Summer fun - Part 1

So what have we been up to in between celebrating the kids' birthdays?

We've been enjoying the various water features available at Brookline playgrounds.

And staying in doors on days when it's just too hot to go out.

Here is Sadie enjoying the world atlas that Babulya and Deda got her for her birthday (thank you!).

And here we are at an indoor playspace that Grandma and Grandpa got us tickets to (thank you also).

And here are some bonus photos of Lev doing cute things around the house, like climbing onto the bathroom step stool, having fun opening and closing doors, and making some phone calls.

Sadie's Birthday (a month ago)

We had a party for Sadie on our front lawn - keeping it simple since Sadie was still not allowed to run around at that point post surgery.

Medical restrictions aside, we were still able to have a good time with all the regular party pieces....

Decorations!

A muffin with 3 candles!

Lots of family! (Some friends were also there but did not make it into any photographs for some reason)

And of course presents!

Thank you for coming everyone!

We're back (I think)

As I'm sure you've all noticed, we haven't posted anything in a long time.  That's largely been due to the chaos that's been taking place around here.  Now obviously, chaos is nothing new but the dose of the last month has been particularly bad for some reason.  We have a large backlog of photos to get through - Sadie's birthday, Grandma and Aunt Renee's visits, a trip to the cape, Lev's birthday, general kid cuteness... etc. Fear not - the events have been photographed, just not posted.

So to get partially caught up, here is a random assortment of photos of what we've been up to.

Sadie got her adenoids out

Grandma and Aunt Renee came to visit post surgery back in June, both for Sadie's birthday and to keep company during her convalescence.

 More pictures coming soon - we promise to catch up!

I'm one, thank you very much

A weekend ago, on the cape

Two weeks ago, we spent the weekend on Cape Cod. It was kind of the in the middle of a lot of things - Lev had just been super incredibly sick a couple days before, we were preparing for Sadie's adenoids to be removed, etc.  So the trip and the pictures kind of fell through the cracks.  But we did go and have a good time.  The kids enjoyed Babulya and Deda's backyard, as well as low key walks around Hyannis.

During one of those walks, we made it to the carousel and arcade portion of the town.

Sadie rode the carousel with Dad and loved it.

(Bonus, the carousel hands out Tootsie Roll Pops after the ride, which was the bridge to getting Sadie to try a popsicle post-surgery!)

She also enjoyed sitting in a helicopter (she had no idea that the option of it moving even existed and I did not disabuse her of this).

She also enjoyed the bubble gun being used as enticement for a local henna tattoo establishment. They vendors enjoyed a cute kid advertising for them, I'm sure.

Lev was there too, but not pictured as mostly he hung out on people or in the stroller.  We hope to return under less stressful circumstances some time.  Thanks Babulya and Deda!

Grandpa was here!!

This past weekend, Grandpa came to visit us here in Boston.  This trip was long awaited by all parties and once it finally happened, it did not disappoint.  The kids were so excited to have Grandpa here. Sadie gave him an especially warm welcome, including a tour of the house ("Let me show you my room! And this is the bathroom where we use the potty! And this is the office where we work! And this is the living room where we play! And this is the kitchen where we cook food!")

During the weekend there was lots of hugs.

There was also a trip to the playground where Sadie took Grandpa on a grand adventure and wore him out. Lev just enjoyed the scenery and the walker meanwhile.

It was wonderful to see you, Grandpa and we hope to see you again soon!

Sadie is 3 years old!!!!

Sadie turns 3 years old today.... Woah!

She's a big girl already - she'll tell you so herself.  She can open doors and count and is really ready to play by herself outside.  She can do anything!  

She can be equal parts delightful and trying.  She has a sense of humor as well as determination. She recently even learned sarcasm and how to use the toilet.  She loves preschool, Lev, Daniel Tiger, and waffles.  Three years ago today she was our present, and she'll always be just that.

 

Lev is 10 months old!

So yeah... Lev is 10 months old and kind of toddler-like now.  He has 6 teeth as of last counting (4 on top and 2 on the bottom), he's cruising and trying to walk, and he wants to be wherever Sadie is, occasionally to her chagrin (Dad has started explaining the good and the bad of being the older sibling).  He also loves to bang things on other things and has gotten mighty good at banging the mallet on the xylophone. His sleeping is, dare I say, under control for now (with the minor exception of his insistence at waking up at 5:45). He remains, as ever, a very happy, drooly, chubby baby (toddler!) who loves to eat and cuddle.

And now, the pictures.

And the comparisons

And now, a bonus picture, of Sadie and Lev in the bath together...

Moving, moving moving!

Lev is doing his best to walk.  Here he is in the park this past weekend, checking out the toys and taking a few steps.  He is one baby who is quite proud of himself!

In the meantime, here is a video of Sadie making great progress in learning to use her scooter.