Firehouse Fun!

A stay at home dad from the Highland Mommies group I am in organized a "field trip" for the little 2 year olds born in the second half of '07. This is a massive group of over 1600 moms and dads that live in our neighborhood. There are so many kids, that now they have divided into sub groups. LT is in the first and second half of '07(I squeezed my way into this group) and Adler is in the second half of '09 group. I don't do much with them because of all the wonderful friends LT met through various other ways, but I do enjoy getting together once in awhile with those kids from the neighborhood who are LT's age. Today we went with that group to the Firehouse that is a few blocks from our house and had an excellent hands on tour of the station. We also invited Joe and Zack (neither live in our neighborhood, but I thought they would enjoy it).
LT watching the fireman put on the full firefighting gear. It took the guy about 10 minutes to put everything on, I am assuming in an emergency situation he could cut that time back a bit!
The fireman showing the kids the full attire.
Joe at Tenn St coffee getting some snacks before heading to the firestation. I took more pictures of Joe today than any other kid (yes, including LT), and I came home with only THREE that show his face. This kid is fast (and my camera is slow).
Joe and Zack watching the fireman demonstrate something.
Isaac came fully prepared with his firefighting hat and firetruck.
Zack and LT driving the truck.

Isaac, Joe, Zack and LT outside the station after the tour.
I love this picture, the two kids gazing at each other, not quite sure what to say or do.

Dad and Babe

Adler watching Dad
And mom
And a small smirk.

Steele

LT starts at a cooperative preschool in January, 1 morning a week for about 2 hours, sometimes with mom there. Its not a huge commitment, perfect for him to adjust to school after having been at home all his life with family. Z and Isaac, two of his best buddies, will be joining him.
We took him to the open house last year before we applied and he made himself at home, playing with all the toys. The school philosophy and feeling reminded both Brian and I of Montview, where we went to preschool. It is a quaint little house, snuggled right in the neighborhood we live in. There is only one room and a tiny playground. There are two teachers and only one class/age there at a time. We both feel very confident in our decision to send him to Steele (and everyone knows how ridiculously picky I am about education and schooling...)
His little class has regular playdates so that the kids, and moms/dads, can get to know each other. Of course, LT gravitates towards the two kids he knows, Z and Isaac. Who can blame him though, most of us, when we walk into a party, find those people we know first.
This past play date was at the school playground. LT really didn't want to leave when the playdate was over. He wanted to go inside the school (which he hasn't been inside since the open house, last winter). I told him the school was closed, but I asked him why he wanted to go inside. He said, "they have blue bears and red bears and green bears". This is all true. When we were at the open house, he played with little colored counting bears. Not only does he have a pretty good memory, but I think the school planted a positive experience in his brain. I am sure this school adjustment will be much more difficult for me than it will be for him.
Z and LT loading up dump trucks.Isaac having a little snack.LT and Z having a little snack.
And Z and LT back loading dump trucks.

Tuesday

We have no idea where LT got this idea, but everything in his mind happens on Tuesday. If we say no to buying something for him, he instantly replies, "maybe on Tuesday". If he asks to go someplace and we say it isn't open, he replies, "maybe on Tuesday". He's never upset about it, just replies in a serious tone that it will happen on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to capture a candid response, despite it happening nearly every hour every day, but in this video he was enthusiastic about being video taped with his "tuesday" responses.

Nature and Science

Last Thursday, our playgroup met at the Nature and Science Museum. It is such a big place and the kids all have different interest and so it ends up being hard to stick together. LT and Sofi, however, were determined not to lose each other. Renee and I were chatting when all of a sudden she whispered to me to look at our kids. I am still not sure who initiated holding hands, but they were. And, they continued to hold hands from the first floor Space exhibit...
Up the stairs...through the entire first floor, onto the elevator and up to the kids section. LT made sure he was the leader and helped Sofi up the staircase. At one point they had to do a U-turn because they had missed their turn, this was no problem. LT somehow managed to hold her hand, spin her around like a professional dancer and head back the other way, never dropping her hand.

Baby Brown B Björn

Apparently LT has been paying attention to Kari and I as we take care of Adler. Here he's showing off his own nurturing side as he carries Brown B around in the Baby Björn.

Breakfast at Riley's

A few pictures from last weekend when Riley (and her parents) had us over for breakfast.


The Two-year-olds did well sitting at the table together and eating fruit and waffles.



Playing toys after breakfast.


Mr. Important making some calls.


Checking out the toy bug in the toy bug cage.


More toys.

