l e k sketchbook

bouncy party!

2012-02-13T11:23:00.006-06:00

We had a good time at our friend Liam's 5th birthday party yesterday at Pump it Up. Chris had to go down the slide a couple of times to get Tim into it; Michael didn't meet the height requirement but he was dying to try!

kissable.

2012-02-12T18:55:00.001-06:00

This kid is so freakin' cute, I can't stop kissing him! Poor thing!

lunch.

2012-02-10T12:45:00.004-06:00

Everyday we hear a train go by our house around lunch time... when it's warm out we can walk down to see it pass and count the freight cars. Michael is into trains and trucks too now.

Meals have never really been an issue with this guy. He's happy to sit and eat eat eat but knows when he's full and wants to get down. His faves are these cheese puffs, pasta and 'nanas.

Tim's been my little helper lately and likes to tell me so whenever he does something he's asked to do: "Mom, I a good helper?" When he doesn't listen he wants to smooth things over quickly and will ask over and over again, "You happy, Mom? Mom, you happy again?"

I love our new Valentine's door-decor: purple is this month's color.

at least they're playing together...

2012-02-09T11:57:00.004-06:00

Finally the boys are interacting more with each other! Eeek...!

tim's pics.

2012-02-07T12:51:00.002-06:00

The latest from Timothy's camera. He's got quite a body of work now!

field trip.

2012-02-05T11:36:00.008-06:00

It's funny to see that we went back to the Children's Museum the exact same weekend a year ago...weird! Tim remembered the word "museum" and kept looking for a fire truck; he was thinking of the Children's Museum in Easton that we went to last month. He had plenty to do here so he wasn't too upset that he never found it...

Both boys love Peep and the Big Wide World and they had a whole room filled with water and sand tables. What a difference a year makes! Michael was right up in there with all the big kids!

They have a tank you can lay under and watch turtles swimming...it looks like turtles like to eat ziti...

We were able to leave without too much fuss - Tim gave us a few protests of "no fair" but felt better after a little snack outside. Later at dinner we talked about what we liked the best at the museum and Tim said his favorite was the fire truck. Ummm, wait...whatever.

moo, baa, la la la.

2012-02-03T18:31:00.002-06:00

no tv.

2012-02-03T13:24:00.004-06:00

It's not like all we do is watch tv, it's just that we could use a little less of it. Don't get me wrong, I need the tv, especially in the morning when I'm getting showered and dressed...I don't think the toy room would have gotten painted if it wasn't for Curious George and Wall-E!

They don't really ask for it either, I mean hello, look at all the toys we have! And then there's the iPad, the best toy of all in Tim's book! I have to hide it when I go shower just so he isn't running around with it!

The funny thing is the boys will play with things that aren't really toys. This week they are into empty travel-size bottles and straws. And look, we found a ladybug in the house and put it in our bug-box...ugh, I hate bugs. Even ladybugs. It's really hard for me to be brave and pretend as though it's no big deal encountering these things! Gross.

So less tv means more company for me throughout the house. I always have help while I'm cooking, cleaning and doing just about anything! I just have to factor in that it will now take me twice as long to get things done with two extra pairs of hands around...

dude.

2012-02-01T19:46:00.002-06:00

January pictures are pulled together, can you believe it's February??

misc.

2012-01-30T07:31:00.002-06:00

The stuffy heads seems to be clearing this weekend and we had sunny weather so we went for a walk on Saturday. We brought Tim's scooter to see if he'd ride it on the basketball court but he wasn't feeling up to it so Michael took it for a loop...

Look who fits in the fancy-man bathrobe...!!!

He gives himself a serious thumbs-up. He means business when it comes to grooming.

Anyone else find it impossible to own and actually use your iPad with a toddler and preschooler around? Yep, even Michael will see it and start repeating, "Mo, Mo, Mo..." for Elmo videos on YouTube.

bye daddy.

2012-01-26T12:51:00.003-06:00

Part of our morning routine: waving bye to Daddy...

the latest...

2012-01-25T11:15:00.001-06:00

...bump, that is. Michael's forehead landed on the backdoor's metal hinge. Ouch. I think I cried more than Michael did.

miserable men.

2012-01-24T13:31:00.005-06:00

Boogers. Watery eyes. Sneezes. More boogers. I hate not being able to cure a cold! I kept Tim home from a birthday party on Saturday and school today because he is so runny. Poor Michael already can't really walk straight and he's taken a few bumps and bruises while trying to navigate with a stuffy head. Get well soon, guys!!!

This is how Michael enjoys his new sled: inside a warm house!

snowy saturday.

2012-01-21T18:48:00.005-06:00

It takes us more time to bundle up than it does for us to get cold enough to want to go back inside! We got about 6" of snow today...

