A more civilized meal time

One of the things we're working on at home is getting the boys used to plates, bowls and utensils. So far nothing has gone flying across the room, but plenty have been turned upside down. We might be a little late on a few of these things, I don't know. But they are doing really well and seemed to be ready for it because they got used to it very quickly. Here they are looking super cute while enjoying their lunch in their Halloween Elmo bibs (I'll try to get a better picture of that, they are really cute and the boys yell "BOO" when I put them on).

Also...I haven't posted about their appetites in a while. They are still really good eaters but I'm definitely seeing more & more of the finicky toddler eating habits that I keep hearing about. Today they had tofu, garbanzo beans and sweet potatoes. Yummy! And some grapes for dessert.

Playground

One of the things that I am having a hard time with right now is getting out & about with the boys. The majority of the places that they enjoy are really difficult with the 2:1 toddler to adult ratio. They aren't listening or understanding well enough to stick with me and not head off on a 'no-fear' exploration. This poses a problem for the playground, gym class, story-times at bookstores, the Children's Museum, etc.... So Peter and I have been trying to take them in the early evening when he makes it home in time. Here are a few pictures from the smaller playground at the neighborhood club. It's pretty small (not nearly as cool as the main playground) and might be a little more manageable for us...it's still a zone defense instead of man-to-man...but we'll see how it goes.

Miles taking a break with Dada

Off to explore

Jake was really into the pebbles...and yes, he ate some.

Jake in the tunnel

Miles - working on the run

Jake

Elgin Pumpkin Festival

Today we took the boys to the Elgin Pumpkin Festival (at the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm) with their friend Beckett and they had a blast. We got to check out hayrides, a petting zoo, tractors, wagons, and pumpkins, of course! They really had so much fun. It's exhausting keeping up with them but they are so content to run around and today's weather could not have been more beautiful!

Brotherly love...either that or a headlock!

Driving the 'tractor'

Miles playing with the old metal, rusty trucks...nice (& I know, he needs another haircut)

Jake...up close and personal with a tractor for the first time

Jake & a tractor. He kept yelling "tractor!" and "wheel!" It was all very exciting.

Jake - post hayride

Both boys on the trailor

Mama and Jake after checking out the giant inflatable scarecrow...also very exciting

Miles

Beckett and Jake taking a wagon ride

Miles on the move

Jake, Miles and Beckett

Dad & Miles enjoying the hayride. Miles wanted to stay on his lap the whole time.

Jake & Mama on the hayride. He was all over the place.

Another first

Today was the first time that I dropped the boys off somewhere and left them. I took them to the Kid's Club at our gym. I was actually in the building, working out, but they didn't really know that. They played there for an hour, although they were a little uncertain. There were no tears when I left but I don't think they grasped that I was actually leaving without them. There were plenty of tears when I went to pick them up. They kind of freaked out, clinging to my legs, trying to scale me. But they did great for their first time. My plan is to try to go a couple of times a week so that they get used to it. I think they're really going to enjoy it. The caregivers there seem wonderful, there was another little girl their age that is usually there, plus a bunch of new toys to play with! The hardest part was getting them in there...lots of stairs & narrow doorways...they don't stick with me enough to head in there from the parking lot without using the stroller. I'm sure I'll get it down quickly.

I'm in the process of trying to find a babysitter who can come once or twice a week and watch them in the morning so that I can have a little time to run errands, make appointments, etc. If I work this into the routine I think it will be perfect. They can get used to playing more with other kids, get out of our playroom a little bit, and have other people that they trust and love!

Here they are checking out the room...

Pumpkins!

While we were in Houston we visited the pumpkin patch at MDUMC and the boys had a blast. It was much more difficult to get a picture of them together than I thought. Or one of them smiling, or even looking at me. Alone or together. But here they are...partying with the pumpkins.

Right when we got there Jake spotted some busses. Busses are awesome.

Jake trying to pick up a pumpkin

Miles

Miles

Jake (pointing at the busses)

Jake bringing me a pumpkin

Miles

Miles

Jake taking a break. Still...just for a split second.

Houston

We just returned from another trip to Houston. It was soooooo much fun and super busy. Peter and I had tickets to a concert on Saturday night and we decided to make a weekend out of it. We squeezed a bunch of stuff in. We visited the pumpkin patch at MDUMC (a separate post is on the way), played at the playground, went to a football party at Aunt Milly's and had a ton of playtime with Taffy, Papa, Milly, Andy & Lucy! Here are some pictures....(& stay tuned for the new trick that Papa taught Miles!)

Jake and Miles having some morning milk & watching a little Sesame Street

Snack time!

Aunt Ala & Lucy!

The three musketeers! Jake and Miles were getting ready for a bath and Lucy joined in the shirtless fun!

Miles and Lucy turning circles

Miles, Papa & Dylan

Daddy with his boys

Jake at the playground

Jake & Miles got to watch the TX-OU game with a real-life Texas Cheerleader! Or did a Texas Cheerleader get to watch the TX-OU game with Superman & Batman?

Mama pushing Jake

Mama with her boys

Miles at the park

Miles with the super cool soccer ball that Papa got for them

Miles

Jake

Papa & Jake

SKYPE!

The boys are so technologically advanced. Last night they had their first Skype conversation with Taffy & Papa. It was really cool and they absolutely loved it! Here are a couple of photos...the boys had fun playing peek-a-boo, blowing kisses and showing them how big they have gotten!

Zucy!

We had the pleasure of a visit from Aunt Milly (aka Mimmy), Uncle Andy & Cousin Lucy (Zucy) last weekend. It was SO much fun!! We were having such a wonderful time that I forgot to take many pictures. It is so awesome to watch the three of them become more & more interested in each other. The really had a great time together.

A little Sesame Street viewing before bed time

Jake leaning in to kiss Lucy

Lucy had Jake cornered..."I'm gonna kiss you!!"

A little game of peek-a-boo

Snack time!