Splash park, Arboretum, & Pictures

We went to the splash park last weekend and were joined by Papa, Honey, & Tia Katie. The boys actually took a little while to warm up; I think they were more interested in walking around than they were in the water at first. They had a blast and were glad to show off for their family at the water "spray-ground."

A couple of weeks ago my parents came up with Connor and we spent the morning at the Arboretum. It was so, so hot, but such fun! We were excited to see the Chihuly exhibit, which was beautiful, and other than it being ridiculously hot, it was a nice time. At the end we let the boys walk around the water spray area. During lunch both of the boys watched Connor and copied him making noises or laughing. Connor had told mom & dad that he wanted to come with them so that he could "hug on those boys" too. He was such a great big cousin all day!

Sweet cousin Connor with Jack & Ben

And now for my "blonde" moment of the month: I took the boys to the Aquarium last week. We were going to meet my friend Wendy & her kiddos, and we were so excited. I packed snacks & waters, pulled into the parking lot & paid the $7.00 parking fee, strolled up to the window and bought our tickets, then Wendy texted that she was changing a diaper in the bathroom, so I sat down with the boys by the shark tank and waited...and waited...and waited...until we connected the dots that I was at the wrong aquarium. Sigh. She clearly said the children's aquarium in Fair Park, it just didn't register. I took kids to the DWA on field trips for years when I worked with CIS, so that's the only dallas aquarium I know or think about! Oh well, the boys actually really liked looking at the sharks & fish. The rest was over their heads, but at least kids under 2 are free. So we met Wendy & her girls for lunch instead afterwards, which was fun. Next time, boys, I'll take you to the right, more age-appropriate aquarium. And maybe assume less. These things happen to other people too, right? :)

To end this post, here are a few of my favorite pictures of J&B over the last couple of weeks:

Ben having fun with Dad :)

 

 

We love eating with spoons!

Mom's make-up drawer

Who knew that little boys could be just as curious about mom's make-up drawer as little girls? My curious little boys discovered my make-up brushes today. Fortunately they were only interested in the tools (brushes & eyelash curler) so there wasn't any wasting of expensive make-up or cleaning up to do. It was so cute to turn around and find them "brushing" their faces & hair with the brushes, and they thought it was pretty funny, too, once they got a little attention for it! I let them brush my face a little at the end before we put it all away, and they did a good job. Sweet little men :)

Watercolor

We took our first family vacation to Watercolor, Florida and it was amazing! I got advice on where to go from friends, family, & neighbors, and this could not have worked out better. We rented a condo with a beach view which was part of a resort, and we were walking distance to the pool and boardwalk to the beach. Watercolor is so picturesque! Driving up, we were in awe of the little community and all the beach houses & shops - it was so cute!

Our family beach pic

I'm getting ahead of myself, though. Gotta start with Ben & Jack's first airplane ride. Here they are in the airport looking out the window.

We were on small planes for both flights. Ben did fine; Jack was a little scared on take-off. He buried his little face in our chests but never cried or whimpered, and then he was fine! What brave little boys! We had gotten new toys for the trip, which occupied them for a while, but they slept for the majority of the flight, both ways. Luckily it was during afternoon nap each time. On our flight down there, three mothers of lap-babies stopped on their way to the bathroom to tell us how lucky we were that ours were sleeping, and we got several compliments on their behavior from other passengers. Good babies! On our return flight, Ben got to sit next to a therapy dog (a cute shih-tzu, I think) named JJ and Ben frequently stopped what he was doing to pet JJ.

We stopped somewhere between Destin & Watercolor for dinner because traffic was so bad, and literally, every waitress in the restaurant came by our table to see our dancing babies. They had been cooped up on a plane, then a car, so by dinner time they were ready to move and just danced the whole dinner. 

 

Sunday was J's second Father's Day, and our first full day of vacation. We went to breakfast, went to the beach & pool, relaxed at the condo, then went to dinner. Here are Ben & Jack with J on Father's Day. Ben just recently started giving kisses - it's soooooo sweet. He also started giving hugs this week. Killing me on the cuteness. By the end of the trip, Jack had also started giving kisses :) 

Father's Day dinner @ Fish Out of Water

We went to the beach almost every morning, followed by the pool. The first night we took the boys to a bonfire on the beach, but they weren't really interested. They loved the water and the waves, but weren't really digging the sand. They would say "agua" and point to the water - they loved it! When we left, they would wave "bye-bye" and tell the beach bye. They were friendly boys all week, telling people "hi" (or "ii" sometimes) and "bye-bye" every where we went. We rode bikes around the community, we took the boys to a splash pad pool, we went to Rosemary Beach and looked around at all their shops, we walked around Seaside & Watercolor, and we went to dinner. Breakfast & lunch we mostly ate at the condo, just to try to keep the boys on somewhat of a schedule. Most days we napped when they napped in the afternoons - it was lovely! J played golf one day and I got a massage the next day. It was nice to relax and spend time together as a family - what a great vacation!

Sand, surf, & 2 sweet boys

Daddy & boys, and a beach to ourselves early in the morning!

Jack would laugh at every wave that hit! Ben wanted to go deeper :)

I am obsessed with those little footprints!!

Footprints again, I'm telling you - I'm obsessed! J&B loved walking on the beach - so long as it was towards the water :)

They loved riding in the bike trailer!

Helpful Benny giving Jack his hat

Loving Benny giving hugs :)


Walkers!

Ben kept touching Jack's hair all week...?

They liked the baby jogger - close quarters!

Some of our play activities over the week - our first time coloring, and our first time watching a little bit of Sesame St!

Visit to Beverly Elementary

We visited Ben & Jack's Honey at Beverly Elementary on the last day of school this year. Ben & Jack had a picnic lunch in Honey's room, had a blast exploring all the fun stuff in Honey's room, and enjoyed touring Beverly to say hello to all of Honey's friends. Ben used his sign skills and held his hand out in "hello" to all the big kids. Jack smiled at a fourth grade girl and held his hand out to her in hello. But the big hit was one of their Honey's students, named Ryan. Susie has told us that Ryan has seen Ben & Jack's pictures throughout the year and when we strolled over to his room he came over and gave them a big hug in greeting! We saw him a few minutes later in the hall with his mom and she took a picture, which she shared with Susie, so I had to include it here! Isn't he so cute?! Ben & Jack liked Ryan and waved "bye-bye" to him as he left. What a fun day!