Cooling off

My friend bought Mattingly this little crab pool with a shade for him to play in for his birthday. You can hook it up to the hose and it will have a little sprinkler but I just put it on the deck and fill it with a little water and some bath toys for him to play in. It's perfect. He splashed a little and throws the toys in for a little bit and then will eventually dive in. He doesn't stay in though. He constantly gets in and out. He likes cooling off with mom's coffee too. He says it's good and calls it "Mattingly's coff". He's a trip. In fact my friend Laura visited today with her boyfriend Jesse and he told me that Jesse wanted a popsicle and coffee. Crazy kid.

Father's Day

Mattingly took these next 2 pictures. Not bad.

Mark was obviously working on Father's Day so Mattingly and I went to visit my parents. We ate lunch and Mattingly watched the birds and played in the pool with Grandpa. They stayed in amidst the pouring rain. Grandpa used the picnic table umbrella to shield them. As though Mattingly wasn't splashing anyway. Then we enjoyed some ice cream. Mattingly had to have his own!

2nd Birthday

Mattingly is now 2 years old! He woke up that morning and had a cupcake for breakfast. Yup, I let him. He was so excited. It was "Mattingly's burfday cake". Then we took a drive to my mom's house. We stopped at the store with the trains to buy more for Mattingly. He had a fun time playing with the one there and listening when it was time to go. He even say "bye bye train". I signed him up for the birthday club there are he received more train tracks and 2 trains plus $5 off my purchase. Oh we went to Dunkin Donuts to get our free donut too. =) Then we were headed to Toys R Us but couldn't find it so we went back home to eat and see papa. He loved when we sand "Happy Birthday" to him. He wanted more. There are ducks at papas so we fed then amidst the hot, hot weather. And we were off to visit Em and baby Payton. Mattingly loved her! And of course didn't leave their dog out. He took out all of his toys and tried to play with him. Daddy came home from work and we had ice cream birthday cake and a candle which we had to light twice for him. He opened a few more gifts and played and it was time for bed.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Wow I can't believe you are two already! You have definitely grown from a baby to a toddler! Everyday you do something or say something new. It's so exciting. I couldn't imagine a day without you (although I could use a day without you, haha). Yesterday you woke up and said "momma, mattingly birthday". It was so cute. I wonder if you will wake up today and say it again. Yesterday you brought cupcakes into school for snack, the same ones I made the night I went into labor with you, you devoured it and enjoyed every second of the "Happy Birthday" song. You sat there with a big smile on your face! Now you are calling me, you want to get out of bed. Happy Birthday sonny boy! I love you lots!!

1st day at the beach

this season. Laura invited us to go to the beach yesterday so we took her up on the offer and went. It was a great beach day. Hot. The water was FREEZING but if you kept your feet in for awhile it was okay. Mattingly enjoyed finding sea shells and demanding Laura find more. He didn't like the water at all! It was pretty cold like I said plus there were a ton of people there. Mattingly got a nice tan and I got a painful burn.

Jake's Birthday Party

Saturday Mattingly and I (this is becoming a pattern....) went to a classmate's birthday party. Mattingly had a blast. The little boy had a bouncy and balls and slide for all of the kids. I wasn't sure Mattingly would go in the bouncy with the other kids but he went right in and starting jumping and laughing and calling "Jakey". He played ball with Jake and also climbed the slide with him. It was a perfect day for a party. After the party he played a little ball in the house with his Yankees hat on of course shouting "Yankees, Yankees!".

Chicago

At the airport eating a breakfast of champions

Mattingly and I took at mini trip to Chicago to visit Aunt Em, Uncle Eric and cousins Ella and Edie. It was great fun! We really wish we were able to see each other more. The weather was hot but we took advantage and the kids went in the pool and Eric made some iced coffee. We took some pictures at Garfield Park which was almost unbearable between the heat and the pollen all over and us not being able to get the 3 kids sitting and smiling. Mattingly was able to watch Ella during her last tumbling class. He cheered her on. And on Saturday when we arrived to went to the farmer's market to have some yummy donuts and buy some asparagus and flowers for the yard. I loved holding Edie! ALMOST makes me want another one....until I see how hard 2 kids are and how tired you are getting up at night. She is such a precious little girl! She liked being tucked away in a sleepy wrap that makes you sweat. Mattingly and Ella had their arguments but all in all I think they really liked hanging out. Mattingly also loved their cat Charlie. He would call his name and say "Ah go? Charlie?". Ella would help look for him or try to coax Mattingly into her room by saying the cat was in there. =) Thanks for all the yummy foods and the birthday celebration E4! Instead of a cd of pics can you just print pictures out for me and I'll pay you back? =)