Our First Family Vacation

So I won't write too much. I'll let the 20 pictures I cut it down to speak for itself.

But we just got back the other day from our first official family vacation in Cape Cod. Dennis, to be exact. We rented a house right across from Mase & Jake's bff's Burke & James (who's Grandma lives at the Cape for the summer). Grandma and Aunt Jennie also came for most of the week and appearances were also made by Grandpa Ira, Uncle Andy, Uncle Mat & Aunt Lena. The house had a huge back yard and we went to the beach almost every day. The kids were in heaven. Made me feel a little bit bad for raising them in Hoboken where the only time they really get to hang outside is if we are going to the park. And it's always a limited period of time. Thus I digress.

The beach was great. For some. I did find out that Mason absolutely HATES the sand. It scares the shit out of her. Seriously. For such a daredevil, she really is terrified of it. Needless to say, she didn't play in the sand much. Not nearly as much as Jacob. Or Grandma. And she would only go in the water if I held her. And we worked up to this on the last day. (I secretly think she only wanted me to take her in the water because everyone else was there and the poor girl felt like she was missing out.) She was perfectly content to sit under the umbrella with her feet up while everyone waited on her hand and foot. Seriously, she wouldn't even put her feet on the sand. We had to put down a towel or put her feet up on another chair. But she had fun. And Jacob had a blast.

One day I tried took Jacob into the sand and Aunt Jennie brought down Mason. We all sat together (Mason on lap of course) and dug a hole looking for Elmo. It was quite entertaining for all. While we were digging for Elmo, Jacob literally fell asleep in my lap. Must be that sea air.

The other thing they started doing was drinking out of water bottles. By themselves. I know, they're advanced. What can I say. They also enjoyed showering in the outside shower we had. Well Mason did when it was only Mason and Mama. When it was Mason, Mama, Jacob, Burke and James she got really pissed. As she should I suppose.

Tons of fun was had by all. Even though Harvey and I need another vacation from our vacation we wouldn't trade it for the world. It really was the best time ever!


We also got to be there for Burke & Jame's 2nd birthday! Was a wicked good pahty, with water balloons and all.


Here they are singing karaoke with there new mics. Awesome.


Dada playing in our back yard with the kiddos. Watch where you point that hose Harv.


Jacob's turn. Mason makes sure they are getting equal amount of water in their watering cans.


Off to the beach.


This is pretty much how Mason stayed the whole time. Notice the towel beneath her feet. And how her feet are raised.


Jacob taking a break from the sand. Mason freaks out because I think her feet might have touched the ground.


Yup, we have sand on the toes. "Oh dear me." as Nana would say.


That's right. The water bottle is merely training wheels for a beer.


Checking out all the fattys on the beach.


Chillin' with Dada. Ahhhhh.


Looking at the seaguls. Mason demands more Mum Mum crackers.


Eat your heart out David Hasselhoff.


A diva never goes anywhere without her tutu. Or shades.


Hangin' on the deck with Burke & James.


BFF lunch. Joy.


Swing swing swing.


Swinging is even better when it's in Burke & Jame's back yard.


He looks so big!!! Right!?!


The Lieberman's, Cape Cod, July 2010.


Sir Galahad patrols the shore whilst eating fishies...keeping our borders safe.


That's right. I'll sit in this chair all day. And keep my feet up. Why shouldn't I?

**Note**

In case you couldn't tell, the last 3 entries were entered by me. Although it says my hot English husband did it. Just saaayin.

Mr. Potato Head

This is one of Mason and Jacob's favorite toys. And this is usually how they end up looking. Wicked creative, ain't it?

Trip to the Mall

So, you probably don't care much that I took the babies to the mall all by myself a couple weeks ago. But I do. Considering I don't live in the suburbs and trolling the mall is not something we do much in the big city, it was a major feat. I also might add that I don't have a car during the day so I lugged my double wide tractor trailer stroller on the Light Rail. (subway for you country folk). It was just so damn hot out. Too hot to be outside. Too boring to be in our apartment. Mason & Jacob's friends are away for the summer. I had to do something. So we went to the mall...


