Playing At The Pool

We met Bryce's friend Grant at the swimming pool for an afternoon of fun. Landon cried in the big pool and continuously ran away to get to the baby pool. Bryce and Landon were kind enough to play in the baby pool with Landon for a few minutes. They all had a great time together!

Playing Badminton

While Landon took a nap this afternoon, Bryce and I played badminton outside. It was Bryce's first time playing, but he was able to make a few successful hits. We are looking forward to many more fun games of badminton in the future!

Wake Up Bryce!

Bryce is attending a special safety camp this week called "Safety Town." He had to get up early to get ready this morning and he was not happy! While he was sleeping, I opened his door, used the hairdryer and allowed Landon to be as loud as he wanted. Bryce still didn't get up. So, I sent Landon in to wake him up. The first words out of Bryce's mouth were, "Too tired. Not enough sleep." He was too tired to make complete sentences! Needless to say, he went to bed early this evening.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!! John wanted to take a "rain check" on a Father's Day celebration so that he could focus on our bathroom renovation project. We did go out to lunch (to the kids favorite restaurant!) after a trip to Lowe's. Then John was hard at work all afternoon. He was so focused at home that he forgot to call his own father on Father's Day. Sorry, Ken and Happy Father's Day to you!

Our Little Helper

We are in the middle of a bathroom remodeling project right now. What started out as a small project of removing wall paper and painting the walls has turned into a major overhaul. Bryce has been helping us by painting (yes, we actually gave him a paint brush and real paint!) and sanding the walls. He loves helping and hopefully he is learning so that he can be handy around the house when he is older!

Haircut Day

Landon was a few weeks over due for a haircut, so we took him today. He looked like a different person after his long, wavy locks were cut off! When it was time for Landon to pick a lollipop after his haircut, he chose one then went back for a second. He was double fisting it with lollipops on the way home!

Night Time Walk

The boys were exhausted from spending the afternoon at the pool and they both took three hour naps. Bryce rarely naps, but when he does that means he is up very late at night. We took advantage of them being well rested and went for a walk in the dark. They loved it!

We Like Each Other!

Bryce and Landon are interacting with each other more each day. When one of the them is out alone without the other, they actually miss each other! I never thought this day would come! It is so nice to see their relationship blossom.

Breakfast At The Airport

We went to our local airport this morning with Molly and Wally. There is a restaurant there and the kids love watching the planes as they eat. After breakfast, we went outside to get a closer look at the airplanes and helicopters.

Swim Season Has Begun!

We went to the swimming pool this evening for the first time this season. It was a sticky, humid evening and perfect for a dip in the pool! Bryce had a lot of fun jumping in the water and swimming to the side of the pool. Landon....well, Landon was being Landon and tried running away from me several times. I would help him jump in the water and he would push me away so he could do it himself. Then he would walk away. I had no idea I could still jump out of the pool as quickly as I did! I am hoping it won't take too long to redirect his independent actions so he learns how to be safe at the pool! Needless to say, going to the pool is in no way, shape or form a relaxing, peaceful time for me! But the kids love it and that's why we go!

I Want A Bath Too!

Landon didn't need a bath last night but Bryce did. Landon had a tough time dealing with Bryce being in the tub alone - he wanted in there too! So, when I turned around to get a wash cloth, Landon seized his moment of opportunity and got in the bath. He was so happy once he got in! So I took his pajamas and diaper off and he took a bath with Bryce.

Backyard Play

The boys had fun playing in the backyard this evening. Our neighbor's dog, Gracie, came over to visit the boys. They love petting her!

John put a new swing on the playset yesterday. This swing came with the set but we never used it because we needed a baby swing instead. Well, the baby swing is gone and the big boy swing is up.

Bryce likes riding the new swing with Landon. He does all of the pushing and we are close by to catch Landon if he falls off.

Swimming With Molly

Molly took us to the Jewish Community Center last week as her guest so we could swim with her. She held Landon while I swam with Bryce. The kids had a great time swimming with Molly!

Bryce and Aaron

Aaron spent the afternoon at our house today. Emily had a dance recital all day today, so Aaron came over rather than spending the day watching dances.

Aaron and Bryce spent hours today playing with cars and trucks.

