Back from Ann Arbor

A few of our favorites from our trip out to Ann Arbor to see our friends Alexis, Max, Mac and Berkey. More pictures of the main event to come. The boys have taken to asking for Mama or Daddy to hold their hands while we're driving, which is often physically difficult. We convinced them to try holding each other's hands instead. We found a great elementary school playground in Cleveland to squeeze out some of that energy in the midst of an eight plus hour trip. Beck put on pants just in time for the elementary school kids to come out for recess to play with them.

Another day of raspberry picking

This time with our friend Emily and her daughter Violet, 8 months. We had another gorgeous day (look at that sky!). Though I think the boys are a little raspberry-d out. They only picked and ate for about 20 minutes before the wagon held their interest more than picking.

Beck sings the Beehive song

Visit with the Grinnell Burches

 The Grinnells gathered in Ithaca yesterday to celebrate the life of Betty Ann Miller, grandmother to Scott and Kelly and mom to cousin Tom. It was a tough day for many of us but we did enjoy some time after the funeral with cousins Brenda and Diane, and Diane's daughter Sam and husband Peter.

Theo being pensive with Grandpa Stu.

Reading with Brenda and Diane.

Mama also got a new haircut! Here's Mama and the boys enjoying some reading in bed after our morning shower.

Progress on naps

I'm not going to belabor this point, because there's no telling if it is a lasting phase or merely a blip on the radar, but the boys have napped for me the last two days with pretty much no hassle. I had decided I was going to separate them into pack and plays in the guest room and our bedroom, since so so SO many twin moms have told me that's the only way they got their kids to nap once they were out of toddler beds. Sunday I did finally get them to sleep in pack and plays in separate rooms at Grandma Joanie's and Grandpa Stu's house after staying up way too late in the day, but I wasn't sure how predictive that was of what they would do at our house. Mindy was with the boys Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week and they napped with her from about 12:30-2:30 each day. Thursday I brought them upstairs, got them ready for bed, and quickly realized they were going to fight me. So I took Theo out of his bed and quickly set up the pack and play in our bedroom. I put him in it, brought him his blanket, his George and his pillow, and then sat in the hallway between our bedroom and Beck, who I left in his bed. I had to nip a little nonsense in the bud (talking, singing, laughing, which can all escalate) but they both fell asleep after about 45 minutes from upstairs to when I could go downstairs. And no crying. Bonus! Today Beck said he wanted to go in Mama and Daddy's room, which I was afraid would turn into a fight about who "got" to go in the pack and play, but Beck just happily got in, Theo stayed tucked in in his bed, and both fell asleep pretty quickly. Again, no crying. My biggest concern about moving them to pack and plays was that one would have to be in our room and that I would not be able to use my room to come and go from the attic where the elliptical machine is. But both yesterday and today I changed my clothes in my bedroom, went upstairs, worked out, came back down, took a shower, and got dressed without waking either of them up. Hooray! I am NOT counting my chickens for any future days but I'm grateful these last few days have gone well!

Raspberry farm

Yesterday we met Grandma Joanie and Grandpa Stu at Navarino Orchard in La Fayette, where u-pick raspberries are still going strong. There were also dwarf apple trees (no ladders necessary!) and u-pick pumpkins but we stuck with the raspberries. Everyone was pretty raspberry-d out after picking 3 quarts (and eating at least that much along the way). Even Grandpa Stu, famous for stripping each stem clear of all leaves, ripe berries, and unripe berries, picked a whole quart of good ones!

Reading with Lauren and trying on more winter clothes

Lauren and Scott are a pretty big hit with the boys, not least because they drive fire trucks. They're also great readers and are tolerant of somewhat unsocial dinner behavior.

As it turns out, a little early. It has been 70+ degrees every day for a week now, so we've had a lot more use for the sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses than the hats, mittens and coats! But we're ready for the long cold winter when it does arrive.