It was kinda windy and the boys didn't like snow blowing in their faces. It was too fluffy for a snowman or snowballs, we'll try again tomorrow.

back to business.

2012-01-17T12:20:00.004-06:00

Back to work and school today. Timothy cried both Tuesday and Thursday last week when getting dropped off claiming, "I'll go nap, I'm sleepy!" Maybe he got used to being home over winter break - who knows - but today went smoothly once again, thank goodness. Michael is down to one nap now and it is a bit of a challenge trying to keep him up until after Tim gets dropped off at 12:30. He's asleep by the time we get home and makes the transfer from car-to-crib very well.

*Ah* can I say, again, how much I love our toy room?? Well I do. I love it.

fun at home and out.

2012-01-16T12:24:00.006-06:00

The toys and boys are back in the toy room this weekend. My Aunt Kitty and Uncle Chuck stopped by on Saturday and got to check out our work. We always enjoy having visitors! We let Tim finger-paint in there since we'll be getting new carpet soon. Today we went to the Children's Museum in Easton. It was perfect for a cold winter morning.

Michael has been like a real little person lately. He's got his own opinions on what he likes and dislikes and has his own way of doing things. He's not a baby-baby anymore! We look at him and wonder, who is this guy?!

picture post.

2012-01-12T17:26:00.003-06:00

Wet, windy day. Tim broke out his new coat and boots to stomp in some puddles as we went out to get some milk. Michael likes blowing his breath on the window. Good times here. Thought I'd post our December pictures as well as what was found on Tim's camera the past few weeks.

under construction.

2012-01-10T06:16:00.004-06:00

Sorry for being MIA on here lately...we've finally started our first interior project on our new house: the toy room. Chris and his dad built in these great shelves this past weekend. We can't wait to use them! But we have to get them painted first, so we might as well paint the trim in there too...and the walls? guess the carpet is next...

Funny how one project quickly becomes 3-4 jobs! and how the whole house gets taken over. Oh and it is *super* fun trying to paint with a toddler and pre-schooler around! Yay! Let the fun continue today!!

another episode of who wore it best:

2012-01-04T13:58:00.003-06:00

Michael sure fills out Tim's old 18m clothes! I love my chubbie-chubster!

sew...

2012-01-03T14:04:00.004-06:00

Last night I decided to see if my mom's 1969 Singer still worked - after I cleaned and oiled it [according to the original instruction manual, which my grandma kept] and it burned off some sort of smell, it did indeed work! The feeder-dog that pulls the fabric under the needle was crumbling away though; I had to lead the material through myself. I'll have to see about finding that part if I want to use it again.

Today I unpacked my new Brother sewing machine that I got for Christmas from Mom and Dad Kirk. It's more like a computer and it is practically silent as it sews. I made two more of these rice-heating-pads [that my friend Bev made] in a matter of minutes, including some fancy stitches on the ends. So many ideas are floating around in my head, I have to remember that I need time and materials to do them!

ipad fun.

2012-01-01T19:14:00.002-06:00

this year's thing.

2011-12-31T07:51:00.003-06:00

I hope to make something handmade for everyone each Christmas - this was this year's gift. Again, let me know if you'd like one. Who knows what will come about in 2012...I plan to pick up sewing this year.

this kid.

2011-12-29T12:34:00.003-06:00

He cracks me up! Check out his Christmas pictures from his new camera...most were shot by Tim but sometimes he let others borrow it. I like seeing how many times cousin Shaun appears in them; they were chasing each other around, having fun at GG and Pop-pop's house.

2011-12-28T10:33:00.002-06:00

Back home after our Kirk/Goode Christmases. Everyone did well on the road and we enjoyed seeing most of our families. Michael's thumb was the only hiccup during our trip: he's been biting his sucking thumb and it got more and more ugly. I took him to the doctor last night and he is now cleaned up and on antibiotics. Gotta say that it never really seemed to bother him, he's been one happy little dude the whole holiday!

I uploaded my photos and had 24 total...Timothy got a camera from Gram and Gramp for Christmas so it'll be interesting to see what develops on his! Stay tuned!

mostly walking now!

2011-12-21T13:15:00.007-06:00

On to more baby-proofing!

quincy shore drive.

2011-12-19T15:35:00.001-06:00

A little gift I drew for a friend. I hope to do more artwork next year.

holiday concert.

2011-12-15T13:52:00.002-06:00

They sang nine songs, these were the first two. Tim waved to us when he first came in with his class then as the show progressed he slowly began to realize that there were a lot of people in that room watching; by the last song he just sucked his thumb!

santa.

