Please....help...me....

After cleaning up the aftermath of Easter morning, I walked into the living room to find Gavin's little monkey helplessly laying under his now-empty Easter basket. Something about the way the monkey was positioned,just laying there gazing at me with his arm outstretched, struck me as funny.

Sometimes I crack myself up.

Peek-a-boo

Ciara "disappeared" in our house for a few minutes while I was making lunch for the kids the other day. Her brothers claimed they had no idea where she was even though she was sitting next to them on the couch just minutes before. I found her in the upstairs bathtub where she had dumped every last bath toy we own.

When I pushed back the curtain all she had to say for herself was "Hi!"

Cool Cat

Teaching vs. Parenting

How is it that all the things I learned about child development in four years of college went flying out the window as soon as I became a parent?

I am well aware of how children develop, when they should be doing what, that all children develop at different rates (including twins) and they will do things when they are ready to do them. So why am I feeling just the teeniest bit of angst that neither of my boys, at 3 years 9 months, are not showing any interest whatsoever in writing their names? Don't ask me why I have latched on to this and am now obsessing about it. I noticed that the class next to my boys at preschool had a name-writing lesson hung out on the bulletin board. This class is slightly older than my boys' class so I shouldn't even be comparing them in the first place. But I am. I asked the teacher about it and she gave me that knowing teacher-look and said "You know, some are writing their names in this class and some aren't. It is not a big deal--those kids just aren't there yet". Now, this is probably the same answer I would have given if a parent asked me, as a teacher, about their child's ability.

And it is absolutely true. Some kids are into letters and numbers and learning to write and some are more into the fine or gross motor things--running, hopping, scribbling with crayons. I remember when Aidan and Gavin were younger, maybe close to one year old. Aidan was the mover--crawling, cruising, and even walking at 11 months. Gavin was much more verbal than physical. He said a few words, made lots of noises and babbled a lot. I remember being concerned that Aidan was not babbling/talking alot and Gavin was not attempting to be more mobile. Then my pediatrician put it perfectly to me. At this young age, the brain is concentrating on working on, "perfecting" if you will, one skill at a time. For Aidan, he was learning all the gross motor things and was showing it by how active he was. Gavin on the other hand was working more on his language skills and put mobility by the wayside. And now that they are almost four, it is kind of ridiculous that I was worried about it. Was Aidan really not going to learn to talk? Or Gavin to walk? Of course not. And now they are pretty much on an even keel in all departments.

So, will it matter when the boys are 10 if they started to write their names at 4 or at 5? No one is even going to ask that question.

As my father-in-law has always said to me in relation to potty training (as I worried that the boys weren't yet)--"Well, they're not going to graduate college in diapers so don't worry about it". I suppose they will be able to write their names by then, too.

It's done

My poor, poor neglected blog. I apologize for leaving you dormant for so long in between my entries. But, you see, I have been focusing lately on something much more important: Potty Training.

Yes, that's right. Potty training. Times two.

It all started last Monday. I asked my husband weeks ago to take off February vacation week so we could concentrate on getting the boys to stop wearing diapers. At 3 years 8 months, it was time. So Sean stayed home, the boys woke up Monday morning and we put underwear on them (with some warning in the previous days) and have not looked back. They are doing so well it is prompting me to ask myself "Is that it? Could it have been that easy?".

I had been dreading this process, mainly for selfish reasons. I envisioned myself staying home all day every day until they got the hang of the whole potty thing. So by asking Sean to stay home and help, I assured myself that I could at least escape for an hour at some point if it all got to be too much.

So we started exactly one week ago today and the boys have been out in public with no accidents. We have gone to a family function and the boys told us when they had to pee. I am just amazed that it just clicked so quickly. Of course, I think their age had something to do with it. Had I attempted this 6 or 8 months ago, I don't think they would have gotten the hang of it so fast. Timing is everything.

And for once, I timed it just right!

Happy Love Day!

We were watching Blue's Clues this morning and for some reason they call it Love Day instead of Valentine's Day hence the title.

So, here in Boston we are experiencing a Valentine's Day Nor' Easter. For those of you not from New England, that is a significant storm characterized by strong winds and lots of precipitation. Right now we are getting a little bit of everything--snow, sleet, rain and back to snow. A great day to stay inside and cook. Which is what I plan to do. A special Valentine's Day dessert for my husband and I--banana caramel bread pudding with creme anglaise. Mmm Mmm.

