Friday play date pics

Priscilla has a brand-new, extra-large crate for our upcoming move.  Priscilla has no desire to get anywhere near it.  The babies are enjoying it, though. It seems like every time I turn my back, one or both of them is inside of the crate.  Here are pics from this morning:

Here are today's pics from the park.  Bode was off and running at the park. I stuck close to Gianna and made sure she didn't climb to the top of the play structure.

What are your plans for the weekend?  My plan is to pack, pack, pack (and pack some more). And to get out the calendar and plan out the next couple of weeks (as much as possible).  I also want to take Bode to a pancake breakfast hosted by our local firemen.  Shhh!  He doesn't know about it.  I haven't told him because I'm not sure if the timing is going to work for us. I hope that we make it. I know my little guy would love to see a real fire truck first thing in the morning.  Whatever your plans, I hope that you have a happy weekend!  And, HAPPY FALL!
xo

Friday Play Date

Four babies, and only two swings.  What do you do?  Double up!

These girls are in the same play groups as Bode and Gianna. Bode and Isabella are the same age and same play group. Mia is a month younger than Gianna, and in the same play group. It's nice to have a mother to compare notes and stories!

Today Bode climbed a structure that he has never attempted before.  Go, Bode, go!  I love seeing my little guy attempt new things.  When he got to the top, he got a little freaked about the last big hurdle. I was there to help him.

Bode is fascinated by reflections in glass and water.  He loves it when  he sees himself in windows.

A big biking guy now, Bode often wants to ride his bike after dinner.  "Ride my bike!" he announces, and so we head outside before bath and jammies. We are taking advantage of the extended daylight hours for as long as we can. 

Gianna is getting closer to that cruising-to-walking stage.  She now 'walks' on her knees.  And she'll crawl with her legs straight for a ways, too.  It won't be long.  We saw a lot of babies walking-toddling around at today's play date, and I told her, "Don't get any ideas." It is surprising how many of the babies in her play group are walking now.  Gianna is also quite the "cruiser" on anything with wheels. Maybe it's from watching Bode.

Any weekend plans?  We are in the midst of another lifestyle change! So I imagine our weekend is going to be spent close to home, planning and purging. At least, that sounds good to me right now.

Happy weekend!
xo

Bode models for Fall

Yesterday we had a nice little play date in the park with Bode's play group.  The most noticeable thing is the boys actually are playing together now (instead of "parallel play" or "side-by-side" play).  They all got on the slide and laughed while climbing over and around each other. They also played together in the sand box, moving their trucks around each other and pouring sand into each other's trucks.  After surveying the group, it seems that all the babies* are in preschool.  I am still on the fence. I like having Bode at home with me and Gianna.  And, I really feel that once I put him in, I won't be able to take him back out (of school).  I am gathering information and interviewing preschools now. But I am leaning (right now) (this second) toward keeping him home.

Derek

Gianna will not be contained, and crawls everywhere.

Billy and Bode

Bode's face has now scabbed up since his fall on Monday.  And I swear, I have had to stop myself so many times today from not wiping his face and demanding, "How did you get chocolate all over your face?"  It really looks like he's got food, or something, on his face.

I know that I just blogged about beachwear for the babies. But I am SO READY for Fall!!! I love Fall. It is my favorite season.  I love it for many reasons. The colors of green, brown, orange,  plum, grey and black.  The cooler air, and hopefully, a cold winter to follow. I love "falling back" and how it gets dark around 4:30 in the afternoon. The "back to school" supplies and clothes shopping. I don't mind firing up the oven when it is 50 degrees or cooler outside, and love how comforting soups and casseroles are in the evenings. I find the new Fall fashions featured in all the mags so exciting. I love wearing sweaters, fleece, and boots. My two favorite holidays are in the Fall: Halloween and Thanksgiving. Fall is so many great things!

Today we did a little shopping for Fall.  The whole family got some fleece jackets and vests.  Of course, after I had him try it on for size, Bode insisted on wearing his fleece vest while shopping.  Then the store clerk had to scan him in order to ring it up because he wouldn't take it off.  And he wore it outside, on our long walk back to the car, in our sunny 76 degree weather. 

Here he is being a "live model" outside the store. 








Check out the filthy hands!  He crawled around on the floor while I was shopping. Lovely 2 year old behavior.

Bode and Gianna both got the same green vest, thanks to the stock-on-hand. And, spoiler alert!  They both have the same fleece jackets, too. So they will be dressed alike, even though I did not purposely buy them the same colors.  I want to go on record:  it is not intentional!



Gianna is not buying what Bode is selling. She is, after all, a summer baby.

 Are you ready for Fall?  Do you buy new clothes and school supplies?  I can't resist a little "back-to-school shopping," even though it's been years since I've been an official student.

xo
* I read this post, and noticed that I refer to them as babies while talking about preschool.

