Memorial Day Weekend - A Late Update

Memorial day weekend we went on another road trip but this time to Fishkill. Of course, Connor was so excited to see Aunt Ellen and Nana and was still determined not to let Grandpa paint.

The highlights: Saturday was spent at Brian's friends house because it was the annual drunk baseball game. After both kids napped we finally made it a little before 4pm. The one thing that kills me is how long it takes me to get out of the house and to plan around naps. The boys had so much fun at Kelly and Rob's house. The sad part is I didn't manage to get a picture of all the boys together. It is amazing that there were 11 kids there and all of them were amazing with each other. (Aidan and Garrett)

Connor has become my little climber. I turned around while I was holding Garrett and he had climbed up the rope ladder with no problem. Luka was determined to fill this dump truck and bucket which was a success.

On Sunday the entire Falahee family (except for Uncle Kevin who was busy partying in Brooklyn), went to the playground. On a side note, during the baseball game Uncle Kevin was a superstar helping me with both boys. Plus, he was their playmate most of Saturday night so he deserved a fun night out. Connor had a blast being the drill sergeant. He would line everyone up at the slides and made sure everyone was in their place. We refer to him as our born leader because no one can deny his requests.

Line up everyone.

Once again, Connor climbed right up.

Everyone had to go on the slide...let's go Nana and Grandpa. (Nice color coordination)

On Monday to celebrate Memorial Day, we went to the Fishkill parade. The boys loved seeing the band and fire engines. However, it was so quick I didn't get a chance to take any pictures of the outing. Thank you Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Ellen and Uncle Kevin for a great trip.

Last week on Wednesday, Grandma filled me in that Connor was talking about his weekend. He clearly told Grandma that he was in Fishkill with Aunt Ellen, Nana, Uncle Kevin and Grandpa. How many 2 year olds know the actual town their grandparents live in? To continue...he told Grandma that he painted with a paint brush with Nana. Grandma told me the story while Connor was in the room, so I asked him where does Papa live and he clearly answered Long Island. Well needless to say I was impressed.

As of last night, Garrett's huge smile is becoming a toothy grin. His top right tooth has broken through and now I see his top left tooth coming in as well. My boys are growing up!!!

Sorry about the delay.

More Pictures from LI

While we were in Long Island, it was great to be able to spend some time with Aunt Daph and Uncle Eric but as usual there never seems to be enough time in the day. The highlight of the whole trip came late Sunday night around 9pm when Connor organized a dance party. When Aunt Daph and Uncle Eric simply came over to say goodbye, they didn't know what they were getting themselves into. Currently, Connor loves the Wiggles music and has different dance moves for every song. Well, we put on one of his CDs and he became the leader of the pack. He made everyone, including Aunt Daph, get up and come to the kitchen floor. The entire family proceeded to dance for the next 30 minutes and had to follow Connor's directions. This included finishing each song on one knee, sitting for slow songs and pretty much doing the designated moves for each particular song. Now if you think Connor gave Aunt Daph and Eric a break you are totally mistaken. If either of them wasn't doing the proper move, he quickly put them in their place. My only regret is I have no video or photographic proof of this event.
Papa and Garrett going down a slide for the first time.
Connor getting more adventurous at the playground.

Play date with the LI Ladies

We took a quick visit to Long Island this weekend. Luckily, some of the girls were available to get together. When I told Connor we were going to visit Olivia, he picked up his toy phone dials some numbers and proceeded to say "Olivia you (meaning Connor) come over...see you soon." Thank you Jen and Tom for having us over. Below are some pictures (okay alot of pictures) which I couldn't resist posting. Connor exploring Olivia's (Per Connor, "Riva's") Playground
Hello Olivia

Riva come out and play.
Connor drew a picture and gave it to Alexandra. He also gave Alexandra a kiss but I missed the picture opportunity.

Garrett checking out Alexandra's tush
Olivia and Connor drawing together and sharing stickers.
It was amazing how the kids played together and it was fun to see that Connor totally remembered being at Aunt Jen's house. He didn't hesitate for a second when he went into the house. He immediately went into the kitchen, pointed to the counter and asked me for donuts. It took a lot of convincing to tell him that this time there were no donuts because it wasn't a party. He eventually gave up but still thinks Aunt Jen was hiding the donuts. I think the girls of LI have admirers in Boston...watch out ladies.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

So here is the picture from Mother's Day...no this isn't a joke. Seeing as I am the only one that takes pictures in the family this is how Mother's Day was documented. Actually I lied. Brian really thought the Cherry tree in our front yard was beautiful so he took the time to take a picture of that...enough said.

A Surprise Visit!

My cousin, Malcolm, came over to visit the U.S. for 10 days and as usual I thought I would miss out on the fun since I don't live near Long Island any more. To my surprise, Papa Win gave me a call on Tuesday morning and asked if we were up for visitors.