Ofelia turns one

The oldest of the second children turned one last week! Ofelia celebrated her 1st birthday with some chocolate cupcakes, juice and beer in a park. LT crashed their family party.
The two older kids loved decorating the cupcakes with sprinkles.
And drinking juice.
And eating the cupcakes.
Baby Adler at his second birthday party (he went to Ambrose's 1st birthday when he was just a few days old). He was pretty content just hanging out in the bjorn watching the big kids do their thing.

We miss Phoebe!

LT's good friend, Phoebe, moved in June from our neighborhood about 20 minutes away. Seeing how much I don't like driving and both of our crazy schedules, we don't see Phoebe often anymore. She also has a new baby brother, Shane. Last week, we went to her house with Z for a little playdate.
Both Z and LT are really into legos (duplo, bigger size) right now. Phoebe had some and both boys instantly gravitated towards them and began building together.
Beth, baby Shane and Phoebe in their backyard.
Baby Shane (I wish I had a better picture of him). He's an adorable, big guy!
LT riding on a scooter.
Baby Adler checking out the bumbo seat.
Below, the three kids showing off their musical talent.

Addyar's 2 month check

LT says Adler in an adorable way that sounds a bit like Addyar (wish I could spell as cute as he says things). We took Adler in today for his 8 week check.
Playing in the bouncy while mom gets ready to go. He was smiling and laughing, but of course I have the old camera that is super slow taking shots and so I never did capture the adorable facial expressions.

He slept the whole way to the doctors office (which ended up being a long time due to horrific traffic). I am always late, no matter how much time I leave myself and I always get the stink eye from the receptionist.
Waiting to be checked by Dr. Kono.

LT and Adler snuggling in LTs crib post appointment. LT saw Adler's band aids and wondered what happened. When I told him that Adler got 3 shots, LT insisted that they cuddle in his crib. What a great big brother!
And... the results are in. For those of you who are wondering (as I was), who was bigger at 8 weeks, they were EXACTLY the same! 12 lbs 3 oz and 23 inches. That puts them both in the shorter/fatter category for the time being. If LT is any indication of what is to come, Adler will soon be in the tall/skinny category in no time.

complex guy

Last night Kar and I a got some pictures capturing just a few of LT's personality traits and interests.


A mama's boy.



A tough guy.



A photographer.



An animal lover and cookie connoisseur (as indicated by the chocolate crumbs on his face).

Random photos

With two boys in the house it's a little harder to find the time to think up the incredibly witty commentary that you loyal readers hope to see on these blog pages, or even the marginally intelligible comentary that you've come to expect. Yet there are still a lot of pictures that I want to post. So here's a random collection of some shots from the last month or two that hadn't otherwise found a home on this blog. I suspect this won't be the last random collection post.


Having fun sliding on Isis's jumpy castle at her little brother's first birthday party.


Showing off his new Cornell University sweatshirt. Cornell felt a little too big and cutthroat competitive for me - what with the whole suicide bridge and all - but if LT is as smart and even tempered as his Papa, he can go there if he wants (and if we can afford it). So far, however, LT seems as though he'll be a lot like me and that means he'll probably do better at a small cushy liberal arts school.


Looking out the car window.


In mom & dad's shower wearing a pig shower cap, playing with his letters and cleaning with a squeegee. Because, why not?


We've been using a dinosaur towel for I don't know how long but it wasn't until recently that LT took notice. Now he likes to wear it after his bath and run around yelling, "I'm a dino!"


Hi dad!

Mom & Baby

I feel like this is kind of a cliche picture but in my defense, it is actually a totally candid shot taken inside in low light with no flash. Also cliche kind of goes out the window when it's your own wife and baby.


Kisses from mom.

Tenn Street Trick-or-Treat

Although this was LT's third Halloween*, it felt like his first because this was really the first time he got what was going on. He'd been talking about trick-or-treating for weeks and he wouldn't be disappointed by the daytime festivities at the shops on Tennyson street.


Getting ready to go with the Bob builder costume, jack-o-lantern trick-or-treat bag, and camera.


Z heard about the cool West side trick-or-treating but didn't want to wear his Thomas the Train costume (even though he'd been wearing it around the house for weeks).


All the cool builders jump in puddles and have purple sippy cups.


We met some friend on Tennyson. Sofi was already enjoying a sucker.


As was Dylan.

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We also met Steve and Mad and LT was happy to have his uncle show him the Halloween ropes.


The boys raced home to check out their bounty.

Adler didn't get into any pictures on his first Halloween because he spent the whole time sleeping in the sling with me while I was playing photographer.


* LT's 1st Halloween party & pumpkin patch and 2nd Halloween Wu photo shoot & Children's Museum