Trick or Tree

What a fun night!  My 2 pirates had a blast and quickly caught on to the routine.  The first houses were tough with 2 toddlers and stairs in the dark with plastic pumpkins but they figured it out.  Some times all the explaining in the world doesn't teach you as well as a little practical application.

Last night we painted pumpkins

the gourd type and child variety

cutest pirates ever

together with their pirate pumpkin

love them

the Haul

weary walker

more candy

My favorite moment of the night, Nathan ran up and said "Trick or Tree"

Mrs.

What a day.  We had to say "goodbye" to our Mrs today.  She had what the vet thought was a cold a couple weeks ago, but after 3 different antibiotics, nasal steroids, a surgical sedation and scope and attempted appetite boosters, we had to make the final call.  She lost 1.5 lbs in 2 weeks, hadn't eaten in 5 days or drank any water in 2.  I was the one who brought her in tonight and held her the entire time.  My feet are going to miss her tonight.

The bright spot in the day was when the mail arrived, Nathan sure does love getting a package and this was no different.  The bunnies and bears from Aunt Josie could not have come at a better time.  Both kids latched on immediately, Nathan is snuggled into bed with his bear and Maura has hers in the crib.  It is such a blessing to have such a loving family.  Thank you Aunt Josie.

Tonight

Nathan broke into our room while I was trying to get Maura down for her nap.  She has been living in there for the last few days and he knows she has been sick.  He was just laying on her like he always has done, and she was purring so loud.  He loved that kitty.

Earlier this year

Just a couple months ago

Pirate Walk to Dungeon Rock

Today was our first ever Pirate Walk in Lynn Woods.  We weren't sure what to expect, there was talk of a very short hike (maybe a mile) to a rock led by a Pirate.  We ended up with a very long walk (took over an hour and a half) and we never even made it to the actual spot where the treasure is rumored to be,  We heard the legend of a pirate leaving his treasure (you can read the full version HERE).

The first pirate we came across, he was very convincing,

Scott trying to get Nathan to acknowledge there was a pirate in front of him

We missed a lot of the story because we couldn't keep up with the group due to 2 year old legs so there was a Gorilla laying on a treasure chest for an unknown reason.  

These Pirates needed help getting the treasure out from under the heavy primate.

Nathan was happy to help

Maura was happy to bounce

This was a heckling Pirate.  We were late to the party and he delighted in our tardiness.  Then he taught us to walk and talk like a Pirate :Argggg" (Walk like you're stuck in mud)

The only thing slower than 2 year old legs is 1 year old legs

We eventually found a singing Pirate

Daddy had to step in and run up a very rocky and steep hill carrying 60 lbs of children.  

Yet another Pirate

We were looking for a golden hook (?) and we had to pull a rope again.  

Yay, another rope to pull!

Just too peaceful, shhhh

My little hiker

and down we go

The scenery was amazing

And there was some talk about glaciers and rocks that Spock might like to see.

We don't know the full story line but everyone had a nice hike through the woods.  Word is they have 4 stories they rotate through.  We plan on returning next year for the walk and will be trying to make a few more visits on our own to take advantage of the nature trails.  We ARRRRR going to return!

Beach Day

Maura chasing Daddy chasing Nathan (black dot)

Today was a surprise day home for us all. We were planning on grocery shopping but I can do that during the week. Then we thought of going to the zoo since every time we have ever gone it's been "as hot as Hades" and it was struggling to get into the 70's but there is a ton of time left to do that. You know what there isn't a lot of time left to do though? Go to the beach. Neither child has ever been because the thought of a crowded ocean beach with 2 toddlers when by myself gives me a mild to moderate panic attack, so with one adult per person and zero chance of swimming I was happy for the experience. To preface this I must tell you that when we leave the house and head to Rt 1 we pass a large reservoir where Nathan, and more recently, Maura, cry out "Water! Water!" and insist we all look and marvel at the pretty lake. I thought of taking a swing by the ocean a few times this summer but a car ride usually results in a sleeping 2 year old who will not take his regular nap so I have never shown him the vastness of the Atlantic. His mind was as blown as you would expect. We tried to go to the small beach that's actually in Lynn but the tide was almost up to the wall and I wasn't sure if there would be any beach in a matter of minutes. So we drove back around and ended up at the mostly vacant Nahant Beach. I used to walk this beach all the way from one end, through Lynn and into Swampscott...it sounds like a lot but it's only 5 miles round trip and completely paved. But back to today. We had a couple hours full of sand castles, crab claws (yuck!), waves crashing, sea gull chasing and Nathan chasing. It was the perfect introduction for these kids into what next summer will be full of.
 

The Park, try 2

I already wrote this once and Blogger ate it.  I didn't save, I never learn.
The picture is blurry and doesn't show much but you can tell it's 2 kids moving around faster than I can take a photo.  It doesn't seem like much, I would normally just delete a picture like this.  But this is one that I will treasure. 
We met Nathan's speech therapist at the park today for some outside time.  This way Maura could strengthen her legs on all the ramps and Nathan could talk about new things.  Plus it wasn't 90 and I was sick of the same old toys.
We were getting ready to leave, Maura was falling asleep in my arms after her workout and Nathan was running around the playground equipment trying to get out all the energy he could before I buckled him back into the truck.  I gave Nathan his 5 minute warning and then his 2 minute warning.  It was time to go, he had a choice to make.  Get off using the red slide or the green slide.  The red slide was fun, it is a conveyer belt type with the rolling tubes that make noise but it isn't very high.  It green slide is taller, faster, has bends; it's fun.  He picked the red slide and went and sat down at the top.  I waited and said "come on, Nay Nay!"  He reached out his hand and said "Moe Moe Carry".  He wanted to hold Maura.  The sister the throws his puzzles on the floor, who destroys his train tracks,  who has toppled every tower he has built in recent memory.  He wanted to share his last slide of the day with her.  So up I heaved her, put her in his lap and he wrapped his arms around her and down them went, "weeeeee!"  It was over before I could take a real picture.  I guess that's life.
I may not remember that this was where I decided that Nathan no longer needs help with his speech but I will remember those little hands and the little voice and what a kind gesture it was. 

More pictures

Day Trip

Well, it was a Morning Trip to be more accurate.  We ventured out to Rockport, a short 38 minute drive door to parking space.  We arrived just as Maura was waking from her nap which worked perfectly.  It's a great area to walk around, very scenic and full of little shops and artist galleries with everything from stained glass to airbrushing to pewter something or other.  Most shops were not stroller friendly, aside from the "Fudgery" which was charming and reminded me of Maine and Cape Cod vacations from ages ago.  Nathan charmed the owner who made the big stuffed animal bear wave for him.  Nathan isn't as fond of fudge as Maura, but I have yet to find anything aside from peas that she won't eat.
We roamed for a while, and watched boats entering the harbor.  It was perfect weather for this, a nice sea breeze and strong sun let us enjoy our hot dogs outdoors overlooking the other side of the harbor.  After lunch we quickly packed up and headed home so the kids could not nap.  Such is life.

The Famour Fishing Shack

Look, it's historic!

Rocks underfoot

She is beautiful

Lunch, Maura has no room left in those cheeks and Nathan stole her bow