matching fun

This morning Daddy went golfing.  Bennett and I played with something I had prepared for him earlier this week, a matching game of sorts.  I taped up three rectangles of sticky paper.  Then I gave him a bucket full of red squares, green rectangles and blue triangles.  Bennett is to put the like shapes in to the same triangle.

He needed some pointers but he did better than I expected.  He would do really well with the matching for a few minutes and then get distracted and need a reminder on what to do again.  He loved playing with the sticky paper.

 I think this is better suited for him when he is a little older but it was worth a try.

sprinkler

It got really hot today.  We decided to introduce Bennett to one of our favorite ways of cooling down, the sprinkler!

Bennett was really nervous to try it at first.  He wouldn't run through it on his own.  He really enjoyed it when we ran through together. 

 Then Daddy took a few turns too.

We all ended up having a great time.  It was a great way to cool down on this hot day.

american optical co

We visited the nearby town of Southbridge, MA today.  Southbridge has a long history of manufacturing optical products, earning it the unofficial title "Eye of the Commonwealth", in reference to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Here stands, the American Optical Company ("AO") which became the world's largest manufacturer of ophthalmic products, and at it's height employed more than 6,000 people around the world. Many of it's workers were exempted from the draft during World War II since they were doing vital defense work, including making Norden bombsights and even some work on the atomic bomb.

AO has some really interesting history, such as being the very first sunglass producing company in the United States and being the first company to manufacture the Original Pilot Sunglasses, which we all know today as the Aviators.  They were introduced for the US military to provide maximum protection to the pilots' eyes.  They also have the honor of being the first sunglasses to land on the moon worn by Commander Neil Armstrong.  And, at the present time the Original Pilot Sunglasses are still being manufactured here in the AO Complex in Southbridge, MA.

These giant sunglasses are here to commemorate the work done at the AO complex.

I had no idea we had such an interesting historical factory nearby.

Here at the AO Complex the very first optical fiber laser was constructed and operated.

There is a cute park in front of the AO complex where we hung out for a bit with Winston and Bennett.

There happened to be a small parade going on at the same time.  And, it may have been the smallest parade I have ever witnessed.  There were about 10 cars and one band.  I love that we have discovered and visited such an interesting and unique part of American history.

chicken craft

We were inspired by the neighbor's newest pets, three chickens, to do a craft today.

After grabbing Bennett's hand prints, he painted his own version of the chickens.

He took his job really seriously.

Here are the chickens with Mommy's help.

And, the chickens by Bennett.

I think they are practically copies (wink, wink).  Daddy said he can see an elephant in Bennett's painting.

park

We have recently discovered a park nearby.  It's about a mile walk to the park and back when we do a loop around the neighborhood.  Bennett loves playing there with the swings, rah-ruhs (or, Bennett speak for dinosaurs) and the slide.

B has his own unique style to come down the slide. 

 The slide was really hot even though it was still early in the morning so we did a bit of swinging before heading out.  It was really hot out in the sun.

It's really nice to have this park nearby.  It tends to be vacant most days we come here which is nice too.

surrender

Winston looks so adorable when he passes out.  This is the "I, Surrender" to sleep pose.

I just want to kiss those cheeks. 

week 3

This week Winston got a bath in the tub for the first time.

He enjoyed his first hike at Douglas State Forest.  Also, his first trip to the drive in.

I am still getting up at night with him three times.  I am handling it much better than the first time with B though.  I think because I know what to expect.  Winston likes to sleep while I run.  I think he remembers the treadmill noise from when I was pregnant.  It puts him out.

Winston is staying stylish in the cutest onesies before we have to put them away.  He is moving into 3 month clothing next week.