Animals Everywhere

We foresee our house becoming full of animals, Owen (and I) would love some more critters but right now we have a lot. They are fun to watch and take care of and Owen is really helpful and great about his animals. As of right now we have: 2 dogs, 9 fish, 2 fire bellied toads, 3 hermit crabs, and about 8 caterpillars. Some are moth caterpillars that the bug lady from his birthday gave him and one has built its cocoon and the other look like they are about to. Then we found two caterpillars under our watermelon plant that will become black swallowtail butterflies. We have done our research and have given them the food they like and watching them grow right now. Hopefully some of them will make it and we will release some moths and butterflies. Oh I almost forgot the bug cage of two grasshoppers and a cricket. Seriously there are critters all over our house but they are so much fun to observe.

Watching our New Caterpillars

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
Aiden oohed his find, a dead beetle

Lake Beach

Last year we visited our friend Robb and visited some of the lake beaches around Charlottesville. Owen had the best time and has asked several times this summer when we were going to go to Mr. Robb's Lake Beach. We finally got to go and both Owen and Aiden had a blast, and of course so did we. The boys were so comfortable in the water, and splashed, swam, collected snails, tried to catch fish, and dig in the sand. They also loved Mr. Robb and wanted to show him all of their play. It was a wonderful weekend trip.

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Decorating Stairs

To set the scene, the boys were playing very well downstairs and I needed to start dinner so I left them down there. Well minutes later Owen comes up because he had a project he wanted to complete. Aiden was happy down there so I continued to make dinner. I went to check on him and he was so cute and busy. He was taking car after car and lining them on the stairs.

Bug Fossil

Owen's friends Caitlyn and Ashley gave him a bug fossil that he had to excavate. He LOVED it. He put on the safety glasses and started at work with the chisel, then he figured out that it was easier to just hammer it away. He found a fly in amber that came with a string to wear it. After it was all done he decided to use his lego trucks to play in the pebbles. Thanks ladies!

Chisel Away

Little Scientist
Fly Fossil

As promised to Caitlyn here is the video of Owen at work.

The Bug Birthday Party

We celebrated Owen's fourth birthday among a lot of his friends in the heat of summer with a lot of fun play, a bug show and a bug hunt, picnic lunch and ince cream cake. Owen had a wonderful time and told us his favorite part was "Everything!" and then told us the stick bug was his favorite. Started just letting all the kids play outside, then we had a bug lady come and let the kids explore several amazing bugs. Owen was in heaven and held everything and even got very close to trying to touch the scorpion. I will say I was proud he knew what everything was, but not surprised. It was funny to see some of the nonbug kids bail and go play, which was fine by me. You will notice in the pictures the crowd gets smaller. But then everyone had fun searching for bugs hidden in the yard. As always with these games, Owen was a boy on a mission and found a lot. Then we enjoyed pizza and ice cream cake. Then as people started to leave Owen took it upon himself with the help of Addie to start opening his gifts. He'd take one at a time inside and open. He was so excited to get everything and has enjoyed playing with all of them. Later in the day Owen opened his gifts from his family and then the big surprise his new room decorated. He's known about the room stickers for about two weeks now and that morning he told me, "I really hope my stickers come soon because it's my birthday." He was so excited to see them and put them up. I am happy to report Owen celebrated hard and was celebrated on his birthday.

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Bug Show


Boys Riding Bike: Owen was trying but kept pedaling forward and then back which made it brake. He was tired and got frustrated and sad.


Room Sticker Surprise

Happy Birthday Owen

Owen, you are our first son
And taught us how to love a child
You have given us such joy
Shown us simple pleasures
Made us laugh and smile more than ever imagined.

You are full of life
You are brilliant and intuitive
You are silly and fun
You are caring and sweet
You are a shining star in our world.

We love you and celebrate four years of
many smiles, laughs, hugs, kisses, snuggles and play.
Thank you for bringing such joy to our lives.

