Central Park fun

We headed down to Hecksher Playground at Central Park a few weekends ago to enjoy some early-fall weather and family time. This is definitely one of our favorite Central Park playgrounds... there is so much to do it can really be enjoyed during any season (although the summer is our fav!).


Gabe opted for the swings while Noah went for the giant slide. We had a little picnic lunch, played in the sand, rode the tire swing, ran through the castle, and ended with a little family photo shoot... since for some reason we ended up wearing coordinating colors!

Little Red Lighthouse Festival

We headed down to the river for the annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival a few weeks ago. We've never been for some reason as long as we've lived here, but I was determined to get the kids down there this year, even if it meant hauling the double stroller back up 3 serious hills by myself!

It was THE perfect fall day and even after a few bumps in the road (i.e. realizing almost all 3 of my stroller tires were almost out of air on the way there and Noah falling asleep on the way only to say that he wanted to go home as soon as he woke up when we finally arrived) I was glad we went. We had a little picnic, decorated a lighthouse cookie, did some hula-hooping, and enjoyed a reading of "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge." Fun was had by all.

Noah (a.k.a Mr. Crankypants) waking up after a snooze in the stroller

(and not wanting to get out of the stroller for a 1/2 hour)

at least someone was happy we went!

fascinated by the lady on stilts

a little hula hoop action

boys + lighthouse

6 months old!

Time is just flying by (so much that I didn't even get a chance to post a 5 month picture!) and I can't believe that Gabe is already 6 months old. We had a little photo shoot with Noah's old 6 month t-shirt so we could compare him and Noah at this age.

Gabe

Noah

I am loving this age right now. He's finally starting to take real naps, he's giggly and smiley whenever people are paying attention to him, not quite mobile so he can't get into Noah's toys yet (dreading this!), and he loves to be held and cuddled. I'm suspecting a tooth any day now... we've had a few rough nights this past week but he's a trooper.

I finally have some video footage of him for the long distance relatives. Sorry it's taken me so long to post! (and sorry for the super annoying mommy voice)

and last but not least... here are some 5 month pics that I didn't get a chance to post:

feeding himself already!

(I still squeeze his chubby little legs into this thing even though they get stuck everytime I try to get him out... and I have to peel the seat off of him!)

starting to sit up on his own

so happy in this thing!

watching "Little Einsteins" with Noah

finally getting them to bathe together

chillin' at the playground

1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of school...

Noah started preschool last week which was very exciting for everyone! He's in a great environment, a few of his close friends are in his class, and the best part about it is that it's only 2 blocks away! He's had no problems with separation thanks to our preschool prep class last year and the teachers have TONS of experience, which is extremely reassuring.

I wanted to take a picture of him in front of our building on the first day of school, which he was slightly hesitant about. I kept saying, "But, Noah... it's your FIRST day of school!" but he didn't really seem to understand the significance at the time. Then the next day he woke up and said, "Mommy... it's the SECOND day of school!" with some serious enthusiasm. So, I made a big deal out of that and we took another picture (and this time he actually wanted to wear his backpack!). The third day of school was even more exciting... where he wanted to take another picture and this time show off his and Gabe's matching Paul Frank shirts.

(Unfortunately the fourth and fifth day of school weren't met with as much excitement -- but he still willingly went!)

1st day of school


2nd day of school

3rd day of school


posing with Gabe

teacher's pet already...

summer vacation

I guess I've finally come to terms with the fact that summer is really over. So, I'm officially posting some summer pics of our summer vacation. We had a lovely little trip to my parent's house upstate. They took my little bro out to BYU and we took advantage of their empty house, minivan, and backyard (not to mention the ever-so-accessible Target, Walmart, and Shop-Rite!). We had a great time! It was so nice to just have some quality family time, not have to spend a ton of money on travel expenses, and have Jon around the whole time. I think it was probably our first "family vacation" where it was only us. It wasn't the most relaxing vacation because it was only us and we have 2 kids now which is just a lot of work, but it was time away from home and the city to re-group, which we desperately needed. We stopped by the Bronx Zoo on the way upstate, took a little side trip to the beach (mostly the hotel pool!) in Rhode Island, and spent some quality time in grandma's backyard!

checking out the zebras

counting the ducks!

watching big bro laugh at the crazy gorrilla...

carousel at Bear Mtn.

(our picnic plans were foiled by swarms of bees --where I got stung twice!-- so we took cover at the carousel)

kodak moment in gma's backyard

gotta love the inflatable pool!

Noah entertaining Gabe in the car

a fine Northeast dining establishment

(a staple during our trip -- I just couldn't pass up those baby carseat holders!)

boats at Mystic Seaport

the hotel pool -- family fun for everyone.

Gabe poolside

loving the water

(I seriously couldn't believe how long he stayed in this thing... I think it was close to an hour!)

testing out his floaties

3-day trip to Naragansett beach in R.I.

actual time spent on the beach: 2 hours

sandcastles!

playing out on the deck of our hotel room

(or our "backyard" as Noah called it -- the poor city kid has a warped sense of what a real backyard is!)

double stroller

We got a steal-of-a-deal on this Phil and Ted's double stroller through craigslist after Gabe was born and he just recently graduated to the bottom seat from the newborn seat! (this also brings our stroller collection count to 5 -- whatever it takes to get around this city and not lose my mind!)

Aren't they cute?

After seeing our new stroller, my mom sent me her version of a double stroller:

my big bro and me

1980

4 month old tricks!

Even though he's already 5 months old! I thought I'd post some of Gabe's recent 4 month old tricks...

his first swing!

happy tummy time :)

loving his new Bumbo chair

rice cereal... yum!

this kid is growing up too fast... sigh.