Just us Girls!!

What do 2 girls do when Gavin is taking a nap and Dave is out grocery shopping?  Well we started off by building with our wooden blocks but then I got an idea. . . . 

FOOT BATHS!!

My inspiration was our extra (recently cleaned) litter boxes that we have lying around.  That plus Mia's stinky feet and I had a plan.  I rarely get to use these amazingly aromatic bath salts that Mary got me for Christmas eons ago.  So we filled the litter boxes with hot water and softsoap and sprinkled some perfumed bath salts.  Mia was in charge of spreading a towel out on the kitchen floor and voila':  Spa time :)  

After our foot soak lost it heat we took our feet out, dried them, and gave them a good self foot massage with some yummy smelling shea butter foot lotion I have also had for forever.  We told our feet 'thank you' for all the walking they do for us.  Our feet smelled so good that we had daddy smell them when he got home.  We will definitely be doing this again soon!  Free and oh-so-relaxing!!

Playdate: Annie & Mia

Mia recently expressed an interest in having a friend from preschool, Annie, over the house.  I wrote a note to Annie's mom, Tracy, and put it in Annie's cubby.  That very weekend we arranged to have Annie over for a couple of hours.  Annie's family is moving soon and they were actually thrilled at the prospect of giving Annie something to do while they packed and ran errands.  Though surprised at the idea of a drop off play date, I was happy to help and excited that she said she offered to have Mia over once things settle down for them in their new house.

The girls played outside in and out of the baby pool (it was a hot day).

The majority of their time was spent hiding from Dave who was spraying them with the hose.

After coming inside and drying off, they watched an episode of Dora and had some popcorn while waiting for Annie's mom to come.  Dave and Mia were supposed to go to Finding Nemo in the theaters before Tracy called us.  In order to help a torn Mia make the right decision, and help Annie's family, we said they could watch a Dora episode together.

Apple Picking is so much fun!

Although still over a week before Autumn, we went apple (and peach) picking on a GORGEOUS Sunday morning and afterward (not pictured) went to Dorbrook Park in Colts Neck, NJ.  

We immediately went to work making applesauce and Mary's apple crisp recipe.

Both were eaten within days!

Alex's 8th birthday (visit)

September 15th, 2012 was Alex's 8th birthday.  For those of you who might not know, this is our nephew through Dave's brother, Ben.  We couldn't make it to the party on Sunday so I planned a trip with the kids for Saturday.  It was supposed to just be a day trip (I had plans for Sunday morning before I heard about the party) and Dave couldn't go because of his dissertation, editoral duties, new adjunct teaching position and so on.  We left at 8am or thereabouts and arrived around 9:45am.  Mia was excited to find a bouncy house in their living room upon entering!

Ben kindly blew it up for Mia to "test" and she jumped her heart out for a good while.  Gavin was a bit frightened by the noise and stayed close to me though Ben got him to throw some balls in the ball pit area after some gentle coaxing.  Eventually Alex came home from his sports practice and we all played in the basement for awhile.  Chase was so gentle with Gavin, it was really cute to watch.  He would try to pat him on the back or hold his hand but Gavin was a bit hesitant.  After a few more visits though, I'm sure they'll be great playmates!  And (I'm happy to announce) come March of 2013 they will have another little boy to pal around with :)  . . . I just re-read my last line and realize this could have been misinterpreted.  Just so no one is confused I want to clarify that it is Nichole who is expecting, not me.

Congratulations Ben/Nichole!!

At some point we took a break for a morning snack but I can't remember whether this was before or after I slipped in the muddy (due to rain) backyard and had to borrow sweats and a t-shirt from Nichole so my clothes could get a wash/dry.

Gavin was really cuddly with his Auntie 'Cole and when the weather got so bad that we decided we should cancel my morning plans and stay the night. . .

. . .Gavin was happy to get some extra cuddles in.  It was very sweet how fast these two re-connected.  

The next morning was party day, there was a lot of setting up and shopping to do but still some time for play.  Here is Ben helping chase get on his scooter (I think it had a fancier name).  

Then we had to do some final "testing" of the bounce house before we hit the road:

I love this shot of Chase.  This guy is such a cutie huh?  He is super smart too!!

I like this one of the 3 boys (2 little ones seem to be literally looking up to Alex)

and despite Alex's almost-blink and Mia's face plant, this is a pretty darn good shot for getting 4 cousins and one Aunt in a shot.  Thanks for capturing this one Nichole!

Hope you had a great 8th birthday Alex.  Sorry we couldn't stay longer, but I LOVED having you all to myself.  I particularly liked getting to hang out with you after the little ones fell asleep.  Miss you!!

31. . . I think

All kidding aside, I am 31 and I am serious about not remembering my age like I used to.  Of course the faultless method of just taking the last digit of the year (2012) and subtracting 1 (1) gives me the hard part, that is, I can usually remember how many decades old I am.  So 31, really?!  I distinctly remember saying, when I was in middle school, that I would have to commit suicide before I was 40 so I never got "old".  I can't believe I am 9 years from being old in my own childhood opinion of the matter.  Well it is a good thing I am not as morbid as that gothic phase made me think I was.  Don't worry kids, mommy is not going anywhere!  Sheesh, it's a good thing for me that by the time they are old enough to search the internet and read this blog I will be past 40.  Right?  What age do kids start needing computers at these days?  Please don't say before middle school!  Wait, what is that you say?  I should be buying them a cell phone at what age?!  YIPES  I am not ready for all that.  Why, on my birthday, am I framing my age in terms of my children?  I guess with 2 kids under 5 yrs old they really do consume you quite a bit.  ANYWAY. . . I was tickled that my new co-workers (of only 3 months) actually knew my birthday let alone remembered it after a long weekend, which would make it even harder to arrange the fruit, cake and balloon they had for me.  

