It's April vacation

and that means a few things are going on around here. 

Living room forts (this one is in the fashion of Scuppers' the sailor dog's - see the resemblance? :)

More time at the beach. Sorry I can't get enough photos from there.

Shaving.

The first ice cream truck drive-by of the season.

Cleaning off all the dirt from all that outside time.

And Easter egg hunting with the cousins.

It's been a good week to take a little break from all the moving work.

Hope you're having a good week too.

Happy Winter Solstice

The first day of winter felt more like the first day of spring here, so to celebrate the shortest day, we took a walk at sunset at our beach. The train even blew its whistle for the boys.

a perfect weekend

Columbus Day is my favorite holiday, not because I really have much to say about Columbus, but more  because it's a stress-free, no obligations, day off in the middle of fall. This year, it was sunny and 80. It didn't feel like fall, but we loved every minute of it. We spent one day at our beach with Mo's sister and her family (including my sweet godson!), one day around the house and yard and one day on a little adventure. It was wonderful.

When you move as much as we have, you tend to treat every new area like a tourist, exploring and taking in the sites when you can. With only so many short months left here, I'm working on my list: places I really hope to see before we move. On Columbus Day, we checked one off with a visit to the Bronx Zoo. It did not disappoint! It's huge but shaded and park-like. It features tons of big animals - polar bear, grizzlies, alligators, crocodiles (including one of those ones with the skinny nose - scary!), gorillas - and a monorail ride through the Asia exhibit. It had the best butterfly house and snake exhibit Mo and I have ever seen. We met friends there and had a great time. Isaac and I even got up close and personal with a gorilla, which was a highlight. And Xavier got the most excited about the ducks. Really, the ducks. He tries to quack these days (Moo too) and is now officially a 95% walker. He still cracks himself up with his wobbly walking. 

some photos hanging out on my camera

Just a few weeks ago some good friends came for a visit. We visited the beach while the tide was out (perfect!) and went for a evening swim.

The train went by and we waved. I'm really going to miss this beach.

Love these guys.

Isaac's personality continues to flourish. He now has opinions on his clothes... 

and likes to dress like a little sk8r boi.

Mamo came for a super fun visit. That same week, the Book Barn got a ton of train books. 

She treated the boys to a few that have become instant treasures.

Xavier got the neatest toy for his birthday from Uncle Colin and Auntie Suzi. 

All the boys in the house love it. Thanks!

We continue to get great mileage from the magnet toys Isaac got from his birthday. 

If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Thanks for the tip Jennifer!

Mo and big boys made a pop pop engine (or something like that). It didn't pop as much as Mo wanted, but Finnian and Isaac could have cared less. They made their own boat out of stuff around the house. To two boys who dream about robots and construct new lego creations daily, it was awesome.

With Finnian gone at school all day everyday, Isaac is relishing in his alone time with me in the afternoons while Xavier naps. He asks to cook or bake almost every day. Check out the "muffins." 

Did you know muffins could have so many sprinkles?

Though he STILL prefers to crawl over walk, this little dude is trying his hardest to talk. We recently taught him how to blow kisses and bump fists. So, he like the b words: bump (buh), brother (bruh), ball (baw), bus (buh). That's right, bump and bus sound the same, so we look for other clues, like an arm sticking out or Finnian's approaching ride home.

Finnian started soccer, which is all-in-all, amazing.

Look how cute his coach is!

Sometimes they all end up like this:

And they always end up like this:

Lots of short people with shin guards. So cute.

And, we got one rare photo of us all together! And smiling! A miracle! Too bad we all have scrubby beach clothes on and not everyone is looking at the camera. But really, I cannot complain. 

It may have to be our Christmas photo. Thanks Rich!