Trick or Treating at Belvedere Market

As the boys' school does not celebrate Halloween, we were looking for some additional opportunities for the boys to get to show off their costumes.  We decided on a Trick or Treat at Belvedere Square.

It was a lot of fun and not too crowded. The store owners opened their doors with treats. 

TCBY gave the boys a gift card.

And, this shop owner, gave the boys a clove of garlic. Yes, garlic.   We assume it was a cultural thing. The boys kept asking why and we did not have an answer.  We will definitely need to research this.

Part of what helped us make our decision was the Kelly Bell Band. Jackson was all over it and when they started playing and maneuvered himself to the front of the crowd.  He was helping sing along with the Spongebob theme song despite never seeing the show.   Both of them can identify Spongebob but that is the only exposure that they have as we hope to maybe avoid it all together.

Apparently, Connor wasn't happy about the volume of the music but didn't walk away.  He definitely did dance a little.

It was a lot of fun despite the quality of treats according to our 5 year olds.

Ready to make a Special Delivery

After the frantic events of purchasing Connor's costume and Jackson not having his, we were eagerly waiting our delivery from the UPS man.  The package arrived while the boys were at school and it was immediately spotted before I had a chance to put the car in park.

After unloading the package and giving the costume to Jackson, he went upstairs to start putting it on. 

Obviously, he is super happy with his decision. It took him a bit to figure out what he wanted to be but it makes perfect sense to anybody that has ever been in the car with him and his brother. It doesn't matter where the vehicle is, the boys could spot a package truck from miles away. And, who doesn't love getting packages.....

A little blurry but fabulous pose. He ran out of the house to show off his costume to the neighbors. They were not as impressed about his costume but we shall see how well he will be received on the 31st.  We may be biased but we would be totally  happy to open the door for a package from this UPS delivery man.

2014 Halloween Pajamas

Halloween Pajamas are back! 

Zoo with Gabby Girl

The boys invited Aunt Gina and Gabby to the zoo with us as our guests.  With the flamingos and penguins, we figured that there had to be something that she would see/enjoy.

Upon spotting Gabby in the parking lot, Connor was adamant about walking with her and helping Aunt Gina stroll her in to the zoo.

After the quick tram ride, we checked out the penguins who were at feeding time, which doesn't generally relate to a lot of swimming.

We headed inside to the new exhibit hoping that the penguins would swim by but they were too busy getting their fish.  Jackson measured up to the penguins.  While the boys learned about how penguins use camouflage in the water, Gabby was taking everything in and having a late breakfast.

 

We moved along to let Gabby and Aunt Gina see the flamingos. They were hungry and searching for shrimp.

We were walking toward the Giraffe house and Gabby caught some walking toward her. She shrieked to confirm that she could see them. It was the best!!!

She obviously LOVES herself some giraffes.

Besides the giraffe and flamingos, we are sure that she saw the elephants. While the boys snacked, Gabby got an up close view on the rail of them. They were having a snack of peanuts. 

After the elephants, we strolled over to catch up on the cubs. They were very active rolling around
with one another and jumping on each other.  It was the most active that we have ever seen them.  Such a great day and so happy that we could spend it with Gabby and Aunt Gina.  This day confirmed the good that can be of the boys only going to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  We are looking to more fun with Gabby.

If the Boot Fits....

We headed out to the Disney Store in anticipation of securing costumes for Halloween. Connor was adamant that he wanted to be Woody and Jackson was all over the place but seemed adamant about not being Buzz Lightyear.

Upon arrival, Connor toyed with the Captain Hook costume. We convinced him that since he was the Captain last year, we should stick with Woody. 

Woody was spotted and he requested that he try it on. We had him try everything on
except for the boots. 

Walking around and checking out Olaf.  Super cute but it was definitely the year for Sheriff Woody. 

We convinced him to try it on without the helmet, which we had anticipated was the issue relative to being Buzz and it was a no. 

He walked out of the store without a costume.  On the way home, we had to process the order for his costume (so thankful for a smartphone) as he was incredibly upset about not having a costume.  He apparently was fully aware of what he was going to be and Buzz Lightyear was not going to be it.  

Members of the Baltimore County Public Library

After talking to friends about the large number of I Can Read books, we decided to give the Baltimore County Public Library in Towson a chance.  We brought Michael with us to help figure out the logistics of a parking garage, which can be tricky with the boys.

We arrived just as the library opened and headed in with 2 eager little boys.  They knew to be quiet and were very excited to explore.

Admiring the view.

Connor had found several books and Jackson was in awe of the number of books that they had. The Enoch Pratt selection is small compared to what the BCPL had to offer. So many opportunities for our readers. 

 SO many books. Attempts to narrow them down can present problems....  Connor doesn't take no very well on many things and those words do not resonate well in response to books. Lots of bargaining between Michael and Connor.

Both boys LOVE books and it is so clear when you ask them to sit quietly and look through their book choices while you need to take care of something.  If you ever need them to be quiet or to sit still, you can almost always rely on a book  to accomplish this. 

After patiently waiting for new library cards for the entire family, Jackson was very eager to help us check out. He was super happy to help and especially assist with checking out the DVDs.

 

Boordy with Gabby and horses

We invited Gabby and Kim and Gina to Boordy.  Andrew and Tony bowl on Thursday nights and Michael had an event so it was a plan.

Before Kim or the other adults realized it, Connor was kind enough to give Gabby her 1st taste of chocolate.  It was a chocolate chip teddy graham and she definitely liked it.  We had to keep a close eye on him because she obviously was willing to eat more and he aims to please.

Jackson only stays with us for a short period of time before heading down to check in on the band. 

Gabby girl working her fine motor skills while balancing on a hill.

Connor loves her so much and wanted to make sure he got extra kisses.

Jackson, on the other hand, looked at her exit as a way to get up close and personal with the band.

On our way out, the boys were adamant that there was a horse fence so we stopped to check it out and they were right.

Horses grazing in a meadow are a beautiful sight at sunset. 

What a fun way to end our night at Boordy. If these smiles do not say it -- horses are a big hit with the Stanley twins.  They LOVE it at Boordy.  There is music, the big hill to run up and down, the ice cream and the horses....what else could you want.