New Favorite Park!

This morning we took advantage of the cooler weather and went to a local park and beach. We were even luckier when both Nonnie and Pickles decided to join us. It made managing the boys so much easier since it was not a fenced park. The boys were able to run and play at their own whim. They did lots of sliding, a little swinging, lots of climbing and running around!

We cannot wait to take Nanny and Poppy here soon too! There are plenty of picnic tables, BBQs, and parking. I don't know that the boys would like it too much with all the sand in the park area in the heat, but with good closed toed shoes they had no problem with all the sand. Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying themselves. Most of the pictures are from the beach area, but they did have an awesome playground too!

Swingers!!!

PRESS "PLAY"

I just had to post the boys first time on big swings. Loving it. They did not want to come off of them, as usual with swings, but it was the first time holding on all by themselves. I cannot believe how grown up they are! They are so awesome at eating with spoons/forks on their own, trying to use the big boy potty, and picking up after themselves. I have to say, I love this age. They are little mimics and love to please! Of course, this age is also full of testing the limits and doing things they know they shouldn't. But all of that comes with it, and it can be just as entertaining watching their curious minds figure out this crazy world.

As a side note, I think the whole world knows already, but Augustus went pee pee on the big potty yesterday for the first time too. It was the first attempt at the big potty using a seat that is toddler size. It is a Thomas the Train cover - which they love. I say the power of Thomas helped him pee! They have been sitting on the tiny toilets for a few weeks, but only fully clothed. That in itself is hilarious to watch because they steal tissue to fake wipe themselves and put it in the mini-toilet. If you ask if they are pooping they start grunting...where do they get this stuff from? ;) Of course, I have it on film and shared it with close friends, alas, people think the kids may eventually be embarrassed...so I won't post it here. Nonetheless, we are very proud!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween was jam packed with exciting things this year. The day started with donuts on the doorstep left by our old neighbors and friends. Yummy! Just the sugar rush mommy and daddy needed for the day! We headed across the bay to a twin party in the park. It was ridiculously hot, so we did some quick thinking for cooler costumes and ended up with the cutest little hippies you have ever seen. All that was missing was leather pants and they could have passed for mini-Jim Morrisons!

They got into their koala and kangaroo hoodies for all of two minutes for a few pictures with our bestie twin friends. You can see from the looks on all the kiddos faces it really was miserably hot.

After running, eating and playing all morning we packed up and headed home. The boys stayed awake the whole way home; which meant they had a nice nap when we got home. Which meant we were fully charged enough to head to our friends house for trick-or-treating.

Of course, we first had to stop and Nonnie and Pickles house for pictures and so they could see their costumes. The boys were really fabulous all night and had a ball saying "boo" to every neighbor and Halloween decoration. They could not say "trick-or-treat" but I thought "boo" was even cuter!

They were dinosaurs for the evening, and since we only hit a few houses up and down their street they did not melt too badly. They were cracking everyone up with their little dinosaur "rawrs" and "boos." The best part was that the F's live in a garden district of their neighborhood so all the garages are in the back, and the front yards are all in a common green space where everyone could safely walk, and run around. The boys probably had the most fun chasing Winston, the dog across the street. They made it until close to 8pm, and then we headed back. Again, we were surprised they did not fall asleep in the car, so we were right in line with changing our clocks back without a worry! We hope everyone else had a safe and happy Halloween!

Hilarious Video - the Boys Ride a Horse Together and Other Cuteness

Our little cowboys!!! All fun and games until Augustus decided he was going to be the driver! PRESS PLAY;)




This week was much more laid back. We made it to the zoo with friends and I had a much needed and equally awesome MoM's night out, but other than that, pretty low key. I spent as much time as we could with my parents this week since I know they won't be seeing them as much with the other grandies coming to town very soon. It is only fair since the other grandies don't get to see them enough!!! Raleigh was obsessed with Grandpa Pickles this week too. He would ask "where's pa pa" and point to the door. Oh man, how could I say no to that? We headed over there for lunch at least twice this week. It is always good, but on Thursday the poached eggs were just right after a fun night out with the girls!!! Raleigh enjoyed some blackberries too;)

We are ready for Halloween tomorrow, and I am sure I will post more about that Sunday. Unfortunately, it will be hot and humid so none of the costumes we have will really work out. I will likely dress them up inside, but keep them cool and casual for our Halloween parties.

