This is Grandma Joanie playing the newly acquired game "I Heard Your Feelings," in which the players take turns describing the cartoon of two animals' interaction and how each animal felt and what the other animal understood about the other's feelings. This about sums up my childhood. Fortunately for Grandma Joanie, she had two willing and skilled players in Beckett and Theo (at least for a short period of time).

We squeezed in a Sciencenter trip and a Kiddstuff play on our brief Ithaca trip. Highlights included the yucky body fluids exhibit (boogers, urine, and farts were the biggest hits) and the coin funnel.

Sunday we went to a Syracuse Skychiefs game with free food for kids (lots and lots of free food) and then a running of the bases afterward.

Chiefs game

A couple weeks ago we went to a Syracuse Skychiefs game with some friends. We ate our way through the game--popcorn, soda, hot dogs, and ice cream--and at the end of the game, the kids got to run the bases.

Training wheels off!

Wednesday we took the boys to Santaro Park to take the training wheels off their bikes. Jeff and I had both thought the process might be long and hard, and that we would be running around holding their seats for a good long time. Auntie Alexis and baby Mary Kate were here visiting so they got to see the whole huge ordeal. Which was, Jeff took off Beckett's training wheels. He ran with Beckett, hand on seat, for about a minute. I took over from Jeff so Jeff could take off Theo's training wheels. Before Theo's training wheels were off, I was standing still and Beckett was off by himself. It took Theo a little longer to get the hang of it but within about three minutes he too was off on his own. They are THRILLED to be biking on their own.

Gillie Lake

A week ago Friday we hit up Gillie Lake, a scenic and quiet spot just west of Syracuse. Because the lifeguards don't open the beach until 11am, but no one stops you from being there before they get there, we arrived around 10 and had the beach and lake to ourselves until the lifeguards came. We played on the playground for a few minutes while the lifeguards set up, and then returned. The boys had a great time playing with some other kids on the beach but mostly enjoyed swimming and building dams in the sand.

Reed at Gillie Lake

A few weeks ago Reed and I went to Gillie Lake by ourselves. We had a great time digging in the sand and swimming. He loved that he could walk by himself in the water along the buoy line. He also met some very sweet kids, a pair of 9 year old twins and their older sister, who were very friendly with him. They taught him how to catch minnows with their pail, and then showed him how to hold them while they wiggled in his hands.

Visit with Jon and Rachel

A couple weeks ago Uncle Jon and Aunt Rachel came to visit. We had a nice walk in the park Saturday morning through Elmwood Park and also pantsless soccer Sunday once Kathy and Greg arrived.

Soccer practices!

The boys started soccer practices with Soccer Shots. They've only gone two weeks so far but they are having so much fun--grinning from ear to ear and laughing a lot all practice long. The coach has a ton of energy and enthusiasm and is teaching some great skills, mixed with fun games.

More summer fun

More morning workout with the fam

Our friends Emilee and Ryan had us over with Auntie Tara and her family. Here's Reed and Ellery (born one day apart) with Tara's stepdaughter Rachel.

On a Mama-Reed day, Reed asked to go to Santaro Park to mow the lawn. Your wish is my command, little one.

Zoo trip

Fourth of July weekend

After Mama took the first brave jump in, Theo and Beckett went in again and again and again (video from a few days ago).

We enjoyed a great, if short, visit with silly Uncle Tom.

Fourth of July morning naked water balloon fight.

Reed singing

One of the sweetest sounds in the world is Reed singing. He absolutely loves the Disney movie Moana and asks to watch it almost every day at lunch. He also tries to sing a lot of the songs that his brothers sing, pop songs and camp and Spanish and other school songs. One of the cutest is the theme from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, which I'm not sure he's ever heard other than his brothers singing it.