Saturday, April 12, 2014

Easter Egg Hunt


Today our HOA hosted an Easter egg hunt.



The kids had a blast. They did not make it hard to find eggs.





We went on the train ride.







Dylan was more excited about the petting zoo then Blake.

But he ended up just dumping the animal food all on the ground for them rather then feeding them


They got some balloons..a lion and a blue dinosaur.  They did not want to do the face painting, picture with the Easter bunny, or the bounce house. But we got to see some friends, play at the park, and score some fund candy.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Smart, Amazing, Where is him?

As a family we try to get outside and go on a walk every day.  Releasing energy is rather therapeutic for the boys (and for us).  The other day it was sunny but misleadingly chilly.  So we had the kids in long sleeves shirts and pants to battle the wind.  I, of course, figured I would be okay and ended up in shorts and a short sleeve shirt.  We headed out and got a block or two down the road when Blake said, “Dad, it’s a little bit cold out here.” 
I said, “Yes it is.  You’re very smart to have pants and a long sleeve shirt on huh?” 
Without missing a beat he looked back at me with my shorts and short sleeve shirt on and asked, “Dad….why aren't you smart?”
Nothing like your kid making you feel special huh? 

Dylan has shown increasing interest in using the toilet, up until just recently he hadn't, so we were excited to help him transition into being a “big boy”.   Michelle came up with a chart system to encourage him, where every time Dylan goes to the bathroom in the toilet then he gets a sticker, accumulate a certain number of stickers and Dylan receives prizes (e.g. milkshake).  It took him a while, but the other day Dylan had just watched Blake run off to the bathroom, so Dylan says he needs to go as well.  This basically being Dylan’s first time, we knew we had to make it a big deal.  So, we helped him get ready and then……once he was finished, we proceeded to shout, whistle, cheer and dance around the bathroom.  He was elated with the praise and attention.  He looks around at us and with a huge smile, he says, “That amazing.”  He’d never said” amazing” before, so we think that means he was excited too.  We laughed and proceeded with the congratulatory high fives and overall adulation. 

Finally, Dylan is talking more and more.  It’s fun to see his progression.  He picks up stuff really quick and if you know Dylan he loves to be funny.  Well he is also getting more insistent as well. 
The other day, Michelle and I were in the kitchen getting stuff ready to eat and Dylan strides over to the upstairs banister that overlooks the family room and part of the kitchen.  He is hunting for his Buzz Lightyear toy but has misplaced him.  He looks down at us and says, “Mommy, where small Buzz?” 
Michelle responds that she doesn't know where he put him and that he needs to look around for him. 
Insistent that we help him find his all-important Buzz, Dylan calls down to us, “Where is him, now?” 
How can you not help someone that is in such obvious dire need? 


Arboretum


We went to the arboretum with our friends. The flowers were beautiful and I failed at getting pictures because the boys were running around way too much. The picture above is a peacock...pretty creative huh?




Our friend, Cohen (on the left), is about 4 months younger then Blake, but just slightly taller then Dylan. Sometimes I forget that my kiddos are tall.

This is the only picture I got of the boys together and it isn't good. They had such a fun time together.

When I  saw this real grass, unlike the grass that we have at our house that is really lame and, I wanted to take my shoes off and run in it.

My kids were just as excited about the grass...but they decided to roll down the hill.

They have concerts here, but the boys thought it was a great place to have a race.

Late last year, they opened a children's section. It is huge and fun...and lots of things for them to learn.

There was a tree house they could be monkeys in and climb in and up...it wore them out. Dylan fell asleep on the walk back to the car. This kid hasn't taken a nap for months.

If we ever go again, I will have to try to get some pictures of the flowers.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Wetlands


Last week, Blake really wanted to go to the museum, but things didn't work out. Last night while we were at the park, our friend was telling us about one of the trails at the museum and it sounded like it could be fun. We had enough "free time" today to take a trip.

The trail was 3.5 miles, so we brought the jogger for Dylan.


So, our friend told us there was a big boardwalk and then a big pond. Well, they are wetlands. It was a pleasant surprise...until we saw a snake in the water. Blake saw it and then said, "Okay, I am ready to turn around now." He got over it pretty fast.

This is the boardwalk.

The kids were super excited to find turtles...lots of turtles.




Dylan wanted to get out of the jogger many times, but once we were passed the boardwalk, then he was out of the jogger.


Then they needed a snack.

Then back out of the jogger, but Dylan ate it, but Blake was so nice and helped him wipe off his hands.


Dylan wanted to be held, but I told him that I couldn't carry him and push the jogger. Really I didn't want to carry him at all because he is a heavy kid. Blake immediately said, "I can push the jogger...then I can tell dad (who is away in NY) that I am a good helper."

After our adventure, we went to the "treehouses".









They also like to dance on the stage.




Then we went and saw the rattlesnake...it was feeding time, but they were late.

It seemed to me like the snake was made that the feeding was late. We did end up seeing the feeding, but the boys did not like seeing the little mice being eaten.

We made some dinosaur blocks.


They were pretty worn out and we had fun.