2011-12-14T12:28:00.002-06:00

Looks like Michael is to be the crier this year! Timothy kept telling me no, he didn't want to see Santa but when we got there he didn't feel like arguing the point in front of the-man-in-red. Michael cried instantly. After the photo I held Michael while Tim quietly asked Santa for "presents" then we made our way out. Tim likes the photo now that it's done and is quick to point out that "Michael's crying, not Tim!"

one foot in front of the other...

2011-12-13T13:15:00.002-06:00

Michael is so funny when it comes to walking. He's very tipsy when he first hops up on his feet but once he catches his balance he's good to go for a few steps!

weekend.

2011-12-12T14:44:00.005-06:00

We had our neighbor Marin over on Saturday morning - the boys loved having a visitor to hang out and swap snacks with. Michael could not keep his eyes off of her! Pretty girl!

We also went down to the Bass Pro Shop in Foxboro on Sunday...

Luckily [for the boys] the wait for Santa was too long so we checked out the fish, waterfalls and some camping gear [no, we don't camp].

Tim got to shoot a Red Ryder BB gun; it was a laser display set up. He kept looking everywhere except at what he should be shooting at! There was too much going on around him! He'd definitely shoot his eye out!

for now.

2011-12-10T07:08:00.005-06:00

A Christmas card wreath for our door...at least until Timothy comes home from school with his next great masterpiece!

my little elves.

2011-12-08T19:02:00.004-06:00

so warm.

2011-12-06T14:02:00.002-06:00

Seriously: 62 degrees. This can not be December in Massachusetts. No, I'm not wearing flip-flops but one could today.

deck the halls, not your brother.

2011-12-04T06:47:00.004-06:00

It's funny how a few holiday lights and decorations get kids all hyper and wound up! Just taking the boxes down from the attic on Friday was an event in itself! Timothy likes the Victorian Christmas village...a little too much in fact. While trying to get a closer look at it yesterday he fell and hit the cord that they were all plugged in to so half of them came crashing down. "Sorry Mom! I'm sorry!" were his first words as he got up - he was okay but we've removed the power cords from all the houses. Lights out for the villagers this year, my friends.

We've also opted at the last minute to get a fake tree this year. No water, needles or sharp branches to worry about with two curious boys around. The incident with the Christmas village sealed the deal for me. It still looks beautiful, Yoda is still up top, and we have plenty of candles to get that Christmas'y smell. Plenty of ornaments and other decorations have fallen and broken already; the krazy glue is almost out here!

george michael.

2011-12-02T08:24:00.005-06:00

In case you didn't know already, Curious George is a favorite around here. Yesterday Tim saw a show about rainbows and how to make a rainbow at home, so he had to try it. Michael sleeps with his George and makes the "ooo-ooo-ooo" monkey-sound. I love my monkeys!

michael vid and nov pics.

2011-12-01T14:04:00.007-06:00

Don't worry! I caught him! He's fine! I swear!

Every month I when I back up my photos I think, "I didn't take that many this month, did I?" Sheesh. Some fun ones in there; enjoy!

feeling better.

2011-11-29T19:51:00.004-06:00

It's been sitting around untouched for over a week but the second I make the move to place his headband in the recycling bin it's, "No, no, Mom, I'm wearing that!" Of course you are, silly me.

Everyone is feeling much better around here after the nice long weekend at home. Michael and Tim's noses are cleared up and their ears never seemed to really bother them. Turns out I had pink eye and have been on drops for the past few days. Luckily I avoided spreading it to anyone else in the house, thank god.

The mild weather encouraged us to put up our outside lights but we agreed to not turn them on until December. This Thursday.

thankful.

2011-11-25T11:33:00.003-06:00

We had a delicious Thanksgiving with Gram and Grampa Kirk. Timothy and Michael were good despite their colds and both napped and ate pretty well. The rest of us certainly ate very well!

We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!!! With love from, The Kirks.

now this is november.

2011-11-23T12:40:00.004-06:00

Cold and rainy. Michael and I did our food shopping yesterday while Tim was at school so today we stay in and clean. Now I just need to teach Timothy how to cook and we'll be all set!

Michael had his one-year check-up this morning. I forgot to grab his stats sheet but I remember that he's over 26 lbs! That's big [btw, Tim was 24 lbs]! Both boys have had the sniffles and coughs since this weekend and they seem to be taking turns waking up at night. I had them both looked at by the doctor and it turns out they both have ear infections. So we've hit the drug store and the library on the way home. Nap time now and a Curious George video is on tap for when they wake up.

moving forward.

2011-11-22T08:40:00.004-06:00

I know, I know, it is recommended to wait until they are two-years-old before they can face forward in the car, but I switched Tim before his first birthday and Michael is a lot heavier and taller than some two-year-olds we know. His eyes were as big as saucers looking around and he kept bouncing his feet like, "finally, more leg-room!" Thanks GG and Pop-pop for the birthday / Christmas car seat!

my weekend at home.