I guess Dave didn't expect this either because he had also picked up a cake for me that we all enjoyed after dinner.

Thanks everyone!  

Miller-Licon's (and VICKI!!) come to visit

As always, I am long overdue for some blogging.  This time it isn't entirely my fault.  Dave's computer broke and he was borrowing mine while researching fixing his vs buying a new one.  In any case, this month started off with a visit from Matt, the boys and Vicki.  I would be lying if I said the whole visit was great because there certainly were moments of stress/worry (more on that later) but I did occasionally get a chance to sit down and enjoy my best friend, my favorite brother and I always love watching the kids play together.  I love that there aren't many favorites between the kids.  Aside from the fact that Jeremy clearly adores Gavin, it was cute to see Mia bouncing from Mattie (gentle wrestling) to Randall (wave buddies on the beach) and always attempting but never quite succeeding at gaining Jeremy's attention.  Gavin, as expected since he is so outgoing/social, warmed up nicely to anyone who gave him any of their time.  Jeremy was the first to win Gavin's affection.  Before long, Gavin was raising his arms to be held by Jeremy- and often! But soon enough Gavin was knee deep in the cousin action.  Unfortunately, Mattie spiked a 105.9 fever Saturday after a day at the bay.  We were all terrified and I learned that I am horrible in emergency-type situations.  It all turned out okay (although I think my teeth are still worn from the tooth grinding worrying I went through) and my house became cleaner because of it.  Apparently, when I cannot "fix" other things I try to put order to something I have control over:  my house.  Now if I could only trick myself in order to harness this cleaning energy at the right time.  Then, my favorite part, Matt and I were sent out, with $80 each, for a Sunday afternoon out and about (in Red Bank, NJ) to celebrate our birthdays (mine:  9/4 - 31yrs, Matt: 9/15 - 33yrs).  The weather was iffy and some things were unexpectedly closed, given the day, but we managed to (in random order): eat lunch at a bistro, go vintage shopping, get gourmet cupcakes, watch a movie, go to a candy shop, have a mani-pedi and stop off at a cafe AFTER having been at the beach that morning with the family and we even made it home for dinner.  Here are some pictures from our labor day weekend together in Highlands, NJ!

SATURDAY

                                          

The kids wake up and BAM their uncle, cousins and Vicki are all here (they arrived after my their bedtime on Friday)

                                         

The doll house was a big hit with these boys, they have amazing imaginations!  

                                 

Here is the beginning of the inseparable youngest and oldest boys.

After morning snack, we head to the bay!

Mia and Randall get to work bringing water from bay to sand castle.

                                  

Great friends can be cousins too

BBBFF since Pre-K!

Uncle Dave pulls and IS a boat.

Vicki reconnecting with her bug-a-boo!

Mattie and Randall, testing the water

FASCINATION

Mattie looks fine doesn't he?  After this is when he started saying he felt really cold and we eventually left back for home only to discover a 105.9 fever and rush him to the hospital.  

In order to keep the other kids busy, we went to the park but it was a scorcher so we. . . 

. . .went back home to do some indoor activities

That night, we were treated to a visit by my good friend Lory's parents, Betty & Larry, loyal readers of the blog (thanks!!).  A former preschool teacher, Betty read the children their night time stories and brought us goodies (books, nesting barrels and letters/numbers to sew)

SUNDAY 

 

Sunday morning books

                                           

Pajama pretending (yummy ice cream!)

Early morning (Sandy Hook) BEACH excursion

                                  

from left:  Randall, Mia, Matt, Jeremy, Dave, Gavin (foreground), Mattie

After cleaning up, showing and changing, Matt and I left for our adventures (described in that paragraph above you probably skipped- hahaha I know you!) and here is the fun that ensued in our absence:

The idea to paint on paper outside turned into painting in the kiddie pool outside, which promptly turned into paint your nearest cousin outside.

Looks like so much fun I am almost sad I missed it!

Here is the line up just before they were hosed off.

 PARK

Look at Jeremy climb!

MOVIE

and because watching 5 kids with 2 adults is no easy task. . . Mouse Detectives to the rescue!

Matt and I returned and had some leftover pizza from their dinner (love Grimaldis!)

Then we broke out the GLO-STICKS and turned off the lights

Randall, Mia, and Jeremy

. . . another movie on their last night together (I think it was Cinderella).

One more thing. . . in the minutes before the van packed up and left, Mattie got on a bike with no training wheels and was instantly an expert!  Yay for firsts occurring at aunt Stacie's house!!

Here are two shots of the master in action:

Thanks everyone for making the trip down. We'll miss you!

PS- the absence of Vicki in these pictures doesn't indicate our lack of love for her or her importance but rather her crucial role behind the camera (thanks Vicki for clicking away).