Matthew's Graduation

Matthew's first graduation. He didn't give a valedictory address, but he was still the star of the show. We are so proud of him! While daycare graduation is not necessarily equated with MIT (where he will graduate Summa Cum Laude, someday), it is still a milestone. He knows every kid's name, as well as their parents'. He is friendly and polite. He's funny. I know some of our genes are responsible, but really, daycare has done great things for him. What a great kid!

Congratulations, Matthew!

My Mom's Visit (in May...oops)

We got to be tourists. It was awesome! Fortunately, we had the best weather in years for the long weekend. We certainly made the most of it!
After packing the kids with every possible weather-wear (rain coats, boots, extra pants, two coats), I forgot to take my own sweater. As a result, I am the proud owner of a Peggy's Cove hoodie. I wanted one with a GIANT lighthouse on the back, but they were sold out.

Another thing I love about our new province? The fact that we don't have hot dog stands, we have lobster stands. Again, the boys were obsessed with the water, and Matthew needed to get his picture taken in front of the "Buoy Trap House." He was even okay with my mom, Sebastian and me being in it.
Lunenburg was fabulous, as well. Although we were just walking around, the boys did amazing. It helped that the street signs were fun things to look at, too!

Seriously, we live in a post card.

We got to celebrate my mom's birthday while she was here, as well. The boys loved it! Not only was Grandma around, but they got to have cake. Well, they got to have icing. Nothing like being mom of the year and saying: "You can't just eat the icing. You are not leaving this table until you finish your cake." To hell with dinner, it's all about the refined sugar and starch.

We had a great visit. Yes, it was 6 weeks ago. Once again, I've dropped the ball on my blog. Sorry this is posted so late. Life has a funny way of moving on, even when you tell it to slow down just a bit!

Milestones

"Are you proud of me, Mommy?"

Matthew's newest accomplishment is swinging by himself. Not only can he get up on the swing without help, he no longer needs to be pushed. He loves the independence. He's not a baby anymore I know, but wow, he's growing into a boy so fast! He is so proud of himself and everyday he asks to go on his swings. When he's on it, he yells "I can see the rooftop!" or "I'm even taller than Daddy!"

"Of course I'm proud of you, honey."

Living so close to the ocean, we have also learned to throw rocks. Luckily, not at each other. It's really fun to see the boys picking up rocks and saying each and every time: "Watch this one Mattew/Sebastian." Then the competition begins with who can pick up the biggest rock and the sound it makes when it hits the water. Funnier is the sound the boys make when trying to pick up rocks clearly the size of small boats. Accompanied closely by "Nope. That one's too big. Maybe next year." This can go on for better than an hour. I love it!

Have I mentioned how much I love living near the ocean??

Just because everyone tells me I should write it down.

I'm always talking about how funny and smart my kids are. Because I intend to publish this to Blurb for my own records, I thought I would use this opportunity to follow advice and actually write some of the things my kids do down.

We'll start with Matthew.

We say that Matthew is a smart kid. We admit we've got a bit of bias built into the statement, but then he'll do something to prove the point to us. He can read. Yes, read. Not like "See Spot Run." Like "What does Philosopher mean?" when reading the cover page of Harry Potter...for the FIRST time. So when he was at school in the fall, learning new letters was no big deal for him. But then, this happened.

"What letter did you learn at school today, Matthew?"
"G. You know what a great G word is, Mommy?"
"Tell me, Matthew." Thinking he'll say GREAT, or maybe giraffe.
"Glockenspeil."
"Uh." Stunned silence. "Pardon?"
"Glockenspeil. It's kind of like a xylophone, but it's metal and a xylophone is wooden."
"Oh."

Then, after telling him we were moving near the ocean.
"You know what, Mommy?"
"What, honey?"
"Pepper water would make whales sneeze."
Giggles by Mommy.
"Seriously, that's why they live in salt water. So it won't make them sneeze."
"Yes, Matthew, you are right."

Then, Sebastian. Oh, Sebastian. Everything he does is funny in some way or another. When asked what he ate for lunch, everyday he answers "MEATBALLS." Then he laughs. Same thing, every single day.

Then, when caught red-handed making trouble (climbing on the kitchen counter, for example), he turns and looks, blinks a couple of times as if to say "who me?" then says: "I love you, Mommy. Hug?"