2011-11-21T09:12:00.003-06:00

This weekend Chris took Tim and Michael to visit his parents in western Mass; and I had the house all to myself! I missed everyone, of course, but man, I did a lot around the house and caught up with friends!

hello, stranger.

2011-11-17T10:36:00.003-06:00

I've been finding some time during the boys' naps or at night to revisit my art table. These little pics were sent to my cousin Katie and her husband Jason for their baby girl due next year...I waited for them to see these first before I posted a picture of them on here!

timmy's turkey.

2011-11-16T09:02:00.002-06:00

They call him Timmy at school; no need to make a fall wreath this year!

stella!

2011-11-15T12:47:00.003-06:00

We had a great visit with our friends Stella, Chloe and their mom Renee yesterday. Stella was so sweet: she kept calling Tim "Miss Timmy" because her piano teacher's name is Miss Kimmy! She loves to tickle but Tim was not a big fan and would remind her, "No fanks, Stella!"

We pretty much played outside the whole time, gotta love this November! Little Chloe here is already pushing carts and standing on her own! at 8.5 months old! We had fun, thanks for having us over, girls!

sliding into leaves!

2011-11-12T18:48:00.002-06:00

Don't worry, grandparents, Michael didn't mind the leaf-dump over his head! We also got haircuts today, tomorrow is picture-day here! Finally! I've been waiting to have this photo session since June!

our favorite room in this house.

2011-11-12T08:18:00.000-06:00

spring in the fall.

2011-11-09T13:14:00.005-06:00

60's in November, I likey! No coats needed, I got to trim back my garden beds and the boys get to go crunch through the leaves outside!

I'm going to say it again: I can't believe how fast this year has gone! Timothy looks huge to me and Michael is no longer a little baby-baby! Why do they have to grow up? Seems like I'm constantly having to rotate the clothes that they grow out of, it's crazy!

updates.

2011-11-06T18:47:00.007-06:00

The boys got to stay up late last night as we prepared for the time change this weekend...Michael still woke up at 5:30 but that's normal for him so we'll take it. At least it wasn't 4:30 is what I'm thinking! So let me fill you in on Michael's favorites now that he's one: he loves bananas, Goldfish and graham crackers. We need to feed him more "real" food instead of just baby food, I'm not really pushing it like I did with Timothy. He now has 7 teeth. Here he's enjoying a wood chip.

He's able to pull up and cruise around the furniture and stand on his own but hasn't shown too much interest in walking yet. This weekend he's discovered climbing the stairs and has liked walking behind a push-cart but he gets mad when he gets stuck in a corner and has to turn around - which he can't do yet. He takes 1-2 naps a day and sleeps from 6:30pm until about 6:00am at night. Curious George is his buddy in bed.

Michael loves watching what his big brother is up to and has gotten somewhat used to moving on to something else if Tim isn't interested in sharing. He enjoys attention and putting on a show but only after he knows you for a bit; strangers are starting to appear strange to him. And he's starting to develop his vocabulary...

Also I'm thinking that from here on out posts with pictures of Michael are tagged now as "michael" instead of just "baby #2".

his first.

2011-11-04T19:39:00.008-05:00

Michael is one today! He got balloons, presents and Dad had off from work! Chris said the swing set was creaking because it was cold out.

Michael has the best giggle. Seriously. The. Best.

Of course, he loved his first and second cupcake!

Singing the birthday song:

Oh don't worry about Timothy. He eventually ate some veggies and got a cupcake too. Happy Birthday, Michael Magoo!!!

sheesh.

2011-11-03T22:08:00.004-05:00

A year ago today I was trying to get some sleep while heavily drugged and in labor at the hospital...ah, memories! I can't believe it's been a year already! and look, NO HANDS! Michael has been standing on his own more often lately, I think he'll be walking soon. Yikes!

Take a look back at October pictures here!

happy halloween!

2011-11-01T08:10:00.002-05:00

Another year being little, green men! Our little street of 5-6 houses was perfect for trick-or-treating. On to November...!

sooo cold...

2011-10-30T19:08:00.004-05:00

Michael got his first haircut this weekend down in CT...buh-bye, Curly, hello Big Boy! He did great sitting on Chris' lap and yes, we kept a curl!

While visiting my parents 8" of snow fell and the power went out at their house Saturday evening. It was a cold, long night and sadly they are still without power there now. We're praying that you are keeping toasty and that it kicks in again soon!

