peaches

These growth spurt guys were tiiired after a sleepy car ride out there.  Keaton even fell asleep in my arms on the tractor ride out to the peach patch.  We avoided the goopy, spotted peaches and managed to get a decent batch (we will bring you a bunch PopPop!).  Those little kids that can squirm into the unreachable spots really helped.

farm

We had a great time playing at the farm with our old friends.  A fun spot full of fun stuff!

tidbits

Little bits of life I'd like to remember:

We found the food trucks near Tysons!  We only had to search for over 40 minutes, but hey, we don't give-up easily when there are potential donuts as rewards.  The boys were my eyes as I drove around trying to find this huge groups of trucks - It was funny because they weren't really sure what a food truck looked like, but boy they were sure when we finally drove around the corner and found them!  They were out of the peanut butter glazed donut once we got there ;( it's popular for a reason, so we will be back!  In the meantime, I snapped these picks of a satisfied Aiden with his cinnamon glaze and and skeptical Keaton with his creme brûlée - which I loved but he thought the crispy edge was burnt, but wanted to lick out all the cream.

After dinner family tennis is great on mild days.  This summer is spoiling us with such great weather.  Now if we can just keep the bugs away…  Keaton runs around with his backpack playing ball boy while we try to avoid hitting him.  Aiden after so many weeks in tennis clinics really plays.

The make and take crafts at AC Moore are pretty fun.  The sculpy monsters the boys made looked just like Lego Mixel guys.

Play dates with Keaton's school continue - this time with a fun visit to the school playground. The bike path around the playground was hopping.  We also went to a fun neighborhood street party for National Night Out where the boys made friends very quickly with some new neighbors. Keaton is just like Aiden making friends with all the big girls that take good care of him.

We had a weekend of comedy where I went to a long-anticipated Seinfeld show at the Kennedy Center with my friend.  He was even funnier than I though he'd be with all new to me stuff.  Dinner on the Terrace ahead of the show was such a treat too!  Then I impulse purchased a very last minute single seat for J to attend the Jim Gaffigan show just up the road at Wolf Trap.

We had an invite to try out a new toy prototype at the Think Fun factory.  Aiden was thrilled by the laser challenge and very interested in the homemade parts they used for the test drive.  He was even more thrilled when they took us to the room full of all their games and told the boys that they could pick out whatever they wanted!  We took home three fun games including the brand new Robot Turtles which is a huge hit already.  It teaches kids the basic principles of programming and I think Aiden is really their target audience and it's amazing how Keaton catches on… I love games they can both play.

mr. baby chi chi

Keaton is giggling at this funny new helium booth app we found. Oh my, giggling non stop for a loooong time! I think his Aunt Lulu would be proud.  Whenever he gets cuddly and giggly like this in the morning he calls himself Chi Chi, and during these videos he upgraded that name to Mr. Baby Chi Chi.

My Movie 3 from LB on Vimeo.

Rough Transcript:
Bear Voice Keaton: I'm a baby Chi Chi and I like to touch my head.
Look at my mama's face she's so cute, gag ga ok gotta go. ok blah blah
I'm actually doing it harder - watch this: Bwahhh!

Ooh, mommy, I got a good one, My name is Mr. Baby Chi Chi - and I like to goo goo gaa gaa
Look at my mama, isn't she's so funny? I can't even stop cuddling her because she's so interested.
Are you so interesting mama? Um…look what she's doing...

Squirrel Voice: Goo gah gah, ok, I know this voice is like so funny, but I don't know if it's actually working, but I do know what it is, I'm actually doing it harder - so watch me: Hacky biggie Bwaah
Ok, Hi guys, My name is Keaton, and I don't know blah blah

Blah, blah, I like to dance around, blah blah
I like to use flashlights under my arm and then light my mama  taaadaa!  Hey! I'm actually…

Robot Voice: I like to shake and dance…I like to freeze dance... (unintelligible robot voice)

teds

Still waiting somewhat impatiently for the Ted's to open at Mosaic.  Months and months of coming soon!? I told J that they are probably working on all that wood paneling, but I'd eat there without it ;)  We hit the one at 14th street right around brunch the other day.  There are so many fun brunch places around there they have street music pumping.  The boys love the idea of dancing down the street ;)

tidbits

Some more bits of tid:

The end of season banquet for tennis where Aiden won a new racquet in the raffle.  He was pumped that it was red like his old racquet.  

These brothers continue to enjoy the library (where Keaton insists on thumbing through chapter books, and then tells Aiden is a "good one")  Aiden's been working hard on this giant marble race structure. We'll see how long it takes to finish.  Who doesn't love a costume for the pool?  Aiden got a new snorkel and Keaton this turtle getup which even has flippers for his fingers!