Here are a few pictures in the spirit of the day. My heartbreaker and my Mama's boy. And Ciara on the receiving end of a hug from her brother, looking a bit unsure.

Off to bake...

Chilly Chili

The other day I was making chili. The boys came in and wanted to know what I was making and I told them. So they asked me what was in it and I told them and asked if they wanted to try some when it was all finished. Aidan said "No!" straight away and Gavin said "Sure". Can you tell who my adventurous eater is?

So the afternoon goes on and my chili is simmering away. Dinnertime appoaches and I ask the boys what they want, forgetting all about our conversation earlier. Aidan wants fishsticks (surprise, surprise) and Gavin announces he wants "the cold stuff". I have absolutely no idea what he is talking about and after more insistance that he wants the cold stuff, it finally dawns on me that he means the chili. I ask him if he is sure. Yes, he is he says. I put Aidan's fishsticks in the oven plus a few extra. I spoon some chili into a bowl for Gavin and present it to him. He takes one bite and says "I don't like it!". I figured as much. But at least he tried it before deciding unlike his brother who I cannot get to try anything new.

The chili turned out yummy by the way. They don't know what they are missing!

18 Months

My baby is 18 months today. One and a half. Almost two.

Ciara is certainly not the petite, demure, girly girl I had envisioned having when I was younger. No, no, her two brothers make sure of that. She can chase, bounce on beds, and leap into couch pillows tossed on the floor with the best of them. Hair accessories? Only if I can put them far enough back on her head where she can't reach up and rip them out. Although, there was one day where she seemed infatuated with her hair bows and kept handing them to me to put in her hair. That lasted about 5 minutes.

Actually, now that I look at my handiwork, perhaps that is why she doesn't want anything in her hair.

Dolls? She does love her dolls which she will just as soon throw across the room as tuck them lovingly in their bed and feed them.

She is such a mix of her two brothers, it really is funny. She has Aidan's build, his laid back temperment and his rhythm. She also shares the same penchant for her milk bottle that he did and really has no comfort object other than that.

From Gavin, she gets the antagonistic behavior. I never thought I would see that trait come out at such a young age but it's there. She will scream just for the heck of it which annoys the heck out of Gavin. Gavin will then proceed to complain to me. And then Ciara will very purposefully go up to Gavin, look him in the eye and scream. Which just about sends him over the edge so of course she does it again. I actually find it quite funny (except for Gavin's shrieks of "STOP!!!!").

I was just thinking about Ciara's 15 month appointment at her doctor's. I mentioned to him that she really only had about five words and I was surprised because of having older siblings plus the fact that she was a girl. Now, at 18 months, her language has just exploded. She still communicates with lots of pointing and grunting but I am amazed at how much she says. The newest phrase being "I love you" which she just learned yesterday. Only it comes out as "Ah uv do". Another one is "more" which she pronounces with a perfect Boston accent "mow-ah". Have no idea where she got that pronunciation, must've been the grandparents. And then of course thiere is "Dat doe" while shaking her finger. I have to admit she got that from me as I shout in exasperation "That dog!!" when he barks incessantly at squirrels (luckily she just picked up that and not the other choice words).

Happy half-birthday Ciara!

Just what I wanted to hear

So, as I discussed in my last post, I have been in a little bit of a funk. Part of this is feeling "mom-ish" lately. Yes, I realize I am a mom but that doesn't mean I am still not me. Before I had the boys, I was a bit of a clotheshorse. Now, I can't image spending all that money on clothes that are going to get sneezed on, drooled on and more than likely colored on with magic marker. This is not to say that I have let myself go but on any given day you will more than likely find me in the same pair of comfy jeans and a fleece pullover.

Well, I decided to buy myself a new winter coat. This is a major production for me because I hate coats that are too bulky, don't fall exactly right, etc. That said it usually takes me hours of trying on coats, thinking I like them, bringing them home and then deciding no, I really don't like it. I bring it back and the whole process starts over.

After several attempts, I finally have a coat that I think says "young and hip". I am happy with the way it fits and looks. I am confident this is the keeper so I do the thing I always hesitate most to do--I take the tags off. To me, nothing says "Now I own it" more than that.

I hang the newest member of my wardrobe on the coat rack. It has not been there more than five minutes when Aidan walks by and notices it.

"Look", he said, "Grandma left her coat here."