Back in MA: Timothy and Michael did a little trick or treating this afternoon at the Derby Street Shops. It was really windy and cold there so we only did half of the shops but still got a pretty full bucket of candy! More Halloween tomorrow! Brrr from Braintree!

friday with gram and gramp!

2011-10-29T08:58:00.003-05:00

Michael and Timothy enjoyed a visit from Gram and Gramp yesterday afternoon. Tim showed off some of his school pictures and watched Dumbo with them while Michael napped. Then we all went to the mall for Michael's first pair of sneakers and also picked up a pair of snow boots for Tim [yes, they are calling for *s*n*o*w* here in October]! We ended with an early dinner out and brownies at home. Thanks again, Gram and Gramp! xo! xo!

the little padawan.

2011-10-27T12:50:00.003-05:00

Yoda costume: take two!

goof.

2011-10-25T18:13:00.002-05:00

Michael doesn't stop: he has the funniest expressions and he loves to make us laugh! He's really into cruising lately and we've had to baby-proof the house a little higher. Tim has had to learn to put things up high that he doesn't want Michael to touch, like Puppy...

sunday walk.

2011-10-24T07:22:00.003-05:00

We try to get out on Sunday mornings to walk at Pond Meadow Park if it is nice out. It's about 1.6 miles around the pond and we usually check out the pond and some little side trails along the way.

I think Tim is reminded of the KC Zoo paths as we walk around here; yesterday he kept saying that he was looking for the giraffes! The most we've seen are dogs being walked, chipmunks and butterflies!

Tim actually walked most of the way this time...and brought his hard hat for safety, of course. Michael mostly just sits and snacks on these trips!

i love weekends.

2011-10-23T08:12:00.007-05:00

A weekend at home with my boys is the best...perfect fall weather -

...the leaves are starting to fall and we're having fun outside...

Michael on a little drive...going nowhere fast.

Stainless steel isn't so stainless when it comes to kisses...

Getting ready for Halloween. Finally, Tim's picked out a costume...

He's going to be Mike Wazowski from Disney's Monsters, Inc.

He loves the hard hat and has been wearing it everywhere!

tim and charlie.

2011-10-21T13:26:00.003-05:00

These two are good buddies! When I asked Tim if he wanted to go play with Charlie today he gave a resounding, "YES!"

We went to a little local farm this morning with Charlie, his mom and baby sister Lydia. It was very muddy there after all the rain we had this week but the boys didn't seem to mind wet shoes and socks!

We picked up a couple of pumpkins, ate some apples, played on the playground, saw some animals and pulled wagons around the farmyard.

Afterwards we went out for lunch at a little sandwich shop by some train tracks. Tim and Charlie would run to the window whenever a train passed by; Michael and Lydia hung out with us mommies.

pet shop boys.

2011-10-20T15:00:00.001-05:00

Who needs a zoo or an aquarium when you have got PetSmart?!

i've been waiting for these...

2011-10-18T14:18:00.005-05:00

Timothy's school pictures are in! How do they get them to sit so nicely for the class picture? I wish I knew their secret!

pumpkins for my pumpkins.

2011-10-17T09:20:00.003-05:00

Busy weekend: we drove down to CT on Saturday to go to GG's school's Pumpkin Fair and we went to Pumpkinseed Hill for our pumpkins! Tim ran off with GG there to see the play area...!

It was so windy up on that hill! Then on Sunday Chris and the boys went to NY to visit Uncle Andy and Aunt Helena for a party while I hosted a Tastefully Simple party back home in Braintree!

So much good food and good company too! Thanks to those who made it and have put in orders already. There's still time to order online - when you check out you can link to my party by looking me up under "Find Host/Event". Thank you!

hey, neighbor.

2011-10-14T19:40:00.002-05:00

Our neighbor Marin came over this afternoon to hang with Tim and Michael: perfect ray of sunshine on this rainy day! Enjoy our September pictures to see some sunny days too!

you look the way i feel.

2011-10-13T12:15:00.000-05:00

holy hotness.

2011-10-11T12:11:00.003-05:00

Dude, I love 85+ degree weather in October...just not when I'm running a 10K at noon in the city! Yowza! Before, during and after shots here:

Me and my friend Diane did it and we feel great about it today! Thanks for keeping me going, D! Glad we were still smiling at the end!

birthday pie.

2011-10-09T18:58:00.001-05:00

apple pickin'.

2011-10-09T12:25:00.005-05:00

Yesterday felt like summer! We went apple picking at Lookout Farm with our friends Mark, Tracy and Madison Prouty. These pictures are theirs:

They had train rides to bring us out to the picking fields and a huge play area for kids with animals and more rides...

Next year Madison and Michael can join Timothy in running around!

We did most of our picking out of bins while we were leaving the farm; the ones on the trees looked a little too picked over to us...

