv an Pip took in a grassy knoll to run about.

Then we found a water feature in the new Rose Kennedy greenway. Pip was tentative at first.

Until I showed him how it was done.

Then it was all over!

A mostly dry Pip and I stopped for big ice cream cones (which we both finished!). We did share with Daddy and Vivie ... well, a little.

Pretzels

Vivian officially likes to eat all foods. She loves crunchy things that she can work her teeth into. She's got two more on the top and bottom making 8 total!

She also loves to watch Little Einsteins with Pip and gets into the motions!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEjs3mNBj2s

Ella's Birthday

On Sunday Janel, Sammy, Viv and I took a nice long walk. Viv and I got our passport photos taken at the Hunt's in Melrose. Meanwhile Phil took Pip to his friend, Ella's, birthday party at The Little Gym in Woburn.

He and his friend, Drew, were so cute holding hands ...



And Pip got to do lots of running ...


and even tried the uneven bars ... wow!


Not sure what he was doing here, but I love the emotion in his expression.

Makin the best of it

This spring & summer we've gotten lots of rain. All the time. Every day. Misting, drizzling, raining, pouring. Every once in a while it stops spitting at us long enough for us to pretend maybe the clouds will clear and it will be over. Then it starts raining again.

Here's Pip making the best of it. He's the only one who doesn't mind. Today as we were driving home from a friend's, as it pours outside with thunder and lightening, Pip asked me (straight-faced) if he could go outside and play in his sandbox when we got home.

Janel and Fenway

This weekend we were so lucky to have my friend Janel and her daughter Sammy visiting us for the weekend. On Saturday we drove into Boston and took a tour of Fenway. Pip was a bit cranky and testy but did don his Red Sox hat proudly and seemed engaged for the first 10 minutes of the adventure.




By the end, during the part where we all squeeze into the circa 1910 seats to experience just how small, uncomfortable, and tightly packed they are, he began whining. Annoyingly. Persistently. Loudly. I asked nicely for him to stop. I pleaded. Then I threatened. Every mom knows you don't threaten unless you've got the proverbial nuts to follow through. So there I was, hulking a whining, kicking, Pip through the entire tour, making everyone stand and get smushed as we exited out of our row of packed seats. Out the to car where Pip perked up nicely after a good cry.

The most amusing part of the tour was the "Green Monsters". Pip didn't get that the Green Monster was a wall ... I mean at this age it's all about being literal. But later on in the tour, as we stood atop the green monster, Pip was looking out over the back onto Landsdowne Street and there we packs of people with green shirts and Viking hats on. (Have no idea why). Pip exclaims to Phil ... "Look Daddy ... its the Green Monsters!"

Crane Beach

This weekend we took a rather impromptu trip to Crane Beach Sunday morning. The weather was outstanding even if the water was frigid. We grabbed a few essential items, packed up the car and bolted.

It was so fun. Pip and Viv LOVE to play in the sand. And Vivian learned since Ft. Lauderdale that sand is not to be eaten. She toddled all over the place checking out the scene. She was happy the entire time except when her little toes touched the water. She's not about 40 degree water AT ALL.




We also decided to bury Daddy ...


and then later Pip took a turn...