Welcome Home, Daddy!

Nick made a visit out to California, paired with some training and PMP certification test. He was gone for almost 2 weeks, so we decided a big messy project was in order to welcome him home. The night before he returned, we made him a couple of signs that we hung near the front door so he would see them when he arrived.

Don't they just look like a couple of budding artists?

Let the finger painting begin.

Cheesing it up for the camera

Jonathan started pointing to his nose, so Matt joined in.

"Nose!"

I had to get them together for a few shots once the mess was completed!

Don't know exactly what was happening in this picture, but it cracks me up every time!

Oh yeah, there was a lot of laughing going on at this point!

We had a blast, until I had to plan how to get them clean! Luckily it was almost bath time, so they got put in the bath together. It was getting upstairs that was a bit tricky, but we made it!

Space Center Part 2

As a result of the space center visit, we ended up getting the boys these space shuttle pjs while shopping one day at Carter's. They were having a sale, so I just couldn't resist. Pardon the absolute mess in the background of the picture (still weren't completely moved into our master bedroom at the time).

During that trip to Carter's, Matt fell in love with some rain boots that were also on sale. So, I indulged and bought him his first pair of rain boots. More about those later. Here are the boys telling me what cereal they want me to get out for their breakfasts.

This was the beginning of the end for us! Jonathan is nothing like his brother, and tries everything. No more walking out of the room even to go to the bathroom with his kid around!

Another view with the boots!

We bought Matt a space shuttle during our visit to the space center, and no shuttle is complete and ready for blast off without a fuel tank and a couple of rockets! Matt was thrilled with doing a crafty thing with Mommy that day. Not the usual reaction to crafts at our house, although it's improving.

Random fun

One night that Nick was away for dinner, I decided to do breakfast for dinner with the boys. Matt got unusually excited about helping me with the cooking. We made biscuits and the only cookie cutters I had handy were Christmas ones. So, we had gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and star-shaped biscuits for dinner that night! It was a mess, but a fun one!

Matt came out of my room wearing my sunglasses with his pjs and I just had to snap a shot!

Matt helped Nick with some cleaning up and sorting out in the garage one day. In turn, Nick showed Matt a few of his garage accessories.

Told you this post was random! I have to put Jonathan on here too, only fair. This was Jonathan's first time to actually try corn on the cob. He did a great job and ended up eating 2 pieces. He can wolf it down like no other!

Bringing Work Home

When all I've done for the last 10 years is work with others' children, it's hard not to sometimes feel like I should be stepping it up and bring a little of that work creativity home to the boys. Now that I'm home with them full time, we have time to explore some of that. This summer's heat encouraged some indoor creativity!

The boys have really gotten into legos and are beginning to do more fine motor play with me. Matt is still a bit resistant to crafts and coloring, so legos will do for now!

Somehow, there's always a forklift involved!

So, enough with fine motor and pretend play, let's get to the rough stuff! Time for some crashing!!!

We got all of the spare pillows in the house and piled them up along with Matt's "friends" (all his stuffed animals) and built a mountain for some good crashing.

The boys were rolling around and crashing for what seemed like hours. Matt is a big blur in this picture!

Going in for the big crash at the top!

It was a big job for me to make sure I monitored closely to make sure no heads bonked!

Messy time with some shaving cream!!!

While Jonathan tries to eat the shaving cream, Matt points out how to draw with his finger.

What? I'm not supposed to eat the shaving cream?

Jonathan is still trying to convince me that eating it is a good idea. Matt is now covered on his right arm, but going to town to draw with his left.

Jonathan begins to draw.

Matt starts drawing with his elbows!

Oh no, not the feet!

When we were done there was quite a mess on Nick's closet doors, but it was a well earned bath time for all! The mirrors took a bit to return to normal, but it was worth all of it!

Snorkel Time

I came home with a snorkel for Matt a few weeks ago and finally gave it to him as we were heading out to swim the other day. He modeled it for me! Oh, and he's holding the life preserver we had just bought at the "pool store". It was hard to get out of the store with only that, but we made it!

Smiling and holding the life preserver up for the camera!

We make a lot of fashion statements around our house. They aren't always good ones, but they are memorable!

The Old Hood

We live about 3/4 of a mile from our old house. I decided to take the boys over to the old neighborhood to play at the playground. It had been about a year and a half since we'd been over there to play. My last memory of Matt playing there was the day before Jonathan was born when my mom and I took a walk with him trying to encourage Jonathan to come meet us!

Matt was right at home on the space shuttle.

Jonathan played peek-a-boo between trips up the stairs and down the slide.

We took a detour to another park that Matt had not visited since we last lived here.

Matt loves big tunnel slides now, and Jonathan often stands at the bottom looking up to see if Matt's coming down. No accidents yet!

An airplane was flying overhead while Jonathan rode the truck.

Matt was trying to muscle his way onto the truck, but Jonathan was staying put.

After playing so hard at the park, we stopped for some grub. The boys and I shared a bit of ice cream after lunch, and all were happy!

Challenger Park with Daddy!

Typically when we do something during the week on our own, Matt tells me we have to "bring Daddy" another day. This was no different. We hopped in the car and brought Nick to Challenger Park. It wasn't quite as overcast as our first visit, so it was a bit hot! We made it through and managed to have fun.

We brought some toys this time and the boys did some digging.

Matt started exploring new things and enjoyed bouncing!

Jonathan enjoyed his independence on the smaller playground again.

After the park, we stopped for lunch at an Asian restaurant nearby. The boys were cracking us up! Jonathan enjoyed his lo mien and even had a noodle in his mouth while laughing for the camera!

He couldn't shove the noodles in fast enough.

Flaring nostrils anyone?

Matt, the pirate!