What NOT to say to your kid

Mindblowing article.... Thanks Sarah M!

Foam Pit Videos

Election Day!

Since both Mama and Daddy Lovebo had the morning off from work in honor of Election Day, we attended a Syracuse Attachment Parenting playdate at a gymnastics facility in East Syracuse. Daddy voted this morning. Mama waited for the boys to wake up and un-grump from their naps, which turned out to be 5:30 this afternoon. Mama forgot where the entrance was to the polling place, so we took a nice (unlit) tour of the back grounds of Corcoran High School, including custodial entrance, garbage, and wall ball court. I would never have had the courage to attempt the journey alone but somehow felt emboldened by having two toddlers in tow. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

Theo in the foam cube pit.

There was a giant blow up maze that Theo but not Beck had the courage to explore. There were little plastic panels to watch from outside. It was quite large and we probably would not have fit inside if we needed to rescue him, and it was probably optimistic to think Theo could figure out how to get through it on his own. However some bigger kids came tearing through it and helped show him the way.

The boys also found a little nook underneath the vault, wrapped in mats. It was like a little house.

Videos of sliding into the foam cube pit to come tomorrow when the internets are more accommodating to video upload....

Big boy stuff

Like getting dressed in our warmies to go for a walk this morning.

And playing in the dishwasher.

And riding in the twin truck grocery cart at Wegmans!

Dip Party

Our friends Leah and John hosted a dip party to watch the Steelers-Giants game this afternoon. I watched not a single play but enjoyed the company of a dedicated corp of dip-eaters!

Auntie Tara fed Theo a LOT of chips, crackers and dip, including a whole bunch of yummy cannoli dip which we discovered later contained orange liqueur. In an unrelated story, one not accompanied by photographic evidence, Theo projectile vomited as I was putting him to bed, completely soaking both of us.

Happier moments at the party with Leah. The boys were super grumpy-umpies all day at home after being cooped up, and we briefly considered not bringing them at all, but banked on a change of scenery helping mellow them out. Which it did! They were complete goofs, running around and playing with toys and eating and drinking and being friendly with everyone. 

The boys had their first PB&J sandwiches today. Somehow I had not thought to give them sandwiches, but friend Kelly said her little Addy, one month older than T&B, was eating sandwiches as an easy on-the-go lunch. I made it up and WOW! they loved it. They only ate half at lunchtime, but finished it off after their naps.

Autumn fun

Yes, I peed on the floor. BUT I am ready and able to clean it up with my swiffer.

The second attempt at coloring with chubby crayons and newsprint went much better than the first. Less coloring on the tile floor, and more crayon on the newsprint. It kept their interest for about 20 minutes.

Sadly, this was probably one of the last days out playing in the yard. It's gotten so cold!

We were graced with an unexpected visit from cousin Diane and her family who escaped Hurricane Sandy's aftermath.Thursday night they all came up to Syracuse for a nice dinner and visit!

This is my attempt at trying to capture Theo's self-satisfied smirk when he figures out a new trick. He just figured out how to press the red nose on the sun's face to make it sing a song.

Mindy sent me this picture of Theo trying on a paper bag hat.

This is Daddy Lovebo trying on the same hat.

Theo having some nice solo time with Mindy this week when Beckett had not yet woken up from his nap.

Visit with Aunt Deb and Uncle David

On our New England swing last weekend we had a great visit with Aunt Deb (Grandma Joanie's sister) and Uncle David. They had some fun toys and wonderful books to share with Theo and Beckett, and Aunt Deb made a feast, with roast chicken, quiche, orange-ginger carrots, cranberry sauce, salad, olives and bread. I am not sure I've ever seen the boys eat so much!

The day we left for our trip Grandpa Stu taught the boys how to use their favorite lawnmower as a ride-on toy.