Best Buds

Some days Aaron and Zack are constantly at each other's throats, yesterday was the exact opposite. They were so good and so cute together. It made me sad that I was the only one there to appreciate what good brothers they are to each other.
We started of our day by going to the dentist. Zack had to have a cavity filled. :(
Since Zack is 3, they don't allow the parent to come back with them. Not a problem, since I had Aaron and there were toyes and a playhouse in the waiting area. But when the hygentist took Zack to the back, Aaron got really sad. He didn't start crying, but he just had his sad puppy-dog face on and was staring at the door saying, in a low quiet voice, "zaaaaack, zaaaaaaaack!"

After the dentist, Zack was hungry, since he wasn't allowed to eat breakfast. We needed a few items at the grocery store, so I figured I could pick up a snack for Zack there. He wanted everything saw!! Zack is usually a big helper when it comes to check out time. He lifts what he can onto the conveyor belt and often tries to scan the items himself. (I usually let him do this when we do the self check-out.) Today, Aaron joined in by putting the contents of my purse on the conveyor belt...until he found what he wanted, my debit card.

I completely forgot that I had said I would go to a park playdate this morning at 10 am. We didnt even leave the dentist until 10:30. It was 11:30 when I remembered. We drove over to the park, just in time to see the last of the other moms leaving. I stopped to let the boys play anyway. They usually play more when we have the park to ourselves anyway. Aaron was Zack's little shadow. Whatever Zack did, Aaron had to do too...and Zack was so nice about taking turns. There's a big slide there that Zack kept going down. The stairs are kind of steep, so it made me nervous when Aaron would climb the stairs behind Zack. At first, Aaron was too scared to go down the big slide by himself. I went down with him several times before he braved it by himself. Once he did though, up and down the both of them went. I stayed at the bottom of the slide and Zack climbed the stairs behind Aaron, helping him up. Once the two of them were at the top, Zack jumped in front of him to go down the slide first though. Zack wanted me to catch him like I did Aaron. Zack created alot of static electricity when he came down though. Everytime we touched, we shocked each other. This was Zack's first noticable/identifiable experience with static electricity...he thought it was funny everytime.
Next, it was time for the swings. Zack still always wants to go on the baby swings. He called Aaron over to the swings and told Aaron "to get in the one on the left and he's gonna take the one of the right."
Somehow at the park, Aaron managed to take of his diaper...under his pants. I noticed his diaper was hanging pretty low, so I went over to check him out and it was completely detached and sliding down his left pant leg! Of course, before I could go back to the car to get a diaper, he pee'd!

The Carinval

This weekend is the Blue/White weekend at Penn State. Right now, Zack and Dave are at the football game. This is Zack's first live football game.

Granted, the game is a scrimage among Penn State players. It's still a big weekend for alumni to return to State College, so there are alot of festivities going on.

Last night, there was a carnival, with games, rides and plenty of carinval-type food. There was a wing-fest, so this alone got Dave interested in going.

Immediately, Zack wanted to go on the ferris-wheel and Aaron was "neigh-ing" to go on the carosel.

Dave took Zack on the ferris-wheel, while I took Aaron on the carosel.

Zack liked the ferris wheel and Aaron cried the moment I tried to put him on the carosel horse. So I held him while we went around and around.

The next ride Zack wanted to go on was the little roller coaster. I thought Aaron would love the roller coaster too, so the 3 of us took a ride. Zack was giggling and saying "this is fun!!!" the entire time. Aaron was just along for the ride though.

The giant slide had to be Zack's favorite ride though; I think he went down it 5 or 6 times. I went with him the first time down.

After that, he wanted to do it by himself.

He looked terrified whenever he was sliding down, but always jumped up and said "Let's do it again!!"

We finally convinced him to try the swings, at least he smiled here!

What a better way to top of the evening with some ice creamy from the Penn State Creamery!!

My favorite quotes from today from my boys

Aaron says "I love you" for the first time!!!

OK, so it was more wa wuv wu. But it was definately I love you!!!

I had dropped my phone and Zack picked it up for me. Then he says, "This was your phone and now it's mine!!"

Trip to DC

The drive to Washington D.C. went smoother than the drive to Erie. Of course we didnt have the dog with us! I was excited to go back to the DC area. I'd move back there in a heart beat. Although the city isnt a good place to raise the boys, there are some great neighborhoods just outside the beltway in Maryland or Virginia. I'm partial to VA just because I lived there.

One thing I like about the area is the climate. It has a defined winter with a little snow, but winter is MUCH shorter there than here in State College.

As we were approaching the Capital Beltway, I was noticing how much greener everything is down there. All the shrubs and underbrush is green, tulips and pansies are blooming and cherry trees are just finishing their blossoms.

Fall colors get all the attention, but I was amazed at the spring-time tree colors. All the Oak trees were a deep maroon color, the cherry trees gave splashes of pinks and whites and there were these purple trees all over the place (But I have no idea what type of trees they are.) Then the varying greens and yellows of new growth on everything was spectacular.

When we got home and I was going through all the photos I took, I realized I took about 20 times more photos of plants and trees than I did of the family!! So below are a several of my favorites.

Me and the boys in front of the White House

Dave and the boys in front of the White House

View from Arlington Cemetary.

Even though I lived about 4 blocks from the Arlington Cemetary and Iwo Jima, I had never visited the sites while I was there.

Looking up the hill at the foot of Kennedy's grave.

A little park near the Key Bridge.

I started getting a little obsessed with taking pictures of the Cherry Blossoms.

I thought this was a cool looking flower...anyone know what it is??

Everytime we saw tulips (and they were everywhere) Zack yelled "TULIPS!!!"

Cousins

Zack loves playing with his cousins. Usually he plays really well with Katy and just so-so with Gabe. I don't know if its because Katy and Zack are about the same size, even though Katy is 21 months older than him, or its because Zack just likes playing with girls better. But I was happy to see Zack playing a little with Gabe on Easter Sunday at my parents house.

The Saturday before Easter, I suggested that we take all the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. I barely saw Gabe, Mr. Independent. But Zack quickly became Katy's little shadow.

I saw Katy on this horse-ride more than any other kid. I had to get the camera though when I saw Zack climbing up on the horse with her!

Of course, Gabe then wanted a turn (with Katy!)

Aaron was content to stay in the toddler area and go up and down the slide by himself over and over and over again.

Road Trip

This pretty much sums up the drive home from my parents house. I take that back, Zack fell asleep before we got to the hi-way and slept for about an hour. Aaron was content watching Little Einsteins on the DVD player for that same hour. Then Zack woke up, CRANKY! Aaron was playing with his shoes (eventually trying to eat them.) And the dog couldnt get comfortable, so she stared out the back window.

Tubbie Time

Aaron has always loved bathtime. He goes running to the bathroom when I suggest to take a bath or just turn on the water. However, he doesn't really play in the tub if Zack is there too. But Aaron has discovered splashing! I've been trying to get him just to splash with his hands since he was born...he wasn't having it. UNTIL, he accidently splashed mommy (the splash startled me) and made me shreak! That made Aaron laugh, so he did it again, and again, and again! Each time I have to pretend scream now. Zack joins in on the splashing and even the ceiling gets a good soaking!
Then yesterday, Aaron discovered that it funny to smack Zack with a wet wash cloth. Luckily Zack thought this was funny too.