Swiming Lessons and Crafts

My friend Becky and the boys making a butterfly at the park today. Cambridge has some awesome free things for parents and kids to do during the day.

Taggy and me at the park, I am going to break him of the blasted binkie soon...but he was grumpy and so I gave it to him...

Thacher at the wonderful pool here at MIT. He is enrolled in "beginning beavers" (MIT's mascot is the beaver) He is doing really well and LOVES the water.

Dylan and Thatcher before swim lessons. They are best buddies.

Caught in the Rain...

On our way home from the library today we got caught in a HUGE thunderstorm. It was crazy/a little scary/hilarious. The boys and I were SOAKED and I cannot believe Taggy actually fell asleep! Poor little guy. As we were walking in the rain and I was pushing the stroller I couldn't help but think of the Pioneers on this day when we commemorate their arrival to the Salt Lake Valley. I only had to walk for 1 mile in the pouring rain with two kids crying and screaming. The rain was blinding and I could hardly open my eyes at times. As a mother I cannot imagine what those great pioneer women had to go through. I am grateful for and admire their sacrifice and faith, their diligence and dedication. As for us we are safe and warm and waiting our new stroller to come with a weather guard!

:When it's Summertime and the weather is fine..."

There is LOTS to do in the Summer in Boston! We have been keeping VERY busy lately with daily outings to some of the many fun things to do in the city.

Our ward has a Summer Outing group that goes somewhere fun every Wednesday. We have done Tie Dying, gone to this really fun local park with a playground, sandpit and splash pad, and to Walden Pond.

Thursdays we go with our new friends Becky and her kids Dylan (who is 4) and Avery (who is 6 months) to the Library for story time and then pick out new Library books to read for the summer reading program. Thatcher loves coloring in his little book so that he can get a prize from the Librarian when we go. After Library time we walk to McDonald's for lunch. Thatcher and Dylan get along really well. Dylan lives upstairs from us and Dylan's Dad, Doug, is Todd's TA. We see them often and they are really fun friends.

Yesterday we went with the LFM SO group to a famous spot in the Boston Commons, the Frog Pond. It is a huge 6 inch deep wading pool that was packed with kids and parents. In the Winter it is a ice rink, so we are for sure going to have to go back and try it out. The boys love water and it was a nice relief from the heat and humidity we have been having lately.

It is great to have so much to do, and to enjoy all the fun Summer activities while they last.

The Splash pad at Dana Park

Thatcher didn't waste any time, he jumped right in.



Taggy on the other hand was a little put off by the cold sprinklers.

The only picture I got at Walden Pond. Thoreau would turn in his grave if he saw all this nonsense at his peaceful, tranquil, pond.

Thatcher and Taggy running into the Frog Pond. They were

ready for some relief from the heat!

Our little froggy in the Frog Pond.

Trying to immerse himself in water.

The moms of the SO group.

Brotherly love.

Knock Knock...

The boys are going through a phase of LOVING knock knock jokes. It is so cute and funny. The way Taggy says "knock knock" cracks us up!

Memories

I saw this "tag" game on a old friend's blog. You don't have to join in, but I thought it sounded like fun.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Hot Summer Days

What is better than sharing an otter pop on a hot, humid, Boston summer day?

4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone! We had a great holiday weekend visiting my parents and David in Rhode Island. It was a much needed getaway, and we enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the suburbs and a small town 4th. On the 4th we all went to WALL-E which was just okay. The boys did absolutely great, it was the movie that was a downer I thought. Pixar, you need to step it up my friends. First Ratatoowee and now this nonsense with very liberal undertones? Where have all the Toy Stories and Incredibles' gone? Anyway, after WALL-E we packed up and went to a park for the Fireworks show. We met several of the ward members there and had a picnic dinner and watched the AWESOME Firework show. There must have been 30 minutes of Fireworks and the boys did really good. Taggy was okay as long as my Dad was holding his ears, he didn't like the noise, and Thatcher was amazed for about 5 minutes and then asked "when are we going home". All around it was a fun weekend! We are very grateful for this beautiful country where we have the freedoms we enjoy.

The boys with their "Happy 4th of July" t-shirts.

Thatcher being silly.

Dave is too cool for the 4th of July.

Grandpa and Taggy with Taggy's "magic glasses"!

Grandma and Grandpa striking a Independence Day Pose!

This little video is Taggy showing us what the Fireworks were going to go "BOOM"!


Thatcher and Daddy watching the fireworks, with Todd wearing the infamous "magic glasses"!

Success! Two tired happy boys.