Grandma?! Grandma?!

So much for being young and hip.

The winter blahs

It seems I have been on hiatus.

Every time I have sat down to blog about something, I have ended up sitting staring at the screen for a minute or two and then decide I have nothing to say. I guess I am just in a little funk. The holidays are over, the weather is so weird and I am feeling a bit bored these days.

The boys are still in preschool two days a week and the time has come to secure them a spot for next September if we so wish. I am having a wee bit of trouble processing that one year from September, I will be sending them off to Kindergarten (!). How can that be? And when I send them off to Kindergarten, that means I will be sending Ciara off to her first year at preschool and I will have two and a half hours two days a week all to myself. This is supposed to make me happy. Right?

I don't know why I am even doing this to myself right now. I am usually great at "crossing that bridge when I come to it". I guess this funk is the culprit.

And again, the weather isn't helping. 64 degrees in Boston in January? I am hoping for a good snowstorm before the winter is over. Being housebound, cooking up a storm, baking cookies with the boys. I think that would help my mood.

I am off to retrieve the boys from their rooms. They have been having "quiet time" the past week or so. Naps are a thing of the past for them. All traces of baby/toddlerhood are gone. There I go again, getting all melancholy...I better go and fast!

December the 26th

Well, another Christmas come and gone. The kids all had a blast and every one of us is exhausted, full-bellied and very happy.

Christmas was so much fun this year. The boys, being 3 1/2, were so much more "into it" than the past couple of years. Every present opened was met with squeals of delight and "Just what I wanted!!" and then an eager "Are there any more?". They were so overwhelmed I think and just kept opening and opening.

First at our house bright and early in the morning. Next at my parents house where we had a yummy Christmas lunch.

And finally at my in-law's house where we had Christmas dessert. By day's end they were exhausted.

And now, they are having a blast playing with everything. I am trying to keep from opening every new toy and saving some for the dull dreary days of winter ahead of us. But, they are kids and of course want to test out all their new loot. And their sister's. I swear, we almost could have bought the boys baby toys and they would have had a blast!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful day yesterday! Only one week left now of 2006. Can you believe it?

Happy Holidays

I have definitely let my blogging go lately. I have just been so busy between buying, wrapping, and baking not to mention general upkeep of the house and three children. It has been crazy.

The boys seem to have finally grasped the concept of our Christmas box. They are now practically out of their skins with excitement as they see there are only 4 doors left to open before Santa comes. Of course, Ciara is still oblivious. She only knows that she wants the candy her brothers are chomping on at 7:30 in the morning.

So, just in case I don't get a chance to post between now and Monday.... Merry Christmas to all!!!

Pornaments

You know...those things you hang on Christmas trees to decorate it.

At least, that is what they are called by my three-year-olds. Pornaments. Nice.

Flu shots

I took the kids to get flu shots yesterday. Iwas debating whether to tell the boys in advance or not tell them anything at all and wait until we got to the doctor's office. There were cons to each scenario.
If I told them in advance, I risked listening to "I don't want to go" overandoverandover and possible tears. Plus, I didn't want them dwelling on going to the doctor all day for a shot that was going to take all of 3 seconds to administer.
If I waited until we got to the office to mention anything, I faced a possible meltdown in the office with people staring at us. Also, I didn't want them to be afraid of the doctor's and think that everytime they go they were going to get a shot (or a 'pinch' as I call it).
So, I decided to just mention it nonchalantly when they inevitably ask what we are doing for the day. "We are just making a quick trip to the doctor."

Gavin (wheels immediately turning in his head): Why? Why are we going there?
Aidan (who takes everything we say at face value): Oh, that's good. My teeth hurt. (???)

I say we just need to get a really quick check up and that seems to satisfy them for the moment. So Gavin keeps mentioning it throughout the day and then asks me point blank "Are we going to get a pinch?" What was I going to do? I couldn't lie to him. "Um, yes. You will be getting a little pinch."

And let the floodgates open....

"I don't want to get a pinch!" Tears streaming down face. "No! No! I don't want to go!". And so it continued for about 20 minutes. He finally calms down and seems to accept the fact. Everyone is quiet on the ride to the office. Once we get there, they even play with the little beaded toy that seems to be in every doctor's office everywhere. When they call us, I decide to take the boys in first and get it over with and leave Ciara in the waiting room with my mother.

