Day 179 | Unlikely Lunch Outing

After rescheduling the boys' flu shots (they ran out?), the only open appointments were over lunch. So, I packed up lunch and headed to the doctor's office today. I've got the best lunch dates around.

As if that weren't enough, the boys handled their shots like champs. No crying. Let me say that again...no crying. Can you believe that? Such brave little guys. 

Day 178 | Pumpkins!

 It was the perfect fall day for heading to the pumpkin patch. Unfortunately, I didn't have the needed motivation to make that trek happen. Sorry, kiddos. Instead, we had a low key morning and then headed to a cute little pumpkin sale at a local church. We pulled in at 11:10am to find out that it didn't open until noon. Urgh.

Next option? Grocery store pumpkins. Not exactly what we had in mind for Robbe's first pumpkin adventure, but after several hours, I've come to terms with it.

The important thing is that we have carved pumpkins on our front porch. See? We're festive. One thing we learned, though: a one-to-one ratio of adult to baby is not ideal when trying to carve two pumpkins. We ended up going pretty simplistic with this year's designs. I did my annual cat carving (did you know that about me?) and Chris pulled through with a much more creative train to match Chase's current obsession.

Day 177 | Breakfast Bonanza

Talk about a great house guest: Uncle Matt made us breakfast. Pancakes, sausage, berries, coffee, and festive napkins. What a delicious morning.

Thanks for a great visit, Matt. Yay for house guests!

Day 176 | Where's Nature?

I found the perfect outdoor activity to keep us entertained on this beautiful fall day: the Brookside Nature Center. The indoor part of the center had lots to offer (think turtles, puppets, books, a tent). Chase would have been content to spend the whole time inside (noted for when I'm in need of a cold weather activity), but we did convince him to get out and enjoy nature on a little hike. I'm not sure he grasped the whole "it's the journey" philosophy, however, because he kept asking, "Where's nature?"

What made the excursion even more perfect? Uncle Matt came with! Adventures are always more fun with him and we're grateful he made the time for us. 

Day 175 | Back to Reality

Today was definitely a snap back into reality. The boys had a good night considering the late (ok, extremely late) bedtime. They woke up just in time to make it to school and just as I was taking care of the final 15 things to get out the door, I heard a knock at the door.

Surprise: the contractor showed up to fix our siding! 

A little heads up would have been nice but the work needed to get done so I can't complain too much. Don't worry, no serious issues, just some cosmetic concerns. I would have picked a different day, in case you're curious, as the risk of of shortened naps after yesterday's wonky schedule about gave me an anxiety attack. The boys actually slept through it, though. I was shocked. No, SHOCKED (that describes it better). Just shows how tired they were. 

The other photo above is capturing one of the best decisions I've made in awhile: an online grocery order. I cannot express how happy it made me to not have to squeeze in a grocery trip on top of everything else today (did I mention my brother arrived tonight so heavy cleaning and loads and loads of laundry were necessary?). Sometimes my over-planning really pays off.

Day 174 | Short Trip, Long Ending

The week in Cape Cod flew by remarkably fast. I guess it's good to be sad we're leaving-then we know we didn't stay too long.

I had every intention of posting our farewell group photo today but a two hour flight delay meant no recovery time tonight for downloading photos. 

Instead, enjoy the photos above of the best airport attraction we could have asked for. Chase played at the "Kids Port" for two hours, straight. And he still wasn't ready to leave. Robbe got pretty into exploring the airplanes, too. It's so nice to have a place to let crawlers roam, without it being the airport floor

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa M for spoiling us to the extreme and for all the absolutely wonderful memories. We're thankful it's only two months until we'll see you in Wisconsin!

Day 173 | All Aboard in Orleans

Today was a day dedicated to the choo choo train enthusiast in our group. It was a bit rainy, so we headed back to Orleans for Chase to play with a toy train on display at the Red Balloon Toy Shop (don't worry, we didn't walk out empty-handed). The store clerk clued us in on a great model train set up at a local department store and we headed there after a quick treat at the Hot Chocolate Sparrow. The trains at Snow's didn't disappoint. The ideal indoor attraction for our toddler. Thomas the Train, a current favorite, even made an appearance.

We rounded out the day, and our vacation, with a post-nap run to another beach. The First Encounter Beach at nearly-sunset was the perfect end to a lovely trip. 

Day 172 | A Toddler's Dream

More attention than a little guy could ever hope for. Chase is living the dream. Between Grandma reading and providing hours of entertainment (think toys and stickers), Grandpa and Daddy playing downstairs (where there are pool, ping pong, foosball, and air hockey tables), and Mary Catherine obeying any whims, Chase has been well taken care of. I'm sure you were worried.

Robbe's been reeling in the attention, too, for the record. I just don't have any photos to support that claim. 

Day 171 | Scenic Cape Cod

While the rest of the group enjoyed a baby-free breakfast, Robbe and I went for a stroll around Chatham so he could get his morning nap in. Such a sweet little town busting to the seams with unique shops, cute architecture, and spirit. With Robbe in the carrier to keep me company, we walked to the Chatham Lighthouse. I snapped some scenes on my phone that were just too perfect not to risk waking a sleeping baby for (you have to keep moving, you see).

My love affair with the Cape continues.

Day 170 | Another Day, Another Beach

Two gorgeous fall days in a row. Could we be any luckier?

