One last trip

My very favorite month is almost over so we headed out for one more trip to a farm stand. It was so great to be there during a weekday without all the crowds. The kids had fun running around and we actually got to take some good pictures because we weren't worrying about being in someone's way.

It was the very definition of a fall day in New England. A nip in the air but the warmth of the October sun on your face. Just cold enough to make your nose run a little bit but not so cold that it ruins the fun.

Sadly, there were no caramel apples yesterday. They only have them on the weekends. Looks like we might have to make one more trip before they disappear until next Fall.

Brotherly Love

This is my first time participating in Love Thursday !

Pictured above are my twin boys, age 3. When I found out I was having twins (and perhaps even more when I found out they were both the same sex), I was so happy that they would have built-in friends. I imagined them playing happily together for hours on end. And then they were born and it soon became apparent, even as newborns, how very different their personalities were. Aidan, the hugger in the photo, is very free with his feelings and is the one who will bounce over to cuddle on your lap as soon as you sit down. Gavin, the masked huggee, is much more guarded with his emotions and always holds back just a little.

And then I caught this moment in a photo. The sheer joy and love for his brother from Aidan and the acceptance of being hugged (and maybe even liking it!) from Gavin.

Happy Love Thursday!

Playing with dolls

Lately I have been pondering the subject of gender roles and the parameters that society places on boys and girls. My kids have free range over the toys they play with and want to own. I figure when they get to kindergarten (or perhaps even now, in preschool), they will learn soon enough from their peers what is considered a "girl" toy or a "boy" toy. Both boys are drawn to the Little Mermaid right now. And why not? The toys she accompanies are sparkly, shiny things that sing beautiful music. Meanwhile, the truck over in the "boy" section is black and makes loud noises. Maybe one day they will go for that but right now, they are in to the kinder, gentler toys.

Ciara on the other hand plays with everything. The boys' trucks, their helicopters and Thomas trains. But, she also has recently started seeking out dolls and hugging them or putting them in her highchair. I haven't made any attempt to push her towards the dolls. When I play with her, she leads the way and I just run with it. But, like I said, lately she is into the whole doll thing.

So my mother buys her a doll stroller yesterday. She has been dying to do this probably since Ciara was born. And Ciara loved it.
And so did Gavin.

The whole time we were at my parents' house, he carted that doll around and talked to it, sang to it, fed it. He and Ciara fought over that stroller all day. It was quite funny. And really, really cute.

There's one in every class

Each time I pick the boys up from preschool, we chat about their day as I buckle them into their carseats and on the ride home. They tell me what they had for snack, what they played with and what their job had been that day. And I also usually hear about John.

At first it was just little things that he did in class. Not listening to the teacher, running out of the classroom or trying to open the gate at the playground.

Then I started to hear:
"John took my toy away"
"John pushed a girl and then John pushed AIDAN" (Aidan hardly shares this type of detail so I rely on Gavin to fill me in)
"John hit me on the head with a car"

None of this bothers me too much, mainly because I realize, as a former teacher, that these things happen and the teacher cannot be aware of absolutely everything that goes on. I just hope that my boys do not retaliate but rather, use their words to tell the child to stop. On the last pick-up the teacher said to me "Gavin had sand thrown at him today and he was very upset about it." I asked Gavin what he did when he had the sand thrown and he told me he said "No!". I told him I was very proud of him for using his words. Later on the way home, I asked Gavin who threw sand at him and he answered as I thought he might: "John".

There is one in every class. I am just glad it is not one of mine.

An Irish lass

Well, a half-Irish lass. My in-laws got Ciara this sweater on their last trip to Ireland before she was even born. Ciara is their first and only granddaughter after 9 grandsons so they were pretty excited. The hat came from one of our many trips to Ireland and the UK and was originally bought for my niece about 5 years ago. I couldn't resist putting it on her with the sweater.

As evidenced by the photo, Ciara seems to have inherited none of my Italian heritage. As one person recently said to me: "Wow, none of your kids look like you, do they?". Thanks.

Growing too fast

Ciara is now a little over 14 months old. But, whenever I look at her and the things she is doing, she seems more like an 18 month old. She seems to be doing things so much earlier than the boys (except for talking). I am sure it is due, in part, to having two older brothers to toddle after and try to get in on the action.

The other day I asked the boys to sit on the stairs so I could get their shoes and socks on. As they sat down Ciara ran over to the steps, wedged herself in between the boys and stuck her foot up in the air. It was so cute. I am so amazed at how much she understands what you say to her. She has been doing that since about 13 months old. Much earlier than the boys.

