Success at the Zoo

Since the initial disaster that was our 1st trip to the zoo, I had taken the boys back and treated it as a good walk for me and fresh air for the boys and some different scenery if the so chose to partake in it. Christine asked if the boys were available and she was on board with looking at the outing as getting some exercise. After the walk up the big hill and despite the large number of school kids visiting -- the boys were able to get some quality time with the penguin that was walking around. Luckily, Christine had her camera and we were able to get some good pics. In other positive news, we (well probably me) finally got to see the giraffes. It is a glimmer of hope that the zoo can be more than just a nice walk with 2 toddlers.

Tot Lot Fun

Michael had to go to NYC for depositions and I invited my sister over to help me with the boys for a couple of hours. We opted to go to the Tot Lot so that they could show her how much fun that it is. She had made the "healthy" walk with us in the fall and with the amazing weather -- we decided it was a much better time to go. And, the boys did not disappoint. Jackson was running everywhere and exploring his surroundings, including the sand box and climbing up the play area to get to the slide. Connor was most happy in the swing but did enjoy the slide and watching his older brother. We are working on him to start walking more so that he can get around easier. It is hard enough trying to keep up with Jackson much less trying to carry Connor around.

2011 Easter

The boys celebrated Easter with their family and the Schmitt's. They got to playwith Miss Cayden and were so happy to see their cousins, Michael and Sophia, who along with the help of their mom set up a great Easter egg hunt. The eggs were filled with either goldfish or pirate booty. They are so lucky to have a family that love them so much. Besides food and snack filled eggs, they brought home 2 bubble mowers, books and a really fun set of cars and trucks that if you pull them back and let them go --will race all around the living room.



We didn't get a chance to do the boys' Easter baskets until a couple of days (well maybe weeks) after since we were running late on Easter day and have been busy but don't tell them and they probably will never know. Regardless, they had a lot of fun looking through the baskets and playing with the grass. My most favorite part was Michael questioning me on who puts grass in a basket for toddlers based upon Jackson's continual need to pick it up and throw it around and walk through it. But, that's what vacuums and dust pans are for, right?!?

Hop Hop Hop over to see the Easter Bunny

The boys needed shoes for the summer and we (well I) thought that it would be a good idea to try to get the shoes and some pics with the Easter bunny. This would have been a great idea had it not been for the almost 2 hour delay from the opening of the mall until the time the bunny was available for pictures. Jackson was not happy to be confined in the shoe store or eating lunch at the table with us. He wants to roam around and explore. While I waited in line, Michael basically speed walked around Kenilworth in an attempt for him to not loose it. We brought both of the boys up to the display as I got closer and closer just so that they would not freak out when they got there. Jackson was so excited to get out of the stroller that he almost knocked over the fence that contained the beloved bunny. I know that he looks scared as he glances over at Connor but it was just that he didn't want to be confined any longer. So, hopefully, next year will be better. But, as you can see, it was love at first sight with Connor because after all, this boy has a thing for his plush and the bunny is just a giant-sized plush.

Helping out with the recycling

With the weather getting nicer and nicer and the boys and I taking more regular walks in the morning, it has become almost necessary to have a "safer" play area for them upstairs. We installed the door locks and I have left some of their toys upstairs. On this day, Jackson was helping sort through the recycling box that NEEDED to go out sooner than later. I guess he was giving me a hint that he was thirsty.

Attached to Penguin

< some may be thinking that this was posed but there is no way I would have even thought to put his penguin in that position. To state that he and his penguin are buddies -- would be an understatement>

It's not 2 good 2 be true --- Connor is walking too!!

He has been standing up more and more and with encouragement has taken a couple of steps. The real FUN will begin.  



We've counted at least 8 steps on 2 different occasions.   It seems as though encouraging him to walk to Jackson has produced the most steps. We have waited so long for this to happen and the best thing about it is that Connor is constantly looking for Jackson so I'm hopeful that they will just follow each other around, which is hopefully not too wishful thinking.

We were able to catch him in action.

Jackson wanted to help him. 

Success on reaching his first destination  --- the couch.  After resting for a bit, he moved on. 

So much more rewarding to take a look out the window when you've walked there yourself.

Mesmerized by Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20

I know that I have posted about Matchbox 20 and the boys' excitement but it still amazes both Michael and I how they can be occupied with something else and once they hear the music -- both of them will stop what they are doing and just stare at the t.v. We got a new surround system and I played some Matchbox 20 songs on my Iphone and Jackson went straight to the t.v. to catch a glimpse of Rob but was slightly disappointed to see that the concert wasn't on. They are definitely groupies!!!

C is for Connor

I wanted to take the time to write some things about each of our boys so that I wouldn't forget.

At 15 months old, Connor is loving:

1) His "Cookie" books and when mommy tells him that Cookie says "Ah, Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum"

2) The verse in the "Wheels on the Bus" about the horn going "Beep Beep Beep"

3) When we go through the animals on his Speak and Say and people rendering their version of the bunny going Boing Boing Boing.

4) Any rendition of what a sheep says!!

5) Being told what he is wearing and picking out his choice of outfits. Animals on clothes are a plus :)

He spends a lot of time looking serious so his beautiful smile is "very" welcome. We have actually had random strangers comment on how they were lucky enough to get a smile out of him or that they think that they saw the start of the smile.