Boys and their toys

Jesse, Elliott, Mike, and Ned went to a special equipment show at the wonderful children's museum in East Aurora.  There was a firetruck, an excavator, a garbage truck, a steam roller, an ambulance, a street sweeper, a tractor trailer, a landscaping bucket truck, and a well drilling truck.  Jesse and Mike took these cute pictures of the boys.

Cousins!


Ned, riding shotgun in the street sweeper

I'm imagining that Ned is telling Mike exactly how the front end loader works.  Because he's 3 and therefore knows everything about heavy equipment.

Holly and I talk on the phone almost every day on the way to work.   One of my favorite things is being on the phone with Holly and Ned on garbage day.  Ned yells out, "GARBAGE TRUCK!!!!" with such joy.  For the rest of the drive after Ned goes to school, and all other days of the week, Holly and I get excited when we each see garbage trucks, knowing how much Ned loves them!

Jesse and Elliott in the fire truck.  Oh, diamond plate!

With Ned too.

Ned holding Elliott on the steam roller.

Napping after all that fun. This boy makes me smile :)

Standing up!

On Saturday, we went to a housewarming BBQ for our friends Tegan and Paul.  Elliott was very excited to crawl around (and eat) nice grass (their lawn is in much better shape than ours).  Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

Going after the big ball


Almost there . . . 

But stopped short for a rest.

Who needs a jungle gym when you can just climb on Daddy?

Every baby's favorite target, a beer bottle.

Elliott loves pulling himself up to standing on anything and everything.  He wobbles when he's standing but is getting stronger with each passing day.  On a slick floor, he sometimes goes into a split.  Other times, it looks like he's standing more on the side of his foot, or ankle, than the sole.  Over the weekend, he started holding on with one hand and reaching out with the other.  Husband, better keep up with the baby-proofing! We're going to have an early walker. 

Mama!  The sun is in my face!

Did I hear someone say "guacamole?"

 

First muddy clothes (of many, I'm sure)

We enjoyed another beautiful weekend as a family.  We went to brunch with my parents, Holly, and Ned for mother's day.  Here are the moms and their babes after brunch.

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Emery Park, a beautiful park near our house.  We walked here all the time when I was pregnant.  Elliott has only been here once or twice on "the outside."  Here he is loving the swing.



So happy

Love to see my boys looking at each other.

Elliott got a new hat so he was nearly matching with his plaid pants and hat.

My boys

Picking flowers for Mama

Pulling himself up

Elliott is really good at standing up these days . . . 

But still falls down.

He went off on a mission.  Here he is with his ape crawl (hands and feet).

Checking things out to the right.  When he came back, he had muddy knees.  His first muddy knees!  I'm sure this is just the beginning of our long future with shout stain remover.  

Taking a mid-crawl rest

Daddy swooped in for a rescue and brought him back.

 

Best Weekend Ever - Part 3

Our wonderful weekend continued into Sunday, my actual birthday.  We went over to my parents' house in the morning to spend more time with Claire and Scott before they drove back to NYC.  Then I went off to a lovely bridal shower for my dear friend Jordan.  Jesse ran errands while Elliott took an epic nap in and out of three stores (he usually wakes up on the go now).  We met again at my parents' house and spent time outside enjoying a beautiful day.  My dad took these wonderful pictures of our little family.

Happy boy playing with one of his favorite toys


And his cups

Checking out the Mama jungle gym

But the Daddy jungle gym is more fun - it's taller

Grass . . . so entertaining

Look! I found a new hand-hold.  Mama's nose!

Oh, I'll try holding on to her cheek.  

Nope!  I like the nose better.  (This did not feel good.)

Our family of three.  Being together with our wonderful Elliott was the best 30th birthday present I could ever imagine.  

 

Best Weekend Ever - Part 2

Our wonderful weekend was full of festivities.  On Friday night, we attended the Riedel wine tasting to benefit Hauptman Woodward Institute, where I serve on the board of directors.  I was the co-chair of this wonderful event for the second time but this was the first time I could actually attend.  It was so great that Jesse made it home in time so he could partake in the fun (and provide moral support when I provided opening remarks to 400+ people).

Sibs!


Our table for the night at the dinner after the tasting.

Jill, the wonderful event coordinator for HWI, arranged for a "happy birthday" and a cake after dinner.

I had a hunch over the past few weeks that something was in the works for my birthday.  Actually, it was more than a hunch.  I was told, "something is happening, stop asking questions."  When my mom insisted on buying this dress for me, I figured it was for my birthday, and the wedding in June that was the cover story for the surprise.  I was told to be ready to leave our house at 5:30.  We drove over to my parents' house and there were balloons on the mailbox.  I said, "oh! a party!"  Jesse said, "how do you know your parents didn't have a yard sale."  Unlikely, I tell you.  After that, the surprise became seeing who would show up.  It was the perfect evening.  Exactly what I would have planned for myself.

Enjoying the Constantine family drink - Whiskey Sours

Holly, Mike, Jesse, and me

Good friends Danielle and Leigh

Another surprise!  My cousin Claire and her hubby Scott came up from NYC.  Here I am checking out her cute baby bump!  

The dinner spread with three delicious cakes in the background.  We are still enjoying one of the cakes at work.

Elliott spent most of the night asleep and before that in the loving arms of Ann.  He came out to the party for a few minutes but was startled by all the noise and commotion.  

My wonderful mom and sister.

Thank you to everyone for making my birthday so special!!!  I had a wonderful time!!!