Uncle Jim's Shipyard

Papa took the boys to see Uncle Jim's shipyard in Rockland yesterday. Ever since Josiah caught wind of Uncle Jim's profession, he's asked lots of questions about the shipyard and the boats that are made and fixed there. I tried to conduct an interview with Josiah about his trip, but he's always too busy to be very informative. He said he liked the crane. When I asked him what he thought of the big boat, he said, "It was great. We went right inside it. It was so big, and we got to go under it! Underground!" End of interview. On the way home, the boys stopped at a train station and saw some trains, of which Benjamin has been jabbering non-stop since. He keeps asking to go again, as in, immediately! So if I tell him, yes, you can go again sometime, he just gets worked up thinking that I'm going to put him in his car seat and take off right then. Here are some pictures of the boys with Uncle Jiminy Cricket, and our friend Ron.

Josiah turns 4!

Today is Josiah's 4th birthday! I cannot believe how grown up my little man is!!! He is funny, inquisitive, active, helpful, hard working, extroverted, strong willed, and happy. He brings so much joy to Logan and me, and is an excellent big brother to Benjamin. We're having a dinosaur party for him on Saturday with his little friends, so we'll just have cake tonight after dinner. He and Benji are visiting Uncle Jim's shipyard in Rockland this morning, so he's happy to have something exciting to do on his birthday. We love you, buddy!!!

More Company = More Fun!

We're on a roll now, two weekends in a row with dear school friends visiting! I'm hoping that someone will call us this week and tell us they'd like to come visit this coming weekend! The boys really love having company too.

This time, Josh and Sarah visited us from MA. We wanted to host them because they have been hosting Logan quite a bit when he works in MA. They came bearing gifts, toys for the boys and stress balls for Logan and I. :) Plus lots of yummy fruit, cookies, etc. Josiah was very impressed with the bow and arrow, Benji loves his funny fish ball, and the Caboose book is a big hit. Josiah always cuddles with whoever comes along, and especially required Josh's undevided attention. He vividly remembers their apartment in Ipswich because it sits right alongside the commuter rail, with trains going by every half hour or so during the day.

Here are some pictures from our visit: Reading their new book!

When we went to buy lobster, a shrimp boat came in. We were all very impressed!

Saturday was beautiful, so we went to Ocean Point and Josiah worked very hard to make a sandcastle. This was the fourth or fifth attempt.

Josh and Sarah laughing when Logan accidentaly stepped on Josiah's castle!

Shucking shrimp! Josiah has to be involved in everything, and actually did a great job with this task! Plus, shrimp was only $1/lb, and was yuuuummmmmy!

Laughing when Josiah said something funny....wish I could remember what it was he said!

Sarah made a delicious lemon merengue pie!

Weekend Update

We just had a very fun weekend with our dear friends, Ryan and Kelly. Kelly is finishing up her last few months of medical school in Vermont, and then they'll be headed to Ohio, so they wanted to come visit again before their big move. Some photojournalism from the weekend:

Dressed to impress, on our way to the coffee shop for breakfast. When I told Benjamin he looked like a cool dude, he said, "No, Mommy! I silly goose!!!"

Ryan and Kelly got the middle row. The boys enjoyed being bumped to the back. :)

Josiah is mastering his pancake flipping skills (or "pantate," as Benji would say).

Uncle Danny, Grandma and Josiah fix breakfast for everyone. It is fun having Uncle Danny living in Maine so we can see him at least monthly! It's been great to get to know his girlfriend, April, who we are all in love with. :)

Lobstah!

Josiah looking perturbed because Daddy gave Benji one of the claws from this lobster.

A Valentine's Day sugar rush from Papa and Grandma!

The boys loved this holiday. They were busy making Valentines all day for everyone.

Making a house, or maybe a yurt? These popsicle sticks kept Ryan and Josiah busy for a long time.

Benjamin was pooped after a sleepover at Papa and Grandma's Saturday night. He's an early bird, rising with the sun, so he's always ready for a good long nap by 11 or so. We were tired too after two late nights! Saturday we had a blast playing Cribbage. Kelly and I smoked the boys. :)

The Week in Review

Here is a photo recap of the past week:

We celebrated Uncle Jim's birthday on Sunday! He's a spry 45 now. :)

The boys were very excited to sample the cake.
The boys 'helped' Daddy in his workshop this week! This was Logan's first week "out on his own." He's not painting on Squirrel Island anymore, so if you have any painting or carpentry work, Logan is your man! :)

Here, Benjamin is painting a radiator cover Logan made for my Aunt Robyn.

Benjamin went to the Doctor on Monday after several days of coughing and running a fever. She thought it was an ear infection, and the Amoxicilan she prescribed seems to be wiping the little guy out! But he is better now, especially regarding sleep and appetite.

When the ladies arrived for our Wednesday Bible Study, Josiah heard us and got up from his nap, only to sleep on Grandma's lap all through our Beth Moore video. :)

Josiah was beyond due for a haircut, so Logan did the honors Wednesday night. Here, it would appear that Josiah sat patiently, enjoying his Finding Nemo movie. In actuality, you would have thought we were torturing him, the way he kicked and screamed! Poor Josiah is a high-strung little fellow, and Logan and my nerves were just about shot when it was over!

Benji felt left out, telling us "My turn" when Josiah's hair was done. So Benjamin got his first hair cut! This is the before shot...but I'm not going to post an after shot because it looks just about the same. He was happy to get some attention though. :)

The boys went to Papa and Grandma's all day Thursday while I cleaned houses, and then they stayed for a sleep over too! Logan and I went out to dinner and to see "The Blind Side." Very fun! The boys love going to Papa's, where they get to make all sorts of creative things. They made a rocket ship together, and Benjamin did some naughty art work on the walls and floor. Here is an impressive Lincoln Log house Josiah made: