Another Saturday at the Museum

Since it was a gazillion degrees here today, we wanted something that was both fun and indoors.  So, we were off to the museum again.  The boys liked the weather exhibits and some of the ones with shapes and music, but the big hits of the day were 1) finding the kid-sized drinking fountains, 2) riding the elevator ("egg-a-da", as Matthew calls it -- he speaks so clearly these days that I think it's cute when he doesn't quite get a word!), and 3) they had a computer set up where you could look up the weather anywhere in the country, but the cursor was in the shape of a galloping horse.  Mattie loved moving the horse around with the trackball and didn't want to leave.  So, again, good thing those scientists spent so much time developing all those exhibits!  :)

We were outside for a bit looking at the animals, but it was too hot to be there for long.  (We didn't even make it to the dinosaurs this time!) We also rode the train, which was fun as always.  They're constantly adding new things to see on the route, and one of the latest is this school of metallic fish "swimming" through the forest. 

One of James's new phrases today was, "One more time!" (It's also so cute when he says, "All right!" because it's always with great enthusiasm!)  And of course he's picked up "my turn", perhaps because that's one of Mattie's current favorites. He seems to be putting together more three and even some four word sentences these days.  Go, James!

And tonight at bedtime Mattie said, "I love my mommy."  Can't beat that for a wonderful sentence!

Taking After His Uncle

Mattie seems to like furry little orange kittens, just like his Uncle Isaac!

New Neighbors

The boys behaved themselves very well at this evening's gathering to welcome our new neighbors.

And I was once again impressed with Matthew's memory. I told him we were going over to Miss L's house and we were going to see Blizzy dog. He added, "And S [L's husband]."  Yep, you've got it, kiddo!

James was hilarious at the party -- he would go into their utility room, spin around, pretend to fall down, and say, "uh oh!"  (The other pretend thing that he's doing these days is making his toys walk and saying "Walk walk walk" as he bounces them up and down.  So cute!)

Matthew at one point fell down for real and started wailing, and when I went to see what was wrong, he immediately stopped crying and said, "Blizzy eating my chip!"  He wasn't hurt, he was just upset that the dog had gotten his snack!

Viva La Revolucion

James says, "Two year olds of the world, unite!"

Back Home

We are back home again.  (Several times during the ride, Matthew wanted "Grandma's house! Grandma's house!"  And who can blame him?)  We had a great visit, and Mike and I even got to get away for a night for a slightly-belated anniversary trip.  We are very grateful to Grandma, Grandpa, Honorary Grandma Sue, and 'Tina for taking care of the boys for us!

Bye Bye Baby

Baby Seth and his parents headed home today. It sure seems quieter around here without them (and that's not a crying baby comment!)

Grandma moved the toy kitchen outside so that Mattie and Jamesie could have real water in the play sink and pans. She spent quite a while refilling their pots with the watering bucket! (What lucky boys!)

James is putting more and more words together. This morning when they were playing with the vacuum, James said, "Brush is missing!" (It was.) And then tonight he said another long sentence, which I can't remember but I think was something like, "The ball is right here." And he says, "Up and down" for the bouncing game that he and Mattie play.

We enjoyed Sonny's barbeque for dinner. Mattie didn't want to sit in the high chair or his booster seat, so he ended up on Grandma's lap. (James, on the other hand, likes his high chair.) Mattie really enjoyed his macaroni and cheese, and sampled some of the other food, too.

'Tina came over after dinner, much to the boys' delight. They stayed up past their bedtime playing with her and they had a blast running around, playing with beach balls, and singing songs.

Friday Fun

We had another fun day, including a visit from family friends. 'Tina was a big hit with the boys -- in fact, they were playing with her out on the porch, and when I went to check on them, Matthew said, "Mommy go away." Although I don't want to encourage him to talk that way, I did not argue with him. :) (I also didn't argue with him when he said the same thing after a half-hour or so of putting him to bed tonight -- much as I love him, I would be delighted if he wanted to go to sleep on his own -- but as I suspected, I had only been out of the room about a minute when I heard, "Mommy, Mommy, I need Mommy.")

On the other hand, every time I was holding baby Seth, Jamesie would come running saying, "Mommy, Mommy, up, up!" Matthew is usually much more of a mommy's boy, so I was surprised that James was the one who is a little jealous of the baby!

The boys are branching out slightly in their artistic pursuits -- Mattie yesterday told me he was drawing "a tiny flower", and Jamesie said he drew a "line." This is a step up from scribbling!

From the Road

Here are a few photos from our trip down (mostly at McDonald's Playland). The boys were excellent travelers, and we had the good fortune to make it down here without anyone throwing up and without any diaper malfunctions, which may be a first.

And Yet More Photos

The twins had a great day today -- they had fun with bubbles, and Mattie got to play with the hose. (Grandma got a special new hose handle that she thought he'd be able to squeeze on his own, and she was right! Her flowers are now well-watered, to say the least.) Mattie also got a homemade popsicle from Grandma and got to help her sweep off the sidewalk. These last two were when he was supposed to be taking a nap, so he made out pretty well today!

Baby Seth had an excellent long nap today, but only when his mommy was holding him. (She's happy to have a Kindle with one-handed operation!)

After dinner we went to the playground with our boys and they enjoyed going on the merry-go-round.

[The picture with Mike in the pool is actually Matthew; he was just wearing James's hat.]

More Baby Love

We had a lovely visit with Honorary Grandma Sue yesterday, too!

Pictures from Uncle Isaac

Some pictures from yesterday. :)

Florida Fun

The boys are having a great time with their grandparents and Baby Cousin Seth! Mattie was very happy to go swimming with Grandma.

Tubes in August

Jamesie is now scheduled for a new set of ear tubes in August. Hopefully they can actually get him in first thing in the morning this time!