Kicky and Jumpy: A tale of twins: July

Can it be that long ago that I updated the blog? Wow. Slacker might be what you're thinking but we've been busybusybusy. Work is nuts with the company being shortstaffed (a national trend from what I read) and Joe and I have been doing more things out and about with the boys as we're trying to expand their horizons. They seemed to have reaached a point where they are ready to do more, go more places, etc. etc. We've seen a maturity in both boys and an increase in general comfort when it comes to new experiences and new people. So hither and yon.

The sunset caused by the Toronto forest fires.

Most trips have been fun/successful. A trip to Jordan's furniture in Reading - fiasco, but more the exception than the rule. Jason's big takeaway "Too loud, Mommy". And yes, it was very loud. However, our recent non-stop Fourth of July celebration weekend was fun and festive. Joe and I took a few days off and we did a series of daytrips and adventures. On Friday we hung out and swam at home and had a great time. Mimi and Papa came by for a BBQ and hung out with Kicky and Jumpy et al. On Saturday we attended the Franklin Children's day festivities where the boys saw Elmo, Batman, Big Bird, and a juggling clown. They got flag tattoos and had ice cream. Mom and Dad had fried dough (mmmm) and caramel apples. We missed out on seeing our friends Beve and her grandson Drew as our paths nearly crossed but did not intersect at the fair. Beve graciously invited the Doherty whirlwind into her home. Kicky and Jumpy took an instant liking to Drew. They ran around and squealed and had so much fun. Jason talked about Drew the whole way home. I'm sure Kevin would've if he hadn't dozed off immediately after getting into the car.

On Sunday we trekked down to the Cape where we attended the Wareham 4th of July parade. Uncle Barry's Pirate ship won 1st place! Kudos to him and the crew o' pirates that are his crew. We got to see Auntie Chris, cousins Danielle, Aric, Xavier, Ron and the newest member of the family, Dorian! The parade was even longer and better than last year. Antique cars, lots of floats. bands, a couple of bagpipe and drum bands, clowns, costumed performers, you name it!

It was mighty hot even on the Cape, so we headed to a quiet beach that had a great breeze and refreshing water. We had the beach to ourselves and the boys had a great time. What's not to love about having a giant wind farm on one side to watch and the ocean on the other? Jumpy took the water immediately and Kicky refused to go in ("Nope, nope").

Monday was a recovery day. Jason started sneezing and coughing so all of this party-party-party was taking a toll. We ran through the sprinkler and swam and napped and had a lovely summer day. Just what the doctor ordered.

Tuesday was another activity day. We visited the Discovery Museum in Acton. We'd visited the last weekend in June as a test case and the boys had a blast. Nearly 1 and a half hours spent playing in the train. This time, the boys spent the bulk of their time on the first floor but spread their time between the trains, the water room, the wall chalkboard and the ball habitrail room. I managed to get Jason upstairs and Joe also got him upstairs but Kevin was content to stay on the first floor and play with the trains.

By Tuesday afternoon it was apparent that Jason and Mommy had the same cold. Sure enough, today, Wednesday, Kevin is even more miserable than Jason and Mommy as it turns out....Kevin has a molar pushing on through. Poor little guy. If that isn't enough, it's as hot as the sun here. Yes, I exaggerate and I know you are hot wherever you are too. We've been trying to keep the guys cool and in the house. Not an easy task as they want to run outside and play but 100 degrees and 78% humidity really suck the fun out of running and playing. We ate at Kelly's tonight.

While I try to not take the boys out when they are sick, it's a million degrees and I'm sick. I wasn't up to making dinner and cleaning up after. Plus it's "Kids Night" so I thought we'd see the fish, get a balloon and drive the boys around in a mini-taxi. It went mostly to plan. If by "plan" I mean...Kevin was miserable and was spewing mucous or crying and ended the meal by barfing on me (just a teeny bit and he couldn't help it). Actually, the boys did have a great time watching the giant fish tank and talking about Nemo and Dory and the big pufferfish. Jason had a great dinner and a great time driving his taxi around the showroom floor. Kevin's favorite moment = seeing and touching the giant cherry picker in the parking lot. Several times he said, "That's the biggest crane I ever saw." Which struck me as so cute, I had him repeat it to Joe and to Sue several times.

So, home again home again jiggety jig. I hope you're staying cool wherever you are.

Kathy and Aric