It was a zoo of a day

A couple of weeks ago, I had to take BOTH boys to the doctor for sick visits - not fun.  Trevor had a follow up from his 18 month checkup because he of course had a slight ear infection back then and Brody had not been able to hear for the past couple of weeks.  Brody's prognosis was that it was probably allergies the week prior but then it had moved to a sinus infection.  We tried Claritin and a fever reducer to see if it would get better but had to resort to antibiotics.

Since we have had all of this sickness in our house for awhile I felt that the boys were in need to get out so to the zoo we went.  I thought the weather was supposed to be nice but I guess I wasn't notified of the change because it started drizzling when we got there.  I was going to just leave but it finally stopped after about 10 minutes and it still didn't seem like we should stay - but we have an annual pass so it would be fine if we just saw a few things.

Brody's first animal of choice was to see the lions.  Trevor loves to make all the animal sounds.  Lions and monkeys are his favorite sound to make.  Although his monkey imitation is really a hand movement.  The boys did great and of course Brody is ready to go back when it is sunny.  The good thing about the weather that day was there was NO ONE there.

It is SOOO difficult to get a good picture of the 2 of them.

A trip to the zoo isn't complete unless we ride the merry go round.

This was the first time we had walked out on the dock and of course not a great picture.

They must have recently renovated the Australia section because we had never seen this bird before - Carraway.  Brody was pretty interested in it's big feet that would kick you and really hurt you.

This was the first time we had seen the kangaroos here - they were all interested in eating at the time.

The latest loves

We actually never thought we would see the day that Trevor loves books.  He was (and still is to some degree) the child that can never sit still.  Even when we would put him to bed we would try and read a book but he didn't want much to do with it.  

Well, things have definitely changed in the past month or so - Trevor LOVES books.  He is constantly saying "book" and bringing one over to you to read.  It is so cute as he turns himself around and wants to sit on your lap so you can read a book.  If you are sitting on the ground you better beware that Trevor will make his way over to you and say "book".  

The other latest thing going on in our house is Brody has begin to take a BIG interest in Peter Pan.  He is always putting on a belt so he can hook his "sword" aka a plastic stick that holds Woody up on it.  He is always asking Jason or I to play Peter Pan.  Of course I'm always Wendy, our dog Allye is Nana and we take trips to Never Neverland.  The other day he decided that Trevor was Captain Hook and they played swords.  It was so cute...of course until Brody accidentally hit Trevor in the head with his sword.  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted - all swords on the top shelf for awhile.

They are really starting to play well together which is great and I hope they are always close.

What beautiful weather

We have had such beautiful weather lately and what great timing since Jason just got his Christmas present installed - a basketball goal.  Brody was pretty excited about the goal as well.  He just wanted daddy to lower it so he could shoot on it.  We tried to explain that he can't always have it low for him because he has his own goal.

The boys still have not been able to get rid of the nasty cough and fevers occasionally but they always act like they feel ok, so going outside is usually great and they love it.

 Trevor would much rather push the riding toy than ride on it.  We have a whole parking lot full of riding toys inside but he is not too interested in them.


Brody showing off his basketball skills.

 

Daddy practicing his skills as well.

Trevor practicing his skills as well - eating chicken nuggets.  One of the few foods he will eat - it was even better since they were Brody's.

Mama practicing her photography skills.

And her basketball skills.  I think I need to get a little better since I have 2 boys.  I forsee A LOT of basketball in my future.

Trevor loves to take this little pot and fill it with rocks - sometimes the rocks go in his mouth so we have to watch carefully.

Racing as fast as he can

Trevor loves to chase him

The boys are so loved

To help celebrate Valentine's Day, Nana and Poppy stopped by on the Sunday before to deliver their Valentine's presents to the boys.  They were so excited to see them and they especially loved the presents - chocolate - mama loved it too!

Since we don't go out for Valentine's Day, we had a nice family meal at home - grilled steak!  We were pretty excited because Trevor devoured the mac n cheese - this has NEVER happened.  However, Brody wasn't liking his meal so he needed some extra coaxing.  It never fails - one does great and the other not so much. 

Anyway, my mom and dad stopped by to deliver their Valentine's presents to the boys - a Zhu Zhu pet and a car.  Trevor thought the pet was quite interesting and I'm sure Allye will too.  

Then it was time for the boys' presents from us.

 So excited.

 All excited for his new Leap Tag books.

 Enjoying some chocolate.

I think he loves it.

Valentine's Day - pre festivities

Jason and I celebrated Valentine's Day a little early this year.  We never go out on actual Valentine's Day because of all the crowds.  This year we wanted to take advantage of the Teal Deals (Jaguar season ticket holders received coupon booklets) before they expired.  We found a babysitter and headed out to Marker 32.  This was our first time trying this place, but I LOVE trying new places and it was great!  A great choice.

After dinner, we actually had time to go see a movie - yeah it's been quite awhile since we've been to a movie by ourselves.  Our choice "Little Fockers".  Quite a funny movie.

With Valentine's Day of course comes Valentine's for school and church friends.  This year Brody gave candy cars to all of his friends.  These were a little easier to make then last year's "Candy Robots".  He helped a little bit but mostly he wanted to just eat the candy - a kid after my own heart.

Valentine's Day fell on Monday and Brody doesn't go to school on Monday so he didn't get to celebrate with all of the other kids but he at least got all of the goodies later that week (he was sick on Tuesday so no school (I just love paying for school when he doesn't go and then also having to pay a babysitter - it makes my day - ha ha).  Here's some of his goodies from his class.

What in the world were we thinking

Last Friday afternoon, I headed to get Trevor's 18 month pictures taken.  It was a last minute decision - I knew his hair was at the right length (crazy to think that about a boy right?).  He did so good with his pictures and we got some great shots.  I'm hoping one day I'll be able to take the boys' pictures and not have to go to a studio - maybe my photography classes will help with this.

Jason met us there and we weren't sure what we were going to do - which should have been a sure sign we were in trouble.  We ended up at Chuck E Cheese.  Yes a Friday night - CRAZY!!!

This was the first time I had been there and WOW!!  We did the pizza thing and chased 2 very excited boys around a very crowded party central.  Around 8:00 we Trevor had had enough so we packed up and headed home.  I guess we'll probably be back since we weren't able to use all of our tokens - maybe next time we will go when it won't be so crazy.

Please excuse the quality of the pictures - I must have had a setting wrong on my point and shoot.

 Already cruisin'

 Enjoying the show

 Mr. Firefighter

 Even Daddy got involved in the fun.