first solid food

Bennett has been showing signs of being interested in trying solid food.  He has been grabbing away at our plates any time we are eating at the table.  Plus, he has been unsatisfied after breast feeding.  So we decided to start solids.  The first thing we are trying is rice cereal.

We got him all set up in his bumbo with a bib and went for it.  He made a weird face at the first bite but he took it and looked interested in having more.  He had a hard time swallowing at first but by the end he was starting to get it.

He finished a tablespoons worth and both Nick and I got to feed him before he refused any more.  

Next up bananas.

zoo trip

On Sunday we went to zoo.  We wanted to do something fun when aunt Michele was here.  Our choices are limited with Bennett.  We can still go to the zoo though.  It is one of our favorite things to do.  We went to Southwick's Zoo because it has the largest selection of animals.  It was an old farm that turned zoo so it's very spread out but has a lot of trees and vegetation between the cages.  We love coming here.  It was a very hot day but we found nice shade under the trees and spent a couple of hours there walking around and learning all kinds of fun facts about giraffes, monkeys, elephants and so on.

There were also many babies at the zoo.  A reminder that spring was just here.  The cutest one of all was the baby hedgehog.  I have never seen one until now.

They have a huge fenced in field in the middle of the zoo where lots of deer live.  They are not afraid of people and enjoy being fed by them so of course we had to partake.  

At the end of the day we were exhausted.  On our way out we saw a white peacock.  I have never seen one at any other zoo so it was a special treat.

aunt michele is here

This Friday Bennett and I went to the airport to pick up aunt Michele.  She was coming all the way from San Francisco on a red eye.  We were her first stop on her two week break from school on the east coast.  She was staying with us for three and a half days.  We had big plans for the day.  Michele has not been to Boston so we were doing a tour during the day before heading back home.  We parked at Boston Common and walked all over the city.  We started at the Public Garden and visited the ducks. The Bruins made the playoffs and the ducks were dressed to represent them.

Next we went to King's Cross, The Old Town Hall and of course Faneul Hall.  

All that walking made us hungry so we went to the North End for lunch.  We ate at a cute Italian deli. We sat next to the windows which were open to the sidewalk so it was just like eating outside.  The weather was beautiful so we enjoyed our time there.  Next stop was Mike's for some pastries and before heading home we stopped for a pint at The Bell and Hand.

Hope Michele enjoyed her tour of Boston as much as Bennett and I enjoyed showing her around.  

our last day at gunner's lake

We were heading home today.  We had a late afternoon flight so we had sometime in the morning for our last walk around Gunner's Lake.  It was really sad to think about the fact that we would not be coming back to their condominium when we visit next time.  We love the house but we have been coming here for years now and couldn't help but be a little sad about it.  I love running early in the mornings around the lake and will miss that the most.  So after breakfast we took a stroll around the lake with the kids.  We brought some bread for the ducks and took our sweet time.

Bennett and Alice were happily paired up in the stroller.  Alice is such a happy baby.  She smiled the entire weekend.  Bennett eventually passed out but he managed to stay awake for a while.

It was a gorgeous day which is just how I want to remember our days at the Seymour's condominium. Good bye to Gunner's Lake.  We look forward to being a part of a new and exciting chapter in their lives and visiting them at their new home.

We managed to snap one last picture of all the cousins at the townhouse before leaving for the airport.
We are going to miss coming here.

father's day

We were spending Father's Day with Audrey, Chris, James, Ryan and Alice this year.  Audrey had wonderful lunch plans to celebrate Nick, Chris and her dad.  Audrey's parents were joining us around noon.  Audrey and I went out early in the morning to pick up some things for breakfast and lunch at Whole Foods.  We bought way too much and there was an abundance of pastries, sausages, homefries and cookies to eat.  The boys had their pick first of course but there was enough to go around for everyone to try everything.  My favorites were the chocolate croissant and the breakfast sausages.  We had a very filling and satisfying breakfast.

Alice and Bennett spent the morning getting to know each other.  She liked to sit on Bennett while he struggled to grab and keep a hold of his toy.

Ryan loved running up to Bennett and giving him kisses.  He was very gentle and sweet.

Eventually we got the kids out of their pajamas and got ready to eat again.  Lunch was just as fabulous as breakfast.  Audrey made ribs, corn and a few different salads.  Everything was delicious and we had nice and full bellies.  I was seriously nervous about finding room for dinner since we have been eating all day.  It was gorgeous weather and we spent all of our time on the porch.  Bennett was a very good baby and behaved really well during lunch.  He played in his chair and let mommy and daddy eat.  I think he knew there was something special about today.

We kept it low key for dinner, had some leftovers, hung around the house and rested.  Everyone was already exhausted from a busy weekend so it was nice to relax.  I want to wish  Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband.  I couldn't do this without you.  I am thankful everyday for having you.   I love you mostest.

giggles

Nick was playing peek-a-boo with Bennett tonight.  Bennett loves to play with daddy.  He was giggling so hard he had us giggling along side with him.  

the seymours

We were looking forward to visiting The Seymours.  We always have a great time.  Friday morning we woke up and introduced Bennett to Chris, James, Ryan and Alice.  Bennett looked confused as to where he was but he didn't seem to mind.  He is usually fussy when we travel but he must have felt right at home.  Alice has changed the most.  She is crawling now and has two bottom front teeth in.  She has the darkest brown hair that stands straight up.  She is too cute!

This morning we made a trip to see The Seymours new house.  They had just bought it about a week ago and we were very excited to see their new place.  The realtor was nice enough to come by and let us in.  It's a great house.  The yard is plentiful and the place is huge.  It has five bedrooms, two bath and a finished basement.  There is a nice porch right off the sit-in kitchen.  A two car garage attached to the house that will be amazing when its raining.  One of the living rooms has a fireplace as well.  The boys made themselves right at home and were busy running around and getting into trouble.  This is a great home and we are happy for them.  We cannot wait to come and visit many times over once they are settled in.  

In the afternoon we headed to feed the cows at a farm nearby.  At four o'clock the farmer gives all the kids and adults a bottle filled with milk.  Everyone then picks a calf to feed and holds the bottle while they chug away the milk.  I got in on the action with James and Ryan.  The calves were drinking the bottles very fast! And, they were pulling on them very hard.  I was surprised and impressed James did very well on his own feeding the calf.   

That was a very fun experience.  We walked around the farm for a bit and petted the animals after feeding time was over.  Played with the trucks outside around the grounds and stopped to get some ice cream at the farm store.  What a great way to spend an afternoon. 

first flight

This weekend we are travelling down to Maryland to visit our favorite people The Seymours.  We are flying down and we were not sure what to expect from Bennett on his first flight in an airplane.  We chose a flight late at night so it would be around his bed time and he would hopefully sleep on the plane.  We got through security with no problems.  Daddy was giving Bennett lots of kisses and hugs while we were waiting to board which makes him happy.  We were all nerves waiting to see what would happen once we got on the plane.

We got on the plane without a hitch.  He had a separate seat which made it a lot easier. He stayed in his car seat for the ascent up and didn't seem bothered at all.  We figured he would sleep the entire flight but he didn't fall asleep until we were landing in Baltimore around nine.  He didn't cry or fuss either.  He happily played with his toys and looked around.

He stayed asleep till we got to the Seymours, waking up only once when the our rental car shuttle bus was making loud noises opening and closing it's doors.  He even stayed asleep once we got into the house and changed him into his sleep sac. What a good little traveler! We couldn't be more proud.