Friday play date

The Friday play date is becoming a regular post!  I guess that is a good thing, because it means I am taking photos of my babies every Friday, and that they are meeting other children at a park regularly!

That is baby Oliver behind Gianna.  How cute is he?!!  Oliver is a seriously adorable baby.  He kind of reminds me of the actor Mark Ruffalo (swooooooooon).  In these shots, all the moms are spooning baby food into their babies' mouths. Gianna is happily munching away on Goldfish crackers.  She has zero tolerance for baby food, and never really was a fan.  Gianna was eating pureed/shredded chicken at 5 months!

And this guy just seems to be getting bigger by the minute.  Every time I see a photo of him, I am struck by how his limbs are getting longer and leaner. The baby (face) has disappeared, and is replaced by this boy. Everyone keeps asking if Bode is going to preschool.  I just can't make that leap yet.  I want him with me for as long as possible.  He is going to be at school for a long time soon enough.  Then again, I may decide that it is best for Bode.  I don't know (yet).

Plus, I kind of like how Bode and Gianna are able to hang out together now.  The other day, I was giving Gianna her pre-nap bottle, and Bode announced, "No, Mommy, Gianna not nap."  I asked him why not, and he told me that he wanted Gianna to play.  How sweet is that? 

Happy Friday, happy weekend to all!

xo

Hippity, hoppity...

This morning, we went to an Easter egg hunt.  It was held at a park, and hosted by my mom's group. I did nothing for it except get up this morning, iron a shirt and pants for Bode, dress my children and myself. I didn't even drive us over there. Bob did that. I really need to help these moms out. They are so great at putting together these events. I used to volunteer all the time, before babies. So, here it is, in writing: I commit to volunteering for an event hosted by the moms group in the near future.

First, Bode got some bunny ears.





Then we checked out  the park (a new park, for us).

He turns 2 1/2, and all he wants to do is RUN.

The lovely G

The "music" portion of the event took place.  We sang "Here Comes Peter Cottontail," and I laughed, watching Bode and the other children trying to hop-hop-hop down the bunny trail. While we sang songs, some of the moms and dads hid the Easter eggs.

A supportive audience.



I see a guitar in his future.



Last year, at his first Easter egg hunt, Bode was just barely toddling.  He saw the eggs, but didn't know what he was supposed to do with them. He had difficulty holding his Easter basket, navigating the ground, and  putting eggs in his basket. It is neat to look back on that time and think of the changes that have taken place (those developments so quickly forgotten). This year, Bode had no difficulty carrying his basket as he ran around the park. He had no trouble finding the eggs, picking up the eggs and putting the eggs in his basket. He found his allotted amount in no time, announcing, "Oh, dere's one..." in his sweet little voice, as he bent over to pick up a plastic egg.

After the egg hunt, we sat for a little show put on by another one of the moms. She always makes up her own stories, acting the story out with stuffed animals and puppets. She uses simple props that she makes herself, like a leaf made out of green construction paper, a cave made out of tissue paper and a shoe box, etc.  The children are always transfixed (and I am, too). So, here it is, in writing: I resolve to find my "creative niche" this year.





I met another mom there who immediately started talking about how "beautiful" Gianna is,  as she nursed her own beautiful 5 month old baby. We chatted for a few minutes, and then she asked, "Did you want a girl?"  I didn't  hesitate for a second before replying, "No, I wanted another boy."  I said this while I held my precious girl in my arms.  She admitted that she wanted another girl (instead of the baby boy that she held).  Is this an unusual conversation? I don't know. I can say that I said this without reservation; no fear of being judged for my answer.  And I admit this freely here because I believe that everyone knows that Gianna is a blessing to me (along with Bode, of course).  I just had no idea how special a little girl is, but now I am seeing it every day. And I'm enjoying watching Bob and his little girl interact, too. Bob is more of a "daddy" than I ever imagined. He is just so great with both babies. He has such a wonderful relationship with Bode. I can't wait to see what kind of dynamic he has with Gianna as she gets older. And the same goes for me:  I have two little people to love, and I can't wait to see how our relationships evolve over time.





Every night, we read stories about Easter. I'm not sure  if the Easter bunny has sunk in. I may be wrong, but I think that Bode doesn't realize that the Easter bunny is going to drop a basket of Easter goodies for him and Gianna. I have already started on Bode's Easter basket and I can't wait to see his reaction. We have our PAAS egg dye and eggs at the ready. I bought two PAAS egg dye kits. I've got it on hand in case we need an "emergency" activity for a rainy day. Or maybe I bought two kits because I'm a big kid and can't wait to color eggs. Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way.  Are you ready?