Mr. Peanuts is Home!

Well, it seems we really aren't calling this new cat of ours "Oliver".  We can't shake "Peanuts".  I've been calling him "Mr. Peanuts".  James has been calling him "Kitty Cat" (?). Tommy calls him "Meeeeeeooooow" and Ben seems to be calling him Peanuts (although it sounds like something else).  We're very disfunctional.  Here are some pictures from the past 24 hours:

This is the first picture I took of Peanuts!

Team Orange!

Ben loves his new pal!

Ben has been very good at replenishing Mr. Peanut's food.  He says "I can take care of Peanuts all by myself."  Let's see if he still says that when he's old enough to scoop the litter box!

A rare moment - Mr. Peanuts escapes the boys to play by himself!

This was taken about 5 minutes ago.  Ben doesn't really nap when we don't go out and do stuff, but he'll decide he just wants to lay down and watch TV.  Mr. Peanuts seems to love to snuggle with him.

Our New Addition: Sir Oliver Peanuts!

I've had this itch lately.  I like big change a lot.  James and I used to move once a year.  Then we had a baby.  Then we had another.  So the past few weeks I've been going stir crazy.  Since having another baby or moving is out of the question, we decided the best way to calm my need for change is to adopt a new kitten!  This will provide Charlie with some companionship since Kiki's passing and we're hoping that by adopting a young kitten, he will enjoy the boys' company (unlike Charlie or Kiki, who both lived 5 years with no exposure to kids whatsoever). 

Here is "Peanuts".  This was the name given to him by his foster mom.  We really aren't into "cutsie" names - we like "real" names for our animals.  So before we actually met him, we decided to name him "Oliver" on the way to meet him.  However, his foster mom was very cute and something about "Peanuts" grew on us.  So "Peanuts" will be his last name.  We added "Sir" because we thought that if we were in England, surely he would be knighted.

The Boston Animal Shelter (MSPCA) found 4 stray orange kitties.  At the time of finding them, they guessed they were about 3 weeks old.  With animals this young, they count on volunteers to foster them until they are old enough to be adopted into permanant homes.  We've been looking for orange kitties for the past 2 weeks.  We had no luck.  On Veteran's Day, I searched Petfinder.org again - and low and behold, these 4 were posted!  Peanuts is the second from the left.  He is here with his sister Bambi and two brothers. 

The "foster mom" was such a nice lady!  She was about our age and had "Bella" the dachshund as her actual pet.  She was moving out of her apartment into a house in the next week or two, so she had to quickly find homes for the kitties so they wouldn't have to make the move with her to the North Shore.  She said the past few weeks, Peanuts has really taken a liking to Bella.  Hopefully Charlie will be as nice to Peanuts as Bella is!

We pick up Sir Oliver Peanuts on Friday at 1:30!  We are excited about the new addition to the family!  Peanuts even let Ben pick him up while we were scoping him out.  The boys aren't use to animals that don't run away when they go to pet them.  Hopefully they are as happy as we are!  I have to admit, I fell in love with Peanuts from the minute I saw his picture.  Sadly now, it will just be me and 5 boys in this house.  Ugh.

Veteran's Day & Leaves!

Our town had a Veteran's Day parade!  We went, of course, to see the festivities.

James and the boys!

Just a patriotic shot...that's the town hall there, but whenever we drive by it, Ben insists that it's Santa's Workshop.  Nevertheless, he was thrilled we sat so close to "Santa's Workshop".

It was a beautiful day out, so after the parade, we raked some leaves.  And played in them of course!

Poor Tommy.  He liked the leaves until we threw some on him!

Happy 4 Years!

I started this blog 4 years ago today!  Although I didn't initially start on Blogger, I can't believe I have kept up with this for so long.  It's so fun to look back at different things we've done through the years - even if I'm not very good at blogging regularly!  Everyone should blog their kids' lives! 

Friday Night Fun

This past Friday, the four of us were just hanging out at the house.  I don't even think we got our normal Friday night pizza.  We just made something or other and hung out.  We found some bandanas and they entertained us for quite a while.  Take a look:

Tommy posing with his bandanas!

