Mush??

This was an interesting conversation between the boys first thing this morning:

Back story:  Gabe doesn't wear a pull up at night anymore.  Even though we take him to the potty before we go to bed every night, he still wakes up most days with wet pajamas; frustrating for him.

Gabe:  I don't even remember when I went peeps, but I woke up wet.

Zach: (rubbing his back and with all sincerity)  That must be hard when that happens, Gabe.

Gabe to me: When Zach says that it makes me feel bad.

Me:  He's telling you that he feels badly that you wake up feeling wet.

Gabe:  Well, when he says that it makes me feel like I'm made of mush.

First Camp Out!

Tuppa Papa gave Gabe a tent for his birthday last year, and we've been meaning to camp out in the backyard.  This past Sunday, the weather seemed cool, so we set up the tent and planned to camp that night.  The boys were so excited and collected their lanterns, binoculars, and sunglasses for the occasion.  Just as we finished setting up the tent (thanks to the assistance of Nini and Papa), a wind and torrential rain storm came through.  Ugh.  Soggy tent and yard.

So, Dada and the boys camped out the next night instead (I had plans with some of my mom friends that night, so I missed the sleeping part).  We made s'mores on the grill, and the three boys headed into the tent around 7:30 pm.  When I got home after 11:00 pm last night, I fully expected to find everyone tucked into their own beds in the house.  Surprisingly, they all made it through the entire night in the backyard!  I am so proud of all three boys!  Hooray to the first camp out, and here's to many more.  And a big thanks to Tuppa Papa for such an awesome tent!

getting base camp ready

the kids little camouflage tent

and here's the rainstorm

ready for bed on the next night

all tucked in

making s'mores

ready to head into the tent

heading to the tent

a picture of the three before embarking on their adventure

bedtime story

good night, sleep tight!

Swimming Boys

I can't believe how brave the boys are in the pool.  Gabe swims completely independently and loves to get tossed and thrown in the water.  Zach likes to get thrown, too; and he's just started to jump into the pool by himself (without needing to be caught) AND without wearing his floaties!  I am thrilled and proud.  As much as I didn't initially want a house with a pool, I'm really grateful that we have one!

jumping!

look at him!

Pirate Boat Ride!

Together with Auntie Auntie, the boys and I went on a wild and fun pirate boat ride around one of Boston's small harbors in mid July.  By far, it was one of our most fun adventures of the summer.  All of the kids on the boat got to shoot water out of water cannons, trying to shoot at the "bad" pirate on another boat.  The kids also got to steer the boat and find some pirate treasure at the end of the ride.  Gabe was 100% all in for this adventure; you might get a sense of his emotional investment from some of the pictures.

little pirate, waiting for his boat ride

the pirate boat

shooting my cannon

aaargh!

waiting for the adventure

walking to the boat

driving the boat

two little pirates