Great day; thanks for including us and sharing your pictures, Proutys!

big one.

2011-10-06T08:01:00.004-05:00

Off to TX with you, my friend; a bit of beach for my Aunt Rita's door.

cars.

2011-10-05T19:04:00.002-05:00

Some pics by Tim: one of his birthday cards let him customize Lightning McQueen in a virtual car shop.

check-up and kisses.

2011-10-05T18:51:00.005-05:00

Tim had his 3-year check-up today and he did great. He's 36.5 lbs and 40.25 inches tall. The doctor was happy to hear that he likes school, is in a big boy bed and using the potty. The shots were tough. He didn't know what was coming and afterwards he cried saying "ouch, OUCHIE!" and Michael joined in with sympathy cries as well. He perked up when he got a lollipop and heard that it was time to go.

Mr. Michael has entered his last month of babyhood. *sigh* 11 months old now and such a lovey-dovey...I like Chris' wipe-kiss at the end!

weekend review.

2011-10-03T08:43:00.004-05:00

We're officially Mass residents now that we are members of the Audubon Society. It was a wet weekend but we were able to go to the Trailside Museum in Canton for the afternoon on Saturday.

Tim likes to run around looking at the bees, skunk, snakes and fish on display indoors. It's usually pretty quiet there so Michael crawls around and checks out exhibits too.

Outside they have deer, an otter, turtles, ducks and owls to see.

And streams or "waterfalls" as Tim likes to say! Someday we'll hit a trail...

I'm working on getting a video of Michael giving kisses. Right now he loves kissing his reflection in the backdoor glass!

beachcombing.

2011-10-01T08:55:00.004-05:00

Lovely end to September; I can do the beach with the boys as long as no one gets wet and Michael still fits in the Baby Bjorn!

all done.

2011-09-30T08:17:00.004-05:00

Five bites and Timothy labeled this apple "finished" - gotta keep the rest of them out of reach because guess who gets the leftovers. I had three "finished" apples on Tuesday! Oy. Peek-a-boo at lunch...

birthday day.

2011-09-27T12:04:00.004-05:00

Tim celebrated his actual birthday by telling everyone at music class that he was three and they all sang Happy Birthday to him. Then when he got up from his nap he went outside and showed all our neighbor friends his new swing set and baseball tee. Then we had dinner and waited for Dad to get home for another round of cupcakes and candles!

He's such a happy boy. It has been three beautiful years in our lives too, Timothy. We love you right up to the moon and back!

party!

2011-09-25T19:07:00.012-05:00

At first he wanted a penguin-party, then he wanted a puppy-party but once we got to the party store he chose a Curious-George-party!

Timothy was totally into the singing and blowing out the candles: yes, he's turning three but we threw in an extra candle for good luck!

Tim was happy just having everyone over his house...then he made out like a bandit in gifts! Please, just socks and underwear from now on!

Lots more pictures in my Kodak gallery: at this point of the day Tim was done with pictures and sad that everyone was going...

First thing tomorrow Timothy will be hitting his thank you list!

Big thanks again to Gram, Gramp, GG, Pop-pop, Great-Grandma, Uncle Andy, Aunt Helena, and to the Prouty and Fiddner families for visiting and making Tim's 3rd birthday party a great one!!! [actual birth-day is tomorrow 9/26...and oh yes, more cupcakes, more candles!]

rain rain.

2011-09-24T07:50:00.004-05:00

Been wet here for the past few days. Every now and then we get a bit of a break and we're able to go outside but everything [even our new swing set] is soaked. Hope it dries out for Tim's little party tomorrow!

birfday boy getting ready...

2011-09-21T18:34:00.003-05:00

Monday afternoon the boys and I went to see Big Joe the Storyteller with our playgroup. At the end he made balloon animals for the kids and Tim requested a green dinosaur...he lasted an hour and a half then popped at dinner. Michael's been feeling under the weather lately; could be teething issues again. Poor little man.

Then on Tuesday Tim brought birthday cookies into school and he took Puppy in for show-and-tell. Whoa! Birthday week has begun!

at it again.

2011-09-20T08:20:00.002-05:00

pittsfield playground tour.

2011-09-18T18:35:00.006-05:00

Just took a little weekend trip out to Gram and Grampa Kirk's house...and we checked out almost all the playgrounds in two towns!

Tim had a ball: he couldn't do it all fast enough and was good at getting Gram or Dad to join him in climbing and sliding...

Michael was entertained by the swings, slides and wood chips!

Michael-face in full-force!

Nice weekend; it's really starting to feel like fall up here!

Thanks Gram and Gramp! Tim's been asking to go back to "Gram's House!"

michael on the move.