You need to see the whole outfit to appreciate it.

Future hoodlums

Daddy & Tom...

Halloween 2009!

Halloween 2009 was a great one!  The weather was beautiful.  The kids both were at an age where it was really fun to walk around for a long time collecting candy.  We decided to just go out by ourselves.  We hit up some neighbors that we like and kept going on down the street.  Eventually, we ended up at Liam and Lochlan's house to say "hi" to them and their mom & dad.  Then the trek home began!  We thought Tommy fell asleep in James' arms - but no.  By the time we got home, he was ready to eat candy!

Pre-Trick Or Treating! 

Tommy on a Christmas deer!

After 2 hours, we came home to eat candy!

They are on a candy high!

Tommy the Chicken

Today, after I dropped Ben off at preschool, Tom and I decided that since we were out, we'd hit up Old Navy - because I heard a rumor all costumes were going to be $2 starting today!  So I get there a few minutes before they open and there was a line.  So we got in it.  After I started talking to some people, apparently Old Navy was running some promo where the first 50 people in the store got 50% off all the stuff they can fit into one shopping bag!  So a-shopping I went! 

I scored 3 halloween costumes - a chicken, a tiger and a lion - for $1!  50% off $2!  I also got a ton of other things for dirt cheap.  I cannot reveal them because a lot are Christmas presents!

Well anyways, Tom is absolutely obsessed with this chicken costume.  Unfortunately, it's a 4T/5T size - so he has to wait until next year to actually wear it (the pants are pretty big on him).  Thankfully, Ben isn't interested in the chicken at all and is much more into the tiger.  Who knew $1 could buy such happiness for a 2 year-old! 

A Halloween Party & Pumpkin Picking!

James had to go to school on Thursday night so we ventured out to a halloween party.   They didn't really cooperate during picture time.

We decided to stop at the pumpkin stand on the way there since we didn't buy big pumpkins yet.  They had plenty to choose from!

Tom loves pumpkins!

Fun with Liam!

Ben and Tom have two little friends that live right down the street.  Liam is right smack in the dab between Tom and Ben age-wise.  Then he has a very cute little 5 month old brother.  Liam's mom had to take Lochlan to the doctor so we entertained Liam for a while. 

Liam and Tommy play really nice together alone.  When Ben is thrown in the mix, Liam and Ben tend to beat up Tommy.  Soon Tom will have Lochlan on his side.

I made a big new batch of playdoh with Ben.  He loved it!

2 Brothers In Front of The Stove

A Visit With the Great Grandparents!

We took a quick little jaunt to CT for a day to see GG and the Great-Grandparents!  I think the boys scared Granny & Great Grandpa Tard, but a fun visit nonetheless!

Granny & Tommy!

Great Grandpa Tard & Benny!

This Morning...

Our little ones like to sneak into our bed in the middle of the night.  How can you be mad when they are so cute though?

My Birthday!

Happy 30th Birthday to Me!!

The boys and I wore ourselves ragged on my birthday.  First, Ben had Pre-school.  Then we went to the playground to meet up with their buddies Will & Pat.  Then it was off to a local pumpkin farm because I signed them up for some pumpkin event.  Then they took quick naps before it was off to the YMCA for swimming lessons!  Woohoo!  James met us at the Y to see Ben in action again and we just grabbed some pizza and a cake on the way home. 

Ben loved this cake!

Tommy gobbled some up too!

It was a very fun time.  James and the boys got me a carpet cleaner for my birthday!  I was so happy!  I told James not to get me anything - but he told me he was.  I was mad.  So then I called him a week before and told him he was only allowed to get me 3 things if he's actually going to spend money on me:  1.  a carpet cleaner.  2.  a pressure washer.  3.  a new back door.  He went with option 1.  I used it and it did suck up a ton of dirt off of all our rugs.  I'm very happy this birthday - and a little cleaner. 

An Update

Hello!  I've been bad at taking and uploading pictures of the boys.  They drive me crazy.  That's my excuse.  Here's what is going on with them in word...

