Nearly Polar Bear Swimming in the new pool

We were filling up the pool the weekend Aunt Anisja was visiting, and when we woke up Saturday morning, there was enough water to splash around in our long-awaited swimming pool.  Despite the 60-something-degree water, some of the boys couldn't wait to jump in.

First though, we had to pose in front of the pool and on top of the slide.  Cas and his Aunt Anisja -

Libero, Lorenzo and Anisja -

 Libero, Anisja, Grandma Libia and the boy cousins, Lorenzo, Collin and Nico -

Collin was the first one in the pool.  He started off in clothes and shed them as they got wet.  The pool was FREEZING and my boy has no fat on him, but he was so excited to be in the pool that he ignored the cold.  Thankfully Grandma Libia brought him some clothes  -

Cas in front of his pool -

First June bug -

After her morning nap, Maya came to check it out -

Posing with Daddy in her sun hat -

We've got to protect her nearly-bald head from the sun -

Once it warmed up, she was dressed for the pool party in tutu and top -

Oh what fun to be the only granddaughter -

Aunt Anisja with Nico -

Despite the freezing water and the pool only being about halfway filled, Uncle Libero took on the dare to be the first one on the slide - 

Collin hosed him down -

And paid the price -

Lorenzo and Maya hung out in the shade and chatted with each other over the exersaucer -

I wish we could know what they were saying, like, "do you want to nibble on my finger?"

A scene replayed daily, my sweet boy with a weed flower -

Maya was happy in Aunt Anisja's arms -

Aunt Elida staying dry with Lorenzo -

As the adults loaded the cars and we said good-bye, the boys rode together on tricycles -

Collin very reluctantly shared his scooter with Nico - 

 

A few more tickles from Grandma Libia before saying adios -

Maya enjoyed being the tallest one in the family on her daddy's shoulders -

And when everyone left, we allowed the rest of the family in the pool.  Bruno has taken multiple daily swims since -

We had a great weekend with family, had SUCH a wonderful time seeing Aunt Anisja, and now that the pool is filled, we're ready for the water to warm up enough for the sane ones like me to take a dip!

Great Aunt Introductions

We were so excited for Maya and Lorenzo to meet their great aunt, Anisja, from New York last weekend.  We had the family over for dinner on Friday night, giving us plenty of time to play, catch up, and pose for a few pictures!

 

Maya meeting her great-aunt Anisja -

Collin had a great time with all the family, playing with Lorenzo -

And being silly with Uncle Libero -

While the big kids and adults played in the backyard and picked up dinner, the babies hung out on the rug.  Maya is 3 months older than Lorenzo - and at 10 months, those months make a big difference.  She's much more mobile, crawling and pulling up, but I think Lorenzo has her beat in height and weight!

Neither have any concept of being gentle, but they rolled around without any tears, so it was a successful cousin playtime -

One last picture with Aunt Anisja before the babies took a bath together.  I brought the camera in the bathroom, but Elida and I were too busy with our little ones for me to take a photo of the first baby cousin bath.

The big boys, however, are less needy in the tub, so we got a few happy, splashing photos of Collin and Nico -

We were so excited to have both Aunt Anisja and Grandma Libia spend the night on Friday, and Uncle Libero and family returned Saturday for more family time. 

A mother-son morning

On a Saturday at the beginning of March, Cas stayed home with Maya so Collin and I could take advantage of a members-only hour at the Children's Museum.  It was nice to let him lead the way and give him my full attention, and we had a fun morning together.

Racing on a mo-ped

We read the stories on the walls, played with masks, and he went down the pole in the obstacle course by himself for the first time.  It was a fun mother-son morning!

A few days later, my grandma came for dinner.  This happens often, especially when Cas travels.  I snapped a few pictures of the kids together on the piano - they both love banging away on the keys. 

I went back to the Children's Museum a few weeks later with both kids.  They had a great time but this was the only photo I took, as my hands were busy keeping Maya from putting everything within reach in her mouth. 

Our sweet neighbors are both in elementary school, and one beautiful Monday we were out on the front lawn enjoying the afternoon when the kids got off the school bus.  Collin ran to tell them hi, and Chris brought him a stick since Collin always shows him the latest stick he's found.  Then we played on scooters and jumping rope with the neighbors for over an hour, which I thought was so sweet of their 7 and 10 year old to humor Collin that long!

Standing and Lip Smacking at the Park

We love daylight savings evenings, and have been enjoying playing in the front yard, scooter and bike rides in the neighborhood, and dinners on the back porch this week.  Cas and the kids had fun in the hammock the other evening - 

On Saturday, I met my mom and grandma at a nearby park.

Collin was eager to show off how he held Maya as they go down slides, and I was happy to have adult help with Maya so I could capture the sibling slides where Maya is quite serious but Collin is having fun - 

Showing off her new standing skills -

Maya was so happy at the park, she lasted over an hour before she realized there was a bow in her hair and then of course, immediately ripped it off - 

Collin tossed leaves her way, but instead of annoying her, the leaves and wood chips made her squeal, kick and flutter her hands in excitement -

Playing with B, watching her tickling fingers, smiling and giggling, then gazing up at her to see when the tickling would start again -

And bouncing on Grammy's knees -

Collin told us, "I'm going to burn energy," clearly a phrase he hears often at our house, and set out on a running loop around the playground -

Maya noticed she got a reaction of laughter from her grandma and great grandma when she made funny smacking sounds with her lips, and hammed it up for them for several minutes while Collin was running - 

Silly girl showing more and more personality and opinions, turning on the tears and whines when she's not getting her way, but for the most part, giggling, shaking in excitement, and screaming with enthusiasm as she enjoys time with the family -