Baking

Earlier this week it was a cold day and with driving rain, and I spent much of my drive home from work wracking my brain for ideas because I knew that when I got home there would be a little boy waiting for me - a little boy waiting for some super fun activity. Luckily, just before I pulled into the driveway I got a call from Brigid who suggested we get together to bake cookies. Since I was still idea-free I readily jumped at the idea and invited Brigid and Carragh over. What Brigid didn't know when she suggested the cookie-making endeavour is that I am the world's worst baker. I am a good cook, but I can not bake to save my life.

Anyway, I quickly scanned the pantry and determined we lacked a few essential items for baking -- flour, sugar, baking soda, and butter. I know - these are items most people keep around, but me, not so much. (My last foray into baking resulted in lots of smoke and the smoke alarms going off - who knew that you couldn't substitute wax paper for parchment paper?)

Both Oliver and Carragh loved cookie-making. Carragh loved eating the chocolate chips and helping her mom carefully measure the ingredients and then dump them in to the bowl. Oliver, on the other hand, loved playing in the flour, chocolate chips, cinnamon.....



When Brigid and Carragh left, Oliver was still on the go - rather than take on another baking challenge I decided that the driving rain and 30 degree weather was of no importance - we went outside and "enjoyed" the rest of the evening.

Safe!

Oliver had a little run in with the salt shaker....



After taking Oliver's picture and cleaning up I recalled that there is a superstition about salt. I looked it up and found that after spilling salt one is supposed to throw salt, with the right hand, over the left shoulder so as to keep the devil at bay. Thankfully, after a close reading of the superstition, I believe that we are safe and that despite vacuuming up the salt, rather than throwing it, the devil will stay at bay -- after all - the salt was poured out and smashed into the rug, dumped into (and all over) the wine rack, and licked -- the superstition is clear about "spilling salt." We dodged this one!

Fall

Fall in New England...as this past weekend reminded us it can mean many things. Saturday, for example was in the mid-30s and raining - not a very nice. Sunday, however, was in the mid-60s and sunny and beautiful. We took full advantage of both days.

We have stopped going out to dinner as we have found few (read no) place that welcomes a little monster who, rather than sit nicely at a table, likes to run circles around the place, locate the smallest ickiest pieces of food on the floor and try to eat them, pull table clothes off the table, and generally likes to to create mayhem. This past cold and rainy Saturday we decided to see how a lunch out would be. We went to Oliver's favorite place (via take out) and got him miso soup and spring rolls - he is getting better and better at wielding the chop sticks. If you ask me, I think it went well. If you ask Davis, who was the one sitting next to Oliver and trying to keep him under control - lunch was not as enjoyable. And, if you ask Oliver's monkey - he got a bit more than he bargained for.


On Sunday, the perfect fall day - we headed to Rockport and explored Halibut Point State Park. We had never been there before and we all thoroughly enjoyed exploring the trails.


Oliver also decided that he now loves sunglasses and needed to wear mine for much of our hike.

Visitors

Our guest room got lots of use last week - my mom and my brother.

Uncle Jon came down and stayed with us on his way to Boston for a meeting. While Oliver got lots of story and Uncle Jon time, we think Uncle Jon made out much better than we did - his trip netted him a (work) trip to Cuba (a place both Davis and I have been lusting after forever).

And my mom - well, she saved us. Jessica and her family took a much needed vacation and so we were without Jessica-care last week. Davis and I were trying to figure out days off etc. etc. but my mom stepped in and offered to take a couple days off and come down and stay with us. Oliver was beside himself- he was so happy when his grandmother arrived on Thursday morning that he didn't even notice when I left for work.

Despite trying to make sure everything was under control before my mom arrived, she still managed to find lots of work to do - and managed to find a very willing helper.

Oliver and the purple chalk

Although Oliver has not yet read "Harold and the Purple Crayon," he is following in Harold's footsteps - albeit with chalk. Oliver has been marking up our driveway, house, our neighbor's garden, and everything in between. Not sure what world he is creating, or if he is just adding flair to our world, whichever it is, he is having a wonderful time.

Happy Birthday Adam!

Time flies! Last year, at about this time, Oliver and I visited Ethan and Liz - Adam was still cozy, deciding when to make his appearance -

Yesterday we celebrated Adam's first birthday!

Oliver and Adam are just four months apart, a separation that is becoming less and less noticeable. Yesterday the boys had a great time playing "Where's Oliver" together -


Ethan enjoyed playing with the boys too, but also seemed to enjoy having a few minutes to himself-
I am looking forward to watching the boys grow up together - although I am a little worried about the trouble they may get into. Although Adam seems to be the most reserved right now, I think he might become the ring leader of the group.