Tommy's 2!   - Tom is crazy.  He just cut his 11th tooth (most kids have like all of their teeth by now.  He has 9 to go).  He gets into more mischief than any of us.  If he poops, he'll blame everyone in the room but himself.  He talks but only me and Ben can understand him.  James is getting better.

Benny at School - Ben is doing better at actually going into school.  Here's the low down.  When I take him to preschool, all the little kiddies have to stand on their room line.  When their teachers come out to get them, they are all suppose to walk in line like good little angels.  About 2 weeks into pre-school, Ben decided to start crying and saying stuff like "No Mommy!  No!!!"  As if they torture him or something inside.  The teachers all say that once he's in the school and I'm out of site, he magically stops crying.  The past two days of school hasn't been as bad for Benny.  Maybe he's growing out of it.  Just for the record  - there are 2 or 3 other kids who kind of do the same thing in his class.  So he's not the only weird one!

Swimming! - Ben goes to swimming lessons every Monday afternoon.  He really likes them.  After two weeks, I decided that it's next to impossible to keep Tom occupied by the pool (without him running around like a loon).  So I've been putting him in the YMCA daycare.  Alone.  At first I thought he'd throw a fit and whatnot - but he's actually better about me leaving when it's just him being dropped off.  There have always been little boys at the train table though - which Tom just magically gravitates to.  Now that James' job is winding down, he hasn't been getting much overtime, which means he gets to watch the last 15 minutes of Ben's swimming lessons.  This makes both of them happy!

That is all for now!

Sunday at the Zoo!

I made our family go to the zoo on Sunday!  It was the day before my birthday so what I said goes!  Actually, most every days, what I say goes, so it really wasn't anything different.  Here are some shots of the day:

Benny & Tom on a tractor.

Ben took about 55 shots of me and James.  Mostly random shots.  Mostly off centered shots. 

James thought it would be a good idea to have all three of them go down the slide at once. 

Tommy's been obsessed with "Cars" lately - so of course he loved seeing Mack at the zoo!

We had fun at Franklin Park Zoo!

Passed Out on Fish Sticks!

Saturday was chilly and rainy.  We decided to just stay in and putz around the house all day.  I made the lads fish sticks for lunch.  After devouring all but a half of one, Tommy decided to just take his nap at the table!  The poor guy.  I transferred him to his bed where he could have a good nap!

Fun at Boston Market

We recently went to Boston Market for dinner.  They are giving out free kids meals - that's the only reason.  We took pictures in there because we were bored and acting stupid. 

Beavis & Butthead

"I am the great cornholio!"

Our First Time Picking Apples!

It was a beautiful day today - I had plans to take the boys to an open gym thing - but it was too nice to be inside! So we headed to a farm in Bridgewater, MA - C.N. Smith Farm or something like that. Everyone and their mother around here goes "Apple Picking" - so we had to see what all the fuss was about. I don't think I have ever been apple picking before. If I have, I don't remember it. Ben also happens to be learning about the letter "A" and specifically apples in pre-school this week. With all this apple exposure, he's sure to score himself an "A" this week!

They had this neat little apple growth chart thing. Ben liked it. Tom was afraid of it.

They had animals a plenty!

Here are the lads walking down the dirt road to see some horses.

They even had some pumpkins out - which made Ben really happy.

Tommy wasn't into having his picture taken today - but here he is just dancing near the pumpkins.

We finally made it over to the apple orchard. I think Ben is pretty sick of me asking him to pose for pictures at this point.

Here are the boys in action - as Ben will tell you - "you have to twist the apples, not pull them."

Ben is on the hunt!

Benny got two!

We finally filled up our bag of apples and made it back to the car! Ben has already eaten 2 apples - which is good since we have 10 lbs of them. Better get the cookbooks out!

Tommy's Family Birthday Party!