Giggle pusses are milking time with daddy.  They wrestle/hurt each other less if daddy wrestles with them.  Ice cream, chalking, comic book guys, and mall fun zones are favorites.

stories in art

It had been a while since we'd ventured in for the Stories in Art at the National Gallery.  This was the first time that Keaton was able to participate right along with the big kids.  He was so excited to raise his hand and actually get to tell her the shapes he saw in the Pantheon painting.  It was a Roman holiday themed topic with Iggy Peck Architect as the fun story.  It is a good warm up for Aiden's Italian classes at school this coming year.  

cousins

The cousins had a chance to play at Kid Junction for a long time the other day.  Everybody loves that place!  Thanks to Aunt Jess for sending along some fun photos.

putters

These guys were super jazzed to use a summer reading coupon to do some puttering around the putt putt course.  By some sort of miracle all three of us managed to get a hole in one!  Keaton's was down the water flume too.  Pretty fun, and I'm sure we'll be back.

stories

We learned all about critters who dig at this musical story time at the library.  Keaton was so excited that he guessed the armadillo correctly from the clues the bigger kids were reading.

Keaton was excited to play the role of Father in the most recent Mosaic story time.  He helped his son grow a giant carrot in the story, and he thought that was pretty cool.

zip

I put up some new roller shades for my "digital dark room" in our den.  They were the kind that you cut down yourself and the boys were thrilled to use the remainder to create a racetrack and parking area for all their cars.  They have rolled them up and stored them for more fun later.

Zip from LB on Vimeo.

k o f i

Mr. K ofi is a favorite from Aiden's old school who happened to be holding a summer workshop at the library. Aiden is a seasoned K ofi fan, and Keaton is just as smitten by his good nature.  I think he charms everyone by talking through his warm laughter.  He recognized Aiden right away and had him help on many of his skits which were very familiar to Aiden from his music classes.  I was glad to capture some video snippets to remind us.

K o f i Dennis from LB on Vimeo.

40 months

Dear Keaton,

It's blowing my mind that you are the same age as your brother when you were born.  I have vivid memories of him at this age because I'd just quit my job to soak up as much time with him as possible.  He had the same knack for the extremes that you do.  Extreme happiness, and well, extreme moods of all kinds.  Your quote of the month, there were so many good ones, but the winner is: "Speaking of awesome, everything is awesome!"  Maybe that is the quote of the year: Two thousand and awesome.

Your attitude towards life can be summed up with a few quotes and a favorite story:
"That's a big great bear hug!"
"The blue crayon I've always dreamed about!"
Picking out a disco ball keychain at Great Play, holding it over your head and announcing "Disco party tonight! Hey, I'm dancing with all my might!"
Some of your favorite jokes:
What did the baby say to the other baby - Hey Baby, it's me Baby Baby!
Why did the chicken cross the road? - Because his mommy was holding his hand!

We have a big financial boom around here, and it's not all from nearly 4,000 photos I've edited for money (I still can't believe my luck at this perfect job), it's from no longer buying diapers!  You are amazingly completely diaper free and even pottying independently.  When we were putting you in a nighttime diaper after bath, you were taking it right off, getting your underpants on, while telling us we made a mistake.  It was a looong process, but you made it seem like a steep climb with a quick ride down once it clicked for you. As you say, thanks to me for staying dry!  You are even changing the toilet paper roll yourself now.

Your awareness of my new photo editing gig is really funny.  You actually told one of your classmates' moms that I "play with pictures of pretty princesses on the computer."  You think the brides are pretty fancy and you like to glimpse through them after you're ready for bed.  We get some bedtime hugs while you laugh at the pinwheel boutonnières along with your brother or whatever other quirky wedding decorations there are in the latest shoot I'm working on.  Your brother thinks weddings are pretty peculiar and he's right.

You were so excited to try out putt putt with your summer reading coupon.  You wouldn't let go of that score card because you were the "keeper!" You wanted me to help you putt while holding your "score notebook" in your hand. You had that little red pencil tucked in your pocket and you'd pull it out with a flourish after you made your shots.  By some amazing stroke of luck you made a hole in one (we all made one!) on the water flume where the ball floats down it and yours popped right into the hole!

You'd like everything to have a holster or a pocket.  You have taken to carrying stuff in your pocket "just in case"like the top to a mechanical pencil, a curved piece of toy pipe, and the favorite guy of the day.   Most of your favorites have been through the washing machine lately, so I guess they are extra clean.  You treat this little sling bag as a holster for your tennis racquet and you made sure to collect all the balls in there too.  You were so excited to have some time of the court with your brother even if it meant mostly avoiding getting hit.