We get in the room and I say to Gavin "You go first and it'll be over before you know it." To which he promptly declines and volunteers Aidan to go first. Aidan, easygoing oblivious boy that he is, agrees. I plop Aidan down on the examining table and the nurse says "Are you ready?" Aidan nods his head and then opens his mouth. Oh my god, this kid. He still thought he was going to the dentist.

So, the boys get their shots with nary a peep from either of them. Ciara got hers with a little squeal. And now they are hopefully protected from the flu for the season.

The end.

'Tis the Season

And so the holidays are upon us.

My boys were so excited that they got to open the first door on the Christmas Box (as I have dubbed it since it is not your typical advent calendar). It is so much more fun this year with them. Last year, at 2 1/2, they would open up the door, get their chocolate and pretty much forget about the Christmas Box until I told them it was time to open up another door. Last night, before bed, they were all excited that the next day they would get to open a door and then this morning, that is the first thing they asked about.

Another good thing about this year is that they can actually begin to understand just how far away Christmas Day is by using the box. Of course, that still doesn't stop them from asking 65 times a day if it is Christmastime and when Santa is coming. I suppose I don't help it any because I am always itching to decorate the day after Thanksgiving and am often just as excited as the kids. I can't wait to get our Christmas tree and have the smell of balsam wafting through the house. Love it. Although, I must admit that with our unseasonably warm weather thus far, I am having a wee bit of trouble feeling like it actually is December. That should change with the cold front expected this weekend.

So, enjoy the season while it lasts. It will be gone all to soon.

Christmas Cards....check

Perhaps you remember reading about the great picture debacle of '06.

It all started back in September at a local apple farm. Sure, it was early. But, I figured if I could get a good shot of the three of them, then why not?

Then I tried taking advantage of the beautiful fall backdrops at a pumpkin festival in early October.

Next I decided to go the professional route, figuring they could use their expertise and silly props to at least get all three looking in the same directions with a smile on their face.

I decided to give it one more shot on a warm fall day in November.

And then I gave up. I just took photos of the three of them seperately and made a collage card at an online phot site. Trying to get a photo of Ciara was like trying to pin down a sheep for shearing. As it is her photo turned out slightly blurry. But you can't tell. That much.

p.s. I have no less than 11 boys holiday sweaters from various sisters-in-law whose sons have outgrown them. None of them are even slightly complementary to each other thus I had to take a picture of Aidan in a sweater, take it off him and put it on Gavin and then take a picture of him so the card would not be so "busy".

Note to Self:

Never leave almost-16 month old alone with 3 year old brother who is doing dot paints.

Not even for 6 seconds while you go to the kitchen (5 steps away) to get a paper towel.

3 years coming

Something happened today that I have dreamed about for three years.

The boys played together. In an organized fashion.

Normally they have such different interests. Gavin builds with Duplos. Aidan colors at the table. Gavin makes elaborate meals in the play kitchen. Aidan colors at the table. Gavin does puzzle after puzzle. Aidan colors.....you get it. Aidan does not have as much interest in imaginative play as Gavin does. Until yesterday that is, which is why I was so excited about it.

I announced the TV was going off and they would have to find other means to occupy themselves. I fully expected Aidan to withdraw to his crayons, pencils, markers and paper. But instead, he joined Gavin as he packed up our Little Tikes shopping cart and announced he was going on a trip. They then proceeded to make circles throughout the kitchen, dining room and foyer in an effort to get to wherever it was they were going (with Ciara in hot pursuit). All the while Aidan is trying to tell Gavin some of his ideas and Gavin is largely ignoring him. Suddenly Aidan stops and says in a stern voice "Gavin! Look at me, I need to tell you something." Gavin does so (surprisingly) and Aidan continues: "Gavin, do not talk to me like that. And #2, no screaming." I just about burst out laughing because Gavin was doing neither of the two. However, Aidan's words made me figure they really are listening when we discipline them as much as it seems they aren't.

The funny thing was, Gavin totally listened to Aidan and said "OK, I won't."

Maybe I should just have his brother discipline him from now on?

One year later...

Taken Thanksgiving Day 2005:


Taken Thanksgiving Day 2006:

Amazing how much they grow and mature in one year. Happy Thanksgiving! (one day late...).

Friendship Feast

Tomorrow, Aidan and Gavin's preschool class is having a Friendship Feast. They will stand on the "big stage" and say some cute little turkey poems and sing some cute little turkey songs. Then they will have a feast of turkey, stuffing, corn and cookies. Lastly, they will exchange Friendship Necklaces they have been working on in class.

