Boys,
This past weekend we took a trip to a Farm so we could pick out a pumpkin for Halloween. Auntie Sara joined us, and when we got there we met up with Uncle Brian, Auntie Amanda, and Cole! Before we made our way to the farm though we stopped at Toys R Us because they were having a special Chuggington Day where you, Benjamin, got to play with all the Interactive Chuggington Trains you already have at home as well as get a cool sticker. We picked up the newest Chuggington DVD for the both of you with the coupon they were handing out and we played for a little while. Afterwards we went to Burger King for some lunch before heading to the Farm.
When we got to the Farm we waited a little while for Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brian to show up, and as we waited we got to see all the other people who came dressed up as characters from Harry Potter. The Farm was having a special deal that if you dressed up as a character from Harry Potter you got a dollar off. Daddy did not remember this because he could have easily drawn a lightning bolt on of your foreheads and put some glasses on you guys. The two of you got in for free anyway because you're under the age limit for paying tickets.
When Auntie Amanda, Uncle Brian, and Cole showed up we all got our tickets and went straight into the Corn Maze. We walked around for a while going in circles and going at a slow pace. Benjamin, you wanted to pick up every rock you came across and show it to Mommy and Daddy while saying the word "rock". For a little while we were led through the Corn Maze by Cole! We came across a wooden bridge that did not seem that stable as we tried to make our way through to the other side. After awhile we kept coming back to this bridge and now it became apparent we were just walking in circles.
Uncle Brian had purchased a map for the maze and while we stopped to take a family photo he was able to find his way out of the maze. We ended up making our way out the way we came in instead of going through the length of the maze. The two of you were getting frustrated inside of the maze and instead of going deeper into it to the point where we would have to call 911 to help us out (that's not entirely true, but when you are old enough to read this you won't get what Daddy is referring to.) we decided to just trace our footsteps backwards and go out the way we came in.
Somehow while in the Maze, Daddy managed to lose the tickets to the Hay Ride and had to purchase two more. While we waited for the Tractor to come back around for the hay ride Auntie Sara got herself a candy apple and a soda. She really enjoyed the candy apple so much and Daddy was able to capture the magic behind it. Sometimes boys it really is the little things in life that make it worth living. The tractor arrived and we all got on board. It was a very bumpy ride, but along the way we saw some cows, some baby cows, a cat, more cows, grass, more grass, cut down trees, more cows, and more grass! We were able to see the pumpkin patch before the hay ride was over and it didn't seem like there were many good pumpkin's left over.
We left the Hay Ride and made our way over to the Pumpkin Patch. There wasn't that many good pumpkin's left over as we had feared due to the Hay Ride, but we were able to explore and at least check to see if there was some we could have brought home with us. After looking through dozens of pumpkin's we decided we would head back and try to find a pumpkin at a grocery store. Daddy ended up purchasing a big pumpkin tonight for less than half the price of the ones at the Farm. We headed on home after leaving the Farm where the two of you went down for your naps. There is another Pumpkin Patch alot closer to home that we will have to go to next year, but maybe we can go to the Corn Maze again someday when you, Jonathan, won't have to be held the entire time.
Love Always,
Dad
Boys,
On one of Mommy and Daddy's last days of Vacation we decided to bring you both to the Zoo. Not our local zoo like usual, one that would require another long car ride! Not as long as our trip to the Aquarium so we did not have to watch a movie on this ride. So, we got ready that morning to head to the Zoo where we were hoping to see a lot of animals they didn't have around here. The two of you played with your toys on the way up and although Daddy brought the DVD player along for the ride we did not have to use it this time.
When we arrived to the Zoo and Mommy and Daddy got their tickets, and the two of you got in for free! One of the perks of the two of you not being over a certain age just yet. As soon as we got inside we saw the Zebras first! We have never seen a Zebra up close before, and no it's not a horse with black and white stripes! So after looking at the Zebras for a little while we headed out and on our way to the next animal. We saw an African Wild Dog, Aoudads, Elephants, and then we stopped at another animal we haven't seen in person before. Three big giraffes!