Reston Festival

I took the boys this afternoon to Reston Festival. We had a lot of fun but just couldn't take many pictures as handling both boys at these things can be hard and not allow a lot of time to take a picture. Our favorite part was the animal encounters. The boys and I got to touch two snakes, turtles, bearded dragon and see many others. We started and ended our trip here. They got their arms painted, did some crafts, played with bubbles and chalk. Owen waited for balloon animals while Aiden ran around . Then Owen wanted to ride a carnival ride. Both rode a dragon that went around super slow. But they both loved it. Aiden kept bouncing up and down while Owen just gave smiles. Another perfect moment was eating missile popsicles on the train ride and ending with two boys with blue stains on their mouths, arms, cheeks, and well everywhere. Oh to be a kid! They make me smile.

Owen and his Lizard Balloon

Aiden and his Snake Balloon (this was one of the only times I got him to sit in the stroller)
On the Dragon Ride

Snake turn to Sword

Sweetest Face

Sweet Brothers

The boys are pretty good to each other but of course they fight and pick on each other too. This evening when I was making dinner it usually can be a bit chaotic but the boys played nicely on the road rug together. I could hear Owen teaching Aiden and them talking to one another. Then a tickle fest went on. They are such sweet brothers!

On Stage

Herndon hosts free kids shows during the Farmer's Market. We have always enjoyed going to these shows and this show was trick dogs, so of course I wanted to go. It was very hot, reached up to 98 as we left. Owen had a great time watching the show and Aiden was a bit of a pest and wouldn't sit at all. He wanted to run and climb the stairs, run off to play on the hill and truly cause chaos for me. He just isn't one of those kids that will sit very long. Owen was content sitting with his friend Evan watching the show but did say he was sad that I couldn't sit with him. It makes me sad too.


Whenever we go to these shows he always raises his hand to volunteer but until now never got picked. I was worried he would get stage fright and did pause when asked to stand in the moving loop but he did it and stayed the whole time. He was so cute!

Owen and Evan Watching the Show Aiden at the Stairs
Started on all Fours and then Had to Stand up In the Loop with the Other Kids Tah-Dah James, Evan and Owen

The Library

We frequent the library and I love how excited Owen is to find a good book or find one of his favorites. He is full of life in the library and loves to search for books and put them in the bag. Then for the next couple days it is all about reading all the new books. We still likes story books but he is very fond of educational books about ocean life, reptiles and amphibians and insects. I must say I have learned about all these creatures.

Reading on his Block Box

Took His Two Favorites to the Sofa

Little Reader

Hiking

Took Aiden hiking with me and he had a blast. It reminded how I used to take Owen pretty much every day. Wish I could still do that but just hard with two. Aiden continued to repeat, "Go, go, go!" Had to take these with the phone so not the greatest, but he's still super cute.

Aiden Hiking

Running

Under Tree with Stick
Cute Face

Little Boy, Big Woods

Climbing Over Log

Then he scooted all the way down.

Digging in the Dirt

Dancing Leaf

Blowing Leaf

Go, Go, Go

Puppies and Aiden

Swimming

Owen has made leaps and bounds at the pool this season. Last week he started to put his face all the way in the water and then walk on his hand and kick his feet. All on his own! I can't put into words how proud I was. He has continued to do it and this trip I finally brought along the camera to capture this milestone.

Our pools days are pretty fun. Owen is happy to be in the kiddie pool or big pool. Aiden prefers the kiddie pool but will hang out in the big pool getting in and out of the steps, dumping water and chasing balls. So it is a nice balance of time at each side. Love being at the pool!

Smiley Pool Boy

Dunking His Head

We were trying to splash Omer
Then to the Kiddie Pool, Smiley Aiden

He flicks water with the shovel

Owen in the Kiddie Pool

Goofy Face Aiden

Hot Hubby

Running In

Happy Pool Boy

Walking Around

Owen likes to jump out of the basket they keep the pool toys.

Dripping Face

Aiden Chasing Ball

Goggle Swimming Owen

Kicking Those Feet

Aiden Chillin'

Jumping In

Crab Walk

Not a fan of goggles, but still happy to swim.

"Swimming" Owen