Exploring Portland:)

About a week ago we were walking downtown and Noah saw the Duckboat Tour and immediately wanted to go on it.  We made him wait for a while, but we did all get a day off together when the weather was good and we went last Saturday.  The tour was great and the kids had fun riding on the duck bus that also went in the water, but... Noah's anxiety prevailed and he spent 90% of the trip worrying (and not always quietly) that James was going to fall out, or that he was going to drop his matchbox car over the side. So, the upside is that they loved it and we can say that we did it, AND when Noah talks about how fun it was he also says that he doesn't really want to do it again:)  After nap time on Saturday everyone was in a much better mood and more rested.  We went to one of the beaches in South Portland and were able to explore some pretty cool tidal pools at low tide before the hurricane arrived. The kids found a lobster bouy that we had a hard time leaving behind.  We also found lots of snails, crabs, and hermit crabs.  It was really neat to watch them explore, touch things, and just run around and enjoy the beach.  Sunday we spent the day inside watching Irene from our living room.  We were without power from 2pm until about 11pm, so overall not too bad.  Thankfully we have our generator because I may have promised Noah some popcorn after his nap and we definitely needed the microwave for that.  All in all it was a really cool family day to be trapped inside and watch the weather go by outside:)

Daddy & Noah's "Camping Trip"

Gabe enjoyed his first entire weekend off for quite a while this past weekend.  We went back and forth about taking a trip to Bar Harbor, since we try to go every year, but we eventually decided that it was too much effort to pack all of the camping supplies, then unpack again when we got home;)  So, instead Noah and Gabe had a camping trip in our back yard.  After work/daycare/camp we all came home and grilled red hot dogs (and marshmallows) over the campfire, set up the tent and N & G had a blast playing games and reading books while camping out. Noah had a fantastic time staying up late and having some good bonding time with daddy.  The next day Noah was VERY tired, so we definitely were glad that we kept the camping to the backyard this time, or it would have been an unpleasant weekend away;)

Union Fair

We met Nanny, Grandpa and Trey at the Union Fair last week.  Not much was going on, but everyone loved the animals (except for the farm birds), especially watching the cows get cleaned. The boys enjoyed cotton candy and getting to spend time with Trey.  James really loves seeing Trey and gets so excited to see him now.  He was also very helpful in feeding Trey and picking up toys and other things that he needed... I hope that is a good sign for the new baby... The top picture is of Noah's latest creation- a tower with a slide, that miraculously, James did not knock over before it was done:) 

York's Animal Kingdom

Gabe had to work the weekend, but he did have Monday off.  We made the most of the day by taking the kids to Yorks Animal Kingdom which is a zoo/amusement park at York Beach.  The animals were really neat and the kids got to feed the goats, deer and ducks.  N & J both really liked seeing the alligator, but were glad that there was glass between them.  James was more adventurous with the goats... if you can enlarge the picture of James feeding the goats, his face is great!  We all got to ride on the paddle boat, N even rode on the back by himself... it was really hard to get pictures while on the boat... if I weren't so pregnant, maybe it would have been easier;)    

Busy Week:)

Well, this week has been a bit of a whirlwind!  On Monday, the kids and I took a quick trip up to Lincoln to have lunch with the Glidden/Pelkey clan before Hillary leaves for Uganda for the semester.  No pictures to post yet, but I think that there may be some somewhere:)  Grammy Civiello came down to visit for a few days while I worked my last 3 days for a while.  We brought Noah blueberry picking, took a hike along Macworth Island, had lobsters and did lots of other fun things!  Not going into work until noon has really been great;)  Friday was my last day of work, as the practice I work for is closing.  So, I am officially unemployed, but I think that the timing will work out well with baby #3 on it's way soon!  The bottom picture is of the flowers from my parents in honor of my unemployment.  Gabe worked the weekend, but the kids and I kept playing (and making pie)... Our friends from Philadelphia were here visiting, so we were able to have a nice morning visit, the kids loved playing trains with Matthew. On another note, the baby is growing well.  I am 37 weeks and feeling great... I really love being pregnant!  Our c-section is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7th, so #3 will be here no later than that.  Noah and James are both saying that they are having a sister.  When I try to talk to Noah about not being disappointed if it is a boy, he now just tells me not to worry because it will be a girl... Let's hope this goes well...

South Portland "Art in the Park"

Well, the kids and I have had a busy weekend, and made the most of Gabe working nights and sleeping during the days (I am sure he is glad that we are gone and out of the house).  Noah set a new record this week by having his face painted 3 days in a row.  Friday at day camp they celebrated "carnival day" where he got a spider painted on his face, learned about a popcorn machine, and ate his first cotton candy.  Saturday we went to the "Art in the Park" in South Portland where they had a free Rick Charette concert which was super fun for the kids (and more so maybe my dad who I am quite sure made a special diversion from his road trip for this specific reason;)).  Noah got to meet Rick Charette and join the kids up on stage.  Poor James was very tired since this was happening at the beginning of nap time, so it was all he could do to stay awake.  They both also made "super hero capes"(aka bags) and Noah chose a sun and James a butterfly for face painting.  Today the kids and I spent the entire morning doing chores and  running errands, which everyone handled better than expected (Thankfully!!). We woke Gabe up a bit early and made our way down to the Italian festival in the old port.  Even though we were only there for an hour, we got our fill of meatballs, games, the bouncy house, and more face painting (N- italian flag, J- whale).  It is fun to squeeze in family time where we can!  The bottom two pictures are of Noah's new thoughts about art- statues... the one to the left is called, "snowmobile" and the on to the right is called some type of made up words that I can't remember to write down here, but I assure you it was very much Dr. Seuss inspired!