I was telling someone (a much older someone) about this "Friendship Feast" and was met with a response I wasn't expecting. "Friendship Feast? What, now they can't call it Thanksgiving anymore? Now even 3 year olds need to be politically correct?" I was kind of taken aback because I thought it was such a good idea. Instead of focusing on Pilgrims and Indians, which is a topic way over their heads in my opinion, they are focusing on the importance of friendship. Helping, caring, loving.

I know the boys will learn about Thanksgiving, Pilgrims, Indians, Plymouth Rock, Squanto and everything in between for some 12 years once they hit Kindergarten.

I think Friendship is a good place to start.

Not the nap. Please. Not. the. nap.

As I am sitting here at the computer, Gavin is chitter chattering away to himself in his bedroom. I just peeked in and Aidan is passed out despite the noise in there. Gavin asked if it was time to get up. I told him he had to stay quietly in his room even if he wasn't going to sleep because it was Mommy's quiet time.

This is the day I have dreaded since they turned 3. I knew my days of silence at 2 p.m. were numbered. Ciara dropped her morning nap about two weeks ago so now all three are usually in bed at 1:30 or so. It is my sanity-saving time to recharge my Mom batteries. Now for the past four days, Gavin has not fallen asleep. But Aidan has. Which puts us in a quandry for bedtime. Gavin, having not napped, could easily go in at 7:15 or so but then Aidan is not tired at that time. And there is no way one would go without the other. So, Gavin stays up until the regular 8:30 bedtime and proceeds to have a full-blown meltdown somewhere in there. So clearly, if he is going to stay up until 8:30, he needs a nap.

Now, I could just have Aidan not nap so they both went to bed at 7:15 but he is asleep within minutes of hitting the pillow in the afternoon so he clearly still needs his nap as well. Not to mention, if they were in bed at 7:15 sans nap then Sean would spend less than an hour with them between the time he got home from work and their bedtime.

Also not to mention, I would go C.R.A.Z.Y . if they didn't nap.

Gavin is still chattering away to himself in there. Rats.

Being a mom just got a little tougher.

Stealth Baby

Ciara is so much worse at doing things she shouldn't be than either of the boys were at this age. And to top it off, she is silent when doing these things.

We have a jack and jill staircase so I need to have two baby gates preventing Ciara from roaming to the second floor. One of the baby gates is not properly installed because the baseboard on the bottom of the wall makes it uneven. So we must just fit it into the space at the base of the stairs and then prop a chair in front of it to keep Ciara from going up. I cannot tell you how many times a day I find her on those stairs. If I am changing the boys or letting the dog out the front door, she hightails it for that gate and silently moves the chair, then the gate and is up the stairs like a shot.

The other night Iwas in the kitchen making dinner and Ciara was with me. She then wandered into the dining room and was quiet for about 30 seconds. I walked in to find this:

Ciara had pulled a chair out and climbed onto the table to get her brother's Halloween stash. And I didn't hear a thing.

I am in trouble with this one.

15 months!

My baby is 15 months. I know I may be sounding trite but I just can't believe how fast the time has passed. Everyone says it does but you just 'yes, I know' them to death and wish they would leave you alone.

But it really does go fast. I can see that now.

So, here she is. 15 months. She seems to do everything so much faster than her brothers. Climbing, running, understanding every single thing you say to her. She loves when her brothers chase her through the house in huge circles. Dining room, kitchen, hallway, foyer. Over and over again. Sometimes she eggs them on by switching off the TV while they are watching and then run giggling from the room.

She is not talking much but she can sure get her point across. She walks over to the snack cabinet and points upwards and grunts. If the grunting does not elicit an immediate response, it turns into screeches. If her brothers have a snack she wants, she will walk up to them and point to whatever they are eating and say "mama"? "Mama" seems to be the universal word for everything in Ciara's world.

Ciara is a big hugger. Each morning when I retrieve her from her crib, she waves and smiles. I pick her up and she puts her arms around my neck and squeezes. I think that may be my favorite part of the day. She now gives kisses when you ask her to. "Can I have a kiss?" will result in Ciara coming at you, open mouthed, to plant one on your face somewhere.

Yes, the time does fly and you wish you could slow it down.

But with each new day comes new discoveries, new skills, new memories.

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!