Let Him Eat Cake

We celebrated Josh's birthday with good friends and good fun. The weather was perfect, Josh took a great nap right before the party, and the concrete for the patio in our backyard was being poured as the party got underway at the park. Perfect set up for a perfect party for a perfect little boy.....I mean, big boy!

Our little prince!

Yes, this cupcake is bigger than his head!

Pinanta time! Hitting the giant cupcake with the bat was the highlight of the party for Layla!

Fabulous present helpers.

Josh and his friend trying out the toys.

Setting up some soccer drills for the party guests.

So the time has arrived for us to say farewell. But there is no need to be sad because you can continue to follow the adventures of Layla and Josh on Facebook. If by some chance, you are not my "friend", please change that so that we can continue to share our children and our lives with you.

Happy First Birthday, Joshua!

It is so hard to believe that sweet Joshua is already one year old. And in some ways it feels like he's been around forever and I can't believe that he is *only* one! Either way, he is an absolute joy!

He is walking up a storm now and will be trekking all over the park at his party tomorrow.

Eating his first cupcake of the weekend. Check out his 4 teeth!

Tomorrow's goodies!

Labor Day Painting

We waited a loooong time before allowing Layla to paint at home, but the hurricane and a long Labor Day weekend have led to some really fun paint sessions. We were lucky to receive these no-spill paint cups from a neighbor so between those and the washable paints (plus a good set-up with our brown bags from Trader Joe's) it really isn't as awful as I'd feared. And, most importantly, Layla loves it!

Two Kids Hard at Work!

Here He Comes!

End of Summer Fun

One of the teachers from school had a party today and the kids had a lot of fun playing in the backyard.

Josh's walking really seemed to take off today so hopefully I will have a video to post soon!

Gone Fishin'

When we stopped by the park the other day Layla's friend Eric was there fishing with his Grampa. Well, Grampa was fishing and Eric had his toy fishing rod. Layla and Eric were thrilled when Grampa caught a sun fish and put it in a bucket to flop around for a bit. Layla especially loved when it flopped OUT of the bucket :). Eric and his Grampa don't speak English, but who needs words when there's a flopping fish!?

I know that Layla can't wait to fish with her Granddaddy next year!

Fun at the Zoo

We met up with some friends today at the Stone Zoo. The animals were fun, but so was the playground. Here are Layla and Josh climbing in the large spider web.

Walking!

Josh took 2 steps yesterday and 12 today! By this time next week he will be chasing Layla all over the place!

Video coming soon!

11 Months!

Joshua turned 11 months old today. How can it be just one month until he turns one?! He celebrated his 11th month by FINALLY cutting one of his top teeth. In a day or two we should actually be able to see the new chomper.

Today also marks the beginning of the final month of our blog. It has been great fun chronicling our family's adventure, but life has gotten busier and we need to make sure that we are living each moment with our children, and not just writing about it! So....enjoy it while it lasts!

Here is Josh picking blueberries at Honey Pot Hill Orchards the other day.

First Haircut!

Josh was a superstar while getting his haircut. He looks so grown up! And he has ears again!

Before haircut

After haircut

Grandparents!

Grandmommy and Granddaddy paid us a visit this past week and the kids were THRILLED about it.

We spent some time in Lexington Center. Here are the kids playing while the proud grandparents look on. Joshy shows off his new clapping skill, too. Josh is getting really good at standing and we think his first steps aren't too far off!

The Rest of Vacation

Here are a bunch of pics from the rest of our vacation....

Fourth of July in Searsport. Hanging at the playground prior to the parade.

We went to Swan Lake State Park with Jen, Paul, Jake, Colin, and Aaron. Layla loved the water but Josh wasn't so sure about it.

Here are Layla and Colin getting to know each other a bit.

Aunt Jen and Josh wore color-coordinated outfits :).

I love this next pic because you can see everyone (except me) in the shot.

Siblings sharing ice cream. Love it!

Layla and Daddy hunting for shells at Fort Point State Park.

Day Out in Bangor

One of the days of vacation we trekked over to Bangor and visited the Maine Discovery Museum and then stopped by the Veterans Home to see Grampa Bean. We were really happy that we were able to introduce Josh to him. We also stopped by the University to see Grandpa (and the instruments) for lunch....we were a little preoccupied with chicken strips and drums and didn't manage to take any pics.

Boothbay

We spent the first day/night of our vacation in the Boothbay area, visiting Chris' Uncle Ron, Aunt Linda, and his cousin Cindy. Cindy works at the beautiful Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and she took us on a tour there. What a special place, especially the children's garden.

We also spent some time at Ron and Linda's and at Cindy's house, which (if I have this correct) was once Chris's great-grandmother's and his grandmother's. Here's Layla on a rock that many generations of family have played on.

Some videos from vaca....

At Grampa's cabin, trying out the Slip 'n Slide.

Drumming with Dad at the children's museum in Bangor.

Ice cream in Searsport.

Vacation Preview

Many more pics to come. Clearly, Josh had a good time in Maine!

New Toy

This mattress was making its way to our trash tonight, but first it served as a fun trampoline. Josh only got bounced off once or twice.

Our Budding Musician

What's it gonna be, Josh? Drums or guitar?

Spidergirl!

We made our annual voyage to Ribfest in New Hampshire. Layla enjoyed bouncy houses and slides with her cousins Sarah and Ryan and then turned into Spidergirl for the ride home.

While we were there, we discovered Josh had sprouted his first tooth. We decided to wait until next year for his first rib :).

My Big Fat Chinese Football Game

That about sums up our weekend.

Greek festival in Woburn on Saturday followed by Cousin Ryan's football game at Harvard Stadium and the Chinese Dragon Boat festival on Sunday.

In other news, Layla has achieved a major milestone. She can now "pump" on the big girl swing!