Before we took Aaron home this evening, we stopped for ice cream.

All the boys held hands in the parking lot when we went for ice cream. How cute! Landon was so excited to hold his cousin's hand!

Playing With Megan

Mary Ellen and Meghan came over this morning for a play date. The boys absolutely ADORE Meghan! They played inside then we went for a walk to the park. Bryce asked them to come over and play again before they left.

Preschool Trip To Dutch Wonderland

Bryce's preschool class had their annual end of the year trip to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster. The park is geared exclusively to little kids so Bryce and Landon could get on every ride in the park. They had a blast!

We walked around with our friends, the Schrolls. Bryce had a great time getting on the rides with Alex! It was nice to have a buddy. Landon loved Alex's big brother, Conner.

We all got on the log flume together. John got the brunt of the water in the back seat.

Landon was hanging like a monkey! He giggled and giggled each time he did it.

Bryce really liked this train ride. He made the train move by spinning with his hands.

Spiderman In The Tub

Spiderman was in our bathtub this evening! This was a very funny sight - Bryce in a spiderman mask and flippers in the tub!

Biking With Friends

We went biking on the Rail Trail this afternoon with our friends, the Arnolds - Jeremy, Jennifer, Grant and Katherine.

Today was a perfect day for a bike ride! The boys loved it.

After the bike ride, we went to the Arnold's house for dinner. The kids are the same ages and they had a great time playing together.

Grant and Landon helped prepare a fire by placing the wood.

Hershey Park

Hershey Park season has begun! Yesterday was our first trip to Hershey Park for the season.

This picture is very symbolic for me. When we brought Landon to Hershey last year, he was just a baby confined to a stroller. This year he has grown so much! Here he is, side-by-side with his brother waiting to go on a ride. I so proud to see them being together and enjoying life's pleasures together!

Yesterday was huge day for Bryce. It was his first time on a Hershey Park roller coaster!!! He and John went on the Super Dooper Looper together and they LOVED it! Bryce was screaming for joy the entire ride.

Here is Bryce immediately after the roller coaster. He could barely contain himself!

Landon was all smiles the entire day!

Sidewalk Chalk

The boys had fun playing with sidewalk chalk in the driveway this evening. In this picture, Christian is tracing Bryce's body. Then they decorated his body with clothes, hair and a face!

Water Blasters

Finally, a day with great outdoor weather! We enjoyed the warm outside air this afternoon with a bucket of water and water blasters.

Bryce had a great time shooting the water out of the blaster.

Landon had trouble operating the water blaster so he simply held it in the air. He had more fun splashing his hands in the bucket of water.

First Video

This is my first attempt at uploading video, so I hope it works. This is footage from Bryce's Open House at school. Bryce is the one in the front row...the one who lost his hat after he jumped!

Open House

The daycare Bryce attends, Stillmeadow Childcare Center, held its annual Spring Open House and Kindergarten Graduation this evening. The center did a fantastic job organizing the event and all of the kids did a great job singing for the parents. The theme was "animals" and Bryce's class dressed like kids going on a safari. Bryce is in the center front row to the left of the girl holdling her leg up. Bryce proudly posed for a photo in front of his artwork display.

Landon's Well Check Visit

Landon had his 18-month well check visit at the pediatrician's office this afternoon. He's actually 20-months old but we had to reschedule the appointment and our favorite physician wasn't available for two months. If you are a parent, you know how important it is to be seen by the physician with the best bed side manner! Landon is almost 24 pounds (only the 10 - 25 percentile for weight) and is 32 inches long (25 percentile). He is pretty consistent with Bryce's height and weight when he was 18 months old. Dr. O'Brien gave us the ok to begin using "time-out" as our discipline method. Landon needs it...he is a thrower with a bad temper!!! We pray for patience with him on a daily basis!

Preschool Graduation

Bryce graduated from preschool this morning. During the ceremony, the kids sang songs and recited rhymes. They showed the parents some of the things they learned this year!

Bryce had the special honor of holding the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bryce and the assistant teacher, Miss Paula.

Bryce and his teacher, Miss Kim. Miss Kim was a wonderful teacher and Bryce learned a lot from her this year. We were very thankful to have her!

Bryce and his friend Alex posed for a photograph together.