Red, White and Blue Bike Parade

Every year there is a bike parade for the kids in our neighborhood the weekend before the 4th of July - they decorate their bikes, wagon, or strollers (or in our case, mom does it since 14-month olds, scotch tape, and streamers, don't mix.) Then there is a parade down our "main street" led by a fire engine and after the parade the kids get cookies and can check out the inside of the fire truck and talk to the firemen.

Mason got in the front seat of the fire truck, but Ethan must have thought it was just too hot in there, because he was not interested. But they both thought it was very cool when they put up the 75 foot fire ladder on the truck!

Here are a few photos (in my haste to get there on time I forgot to take off their bibs for the actual parade - you'd think we'd be done with the bibs now but with all of the molars and now eye teeth coming in, the drool would have them walking around in wet clothes all the time):

Cornbread and Chili (videos included)

Cornbread and Beef Chili are a big favorite around here. As you can see - they try to fit as much in their mouths as they possibly can (which is why we frequently have to parcel out their food - so they don't stuff so much in that they choke!). Ethan prefers his cornbread in full mini-muffin form, Mason prefers his in pieces...just to be different...




And here are some videos of the boys "helping" me make those cornbread muffins before dinner. They were more like my supervisors, frequently checking the status of the muffins to make sure they were baking properly. Don't worry - the oven is not hot on the outside!! They sure did question my baking skills with as many times as they checked that oven!

A New Hiding Place

The kitchen cabinets are child-proofed except for two which contain tupperware and things the boys can safely play with. They were playing in the kitchen while I was fixing lunch. I went to get something out of the pantry and when I came back I saw Mason peeking out from the inside of this small cabinet. Luckily I had my camera close by.

He must have thought it looked like a good hiding spot. The boys like to play hide and go seek with each other - their version includes a very quick hide, a very quick seek, and then a lot of chasing each other around (most of the "hiding" takes place behind the couch or chair or around the corner in the small hallway.

Water Table (and backyard) Fun (Videos)

The boys were learning this weekend that walking on an uneven surface, especially right before Dad gets a chance to mow the lawn and the grass is very long, is not easy to do, but I think they did fairly well considering.

Water Table Fun

The water table has been a huge success. They love to splash. And Ethan loves to use the bucket to scoop all the water out of the water table and onto the ground and then look for someone to refill it.

What We Do For a Laugh Around Here

For some reason, this is ALWAYS the funniest thing ever for these two. A guaranteed way to get them to laugh hysterically at each other (though I guess it doesn't take much for them to do that anyway.) The shorts go on the head and they strut around like they are the Last Comic Standing.

Thanks for the Visit Uncle Nicu!

It was great to see you! Come back and visit us again soon!

Pool Time

And Uncle Nicu went to the pool with us this weekend too!
Here are some pics:

Pilots in Training

Uncle Nicu flew in for another visit and we met him at the airport and took a few photos of the boys exploring the plane. Ethan screamed his head off when I put him in the front seat, but I don't know if it was because he was scared or if it was because he just wanted to run around some more, since he was having so much fun with his new found freedom! Mason loved the plane though!

Here are a few photos of our visit to the airport




Mason checking out the view





Ethan, either losing his balance, or pretending to fly, you decide