We decided to split up Tommy's birthday party this year to be one kid one, and one family one. Thankfully, we lucked out with gorgeous Sundays two weeks in a row. I have to say, the family party was much more relaxing without a ton of little buggers running around. But no matter how we celebrate, we always have fun! We were fortunate enough to celebrate with Papa, Grandma Helen, Uncles Will, Joe, Sean and Matt - as well as Great Nana, Great Uncle Fran, Great Uncle Kevin, Second Cousin Andrew, Pappy, Grandma Sue and GG! Woohoo - that was a mouthful!

We started with the lad opening gifts. He loved all the toys he got! Thank you very much to everyone!

Daddy was on present opening duty. I did the grilling so he could just hang out and relax.

These kids have enough toys to fill a toy store!

Cake time! I decided to just buy a cake - baking two weeks in a row might put my system into shock.

Tommy loves his store bought cake!

Many thanks to all who were able to make it! We had fun and hope you did too!

Delayed Post: A Trip to CT!

We took a trip to CT over Labor Day weekend. I didn't really get any pictures of the boys with family members. So everyone needs to get on my case about asking them to pose with the boys! They need pictures of them with their relatives!

Here's Ben and Josh at Lake Quassapaug. Ben rode his first roller coaster here. He was a little afraid. Good afraid - not scared for life afraid.

Here's Tom & Ben with their step-second cousins Jack and Josh.

Tom & Ben with Pappy's 1 footed turkey. I think his name is Gibblets but I really don't know.

Tom on a tractor!

We stayed at GG's house and one morning, there was a baby deer just sitting behind her house. She has since reported that their are two baby deer that frolic in her yard. It's kind of weird since she doesn't live out in the woods or anything. In fact, I think her yard is just a tad bit smaller than ours. Crazy deer.

These Days!

I have pictures to upload but I'm being lazy. Hopefully I'll do that later!

We had a little family party for Tom on Sunday! It was fun and many thanks to all the relatives who came by. Tommy & Ben both had a good time.

On Friday, Ben decided that he doesn't like going to school. Too bad kid! He cried going in and did so again yesterday. Poor Ben. The teacher's aide said that he calms down after a minute inside and it might be some delayed response to the whole starting pre-school thing. But when I picked up Ben from school yesterday, the teacher asked if she could talk to me afterwards. I noticed Ben was wearing his "accident" pants. So the teacher grabbed Ben and said "Ben, do you want to tell your mom what happened today?" So Ben replies, "I had an accident and got pee pee all over my pants." So the teacher proceeds to tell me that he didn't have an accident but got a "drop or two" on his pants when he went but insisted on having new pants. I told her that he says/does that a lot.

But that wasn't the "big issue" - apparently our little Ben doesn't like music time and instead of sitting in the circle nicely like all the other kids, he decides to start poking or touching other kids around him. So the teacher decided to not give Ben his daily "good boy" sticker. So I've been trying to talk to him about the importance of music time - but Ben usually just says stuff like "Music is boring. I don't like singing." Although I can relate to this, I try to just tell him that if he doesn't like singing, he still has to sit in the circle like a good boy and listen to his classmates sing. The odd part of this story is that we were in the car talking about this, and a minute after we were done talking I could hear Ben in back say to Tommy, "Tommy, want to learn the songs I sang at school today?" Which was then followed by a song or two from Benny that I have never heard before.

So as "punishment" - I have signed Ben & Tom up for our 3-5 year old storytime at the library on Tuesdays. We are getting ready to head on over there. Tom will love it. Ben will be miserable. This reminds me of my days of taking baby Ben to storytime at the Burlington Library. We started when he was just about 3 months old. Around the 9 month mark, all the little babies would laugh and clap and be happy. Baby Ben would just sit there - looking completely miserable. The librarian told me "oh don't worry - he'll come around. He'll get it soon." Pretty much she was nicely saying my little Benny was a dummy. But my motherly instincts told me otherwise - this boy just is not a "music" kid. And here we are - about 3 years later, in the same situation.

Don't worry Benny! You won't grow up to be our next American Idol. You probably won't want to be in the band. Stick to your puzzles and set your sights on MIT! We'll love you no matter what! But in the meantime, stop harassing your classmates during music time!