Recently she has started picking through the toy box to find her dolls. These dolls were hand-me-downs from my niece and I really didn't think Ciara would play with them yet so I just put them in the toybox along with everything else. Well, Ciara loves them. She carries them around, hugs them and passes them off to her brothers so that they can hug them too. Never mind that they don't necessarily want to hug them, lol. And just this morning, when I said it was time for breakfast, she ran over to her highchair with her dolls and tried to put them in there. Sometimes she is so cute, I can't stand it.

Since she is our last, I find myself thinking lately "Where is my little baby?" But, as she grows and discovers more and more it helps me stop pining for the days of infancy.

Some conversations you just can't win...

Gavin is very persistent. He never gives up on anything. Which, I suppose, is a good quality to have but can be annoying at times, too. Here is a conversation we had on the way to the grocery store and stopped at a red light.

Gavin: Mama, what's that building?
Me: That is a bank.
G: Is it the dance center?
Me: No, no. It is a bank. It does look like the dance center building but it's not.
G: (Pointing) That building right there? (only building on the lot)
Me: Yes, that building.
G: It's the dance center?
Me: No, it is not the dance center. It is a BANK.
G: Oh.
(silence for about 4 seconds)
G: Is that the dance center?
Me: --huge sigh-- Yup, that is the dance center.

End of conversation.

Overheard

Aidan and Gavin wanted to watch the Heffalump Halloween movie before nap today. I was in the kitchen cleaning up from lunch and I hear Gavin:

"Pooh bear loves honey. Huh, Aidan?"
(silence from Aidan)
"He loooves honey."
(silence again)
"I don't like honey, Aidan. Because I am not a Pooh bear."
(silence)

It was so funny because Aidan totally zones out while he is watching TV. He was probably hoping Gavin would just keep quiet. Meanwhile, Gavin likes to discuss what he is seeing. These two make me chuckle.

Autumn in New England, part 2

Blogger is acting weird when I try to upload photos so I thought I'd try a new post.

So, as I was saying, we went to a pumpkin festival in Maine where the kids did some fun activities. I also tried to take advantage of all the lovely displays and get another pic of the three of them. I think I will give up for a while on this task.

Moving on to our next excursion...the Topsfield Fair. To some people this is the epitome of fall activities. I myself, have not been to the fair in at least 15 years. I am not one for crowds and overpriced food. But, my sister seemed to think the kids would enjoy it and so she talked me into it. Aidan (aka Ponyboy at this point) rode another pony.

And the boys and I rode an elephant. I wsa petrified the whole entire time I was up there. All I could think of was the circus elephant that went beserk and trampled several people. The things we do for our children.

And Ciara just enjoyed roaming free again.

As we were leaving the fairgrounds, one of the mounted police asked the boys if they had a good time. Then he turned to the adults and said "Do you have any money left? Are you sure you're ready to leave?". He was joking but my sister and I were not laughing as we had spent a hefty sum on parking, entrance fees, overpriced mediocre food, and rides. But, it's all in the name of fall fun, right?

Autumn in New England

Well, it is that time of year again. My very favorite time of year. Autumn. We have been busy the past few weekends doing some fallish things.

We have visited an apple orchard. Not that we actually pick apples. No, no, no. Not yet. Maybe when the kids are older. Our trip usually involves seeing the animals like this enormous pig. It was seriously the size of a small cow.

We also take a tractor-pulled hayride, visit the store for cider donuts and caramel apples, and check out the pumpkins. (Look at Gavin in the background looking for ants).

And I also took the opportunity to try and get a picture of the three of them with a nice scenic backdrop. No such luck.
Another weekend we visited a pumpkin festival in Maine in the town where we vacation in the summer. It was really fun. They had pumpkin rolling, three-legged races, stuff your own scarecrow and lots of yummy food and baked goods. Aidan went on his second pony ride of his life. He loves the ponies!

The boys got to pick out their own pumpkins and then paint them.

And Ciara got to roam free which she loves.

Start 'em young

I love books. Even though I hardly have the time and focus to read them lately. Still, I love them. And it makes me happy that my kids love them. One of Ciara's favorite activities right now is getting a book (preferably of the lift-the-flap variety) and bringing it to you to read to her. (Doesn't she look so old in this picture?)

And, if you happen to be too busy to read to her, she'll just thumb through it herself. She is so cute!