Easter

Easter was an interesting day for sure. We were leaving to go to my brothers for brunch and realized we lost our dog Yzma.

After looking all around the neighborhood we went on to my brother's house and he helped make signs for us to post all over the area. Oz thought it would be a good idea to email my Moms Group and ask them if anyone had seen a lost dog. Sure enough a few hours later when we were beginning to lose hope a Mom friend of mine called and said her neighor was housing a lost dog.

I walked over and found Yzma playing with their dog as happy as could be, unaware of all the trouble and worry she caused that day. We were glad to have her back.

Other than that we had a nice day. Here are some pics of the boys at the Easter Egg hunt in the neighborhood.

Cubbies

Today my brother was nice enough to give us 4 tickets to see the Cubs play the Reds. Wrigley field is a place to see and experience during your lifetime for sure. I remember so well going to games there as a child, hearing Harry Carry sing Take Me Out To The Ball Game, and trying to catch foul balls that headed our way. When I was little, I collected baseball cards; they are all organized and waiting to be handed down to my boys when they get a little older.

We weren't sure what to expect, the game started right during Gabe's normal nap time but I couldn't pass up a cubs game, even if it meant bringing a cranky child to the game. Oz and I loaded up the car and headed for the city. Nico LOVED watching the Metro Train roll by us again and again. He is always amazed by all the tall buildings and crazy activity that happens downtown. Both boys sat in the car awestruck looking out the windows. Luckily Gabriel managed a quick power nap which ended up being just enough for him to be in a great mood the rest of the afternoon.

We parked the car and headed down the streets of Wrigleyville on our way to the stadium. Nico thought he died and went to Heaven when he saw the L train go right over his head.

Once we made it to the stadium we found our seats. The boys people watched, and jumped every time they heard the man yell HOTDOGS! Get you Hotdogs HERE!

Eventually we had to have a Chicago dog ourselves so we spent 30 bucks for 3 dogs and a coke! Whoa!

Gabriel had his first sip of Pepsi and of course loved it, unfortunately...

Nico watched the game some, Gabriel watched the airplanes go over us and made sure to clap everytime he heard the crowd do so. He even tried YMCA with the crowd! By the 7th inning the boys were getting tired and it looked like rain so we headed out.

What a day at the park, I look forward to doing this each year with the boys, making it a tradition for them, it's such an experience and I know seeing them so happy and amazed made my day!

The Guys

Backyard

When we moved into the house our yard was covered in snow, at one point more than 20 inches of it. A few months later and some warmer temps have let us discover the backyard we now own. I think the boys will love it this summer and it's great that we have a fence this time.

Gabriel has already escaped once out the dog door so thank goodness for the fence. I was upstairs making the bed and heard the doorbell ring. I went downstairs and looked out front and didn't see anyone but still heard the bell. I then realized we have a bell on the back door too and Gabriel was standing outside ringing it.

This weekend was super nice, we ended up taking the boys outside and roasting marshmellows to make smores, they were a hit.

Touch a Truck

Nico was in heaven today and Gabriel nearly was himself. I took the boys to touch a truck. We've never been to one before and now I see why they are such a hit for little guys. Nico climbed into a huge bull dozer, a moving van, ambulance, cherry picker, trolley where he and Gabe got to ring the bell, a school bus, and some other pretty huge trucks.

I had to peel them away at the end to leave but it was so much fun to see how wide their eyes got when they realized they were allowed to climb inside all the big "mighty machines" as Nico calls them.

Nicolas

Nico has been a busy guy. Right now he just finished soccer, started swim lessons, tee ball, preschool with a big international program coming up, a cooking class and VBS this summer. I get calls for playdates for him, he's starting to get a rather big social calendar, I'm starting to get a headache! I'm so happy for him though, he's been having a blast.

Gabriel

Gabriel is cracking us up lately as he's hit the 18 month mark. I LOVE this age.
Still not talking a ton but it's picking up, he continues to sound like charlie brown's teacher with half the things he says.
Words that are getting clearer are, Hi, bye, Momma, Papa, Backpack (he got that from Dora), Up, All Done.
We have the speech pathologist coming later this week to start evaluating him for weekly speech help in our home. I think this will help him move along with speech although I'll miss his little wha wha wha talk when it's gone.
He is so happy and funny. He's been running up to us saying HI! so loud and giving us a huge smile when he does.
He also is very good to help clean, he loves to vacuum and if he spills his drink, he'll go grab a tissue, wipe up the spill then pretend to blow his nose and go through it in the trash.
Gabriel loves to watch Nicolas and play exactly what he's playing which sometimes can drive the older brother nuts. Other times they play together so well. At this point they both go play in the basement while I can be upstairs getting dinner ready, it's such a luxury to have that time to myself.
We are enjoying Mr Gabriel so much, I'm getting sad watching the baby go and the little boy emerge