2011-09-16T13:30:00.003-05:00

He has more of a traditional crawl than Timothy did...he's mad lately trying to crawl on the hardwood floors with pants on [too slippery].

vet visit.

2011-09-13T12:14:00.004-05:00

Timothy has become quite a little expert with my camera! I hide it in different places when I shower in the mornings and if he finds it there's always a good 20+ pictures on there. He gives it back willingly and I can delete what he's taken but the battery dies a lot more often now! Tim took these yesterday while we were waiting for Kat at the vet...

So there's a whole series of my elbow that I've spared you from but some of them are actually pretty good! Kat's appointment went as I expected: I warned them extensively about her temper and insisted that they not open her box until the boys were out of the room. They had to sedate her for her exam and shots. Basically she's overweight and older.

Tim and Michael enjoyed their dinner while waiting with me in the office. August pictures are up on Kodak: here's to many more pictures from our budding photographer! [who's at school right now!]

mr. personality.

2011-09-11T19:36:00.004-05:00

This guy, right here. He knows how to crack us up just by looking at us!

This video is from the Greek fest that we went to last night...Michael is bouncing to the beat! Tim, not so much.

boston.

2011-09-10T18:54:00.005-05:00

A nice Saturday morning here, so we thought we'd take the T into the city for a visit. It took a little longer than we thought to get in and out on the T due to repairs but the boys did great and got a bus ride as well.

We walked downtown and went to the waterfront for the arts festival. Then we had lunch in Quincy Market before heading back home.

Tonight we met up with some friends at a nearby Greek festival for dinner, popcorn and bounce-house fun. I have some video of Michael dancing to the music that I have to upload...WAY cute!

first day of school.

2011-09-08T12:07:00.004-05:00

Here we go! Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from now through May Tim will be at school! Today is orientation so Chris is there now with him. Starting Tuesday Tim will go solo. I kept telling Tim this morning how dad was going to school too and Tim would reply, "Nooo, Dad goes to work!" I know they're having fun. Michael is enjoying the peace and quiet with a nap...that's what we'll be up to without Tim!

finally.

2011-09-06T12:40:00.004-05:00

I've been saying for a long time that I want to take these two to get portraits taken...today I finally did! Babies"R"Us has a portrait studio and I had to get a couple of things. So I packed a couple of outfits with me in case they weren't busy. Sure enough they were able to take us in right then and there so I changed the guys and presto...portraits!

Michael was a total charmer! He hammed it up, big time!

Shockingly, Tim was super! He sat nicely and was very patient as they set up and tried to work out kinks with the camera. Although he didn't smile-smile I was just happy that he allowed pictures to be taken of him!

Taking pictures of the two of them together was pushing the limit with Tim. You can see he's not into holding Michael. Then again, he's just not that into holding Michael. Ever. I still can't believe how good they were!

we're gonna need a bigger pool.

2011-09-04T19:17:00.010-05:00

Next summer we'll get a bigger pool but we'll keep turtle pool around too, don't worry. Aw, sweet, brotherly love...

We all enjoyed our Labor Day weekend. I can't believe it's September!

Poor Timothy: he was given loaded water guns then told not to shoot anybody. What fun is that?! And how come Dad can shoot him???

franklin park zoo.

2011-09-03T08:45:00.004-05:00

Funny how we used to go to the KC zoo almost two times a week and here we've only just gone to visit Franklin Park Zoo for the first time yesterday! Gram Kirk came with us while Chris and his dad went to the Deutsche Bank Championship [and yes, Chris Kirk saw Chris Kirk].

Another beautiful day out - we had a good time walking around trying to see as many animals as we could. Most were napping though...

It was a fun outting but no Kansas City Zoo; I miss our walks there.

beautiful weather.

2011-08-30T19:49:00.002-05:00

The past couple of days have been perfect out. Our windows are all open and we've been playing outside whenever we can! There were a lot of sticks down around the playground...

This is documentation of the extent of damage done to our property from the storm on Sunday; luckily one of our neighbors recovered our pinwheel top the next day!

Tim is anti-photo lately: "No Mom, put camera away!"

hurricane.

2011-08-28T18:54:00.003-05:00

All is well here: Hurricane Irene came and went and we had power all day. Looks like some branches down in the yard and our little pinwheel in our garden flew away but otherwise that is it.

We broke out our fish tent to play with this weekend inside. The boys had fun and the sun should be out again tomorrow. 'Night!

bumping heads.

2011-08-26T13:21:00.001-05:00

When Michael cries Tim now says, "Maybe his teeth hurt?" and then I say, "No, maybe it's because you pushed him off the train table?"

what?

2011-08-24T12:50:00.003-05:00

They've already mastered the art of whining and being loud with each other but as soon as I pop my head in the room to check that everything is okay they're both smiling at me as though nothing is wrong!

and another thing...