There were two regular size giraffe's and one that looked like it was the baby of the three. It was very exciting to see these three walking around and eating. They kept sticking out their tongues and they have really long black tongues! We watched the three of them walk around and interact with each other for a few moments before we decided to make our way to the other exhibits. We walked up a steep hill and came to the penguins. We had seen a lot of penguins earlier in the week at the Aquarium so we didn't spend much time with these little guys. There were about six penguins though, which after seeing a few dozen doesn't seem like that big of a deal. We also saw a white seal along our way, something we also saw earlier in the week!
Further along the trail we came to the Farm section. Mommy was very surprised that they didn't have any cows in this area, but they did have some chickens, pigs, and a bunch of sheep. Mommy took you Jonathan over to see the sheep and she got really close with you when Daddy noticed the warning sign on the fence. It had a picture of a sheep eating varius items: a shoe, a camera, a water bottle, and most importantly... a finger. Daddy warned Mommy of the sign and she backed up just as the sheep was trying to stick his mouth through the fencing. Was he going to eat Mommy's sneaker? Maybe, maybe not, but at least we didn't get to find out!
Benjamin you were in your carriage because you were being a naughty boy. You thought you could just run anywhere you wanted to and go up to strangers as if they came with us so Daddy put you in your carriage. Daddy took you out of the carriage so you could see the sheep up close as well. The sheep were already out of the way when we got up close to check them out so our sneakers... and fingers were not in danger! When we started to leave this area two of the sheep started fighting each other over the bowl of food. They kept butting their heads together until one finally gave up and walked away. It reminded Daddy of the two of you fighting over your toys! Daddy guesses even sheep can be crazy little peanuts! So back in your carriages the two of you went as we went along our way to discover more cool animals!
On our way we came by a group of flamingos! We also stopped at an indoors exhibit that had a large snake as soon as you walked in, so Mommy waited outside with Jonathan as you went in with Daddy, Ben. We stopped at the cafe for some lunch and while we did an old man told you Benjamin, that you had a cool hat. You were wearing your Boston Red Sox hat, and he also said "But maybe next year" because they didn't have a very good year this one. After we ate we went into the Gift Shop where Daddy got a giraffe trinket for his desk and the two of you each got a stuffed animal. Jonathan you got a stuffed Zebra, and Benjamin you got a stuffed giraffe. You love that giraffe so much that since our trip to the zoo you have not let that thing out of your sight. Grandma comes over and pretends to try and leave the house with it and you get upset and chase her.
We saw a few more animals after we left the Gift Shop. We saw a Camel, a Red Panda, and some other animals before making our way out of the zoo. We missed the Gibbon on our way out. The Gibbon is a monkey, well the sign says it is not a monkey, but it's small enough to be one. So we asked where the Gibbon was and they let us know it was near the Cafe! We had to make our way all the way back through the Zoo so we could see the Gibbon!
Once we finally made it to the Gibbon though it was well worth it. There were two of those little guys in there and they were playing with one another and they were doing tricks for us watching. Benjamin you went crazy for these two jumping up and day and shouting "Key! Key!" because right now you are still trying to say the word "Monkey". Then one of the Gibbon's used a rope to swing down onto the other Gibbon and then he started to hug him. At this point Mommy and Daddy knew it was time to leave the zoo.
We made our way back out the path and to the car. On the ride home the two of you each held your stuffed animals and refused to nap. When we finally got home though the two of you did go down for your naps, and brought the stuffed animals with you! This was another fun day we spent with the two of you on our vacation. Vacation was over, but we had made memories that we would cherish for the rest of our lives!,
Will Unfortunately Have To Explain What The Gibbon's Were REALLY doing someday,
Dad.
