Flashback Friday

This past weekend we took the kids to the YMCA Pool. It was the first time we've been this summer. We all had a blast and I couldn't believe how much more confident Patrick and Finnegan were, they did not want help on the slides - what a difference a year makes!

2009

Patrick & Aunt Snooze

Finnegan & PopPop

2010

Doing it all by themselves!!

Bathing Beauties

Yesterday, we had a very wet playdate!

While Patrick, Finnegan and Isabella played at the sand and water table...

Liliana, Jenna and Sullivan splashed on the water pad - a gift from Aunt Sara.

The babies loved the water and the mommies loved playing with the bathing beauties.

Grocery Shopping

Patrick and Finnegan used to think that going to Harris Teeter was fun

because they got to sit in the racecar.

Now, however, they have a new way to enjoy grocery shopping - shopping by themselves!!

We let them each have their own shopping cart on Sunday. Patrick and Finnegan told us in no uncertain terms that they could do it "all by myself".

They chose lots of produce - especially bananas!

and then headed right for the cookies!

I was so impressed that Patrick gave one to Finn before taking one for himself!

They actually did a really great job at the store and even helped me check out

at the "robot", as they call it. (Self Service Checkout).

Now, if they would only learn how to pay the grocery bill...

Relaxing?

After a busy week, I collapsed in the chair tonight. And, just when I thought I had no energy left, the boys started tickling me (and licking - gross) and boosted my spirits right up again.

What a great way to end the week!

First Computer

When you ask Gill how long he has worked with computers,

he can tell you the first Apple Computer he ever had and where/when he got it.

For the past 3 years, Gill has been preparing for the day when he would present Patrick and Finnegan with their first computer. Today, the day arrived.

The Mac PowerPC G4 was ready,

complete with the Little Tykes Young Explorer Computer Station...

and Crayola keyboard and mouse set.

Gill presented the computer to our 3 boys -

Sully chose to observe while Patrick and Finnegan jumped right in!

We spent a large part of the day exploring the new computer.

I know it will bring all 4 guys hours of fun and great Daddy & Me Time!

Swingers!

Last week, Gill had an appointment-free morning so he took the Big Boys to the playground while I stayed home with Sully. His new iphone allowed him to capture this video of Patrick and Finnegan swinging away!

All Aboard!

On Saturday, we were all aboard for adventure with the Weltz clan.

We visited the NC Transportation Museum for a morning of trains.

The boys loved exploring the trains with Daddy and their friends.

Not only did we get to visit retired engines, but we Rode the Rails too!

Patrick loved the Engineer Hats that I gave the kids on the train and would not take it off.

Finnegan humored me for one picture, and that was it!

All the kids had a blast on the train.

We got off at the Roundhouse and took a ride on the turntable.

Then, we climbed aboard some more trains...

got the kids to pose for one great picture...

and checked out the old "puffers".

We watched the boys eyes light up each time they saw a train.

We listened as Finnegan sang "All aboard the Choo Choo Train" for the entire 25 minute train ride.

We promised we would go visit again soon as we tucked them in to bed at night.

We had a wonderful day.

Lady's Man

On Fridays, Sully has his morning playdate with Liliana and Jenna.

While Patrick and Finn play with Isabella, Sully does his best to flirt with the girls.

Yesterday, he started out sitting on the couch, loving on Liliana...

and, while he looked sweet and innocent,

the second Lil was out of his arms, he was checking out....

Jenna!

Hoarders

I know that toddlers love to collect things, but I am beginning to think that Finnegan and Patrick are becoming hoarders.

The other day we went for a scooter ride,

the boys needed to put all of these things in Sully's stroller before we could go:

Patrick and Finn both have ride on/push cars that have storage under the seats.

While searching for my car keys the other evening, I came across this:

In addition to my missing car keys, I found:

my booklight, 5 cars, 4 trains, 1 farmer, 1 school bus, 1 spoon and a half a mini-bagel.

I'm sure there is a good reason why all these items needed to be stored inside Rocket,

I just can't figure out what it is.

Fountain

During my family's visit for the boys' birthday, we went to The Flying Biscuit for breakfast. While we waited for our table, Finnegan and Patrick devoted their time to the Fountain in the courtyard.

Until this visit, I had never explained the concept of throwing a coin and making a wish.

My Mom, Nana, taught them about it while we waited and they loved the concept. They ended up emptying her change purse, but had so much fun.

I'm sure that some of their wishes were for more days with Nana and Pop Pop...

or more playtime with Aunt Snooze...

but, I'm sure that most of their wishes were for more coins!

Flashback Friday

I met Johanna, my close friend and neighbor, when I just found out I was pregnant with twins.

She has been with us for every milestone and I'm glad to say she has celebrated

all of the Finnegan & Patrick's Birthdays with us.

1st Birthday

July 4, 2008

3rd Birthday

July 4, 2010

What's Gonna Work?

TEAMWORK!!

We recently visited the new exhibits at Discovery Place.

I was so proud of how Patrick and Finnegan worked together...

They used shovels, levers and gears to move the gravel on this big machine

Can you find Patrick in the background keeping an eye on Finny?

They got the gravel to move, all by themselves -

and turned the giant wheel.

A scientific pulley system did not discourage the boys...

they pulled and pulled and got the bell to ring!

And, in the new building exhibit, the boys created a great skyline.

What a great pair!