Swing batter batter

Jackson has almost perfected a level swing.  He can actually drive the baseball off of the tee and even though these aren't the best videos -- it will give you an idea of our little leftie that most kids are probably going to want to avoid in the batting line-up or not. We'll see!!

celebrating Father's Day at the zoo

We always start with the polar bears and arctic fox as we almost always take the walking path in lieu of the tram to get the extra exercise.  Often times, we will circle back to the polar bears in hopes that we get a glimpse of them swimming.

 

On the way into the farm, I convinced Connor to sit on the turtle. It was the first time he ever noticed it on the way into the farm.

Jackson is sometimes very hard to "find" at the zoo.  He if often just running around like these photos. Petting the goats lasts a couple of minutes at best and both boys think it is appropriate to drop the

brushes into the goat's water.  Yes, both. And, that is not very well received by the keepers of the goats.  Besides the brush dumping into the water, they have recently discovered the gravel type substance and think running on it and and throwing it is great.  So, without another person joining us to monitor this, I will be making up excuses to avoid the entire area.
 

Despite all the running, Jackson is very willing to stop and wash his hands as he exits the Farm. After he washed, his hands, he was happy to try to saddle -- yet another first.

 The animals were all very active, including the cheetah, who was very agitated at the keepers that were trimming up some overgrown plants.  It was WILD since they are ALWAYS laying down.  The Okapi has become the boys' favorite animal since the zebras have been in hiding.

Love this picture of Connor ignoring the chimp in front of him to look at pictures of a chimp in a book.

It was an enjoyable day with moderate temperatures and quality dada/twins time that I was lucky enough to capture on the camera.

fun at Riderwoood Park

On a not too hot day amidst all of the HOT HOT HOT days we had been having, we set up a playdate with Gina and Tony at Riderwood Park.  It is slightly shaded and 4 on 2 at a park works.  The boys started off with the ride on horses as a warm-up.

After the horses, the boys moved over to some of the main portions of the playground where Jackson could show Uncle Tony that he new his letters.

Connor added in on the educational portion of the day while he helped Jackson show off their number recognition while catching a little shade and snacks.

It was off to the swings.

And, on to more exploring.  Walking across the shaking bridge was a big test for both of them and Jackson moved across in a running motion to start and didn't look back.  Connor was a little more hesitant but eventually conquered it.

But, Connor's love of the day, that is other than the swings was the twisty slide.

Lots of fun at the park followed by lunch at Andy Nelson is a great way to celebrate a Saturday morning.

fun at Meadowood Regional Park

The boys and I met up with Jacob, Caleb and their mom at Meadowood on what turned out to be an incredibly bright and sunny day for some fun at the park and to get a father's day gift for Michael.  There was a lot of fun on the slides and walking around the park.

It was amazing to watch BOTH boys sneak off to ride some of the bicycles that were "available". Jackson was insistent on riding the bicycle and Connor followed suit as did Jacob. It was interesting to see and they lucked out that there was a set of boy/girl twins with an older sibling, which was why they had so many bicycles available.

Connor wandered off and I found him at a picnic table in the shade indulging in his juice cup.  He knew where to go!!!  He has no sense of boundaries and thinks nothing of walking away and sitting with complete strangers..... Oh, to be a toddler!

I was soaked by the time that I got the perfect shots for this collage but it definitely satisfies Michael's request for updated pictures of the boys. 

And, a final one which just melts me EVERY time that I see it. 

Port Discovery and Potato Head Exhibit

The boys and I ventured out to Port Discovery with Jacob and Caleb and their mom for some fun.  We had never been so I was excited especially for the Potato Head exhibit as the boys are very interested in Toy Story.

Upon entering, the boys were immediately enticed by these cows and this ball lever machine (well Jackson and Jacob were).  Connor was willing to maneuver on with my sister.

After prying Jackson away from the ball lever machine, he found this choo choo. I would have to say that this was a HUGE  hit with him. Obviously, the ability to negotiate the button to make the choo choo noise was a bigger hit.

We eventually caught up with everyone else in the Toddler Room.  It felt like I hadn't seen Connor in an hour (thanks Aunt Gina).