Papa and Malcolm arrived on Wednesday and immediately started to do things around the house. Of course, I had a few projects lined up for Papa already but he began a few of his own. Malcolm was also roped into doing work and if you are reading this thank you very much. When there is work to be done, Connor is usually not to far behind. Once again, he wanted to be in the thick of things and wanted to help. Papa put Connor right to work - here he is helping to sand the deck.

At least the visit wasn't all work. On Thursday after work, I met them in the Boston Commons. We managed to go for a walk through Beacon Hill, a stop at the playground, a visit to Brian playing softball and then finally dinner.

Walking up Beacon Hill

On our way to the playground

Malcolm at the Frog Pond

Of course, I put Malcolm to work during dinner.

No trip is complete until your grandparents leave behind a reminder of their visit.

Thank you for coming to visit!!!!

Rain out!

Garrett hard at work!
Connor practicing his wheelbarrow skills.

It rained almost every minute of this weekend so it made for a very lazy weekend. Our big outings ended up being a trip to BJ's to stock up on home essentials and to pick up Grandma at the airport. A trip to BJ's usually isn't something to write about but we did manage to have an experience which made onlookers laugh. Connor was the best helper while we were shopping. Whenever he recognized something, he would go over and get it off the shelf. He proceeded to pick up trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper, mother's day cards and water. Just another day of shopping for him. Our next stop was the bakery section and he proceeded over to the bins where they have fresh bagels. I didn't realize that they even had this section so when I turned around and Connor was standing there with a bagel in his hand I had no idea where it came from. He proceeded to take a giant bite out of the bagel. I shouldn't have been surprised because I always let him get a roll at the bakery in the grocery store which he eats while we are shopping. Back to BJ's, so I read the sign that you have to buy 9 bagels at a time. As I am reading the sign, Connor opens the bin again and pulls a second bagel out and takes a giant bite out of it as well. You are probably wondering why I didn't stop him. During our shopping trip, I had Garrett strapped to me in the Baby Bjorn. Anyone that has worn the Baby Bjorn knows you lose all vision in front of you for about 3 feet and you basically can't look down. So now he is holding two bagels with pieces missing. At this point, I am looking at Brian wondering why he isn't saying stop. We explain to Connor that he is not allowed to take another one. He listens and walks over to the shopping cart. I put 7 bagels into a bag and as I am trying to tie it up Garrett is trying to get his hands on the bag. So I pass the bag to Brian who puts one of Connor's original bagels into the bag but as he is doing this he drops two of the other bagels on the floor. No sooner than they hit the ground, we see Connor swoop in, pick one up and take a giant bite out of it. At this point, we have lost all control. Brian is standing with two bagels with bites taken out of them and a bag of bagels which isn't sealed, Connor is eating the bagel which was on the floor and I can't help but laugh. When I turn around, there is an entire family watching this happen who is hysterically laughing and not hiding it at all. What can you do at this point but laugh!!!!

Sunday, the whole family went to pick up Grandma. Let me set the scene. I am driving and the boys are in the middle row and Grandma is in the back seat. As we are driving, Grandma asks if Connor got a haircut over the weekend. I reply "No." Grandma tells Connor that she got a horrendous haircut over the weekend. I look into the rear view mirror to see what Grandma was talking about since I didn't think it looked bad. As I look, Connor turns in his car seat, points at Grandma's hair and begins to laugh (hahahaha). It truly was a priceless moment.

Just a few things that made me laugh this weekend which I thought I would share.

Daily Happenings

Last week it was so beautiful, Grandma brought the boys into Boston to enjoy the nice weather. We all met up in Copley Square and revisited a few landmarks which Connor was sure to remember. However, he got side tracked when he saw a ramp which led up to Trinity Church and decided to run up and down the ramp a couple hundred times. Of course, we all had to follow. He then was intrigued by the pigeons which he ran after to see if he could make them fly. It was so nice to have such a beautiful few days to allow the boys to enjoy without being bundled in their winter coats. The first time Grandma tried to put Connor in short sleeves he refused, he wanted a shirt with sleeves. Obviously, it has been a long winter.

Garrett loved seeing all the action in Boston which is quite different from the quiet suburbs. Here he is posing on the hare which is part of the"Tortoise and the Hare statue" located at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

On Saturday, I decided to take Connor on a little adventure. Since we don't usually have a lot of one on one time, I thought it would be special to go out and play for a few hours. We went to an indoor play park and had a blast. It became abundantly apparent that I passed on my nosiness. When other kids were around and doing something interesting or crying, he would stop and stand there watching with his mouth wide open. Anyone that knows me, knows I do the same thing but I should know better. Overall we had a blast and Brian took the picture of us below which is right before we left.

One last Garrett update. On April 18th, Garrett's first tooth cut through (bottom right). Now his second tooth is starting to come in as well. I can't wait to get a picture of his toothy grin.