It was a bit of a lazy morning (mostly due to a certain baby's morning nap) and then we headed out to Orleans to stroll down another beautiful beach. Robbe walked in the sand for the first time (assisted, of course), loved the ocean breeze in his hair, and was enamored with the waves. Maybe we have an ocean-lover after all (I'm sure Grandma Mary is releaved). 

Day 169 | A Beautiful Cape Cod Day

Today is why I love the fall. It was sunny, breezy, comfortable...the perfect jeans weather. My perfect weather.

We took full advantage of our good fortune by spending the morning at the beach. I wish I could say Chase loved the ocean as much as I did today. He's still not sold on the idea, for some reason. Crazy guy. No matter what he says, it could not have been a more picturesque, enjoyable adventure. Seriously, everything about Cape Cod is the most picturesque. 

Between the yummy donuts for breakfast, the trip to the beach (and some nearby lighthouses), and a delicious bbq dinner with the fam and Mary Catherine, today was exactly how I would want the vacation to start.

Why, yes, maybe we should move here. 

Day 168 | We Made It

Well hello, Cape Cod.

It's been quite a day. Quite. A. Day. We started our adventure at 8am this morning (our first Uber ride went perfectly) and pulled into our vacation house at about 445pm. Whew. 

Flights were on time, babies were incredibly well-behaved and cooperative, husband was beyond patient and helpful, and the drive to the Cape was relatively uneventful. Highlights so far? 1. Chase running to meet his grandparents at the airport. So so sweet. 2. Chase's dream come true with us getting to drive a blue minivan. Can you believe how lucky we are? 

No one is in the mindset to plan too far ahead for the upcoming week (traveling is exhausting), but I'm looking forward to a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable six days. 

Day 167 | Too Cute to Ignore

I had a real internal conflict about what to post today. We went back to Whole Foods for another fall craft and I was set to photo journal Chase's festive painted pumpkin. 

But then the above moment happened yesterday afternoon. Could that photo be any cuter? I was digging through warm weather clothes and Chase was thrilled about trying on hats and including his brother.  Can you tell how excited Robbe was? He's mid-clap. I just couldn't let this photo slip by without being posted. You'll just have to take my word for how cute the pumpkin turned out.

*And a special shout-out to our favorite thirteen year old, Zoe. Happy birthday, sweetie. We love you lots and lots.

Day 166 | A Halloween Sneak Peek

For the most part, I've stuck to my goal of crafting Tuesday and Thursday mornings while Robbe naps and Chase is at school. Thirty minutes, twice a week isn't much but it's something.

The last couple of weeks have been dedicated to Halloween costume creation. I've made Chase's costumes the last two years and I couldn't leave Robbe out this year. The boys will be in matching animal costumes and that, along with the photo above, is the only clue you'll get until the big reveal on the 31st. 

Fingers crossed I can finish both costumes amidst the crazy October we've got planned. 

Day 165 | It's Not Goodbye...

 

It's see you soon!

We said goodbye to Mary Catherine this morning. I'm not going to lie, there were some tears (the toddler variety), but the good news is we'll see her in just three sleeps. Goodbyes are so much easier when there's another visit on the horizon.

Can't wait to see you and your puppy at your house in a few days, MC. Woo hoo!

Day 164 | Movie Picnic Party

We celebrated our last night with Mary Catherine by having a Movie Picnic Party. We ate some delicious Chinese food (finally found a good one!) and watched Finding Nemo, of course.

Eating picnic-style is the best!

Day 163 | A Rainy, Lazy Day

I don't mind the rain. I actually kind of like it. It's nature's way of telling you to slow down and that it's ok to not be going all the time.

We took that cue this morning. Even though it was our one morning with Mary Catherine, she and I stayed in with Robbe for his morning nap while Chris took Chase to swimming lessons. It nearly killed me to not be "doing something" but the morning in was actually really lovely. We had a lazy breakfast, chatted up a storm during the nap, played some serious choo choos after lunch, and just enjoyed each other's company. Sounds wonderful, right?

With visitors, it's hard not to want to constantly entertain but I love the idea of them getting a glimpse of what our real life looks like with these two babies. 

Day 162 | National Building Museum

The weather has turned a bit cool and dreary today so we brainstormed an indoor activity with Caia and John: to the National Building Museum!

The boys had a great time playing in the Building Zone. Robbe took a snooze on the go (top-right photo is how we accomplish this) and woke up in time to get in some play time of his own.

And we arrived back home just as the rain started. Perfect.

Day 161 | The Month of Visitors is Here!

 And we couldn't be more excited!

After a lunch watching airplanes land and take off, we picked up Mary Catherine. Woo hoo! When I told Chase that she landed, he said, "hip hip hooray!" Exactly how I felt. 

Not sure what our plans will end up being but Chase has outlined the following activities for Mary Catherine to do with him:

1. Read books (check!)
2. Play choo choos (check!)
3. Go to Tree Park (check!)
4. Tell a story about Marshall and Thomas (the train, that is) going to Cape Cod 

We're making good progress...and it's only been eight hours.

Day 160 | Apple Stampin'

Are you on the edge of your seat wondering what fantastic craft we made at Whole Foods this week? The suspense is over...

Chase used apples as a stamp on a little tote bag. He really liked this activity and kept himself very entertained with the apple and paint (as you can tell by his shirt). I did help a bit with the tote bag (I can't relinquish control completely), but I was really happy he jumped right in.