Boys,
Mommy and Daddy both had their vacations this past week and on Monday we were able to take the both of you out to the Aquarium for the first time! Mommy was able to get the tickets at a great price online, and because you're both under the age limit you were both able to get in for free, even better then the deal Mommy found!
Monday morning we woke up, had some breakfast and got ready to go out to the Aquarium. Daddy bought a Portable DVD Player for the long ride to it, and of course the movie you both watched to keep you quiet was "Rio", Daddy's not sure a DVD can be worn out within a few months, but something tells him he might have to buy this movie again soon. Between the two of you the movie must have been watched at least fifty times. It's madness! So, during the ride you both had toys to play with and once they were no longer keeping your attention Daddy put on the movie.
Mommy had printed out some directions, but Daddy also used the GPS on his cell phone to try and get us there without having to rely on the written directions. Only problem is when we got close to where the Aquarium was the GPS took us in the wrong direction and we had to go through a toll! Daddy just kept telling Mommy to look at our detour as an adventure, but she wasn't too pleased with the GPS taking us in the wrong direction. When we finally got to our destination we parked in a parking garage, and the level was called "Lobster". The Aquarium was about ten feet from the parking garage so this worked in our favor! When we got to the line to purchase our tickets there was a tank outside that you got to see for free, and inside the tank were three or four white seals! We decided to head inside and we stopped at the Gift Shop first.
We got a lot of cool things from the Gift Shop. The both of you each got a snow globe for your dressers. Daddy and Mommy both got key chains for our keys. Daddy got a turtle, and Mommy got a penguin. Daddy also got a cool key chain that has water inside of it and two different colors that go back and forth inside the water like a small lava lamp. When we went to check out we had to do it multiple times because the cashier kept making mistakes. Benjamin you had a brand new cup from the Aquarium with a crazy straw that went inside of it. After leaving the Gift Shop and heading inside we were immediately greeted by dozens of real penguins! They had so many different penguins that they were separated in the tanks! While we were walking around looking at all the different penguins it was almost lunch time so we decided to head upstairs to the Cafe. The two of you joined Mommy at the table where she fed you Jonathan with your food from home, and Daddy went to the food area to get the rest of us some food.
When we left the Cafe we headed back downstairs to see the many different fish they had on display inside their tanks. We went outside and saw large seals and their was a Woman feeding them and showing them doing tricks. They had a soccor ball, but they didn't play with it. Benjamin you were quick to point it out though by pointing and saying "ball". From this area we headed back inside through the opposite side of the buildings doors.
On the way to the door there was a statue that we took pictures in front of. We tried to get the both of you to sit under it and take a picture together, but of course you both immediately started to crawl in different directions! We were able to take some pictures with the two of you though before we walked down the path towards the door back into the building. Along this path there was a view of the water and a boat, where a nice lady working on the boat took some time out of her day to wave to us! The breeze felt great as we were heading back inside, and we were very lucky because it was supposed to rain the majority of the week and on this day it was beautiful outside.
When we went back in we took some time to check out the center of the Aquarium which was a huge circular tank that went around the middle of each floor all the way to the top. At the top you could look down inside of the big tank, but you could not go up to that floor with the strollers so Daddy took you Benjamin to the top to look down inside of it. The view from up top wasn't as good as the view from the bottom floors though because most of the fish did not come to the surface, and instead swam in circles under the water!
On one of the floors they had an area where you could touch certain things in the water and Benjamin you went right up to this section eager to get your hands on whatever it is they would let you touch. The Man working in this area picked up a star fish and Benjamin you were able to touch it. Once he put it back down in the water you splashed all around it trying to pick it back up. You enjoyed splashing your hands in the water, but Daddy thinks you would have enjoyed it much more if you were able to get the star fish back in your hands.
