Shelter at the Aquarium

What a rainy week! After what seemed like 5 straight days of rain, the kids and I couldn't take it anymore. We decided we might as well check out some animals that actually like it wet. We drove through torrential downpours and sucked up the $35 parking fee to get as close to the aquarium as possible. Still, we had to run about 50 yards to get under cover. Pip was freaked out to get wet but once I started running with Vivie in my arms he had no choice but to follow. Luckily, the seals outside the building were enough to help us all forget about the rain dripping from our brows.

Here we are hanging on the sill of the big tank watching the sharks and turtles pass. The big sea turtle actually swam right up and settled into a niche in the coral for a nap. It was fun to stay here for a while.



I let Pip and Vivie each pick one item from the gift shop. Pip initially wanted a baby penguin until he saw this Daddy seal with a baby in his pouch. He hasn't let it out of his grip since. Vivie picked the big soft penguin. Here they are sleeping with them night 1.

Children's Museum

I admit my blog entries have been lacking lately. I've found myself quite tired and lacking the motivation lately. But it's hard not to post gems like these.

We got tickets to the Children's Museum from Karen and went down Saturday morning. Here's cutie crawling through the tunnel in the construction zone:



And Pip creating an awesome bubble.


Pip's favorite activity (by far) was this heavy ball you yanked up with a rope, and then let drop. When it fell its weight launched a smaller tennis ball high up into the sky. He did it so many times I thought his little arms would give up on him. I can just imagine this feisty kid -- 10 years from now -- trying to impress the girls at the carnival.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISzsT3T6NMg

Peaches

Breakfast on Daddy's lap. Peaches. No spills. Morning miracle.

This Morning's Routine

Well, by the sounds coming out of the bedroom right now, things are back to normal. But this morning, at least, the routine went flawlessly. Sharing, taking turns, helping, listening... you name the positive behavior, and the kids modeled it. It was going so well that I knew it would come crashing down at any moment. And then it happened.... Pip asked "Vivi, can I help put your shoes on?" This was the very question to which Vivi responded yesterday with a rude "No," sending Pip into a downward spiral. I paused, prepared for emergency procedures. A pin dropped. Then "Okay Pippy!" Unbelievable. She sat down and patiently allowed Pip to tug and pull and turn her feet to get the proper angles. I think these guys just like to throw curveballs at me every now and then.

Springs Brook Park

Another nice day in August so we headed down to ... oh forget it. I'm exhausted. I don't have any funny captions for this entry!

We basically went to this man-made pond -- a big one, with a full sprinkler park. Pip ran in the sprinklers for a while but his favorite part was the volleyball court, which he used to play "Sand Cannon". This is an awful game that entirely involves him kicking and throwing sand all over the play while diving erratically into the sand. He's generally not allowed to play this game ... ever ... except that the court was separated from the other play areas and no one else was on it. So we let him go wild for a while.

Meanwhile, Vivie's favorite sand-pastime is "Bury Me". Here she goes again.




After trying to get the pound of sand out of his scalp.

Hop skip and a jump

Now that we've moved to the apartment, we're only a short walk to the subway so we can enjoy Boston very easily. Pip and Vivie woke excited for adventure so we headed downtown to check out Old Ironsides.



We took the water ferry over to Fanueil Hall for lunch and ice cream. Phil and I skipped getting our own and were hoping maybe Pip and Viv would share. Vivie was not in favor of this plan. But her strawberry was SO good!



It was warm and there was lots of walking involved, so soon Pip and Viv were ready to come home. Pip was angling for another trip to the beach, but settled for making homemade sugar cookies with Phil. Yum!

Here, Vivie modeled for her own portrait called "How Many Things Can You Count Wrong In This Picture?"