Happy birthday Adam!

Growing up

This morning we awoke to find a light dusting of snow. Snow on October 16th! I am very much hoping that this doesn't mean we will have a cold and snowy winter. I guess it does mean, however, that I should unpack our beach bag that currently stands, waiting for use, at our back door.
Over the last couple months Oliver truly has become a toddler. He is no longer our little baby, but rather is a little boy. A little boy with lots of laughs, lots of opinions, and a love for animals and the outdoors. He is also a stickler for health and wellness (spinach and apples seem to be his foods of choice). Every day Oliver begins his day by yelling "Up, up, up..." and, if we don't respond quick enough, he'll slide off the bed and open the door (which he knows will prompt both Davis and me to bolt out of bed). We then head down the hall where he yells "Teeth, teeth, teeth..." until he is put up next to the sink and our toothbrush party ensues. Once we get dressed and head downstairs Oliver will grab his shoes and socks, and my shoes and head to the back door. Once outside he will head to the garage and try to open the door. When I open the door for him he selects his bike or stroller, depending on his mood, and we are off for the day.

In addition to his little morning routine Oliver loves to watch his fish swim around and loves to try and feed them (anything and everything he has in his hands). He likes to wave at them and say "Hi fish." I never thought fish had expressions, but I do think the fish are terrified of him. He also has developed a love for Buddha. Buddha used to sit next to my side of the bed, but Oliver kept trying to lift Buddha off the side table and carry him around (he is a big heavy Buddha), so for Buddha and Oliver's safety, Buddha got moved to my closet. Oliver tries to get in there whenever he can. And when he does he says, "Hi Buddha," and gives him a big kiss.

Oliver has also become much more aware of his surroundings. The other day we were walking to CVS and Oliver started quacking. At first I was confused, but then realized he thought we were off to feed the ducks since the pond is on the way to CVS. And on Wednesday Jessica, who watches Oliver when I am working, said that Oliver started clapping and saying "Ma ma ma..." when he saw my car drive up the road and into the driveway.

I am amazed at what Oliver knows. I have been having fun asking him to get me different things from around the house. Nine times out of ten I think he will have no idea what I am asking him to get and nine times out of ten he surprises me by returning with the item.

And finally - while Oliver amazes and surprises me everyday with what he knows and what he has learned, he has not surprised me with starting to love sleep - the little monster still abhors sleep. His hatred of his crib has progressed to the point that, when placed in the crib, he no longer just gnaws on it, he actually bites chunks of wood off (trying to bite his way out I am guessing). So we put a mattress on the floor of his room in the hopes he might like to sleep on it. So far he loves reading books on it and saying "Night night" and pretending to go to sleep on it. However, when it is time for sleep he pops up, grabs either my hand or Davis' and walks us into our room and he climbs up on our bed. I guess some things never change.

Events

We have driving and flying been up and down the coast for the past few weeks marking and celebrating many events. We spent part of this past weekend in Arlington, Virginia where we visited with family and attended Oliver's cousin Caitlin's christening. Caitlin has grown so much since we saw her last - it was fun to see her and see her new tricks. Oliver also enjoyed having his grandmother Margot feed him strawberries, his Aunt Caren keep him busy in church, and his Uncle Tim play with him in Tim's yard. Oliver also loved his Aunt Carolyn's food - he had an amazing appetite the whole time we were there.
We stayed at Oliver's favorite place when we were there -- the Hilton. Oliver has slept through the night twice since he was born and boh times have been at a Hilton. Unfortunately he didn't sleep through the night this past weekend, but he did enjoy using his "button finger" to get us up to the hotel pool.
On Sunday afternoon we left Arlington and headed to Maine. The first stop on our visit - meeting Toren. Toren was very punctual - he was born on his due date - October 9th. Toren was born one day before his big sister Alice turned 2 - so our visit also included birthday well-wishes. Jayme, Bjorn, Alice and Toren are all doing well.
The rest of our visit was spent helping my parents settle into their new house. We had been up to Maine a couple weeks before and spent the weekend packing the old house - it was fun to see how things from the old house fit (and didn't fit) into the new house. Apparently the new house is the new Hilton. While Oliver didn't sleep the whole night, he did wake up just once - where Davis and I had previously considered moving into a Hilton, we are now considering a move to Maine.

While Davis and I helped with picture hanging and unpacking Oliver spent much of the afternoon getting to know the lay of the land. He showed his Great Grandmother how to shovel and rake the driveway and his Papa how to jump on and off and on and off the chairs.

Pumpkins!

On Sunday we went to Russell Farms in Ipswich to pick out a pumpkin.