In this same area they had a huge Anaconda! Mommy hates snakes and is very afraid of them so Daddy had to go ahead and see where the snake was so we could avoid him at all costs! He was at the end of the hallway though and Mommy never got a chance to see him thankfully. We started to make our way back down to the bottom floor where Mommy changed both of your diapers one at a time. While she was changing Jonathan, Benjamin you played in the "Curious George Discovery Room". At first you were all alone and then shortly after you started playing two other Mommy's came in with their kids and you immediately ran up to one of the Mommy's and started talking up a storm. Then, you started playing with the kids. You're not a shy little guy! Mommy came back and we waited around a little longer as the workers started to come out and feed the penguins. Once we saw the penguins eat their food we decided it was time to call it a day. We headed back to the car and left the Aquarium, and on the ride home the two of you fell asleep after your long day.
Daddy had a great day with the two of you and Mommy and he looks forward to many other trips we are going to take as a family. This was the first of many, and it couldn't have gone better. The two of you were very good boys and Daddy was very proud of the both of you.
Love Always,
Dad
Boys,
This past weekend we took a trip to a Farm so we could pick out a pumpkin for Halloween. Auntie Sara joined us, and when we got there we met up with Uncle Brian, Auntie Amanda, and Cole! Before we made our way to the farm though we stopped at Toys R Us because they were having a special Chuggington Day where you, Benjamin, got to play with all the Interactive Chuggington Trains you already have at home as well as get a cool sticker. We picked up the newest Chuggington DVD for the both of you with the coupon they were handing out and we played for a little while. Afterwards we went to Burger King for some lunch before heading to the Farm. 
When we got to the Farm we waited a little while for Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brian to show up, and as we waited we got to see all the other people who came dressed up as characters from Harry Potter. The Farm was having a special deal that if you dressed up as a character from Harry Potter you got a dollar off. Daddy did not remember this because he could have easily drawn a lightning bolt on of your foreheads and put some glasses on you guys. The two of you got in for free anyway because you're under the age limit for paying tickets. 
When Auntie Amanda, Uncle Brian, and Cole showed up we all got our tickets and went straight into the Corn Maze. We walked around for a while going in circles and going at a slow pace. Benjamin, you wanted to pick up every rock you came across and show it to Mommy and Daddy while saying the word "rock". For a little while we were led through the Corn Maze by Cole! We came across a wooden bridge that did not seem that stable as we tried to make our way through to the other side. After awhile we kept coming back to this bridge and now it became apparent we were just walking in circles. 
Uncle Brian had purchased a map for the maze and while we stopped to take a family photo he was able to find his way out of the maze. We ended up making our way out the way we came in instead of going through the length of the maze. The two of you were getting frustrated inside of the maze and instead of going deeper into it to the point where we would have to call 911 to help us out (that's not entirely true, but when you are old enough to read this you won't get what Daddy is referring to.) we decided to just trace our footsteps backwards and go out the way we came in. 
Somehow while in the Maze, Daddy managed to lose the tickets to the Hay Ride and had to purchase two more. While we waited for the Tractor to come back around for the hay ride Auntie Sara got herself a candy apple and a soda. She really enjoyed the candy apple so much and Daddy was able to capture the magic behind it. Sometimes boys it really is the little things in life that make it worth living. The tractor arrived and we all got on board. It was a very bumpy ride, but along the way we saw some cows, some baby cows, a cat, more cows, grass, more grass, cut down trees, more cows, and more grass! We were able to see the pumpkin patch before the hay ride was over and it didn't seem like there were many good pumpkin's left over. 
We left the Hay Ride and made our way over to the Pumpkin Patch. There wasn't that many good pumpkin's left over as we had feared due to the Hay Ride, but we were able to explore and at least check to see if there was some we could have brought home with us. After looking through dozens of pumpkin's we decided we would head back and try to find a pumpkin at a grocery store. Daddy ended up purchasing a big pumpkin tonight for less than half the price of the ones at the Farm. We headed on home after leaving the Farm where the two of you went down for your naps. There is another Pumpkin Patch alot closer to home that we will have to go to next year, but maybe we can go to the Corn Maze again someday when you, Jonathan, won't have to be held the entire time. 