Today at a birthday party, there was candy. Of course there was; it was a birthday party. While eating a row of those little sweet tarts, I gave him some, then took the rest away. "They're all gone, Sebastian. That's the last one."
"Okay, Mommy."
I continue a conversation with someone and do not notice Sebastian going to the corner of the room to get a step stool. In the process, he trips over it, bonks his head at least 2x. I ask what he's doing. "Nothing." Back to it.
He pushes the step stool up to the counter where I am standing, climbs the stool, puts his hand in my pocket, pulls out the candy and says:
"See? Not all gone, Mommy. Not all gone. Right here. I put them in my mouth." I can't argue with him. So much determination went into it.

I'm sure there will be many stories that make me laugh and some that make me want to cry (you know, the frustrating ones). I'll start writing them down. All of them. Just to let you know my family may be crazy, but we're fun!

Vegas, Baby.

So much fun! We got to spend time drinking, eating and watching country music. It was AWESOME! This is us on the strip the first night there. You've gotta love a city based on booze and gambling. Then, a private concert (about 2800 people) with Blake Shelton. Then, Trace Adkins came on stage. I was this close.
Needless to say, I lost all decorum when he got on stage. I love, love, love Trace Adkins.

Next, helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. When we crested over the top, the pilot played Ride of the Valkyries from Star Wars. Amazing. Pictures don't do it justice, so I just posted me and Rob. We're pretty amazing ;)

Here's our fleet.

Then, we got ready for the Country Music Awards.

They confiscated our cameras, so no pictures. I'll always have the memories! Awesome. The free booze helped, but even the sober bits were awesome. So necessary before our move. I would recommend it to anyone. But, I repeat, do not fly with a two and four year old. Even if you get to go to Vegas the weekend before!

Before the Move

So it's out of order...I can't be perfect all the time! If you read down, the flight was so traumatic, I had to post it in order to help me forget it. Hence, out of order.

The weekend before we moved, Rob and I went to Las Vegas (post to follow), so these are the weekend before that. A little cold but sunny, so we made the most of it. We went to a park near our house, where we ran into one of Matthew's school friends. Together, they went back in time to ride the dinosaurs.

Followed closely by Sebastian.

The following day, we went to see Grandma, Uncle Jason and Aunt Julie. While waiting for the group to get together, Matthew and Sebastian played outside. Don't worry, the sticks were taken away as soon as the game turned from "Knights with Swords" to "Jockey in horse race" (Sebastian jockey, Matthew poor whipped horse). No scars, minor tears, no problems.

We then went bowling. Only little kids can make bowling shoes look cute.

Matthew's bowling form is certainly to be envied. Picture Fred Flinstone approach, with a baseball slide into home.

Sebastian was so proud of Matthew. Here, he's going in for the congratulatory hug.

Then, he kicked all of our asses. Yes, he's only two. In our defence, he did have bumpers. I know; it's still pretty embarassing. When was the last time you put on bowling shoes??

The Move...OMG.

Don't move with a four and two year old. Just don't. Wait until they can fly by themselves. Or can be entertained with an i-pod or video games. No. Just don't.

I thought they would be excited by the plane. After all, at the airport we flew out of, we got to actually walk on the tarmac and up some stairs into the plane. For a minute or two, the flight was good.

Then it turned really, really bad.

For almost two solid hours, Sebastian kicked the back of the seat in front of him. The woman was 70 if she was a day. At one point, she reclined the chair by a fraction of an inch. That was it for Sebastian. That chair (and the lady in it) were bobbing like we were flying through a hurricane. Matthew could not sit still for even an instant. Not one. Think of a Mexican Jumping bean after hatching in Red Bull. Luckily, it was only 2 hours. That said, the airline posted our pictures with a note informing ticket agents to NEVER let us on their planes again.

Since we had moved, but our furniture was still in transit, we got to stay for a few days in a hotel. The boys were so excited about the pool. So excited that as soon as we got there, they NEEDED to put on their life jackets. Instead of dealing with the end of the world as they knew it, we made them a deal. They could wear their lifejackets, but not go swimming until the following day. They were okay with that. As a result: TV in pajamas and lifejackets.

It took quite a while, but finally they settled down. Together. This picture almost makes me forget the flight. Almost.

Rest assured, this picture will not be forgotten on first dates or weddings.