Tailgating at the park

(from Sept. 13)

We really looked like the freak family today. We all get dressed in head-to-toe Jets gear and headed to the park so the kids could get in some play time (and hopefully get tired out) before the game started. Nothing exciting really happened, but the kids just looked so cute, I couldn't help but take a bunch of pictures. To our surprise, Dylan started sitting unsupported while we were there which definitely made for some great shots.

The Yankees sweep the Sox

Last night, for the first time in 24 years, the Yankees completed a 4 game sweep of the Red Sox. Of course, our household was thrilled and I think the sweep was due in no small part to the Yankees having the most adorable fans in baseball.

This weekend also marked Dylan's first time on the swings. Just like Ryan, Dylan loved the swings from the second he sat down. I really didn't push him too much (and had to confine Ryan to the neighboring swing so he didn't "help" me push), but Dylan did like it and smiled the whole time.

With summer almost over (it sure did fly by), hopefully we will get a few more weeks of warm weather, continued success for the Yankees and a lot more time to play on the swings!

The Big Boy

I don't know if it is because Dylan is so tiny or just because he is growing up, but Ryan seems so much bigger and smarter to me than he did a few weeks ago. He has been talking up a storm (more than ever), has really improved his vocabulary and comes up with the funniest things.

Two recent funny stories, both involving the swings:

1. Ryan and Grandma play a game called "Up to the sky" on the swings. I took Ryan to the park the other day and he told me he wanted to play - I didn't think it would be that complicated but Ryan kept telling me I was doing it wrong.

Me: "I am sorry Ryan, I will have to call Grandma and ask her to teach me how to play"

Ryan: "You have a phone?"

Me: "Yes, why?"

Ryan: "Call Gamma now"

2. They also have a game on the swings "Spin" which is exactly how it sounds - you twist the swing around and let go so it spins around. Mom didn't tell me she only twists the swing 3 times before she lets go. I on the other hand, twisted the swing about 10 times so Ryan spun really fast and wildly. As he was spinning, he was cracking up laughing yelling "I can't see my eyes"

Ryan loves going to the park and we try to go as often as possible. Whenever we are there, Ryan loves to play with kids that are there, although he has no interest in playing with little boys his own age. Instead, he always follows and imitates the older kids and as a result, he has become a little daredevil. He used to be afraid of going down covered slides for some reason and recently has been going down all by himself.

Jay and I took him and Dylan to the park yesterday and we couldn't believe how well Ryan could climb the nets by himself, tried to slide down the rope swing, and even climbed the monkey bars.

I look at Ryan and think how fast the past 2 1/2 years have gone and it amazes me that my little baby is not the baby anymore - he is a wonderfully smart little boy that surprises me everyday with his humor, intelligence, and love and I am so glad that Dylan will get to learn from him. I know Ryan will be a great teacher, playmate, brother and friend!!

Dylan's first outing

After 36 hours in the hospital and 2 days in the apartment, I was starting to get a little bit stir crazy. Since we had good weather today, Jay and I decided to take the boys out for a little while so we all could get some fresh air. We went to the park right behind our building and it was great for all of us, especially Ryan who was happy to be pushed on the swings, run around and play in the dirt, and most of all, push his brother in the stroller. As soon as we put Dylan in the stroller, Ryan told us that he wanted to push Dylan and show him where the park was.

As usual, Ryan had brought some trains to the park and once we were there, he quickly lost interest in Dylan, Jay and I because "Peter Sam need go in dirt". I am not sure who was dirtier at the end of our time at the park, Ryan or the trains, but the all ended up in the bathtub as soon as we got home.

Dylan slept for his entire first trip to the park, but he sure looked adorable all bundled up.

I forgot how hard it was to get little baby arms in a coat and am really looking forward to the nicer weather and spending time outside with my two sons. I still can't believe that I am the mother of two boys - two of the greatest, smartest, funniest and most handsome boys ever!!!

Saturday in the City

I think that this is the coldest winter I can remember - it has been below 20 degrees on more than enough days and it has snowed quite a bit too. Normally, I don't really mind the snow or cold but this year, I am already wishing for spring - maybe it is due to trying to navigate around a slippery, slushy sidewalk with an extra 30 pounds weighing me down. We finally had good weather this weekend (in the low 50's) and luckily, Jay was off all day Saturday and Sunday so we decided to enjoy the weather while it lasted and have some fun in the city. On Saturday, we took Ryan to the Children's Museum of Manhattan and Ryan had a blast. One whole floor was set up to help Dora and Diego (from the Nickelodeon shows) with an animal rescue mission - since Ryan loves both Dora and Diego, he had a great time playing with the musical instruments, helping build the Rainbow Bridge, and searching for Swiper and Baby Jaguar (Ryan loves to say he is a jaguar lately and roars, after which you must pretend to be afraid so Ryan can say "don't worry", haha).

Jay said he wanted to take my picture although I think he just wanted to show you all that true to mom's song, I AM so fat that I am bumping in to trees.

On a different floor, there were different play areas and Ryan's two favorites were the supermarket and the sand table. In the supermarket, Ryan would only play with the vegetables - as we went through the bins of food, I offered him pizza and a taco which he would not put in his basket, but he searched everywhere for a pepper, cauliflower, zucchini and an apple.

At the sand table, he would pour the sand from one cup to another until he realized it was more fun to pour it on his shirt and bury his hand. Ryan was nice enough though to make me a "dirt cake" which was delicious. (Pictures to follow)

After the museum, we had some lunch and then decided to walk back to the East Side through Central Park. Even though there are plenty of parks in our neighborhood, I do sometimes wish we lived closer to Central Park since there is a lot to do there. There was a big playground right at the entrance we went in so we let Ryan play there for a while. It is funny - for some reason, Ryan does not like going on any slides that are covered, but the tallest slide in the park doesn't scare him at all. He even told the kids on line ahead of him to go faster so he could get his turn.

We had a really great day and it was nice to do something different. Hopefully the weather will be just as nice next weekend.

End of Summer fun

Both Jay and I had off today for Labor Day and it was beautiful out - what a perfect day for the end of summer. We decided to stay in the city but head over to my favorite park on the west side - on a clear day, you can even see the Statue of Liberty from there. We didn't realize it would be so warm out though and when we got there, the sprinkler was on and we had no bathing suit for Ryan. Luckily, I had brought extra clothes with us in case he got sandy so we just let him run and have fun.

After the last time we came to the park, I knew there is often a battle in the sandbox for the shovels and pails, so we brought Ryan's from home so that he wouldn't have to wait for a turn.
He was more than happy though to "trade" his pail with another kid for the no-wheeled truck below that he pushed around for hours.

After a day of fun in the sun, sand and sprinkler, we said goodbye to summer and hello to fall. The summer sure flew by, didn't it?