We dressed our boys all lumberjack today

Very Canadian.

Building a tower and counting

Dashiel is officially a baby brother.  He is pushy.  Craves attention.  And wants to do everything Hugo can do.  Taking these two to the park is a team sport, Hugo is quick on his feet (run! there he goes!!) and Dash wants to go down the tallest slide with the big kids.  Even though it is mid February we had a great day of play outdoors, only to come home to more adorable playtime.

We were amazed at how well Hugo was stacking blocks. The video opens with us hollering because Dash the Destroyer was ready to take down the tower!  Notice Hugo's hair is getting very Kevin Bacon in the movie Footloose.  Thanks to our friend Bill for the vintage J. Crew duds that are even more Footloose.

Good morning boys

Wicked bedhead, wicked attitude.

Hugo Draws a Circle

Got this short clip from Hugo's teacher...it made our day.  More than just the control he exhibits during the act of drawing, it's also how he holds the pen; how he acts while he draws; how he acts when he's done; his level of connection to what's going on, during and after. Great job, Hugo!  Just so you know, we will be trying this at home.

Trip to Alcatraz

On Jen's suggestions I zipped off to Alcatraz this morning.  Wow!  When you walk into the cell block, one of the posters read:  "If you break the law, you go to prison.  If you break the prison's laws, you go to Alcatraz."  It was no joke.

 

View from the Golden Gate Bridge

In San Fran for a conference....got a chance to rent a bike and ride.

Four in a fire truck...

Watching Yo Gabba Gabba.

Preschool Parties

Hugo is halfway done with his first year of school!


We've had a chance to take a few class pictures along the way.

There was a Thanksgiving feast family was invited to, so you'll see Dash and our baby-sitter Kathy in some of those shots. After the Christmas break the class celebrated Hugo's birthday with some gluten-free chocolate cake mommy made (yum??).

Thanks to his teacher Griselda for taking lots of birthday pictures and props for getting Hugo to wear a hat.

Photographs from this morning

First snow of the year

The scene in Astoria at the moment.

Antics

A few videos to start off the new year for our blog....
Here is Hugo dancing to the Thomas the Train theme Dash fights naps sometimes. Here, he's so tired he is actually falling asleep while he is eating. And one from a week back: If you look closely you will see Dash is pretending to talk on the phone.
Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday, Hugo!

As the boys had colds, we kept the party at home for Hugo this year. We celebrated his 3rd birthday with chocolate cake, "Thomas the Train" balloons and some really cool toys. Happy Birthday, son! And, Happy New Year to all.

Boys being silly with my hats

...From two days ago.

Happy 3rd Birthday Hugo!

 

Our little man turns 3 today!!  To describe our preschooler?  He's a hugger, loyal to his kitty, he loves to swim, he loves to jump, he's currently crazy about Thomas the Train, he'll do anything for chocolate covered raisins, he'll only drink from a glass  if there is chocolate milk involved, wake him up in the middle of the night, and he's up for hours.  If you say good-bye, he'll break your heart with an emotional "good-bye!!" right back.

Hugo and Dash are currently battling a cold so all sorts of birthday plans have been put on hold.  We'll keep you posted...

Box boy

Hugo was having fun walking around with this box on his head. So, we cut a hole in it so he could see where he was going.

5 a.m. Crash Time

The boys have been very excited with their new beds...the other night they woke up at 1 a.m. for playtime and, as you can see, finally passed out around 5 a.m.  This photo was taken by daddy who walked in at 5:15 because all got suddenly quiet. I picked them up and put them back into the new beds where the slept until 8 a.m.  And all were tired just in time for Christmas.

Christmas Morning

Opening gifts Christmas morning with the Brown boys!  Tired parents and excited boys :)

Happy Holidays everyone.

Playing with Dash

Daddy had to swing by work and brought Dash with to get some playground time in.

Chocolate Cupcakes!

Jen made cupcakes last night and gave the boys the beaters...and then it was into the tub with those batter-faced boys!

Drawing with Dash

Good Morning, Christmas Tree

Although they "helped" last night, the boys woke up to the full kitschy splendor that is our holiday tree.  They sat and stared, bedazzled.  This tree will also mark the day that Dashiel has learned to scramble out of his crib.  He did it once last night when Jen was in the room.  At that moment we passed silent wide-eyed looks between us – telepathically I heard Jen say, "holy sh*t!"  She got that right:  this morning I went in to rouse the kids, to get Hugo up for school, only to find Dash snoozing on the trampoline!

Today's artistic pursuits

Dash loves to draw while Hugo makes music and then later, "sculpts" with radioactive green putty.