Thanksgiving

Like millions of other Americans, we traveled last week to see family for Thanksgiving.  The boys were so excited to go to Mimi and Papi's house, that they had been counting down the weeks and days since Halloween.  Really.

However, once we got in the car and started the 3 1/2 hour drive, their faces looked more like this:

Once we got there, they were excited again and thrilled to be playing in their own room with a big boy bed, new bookcase, toys, crayons, superheroes, etc.  They took everything off the shelf and made it into a toy of its own:

They both enjoyed some quiet time with Papi.  Tommy especially loved to show of his iPad skills:

Following the big day we got up early and drove into Boston to visit the Children's Museum.  It was a great place to blow off some steam:

On Saturday we hit up the Pump n' Jump at the mall.  Tons of bouncy castles and an arcade.  SO fun and something we just don't have at home.  The boys loved it:

Back at Mimi and Papi's house, we played hide and go seek and played with Titi and Winston:

Finally, it was time to chill out and have a movie night before heading home in the morning:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Boy Band!

Boys being boys

Just a regular Sunday...

Fun(ny) videos

Playing together in the playroom:

And HeMan...

Halloween is Here!

Well, Halloween is ALMOST here, anyway.  We were very busy this weekend with two costume parties and a trip to the aquarium.  It was a superhero's dream come true - we got to meet Captain America in person!  After dressing up like Batman and Robin for the parties, it was a great follow up.

Since Halloween is next week, we finally took our big pumpkins and turned them into jack-o-lanterns.  We think they'll be pretty awesome tonight when we light them up for the first time...

Here is our weekend in pictures:

A Study in Selfies

A wild and crazy night with Tommy boy :)

September

Back to school, new classrooms, new schedules, darker mornings, cooler nights...September is here!  In fact, it's almost gone!  We have been busy with all that is going on, so let's catch up...

Ben has begun his last year of pre-school in a 4/5 classroom.  He LOVES his new space, new teachers and new friends.  In the last 3 weeks he has learned to write his name and successfully identify many letters of the alphabet.  He has learned new songs, new social rules, read a lot of new books, painted many pictures and just grown a ton.  It's amazing what a new classroom can do.  I have seen more growth from him in the last 3 weeks than I did the entire summer.  Simply amazing.

Tommy also started a new class - toddler 5.  That is the oldest toddler room in the day care before they go upstairs to pre-school.  He is with many of his friends from last year, but some new friends as well.  He is growing up so quickly.  He talks non-stop.  In fact, sometimes he stutters because he wants to say so much but doesn't quite have the vocabulary to support it!  He only runs (walking is for wimps...), he has 2 new molars coming in, and he loves pasta.  He's still a little guy, but totally healthy and cheerful.

Chris and I are back to our normal schedules as well - work, work, work during the week and play, play, play (with the kids) on the weekends.  My mom once told me something that someone had told her - the days are long, but the years are fast.  SO true.  Our heads are busy and our hearts are full!

Checkin out the bunnies on the farm after apple picking

New classroom decorations for mom!

Painting his frog

Daddy and Ben painting the Superman logo

Ben's first real attempt at writing his name

Sunday Fun day outfit : )

Bros learning how to spell

Bros playing basketball

Everyone on the tractor riding up to the top of the apple orchard!