2011-08-23T13:51:00.005-05:00

Tim got to my camera this morning while I put Michael down for a nap; although upset at the time, I had to laugh as I uploaded the pics!

i hate to admit this...

2011-08-23T13:26:00.005-05:00

I don't think that I can take the boys to the beach by myself anymore this season. Especially now that Michael is crawling; it's too difficult.

We did fine for about ten minutes with Michael in the carrier and Tim wadding in the water. Then Michael dropped his hat in the water, so I put it on our towel by the stroller. So Tim wanted to play in the sand by the towel. So I put Michael down to play in the sand: that was the beginning of the end...

Michael only wants to crawl off and away. I bring him back. He cries and rubs sand in his eyes. I try bringing them back to the water. Tim cries and doesn't want to leave the towel area. I dip Michael in the water to get some sand removed; big wave comes that I didn't see and soaks him from the waist down. More crying...

I change Michael and wipe him up as best I can and now Tim wants to go in the water. I try going back in one more time but Michael is just squirmy-whining and scratchy with sand and getting it in my bathing suit. Now Mommy is done. We pack up and go. Total trip was about 45 minutes at the beach. Good thing I didn't pay for parking.

glue-gun fun.

2011-08-23T13:19:00.004-05:00

I made this from driftwood that I found along the beach...Tim has aptly titled it "wood-chips." Let me know if you'd like one.

back on the road.

2011-08-19T12:41:00.002-05:00

It was a great week visiting with my mom and grandma. Thanks. Timothy and Michael did so well with all the car rides. Today we stopped for a break on the MassPike on our way home. And big thanks to my Aunt Kitty for that bag of lollipops; what a great way to keep Tim quiet so that Michael could nap in the car. Genius.

chillin'.

2011-08-18T19:14:00.007-05:00

Quiet day here at GG's house; we went for a long walk with Great-Grandma this morning and the boys napped really well. This afternoon we went to a little playground and splash-park. The boys liked watching the water, they didn't really want to get wet though...

Back at the house Tim relaxed with Puppy while GG and Great-Grandma grilled burgers and cooked corn on the cob...

"Delicious" is what Tim kept repeating; then later he said he had "a hamburger in my belly" - yum!

gg and aunt kitty's houses.

2011-08-17T19:48:00.006-05:00

Tim, Michael and I are down in Connecticut this week visiting with GG and Great-Grandma while my dad is out of town for work. Michael got to try on a new winter hat that Great-Grandma made; it's perfect! While GG was at work one morning the boys and I went for a walk at the mall with Great-Grandma...that's where Tim drove the ice cream truck.

Today the boys and I drove down to Long Island for a day trip to visit my Aunt Kitty and my cousins Megan, James and Liam. What a gorgeous day!

Timothy LOVED their pool, we had to coax him out to eat and rest periodically...that's when he must have snapped this picture himself!

Thanks you guys for playing with Tim and Michael and for the tasty lunch! I love seeing you all!

We then took the Port Jefferson ferry back to GG's house for baths, a Skype chat with dad and bedtime. We ate on the boat and the boys liked looking at the Sound and other boats on the water. I'm pooped!

just a weekend at home.

2011-08-14T13:11:00.004-05:00

Nothing big to report: we've tried out and liked the new-used double stroller that I found on craigslist. It handles our old bumpy sidewalks very well and I think Tim likes to face forward with Michael instead of backwards like he has to with the sit-n-stand stroller.

Otherwise we just did stuff around the house and hung out. Sounds boring but it was nice to just relax and not have to be anywhere!

grasshopper.

2011-08-12T08:21:00.003-05:00

We caught a grasshopper yesterday, in our living room of all places! We let him go outside after we showed Dad but I think the little green guy passed out from all the jar-shaking. Oops. July pictures are done, enjoy!

SO big.

2011-08-11T11:21:00.004-05:00

This is Michael this morning napping before I woke him up for his 9-month-check-up. I love his thighs. Michael is 24 lbs 6oz, 30.5 inches long [Tim was 21 lbs 3 oz, 30.75 inches long at nine months]. He's a growing boy and needs his beauty-rest!

rainbow.

2011-08-09T08:31:00.003-05:00

After dinner last night there was a little sun-shower and Tim saw his first rainbow - "Wow!" His first day of camp went well. Although he was reluctant to let go of my hand when I dropped him off yesterday the teachers said he did great. Today when we pulled into the parking lot to drop him off he started saying "Bye, Mom" before I even turned off the car! So I guess he likes it!

Michael seems to enjoy the one-on-one time with Mom but he totally lit up when he saw Timothy after his nap. I think he missed his big brother!