Today, the boys were full of new ideas, words, and wonderment. First, Raleigh started saying "nan, nan, nana" and when I asked where Nannie was, he went searching for his book that has her picture in it. I said, "Nannie is coming to see you very soon" and he went to the front door, breaking my heart all the way. Then, they were both into reading on their own today, which of course is just them looking at books in a corner or a different room than their brother. They point at every little thing. Pointing is really big with the right now. They want you to tell them what EVERYTHING is in a book, and they love to point to everything around the house, store, you name it. They want to know the color, the name, everything. I LOVE IT!!! Anyway, I digress, Augustus was looking at his favorite book What Do You Do, and started playing with both of his ears in the back and pushing them forward like he was waving them. I did not catch on right away, but then I saw he was pointing to the elephant's ears in his book. The boys know the sign for elephant, so it was pretty cool to see he was pointing out the elephant's ears were big or something!!! Additionally, Gus was saying "baby, baby" all day. I mean ALL DAY, and we went through our normal routine of asking who everyone is, and pointing to our book with pictures of all the close relatives, and when I asked "where's Gus" he pointed to himself and said "baby." I think it is because he cannot say Gus yet. Plus, I am sure we say "baby" to them all the time. I don't consciously do it, but thereafter, I caught myself saying "come here baby" or "I love you baby" about 100 times! Raleigh's big kick right now is to cross his arms whenever he sees an adult do it. I swear these kids are comedians. Rals loves to say juice and teeth, which is a welcome break from repeatedly saying "ball." He even pointed out the teeth on the giant giraffe skeleton at the park the other day. The boys have been sleeping in until about 7:30 too; awesome! However, their naps have decreased from almost three hours to about 2 hours. I don't know which is better in all honesty. We have daylight savings tomorrow so we'll see how their schedule is impacted this year. I know last year it was a bear to deal with, but this year will likely be no biggie.

What We've Been Up To

I feel a little lagging, and it really has been just over one week since I blogged. The boys officially turned 19 months yesterday. I know we all say it all the time, but time really does fly. Almost too quickly!!! These little pumpkin faces are growing up so fast. Here is a snapshot of their last Halloween. It is crazy to see how much they have grown since their first birthday, but looking back at a year ago, it is really surreal!!!

We have been busy as usual, and will likely get busier as November begins. We have family coming to visit and a big move in store. So, what have we been up to? Well, we have had our first trip to Chuck E. Cheese - mass chaos for sure, but still fun to catch up with friends.

Raleigh starting saying "boom" after this trip, as in, boom, boom, whack that mole. Augustus said "po po" as in police too. However, it really came out more like "bo bo." That night the boys were so wired I know I heard Gus saying bo bo in his crib. One of my friends put it best with her comment, "what the hell are the 'po po' doing in his crib?" They also say "boo" for Halloween, but I think "trick or treat" will be too much of a stretch this year. Augustus said "Dora" or his interpretation for it last night as well. Augustus seems really into talking now - pretty much ever since that trip to the cardiologist, and it is funny to hear his full conversations...in which we only understand a few words, but heck, I am impressed with his attempts and cannot wait to fully comprehend all of what they both are saying!

We have been to the zoo with Raleigh's first kiss and her brother. We'll be back again this week, and again next week...hmm, there is a theme here!

We've been to a few parks, some on our own, some with friends...we still feel awful about our friend Ms. M's trip to the park with us. She had very bad luck in her car, and we are even sadder that the bad experience will mean she won't go back with us:( Luckily no one was hurt except her mini-van!

We went to a green Halloween event in Hyde Park; which, honestly I was disappointed in. Not very green, and definitely not enough to do for the little ones...plus it was advertised as taking place in a park, but ended up being in a shopping area. I was overly hopeful and did not take the stroller, and my boys are just too curious to be out with me in a shopping area full of vendors, snakes, birds, balloons, plant life, etc. I was a wreck by the end of the event, but luckily Matthew was home when we got back and I was able to sneak off for a coffee break, read the paper and went to the grocery store on my own - what a wild Friday night;)

This weekend we were so busy tidying things up and preparing for November. It is lucky for us that Nonnie and Pickles were willing to spend lots of time with the boys. Soon the Aussie grandies will be here to spoil them and give them lots of cuddles!!!

This week we are heading back to the zoo. We also have a Halloween party planned on Saturday, but I really hope we get some cooler weather again soon. I vaguely remember the cool weather we had for maybe two days...ah, Mother Nature, playing mean tricks on us with a snippet of coolness, before it was back to humidity and warm days. If it stays hot, the boys will be in costumes for a few pictures and that is all:( I remember growing up and having to wear snow boots with some of my costumes...

Here - Raleigh is sitting on a swan planter, no it is not mine, or the grandies, just a random neighbor...this kid thinks he should ride everything...oye!

Run, Nonnie, Run!!!