Today the boys and I had a great visit with my friend Stacey and her kids Aria (above) and Jude, 5 weeks. My boys and Aria had some great reading time while Stacey fed Jude, and everyone had a great time!

This afternoon I struggled with Theo to nap after Beckett went right to sleep. I moved Theo to another room and returned him again and again to bed. I knew he was tired and he would even lay down motionless for several minutes at a time, but it was almost like he willed himself not to sleep. Finally I gave up after he peed a huge amount in the pack-and-play in the extra room, then after I made him get on the potty, he pooped a huge amount. Then I gave up and let him have quiet time downstairs, but told him that only Beck would get to watch the short Thomas movie after nap because Theo had not napped. I knew he was tired but it seemed like he was fighting sleep as well as he could. He was getting more and more tired and whiny as Beck continued napping. So just as Beck was about to wake up, Theo and I went upstairs and with very little fuss, Theo fell asleep. Whereas Beck had napped from 12:45-2:45, Theo slept from 3-4. It kind of makes sense that Theo doesn't get tired as early as Beck, which is why trying to get him to nap at the same time is sometimes (but not always) disastrous. It certainly complicates napping and any kind of activity planning for the afternoon, if they take turns napping, but on the other hand it allows for more one-on-one time with each of them while the other sleeps. I'm not sure if this holds up over time but we will see. I feel bad for taking three years to realize that they might have different napping needs. But I'm optimistic this will lead to a better nap groove.

Visit with Mac, Berkey, Tegan and Lauren

Unfortunately this is the only photo documenting their visit to our house last Friday.

We got out the Bleisenberg's trusty exersaucer for Tegan, who enjoyed it, and then this morning Beck (above) and Theo had to try it out, too.

Indoor fun at the cottage

Beck's first game of tennis with Grandma Joanie

Feeding the camel at the Fair

NYS Fair 2014

 Riding the "city bus" on the way to the Fair. You can see the trepidation in Beck's face.

Eating cotton candy, the big food hit of the day.

The boys found an antique "rat" car which shockingly did not have a DO NOT TOUCH sign on it. My boys touched the heck out of it, climbing in and out and opening and closing the doors and pulling all the levers.

Another great visit to the Solvay fire department-Fair outpost. We lucked out with a very friendly lady firefighter who the boys instantly liked and let pick them up and put them in the rig.

The boys were fascinated by the dairy birthing center. I couldn't get a great picture but there was a lot of intense eye contact between them and one particular cow in labor.

Their first midway ride.

The tractor area was kind of a bust. The machines were authentic and cool but way way too heavy for them to move around themselves. We had to push them around to get the pedals to move.

Enjoying funnel cake on the lawn with Grandpa Stu.

Eudora Farms petting zoo was the hit of the fair.

Cool train conductor hats we got from our train tour.

Dancing on the railroad tracks, after watching a railroad safety video which advocated NOT doing that.

Waiting for the tram ride, which never came.

Doctoring

In preparation for their three year pediatrician check up, the boys have amped up their schedule of doctoring us and each other. At their appointment, we learned that Theo's at the 17th percentile for height, and Beckett is at the 40th. Both are around the 50th percentile for BMI. No shots this visit, which I think was a little disappointing (in theory) for the boys.

Not sure what a blood pressure cuff can do in one's butt, but it's the thought that counts.

Also, not sure how a sprayer fits into their doctor schema, but it was a critical part of Theo's doctoring.

Photo roundup

Aunt Teddy reading with the boys last weekend




























Late summer ice cream run tonight at our local Gannons

Theo reading in the new, turned-around (finally) car seats