After the sand and fun, we moved on to the Art Room

Then, up to the Potato Head exhibit.

Connor in the safari hat = perfection.  This portion of the exhibit was absolutely amazing as there were so many choices.  Although our little contemplator was slightly struggling with the idea of keeping the potato head in order, he still had fun.

Going for a slide and driving the adventure vehicle.

Our last stop was the water table.  It was absolutely hysterical as Jackson went full force after getting on the gear into several older kids that were using water hoses to make the bells chime. He was D-R-E-N-C-H-E-D within minutes of getting in the room and kept going back for more. We had to talk him out of going back again and suggested that he maneuver over to other areas.  Connor was a little more strategic and the best part for me may have been the little hook-on chairs that Caleb was sitting in.

Fun at the fields

The boys spent a good bit of time at the Gilman fields last year checking out the action.  With their increased mobility, we decided that their debut would be at the Closing Ceremonies.  There is no guarantee if you tell them "no" that they will listen and it was more of a safety concern than anything else.  We planned to leave prior to the All Star games starting so they wouldn't be tempted.

Some pics from our trip to the fields.

Connor having a chat with one of Michael's former players who had his 2nd consecutive run at the American League championship with Coach Dave and several other former Toppers.

Definitely eager to get in the game. 

 
Taking a break from all of the running around.

Wheels.

Mr. Orderly checking the helmets.

The boys were fascinated by the wheels and the storage shed that they were calling the "Big Red Barn" even though they are fully aware that it is blue not red.

Forge swim night

It was a fun-filled day of visiting the ball fields, bouncing in a moon bounce/scouring the Lembach house in search of Mickey breakables in celebration of Sydney and Morgan's birthday and the pool just seemed to be a great way to end of the day.

The boys' invited Mary Elizabeth over and it was awesome to watch them in the pool and with the crazy caterpillar. It started with Jackson's exaggerated "Oh My Goodness" heard repeatedly after I finally caught up with him after he decided to open the back door and head down the steps and Connor letting us know that his swim diaper was "too tight" but dare we say easily putting on his swimsuit. 

Jackson perfected his aim with "it's raining, it's pouring" on Mary Elizabeth and she didn't seem to bother at all as she was giggling and shivering at the same time. It was a great night and a good way for everybody to cool off after a busy and fun day.

We hope to have more and more of these nights as the laughs were plentiful and the kids seemed to have a good time too.

Sweet serenades from toddlers

The boys learned a lot of song during swim lessons and the best one of all is "Ring Around the Rosie" has helped us actually wash the boys in the bath.  They are generally uncooperative when it comes time to standing up and this could be because we spent so much time instructing them to sit down because it wasn't safe or they just like to delay the entire process. So, this song has really saved us and secured clean toddlers in the tub.

I've included links because they are naked babies and I don't want to make them public for anybody on the interweb to see them.

The first one is It's Raining, It's Pouring - and the game changer for us in the bathing department, Ring Around the Rosie - .

Brothers loving on one another

The boys have been really starting to play well together.  There are some territorial issues but this happens with all children.  Lately, there has been a lot of hugging and attempts to give kisses when asked if they can.  They are also starting to question where the other one is and giving the other things that they know they will like.  It is so sweet to watch them in the start of what we hope will be lifelong best friends.



As you can see, Connor is usually more aggressive when it come to showing the love but Jackson is also a giver too.  At times, we actually have to pull Connor off of him because he is a little too affectionate and it could possibly be construed as a choke hold and not a hug.

Ostrich drinking water at the zoo

The boys are beyond fascinated with the zoo and we go a lot as we have a membership. I don't take pictures every time that I go because the blog would be pictures of the boys and the animals at the zoo and it is a little hard to capture everything and monitor the boys from wandering away.

On this day, we were with Jacob, Caleb and their mom and the ostriches were super active.  They were walking around and we were able to catch this one getting a drink of water.  It is so RARE to see real action at the zoo and the ostriches walking around was a big deal to begin with and then getting a drink may or may not had us over the top excited.