You and your brother continue to be Wild Kratt brother wannabes.  You actually learn a lot of animal facts from that show.  Like the other day you were telling me: "Prey is what a kangaroo eats like chicken, feathers, crocodiles, and boomerangs!"  The adventures that you guys create with the Wild Kratts Creature Power suits are amazing.  You will search for those discs everywhere. You guys assigned me the role of Aviva - "Aviva come in! Meet at the monkey tree with Martin!"  The fun is totally worth the nearly constant request, "Please, help me put on my glub" (aka. glove with fingers that are too big for you)

You walked around a bunch this month wearing one old winter mitten that you called your "super glub!"  You were a one glove guy wearing a batman shirt (anytime it was clean!)  When some stranger would notice you and say "Hi Batman!," you'd reply shyly, "I'm just a little baby batman!"  You are an encouraging mini Batman, frequently telling me "Good try batgirl!" when you beat me at whatever game your mini Batman alter ego has arranged to win.

You can really be a nice, unprompted polite guy using your polite words.  "Daddy more pancakes please!" Out of the blue, "Thank you for making dinner mom!"  When you cry sometimes, you will calmly ask to "please, catch my drippy bits in a cup for later so I won't need to cry anymore!"  It's a nice glimpse into what you're thinking when you say stuff like that.

During your art class show and tell when you present your final product, you are always so talkative.  You made everyone laugh when you showed the "fish tank art" and you said that your fish had escaped because the water color wash made him disappear and then you ripped a hole in your plastic wrap 'tank.'  You were able to go to the theme camp party at Great Play with all the other potty trained guys - woot!  You sure took your time with potty training but you made it work when it finally mattered.

The Great Play coaches are amazing with you.  They charm you and you charm them right back.  If they need to remind you of a rule they give you a high five to be sure you understand.  We've picked that up occasionally around here and it sure does work.  At the end of class the coach let you pick three presents, but you said "I'm all set with one, more for you!"

You had a check up with the doctor and you were telling her  about every bump you'd had all summer, pointing out the scratches and bruises as you babbled away.  Then you told her that one time you almost bit through your lip and your mommy won't let you put bandaids on your mouth boos boos.  You then had a funny story, "I accidentally got an email from you! Dear doctor, I don't like you! Uh oh better send that one away."  I'm convinced you know just what will make people laugh from your outrageousness.

Part of your pretend doctor play includes recording things on a computer just like she does… You like to get us to be your patients and I love games where I get to lay on the couch. My favorite treatment plan including a lego brick salad and thirty minutes at the fireworks. Here's the transcript of your doctor play while mixing in some action in the play kitchen: "You came to my office because you had disgusting bits in your mouth - Now I will cook you some crayons with salad! This will make you better - oh you need it heated up? Now it's nice and cool!  This is my special computer where I measure you! You are big 100 daddy! Woah I hear a monster in your tummy! The doctor office is now closed!"

Favorite foodie quotes:
"They make this lollipop from watermelon drips!"
"This fruit punch is better than fruit punch!"
"I saw a giant pineapple in my tummy!"
 You insist on the "blueberry juice" at smash burger and frequently try to convince me that pizza is healthy food because it gives you energy.  But in general I can't complain about the variety of pretty good food you are willing to eat.  A bowl of noodles is your favorite treat.

You loved picking your own fruit at the farm again this month.  You were mad at the prickly blackberries so you didn't even want to eat them later.  I couldn't keep you from gobbling some strawberries right on the field.  You were most excited by the cherry picking ladder.  I think you accidentally ate some cherry pits in your excitement to try the new tart cherries.  You loved visiting the animals, especially the goats.  You explained to anyone that would listen, "I'm actually a baby goat and I'm helping feed my mom!"

You can genuinely play a few real games like "piggies" which is such a great counting game. You like to pretend play pictionary where your scribbles become whichever we guess first.  You enjoy playing "monkey trap" where you pull out the sticks and the monkeys fall down and you try to convince everyone that getting the most monkeys wins.  You love to try to convince us of funny untrue things: "Aiden did you know frogs are better than cows because they jump in the water off lily pads! Yes, but cows can jump over the moon!"
Aiden: Do you even know what guaranteed means?
Keaton: Yes, it means when someone acts like a baby!
Aiden: No, it means definitely.
Keaton: No, when someone acts like a baby!
Aiden: Ugh.

As room parent for your class this year I am hosting playdates for the 3s.  You were so excited by the chance to play with all the recyclables and make art and towns.  Most of the kids are new friends to you, so it was good to meet some new friends. As soon as you introduced yourself to one friend you'd say, "I'm ready to meet another friend!"  You were most taken with your new little friend Virginia, this pretty little curly haired girl.  You kept telling her that we are in Virginia too, and you two would giggle.  I think she might be a giggle puss that giggles at anything you say - Your dream friend!