Oliver had lots of fun looking at the different pumpkins, trying to eat their stems, and participating in the pumpkins toss - ok, Oliver was actually the only participant and it wasn't a sanctioned game, but he did think it was great fun to pick up the pumpkins (from ones larger than him, to ones he could easily toss) and try to (and often times succeed) throw them. After awhile he did get down to business and choose one for our house.

Here is Oliver picking out his pumpkin -



Oliver also enjoyed charming other farm-goers with his puddle stomping. Passerbys commented on his boots and his puddle stomping ability - then laughed out loud when Oliver decided it would be fun to try and take a bath in the puddle.

Oliver also enjoyed checking out the animals - the silent animals. Although Oliver will happily tell you the noises animals make, with the exception of ducks, he gets very upset when real animals actually make noise. Thankfully the big (apparently vicious pig) kept his oinks to himself while we were there.

The farm also had fresh made donuts and ice cream. Oliver enjoyed sampling them both (ok Davis and I did too).

Candy Shop

We spent Saturday at the Museum of Science. Davis and I had visited the Museum several times together when we lived in Boston, but we hadn't been since we left the city. While Davis had a good time when he and I went to the Museum, he was like a kid in a candy shop taking Oliver. I have a feeling that Davis and Oliver will be spending lots of time exploring the museum together as Oliver gets older.

Davis explained electricity to Oliver - and Oliver enjoyed playing with it.


Davis also enjoyed explaining eddy currents (aka the disk jump thing) to Oliver - and Oliver loved using his "button finger" (Just say "button finger" and Oliver will press any button in sight. He is great in an elevator, a great help with laundry, and amazing with the alarm clock).



There was an exhibit where you walk down a short corridor and try to do so without being detected by the birds - a "sneak-o-meter" tells you how sneaky your walk was. Davis tried to explain this to Oliver, but Oliver decided sneaky wasn't his approach - instead he offered the birds some of his milk.


Davis, on the other hand, mastered the "sneak-o-meter." Ah yes, Oliver and I left Davis in the exhibit and moved on to the next. About 20 minutes later we went to find Davis - he was still trying to sneak up on the birds.

While the majority of Oliver's museum time was spent with Davis, Oliver did spent a few minutes with me in the Apollo Command Module.


I do have to say, despite Davis' excitement of being at the museum and showing Oliver how everything works, he was able to restrain himself. Every year, at about this time, there is a football dad that has a fight with another football dad. Well, there was a moment at the museum that I thought might lead to a front page story - a little girl asked her father why something worked the way it did. The dad hesitated and the girl's older sister sighed and said - "It is complicated." I could see Davis biting his tongue. When they walked away Davis let out a deep breath and acknowledged that he had a hard time not sitting the little girl down and explaining it to her.

(Just a side note - Davis just read the blog posting and expressed distress that no pictures were taken in the "math" room. Yikes!)

Beach bum

Faithful blog followers I am sure you are happy summer has officially ended - no more beach pictures. I know, I know - while we find delight in each and every day we go to the beach, when you look at the blog, it is just another picture of Oliver in a bathing suit or in his wetsuit. Well, I hate to disappoint - despite the fact the calendar says it is fall, and the temperature has been steadily dropping, Oliver and I are still frequent (as in several times a week) visitors to the beach. And, given that one of the last trips to Maine netted Oliver 16 sweaters (made for Elizabeth, Jon and me by our grandmother) and several hats, it looks like we will be cozy enough to continue our beach adventures for awhile. Now, instead of adding variety to the pictures by switching up Oliver's swimsuit, we'll add variety by switching up his sweaters. Ah- life is pretty nice.

Oliver and his friend Carragh are both in to kissing. They keep chasing each other down and planting a big one on the other's cheek - or wherever they can. Carragh has mastered the "peck," Oliver, on the other hand, prefers to give a wide, very open-mouthed, and usually very sandy or food-filled kiss.




And here is Oliver racing down the beach towards the water - ever upset that he is no longer allowed in.

And Oliver and Carragh trying to find some trouble to get into on the beach.
And Oliver, Brigid and Carragh enjoying a moment of peace (aka a moment when we are not trying to pull the little ones away from the enticing ocean).

Cordless

Davis took our camera when he went gallivanting in Europe last week (ok, he went for work, but I am sure there was some gallivanting involved) and while he was gone I took some pictures with our old camera. The only problem is that I can't find the cord to upload the pictures. I am hoping to find it soon. For now I thought I'd post some pictures that I like, but hadn't yet made it to the blog. Here they are:

Playing in the mud during that raining period (aka summer)-

Thinking about finding trouble-

Hanging out on the beach with daddy-


And enjoying an afternoon on the boat.