You love to copy cat some of my mommy phrases, especially "I don't understand! You know how to act nice!"  You picked out a tiny blue plaid coin purse at the craft store and declared, "Now I have a purse so I can pick up Aiden on my own just like you!" Then you put a dowel ninja and a dime inside and carried it everywhere for days.  As I collect my keys and pack up your bag, you will say, "Wait, ou're missing a boy that doesn't have shoes on!"  You marched over to me the other day with your favorite notebook and said "Look mom, I wrote the L letter for Lauren - You!"

You are constantly trying to get out of washing your hands. I can usually convince you by asking you how much water you can catch while you wash.  You sometimes insist on wearing your under pants backwards.  Mostly you're just exerting your independence.  You are able to potty and dress yourself, and you sometimes prefer it.

You are pretty sensitive to smells just like me.  You'll say, "What's that smell? I guess that's daddy smell!" Daddy smell is usually the result of the many T 25 exercise segments your dad does all week long.  You love to say"I'm interested in that T25 business" and running downstairs to mimic daddy while he does it.  You like to pretend to be your daddy, and march around the yard talking about "When I got my ax to cut down the tree…"  You hold on with all your might when daddy crawls with you on his back.  You hold on so tight you can practically ride off his side.

You are going through the same phase your brother did where you like to bend the time continuum.  You frequently talk about "When I was bigger…"  Or one of the favorites: "When I marry daddy when he gets bigger. I'm going to name my kids Keaton Carter 2 and Keaton Carter 3!"
Brother conversation:
KC: When I turn 14 I'm going to be a baby again!
AB: Yeah you can use a time machine!
KC: But I just don't have one!
AB: You could build one!
KC: Sorry Aiden it's impodible there are no dinosaurs!

At the science center 'describe your fear' table you told me to write "I'm afraid of bugs and gorillas!" You weren't at all afraid to lay on the bed of nails and let it lift you up.  You just smiled as the pokey bits spread your weight out.  The science center was so much fun for you to run around testing everything out and watching what your brother did and copying it.  The planetarium seemed to blow your mind - and it even had Big Bird and Elmo pop out!

Sometimes your little expressions are funny "I just thinked!" - some not as funny like the phase were you would say "What the!" (without the bad word gratefully!)  I was glad when that phase ended because you thought it was funny to get a rise out of the little old ladies at the grocery story with that one.  You spotted the Dreamworks logo at the beginning of a movie and you said "Can you even imagine being a kid on the moon fishing?"  A funny one where you wanted to know if they had a mechanical pony or a real pony at the fair:  "Is it a real pony or a money pony?"  And sometimes just random things out of the blue like this one: "My bike has a sleeping pillow on it - wanna borrow it for your bumpy buggy ride?"

You were cuddled up humming fireworks songs while the fireworks went off on the 4th.  Arriving at the park for the fireworks and you said, "Look at all the friends here!"  A full playground is one of your favorite places to be. You're going to be excited to start back to school three days a week with your new buddies.  In the meantime, I can't wait for more fun the rest of this summer!

Love, Mama

brothers bw

TGIF!  These tongues weren't red - They were popsicle blue!

more gamez

This summer has included some serious game play with some old favorites and some new to us classics.  Game on!

Aiden insisted I include a pic of his hot wheels car wash made out of a Wild Kratts toy box and broken hangers.  Aiden loves playing some of the elaborate games (like Drizzt) a bit with his dad after bath when Keaton konks out early.

laser spies

These spy guys were thrilled by these yarn "lasers" woven through our railing (which is about to be replaced with wood railings - yay! bye iron work ick) Multiple challenges included trying to get through with one hand behind your back, eyes closed, and as fast as you can (Daddy suggested three seconds?!)
Laser spies! from LB on Vimeo.

creature powers

These guys are Wild Kratt fan club President and Vice President....not really but they'd like to be ;). When we heard they started making toys and  "real" creature power suits they nearly lost their minds.  They are available in August at Toysrus, but we were able to preorder them from the fan club. They have hardly stopped wearing them since they arrived a week ago.  Mini Martin and Chris switch back and forth and swap the creature discs between the pocket on the front of the creature paw and the glove.  There have been many hunts for the discs and creature rescue scenarios.  The favorite is peregrine falcon power which they are miraculously learning to share.  Living free and in the wild!

W i l d K r a t t s Wannabes from LB on Vimeo.

magna

We see you Monday through our magnatile goggles ;)

birthday

Happy Birthday to a busy daddy who figured out what he'd really like to do for his birthday after a week full of chocolate (this cake was one of many treats that included brownies, cupcakes, donuts, choco milk...). We squeezed a steak dinner in between teaching commitments and the boys' practices. Then we trekked to the largest guitar spot in the area and found some wings that promised to be super hot so the "sauce boss" earned his crown.  We love you!