Here we're waiting for the train. You can see how excited the kids are.


Our first stop was the Disney Store. I had to exchange a swimsuit for the little misses. We also picked up a Mickey and Minnie place mate and two cars. They played with the cars for about 30 seconds before heaving them out of the stroller. Rookie mistake on my part.

We then made our way to Payless Shoes where again, I needed to exchange a size for Mase & Jake. It's really hard to keep up with shoe sizes. Anyway, they weren't that into it. And Jacob didn't care for any of the shoes I wanted to try on him. Whatever, what does he know? He's not even 2 yet.

After Payless I thought it was time for play. They were getting restless in the stroller. So we rode the elevator a few times up and down. It's all glass and they thought it was awesome.

Then we made our way to this area. There were cars that you put money in to make them rock. Honestly, I think the kiddos were more excited about them when they were stationary. It was however, the highlight of the afternoon.


Look out people. Coming through.


Jacob manning the ice cream truck.


A real crowd pleaser this ice cream truck was. Mase & Jake busy at work.


We ended the afternoon with lunch in the food court. I opted for Burger King. And to leave them in the stroller. Mason only ate french fries.

I tried to stretch it out and go into one more store before we left. Bad idea. Mason started screaming, "nap time. nap time." So I got scared and left immediately. They fell asleep on the way home.

But what do you expect, it's not every day you get to hang out at a Jersey mall!

Cape Cod Baby!!

You read that right. We took our first official family vacation last week in Cape Cod. And it was fantastic. Seriously. It was a blast.

But I have a couple more entries I would like to update you with pre-Cape so they will be recorded. So bare with me...and I promise you'll see my beach bunnies soon!

God Bless America

The 4th was rockin'. As always. Grandma and Grandpa came in town again to celebrate with us. We went over to Jim & Maria's again for grilled meat, beer and baby friendly festive activities. We even took the kiddos to the see the fireworks. ( The NYC ones were on the Hudson this year). We weren't sure if they would like them or even be able to stay up that late (they were at 9:30) but it was an experiment. Jacob, unexpectedly love them. I thought he would cry because it was too loud. Mason fell asleep.

As a side note, Harvey and I's anniversary was on the 3rd. Five years!!! Can you even believe it? I can't. We rented a room at the W. In Hoboken. It was awesome. We went to Bliss spa, dinner at Zylo and had a NYC view. Was real nice. We kind of forgot we were in Hoboken. Until we returned the next afternoon. Thanks mom and dad for watching the babies. And thanks to my gorgeous husband for putting up with me for 5 whole years. And for the oh-so-thoughtful gift. You're the bestest ever.

Anyway, here are the pics from the 4th. Was a blast!


Yes, this is the same suit he wore last year.


Can't touch this.


What's the 4th of July without a little 4-wheeling?


Jacob having the time of his life in the bouncey bat man castle. Mason's designer diaper in the background.


Best time ever!!


He devoured this slice of watermelon.


And loved every minute of it.


Little Miss Minnie Mouse too tired for fireworks.


Yes, my shirt says, "No charge for Awesomeness." Awesome, right?

Taking it all in.


Woo-hoo! Lights in the sky.

Water Table

Grandma brought up a "Water Table" for the kids a few weeks ago. I was so pissed off when I first saw it...as I thought..."Where the hell am I gonna keep this thing???" (we're kind of busting at the seams at our 2 bedroom hoboken abode at the moment) But of course, I was grateful, just annoyed. Turns out the kids absolutely love it. As do I. And their BFFs, Burke and James. I just keep it outside. No one cares. Duuuh. Dunno why I didn't think of that in the first place. I hate it that my mom is always right. It's only now I'm realizing that Mason will one day realize this too. Unfortunately, it took me 36 years.


Jacob and Burke. Could they be having more fun? And who's that stud in the background?


Rockin' it. As these 4 always do.


Twin love.

As if they could get any cuter...

So once again, it's been way too long since I've updated the blog. And now I have, I would say, at least an hours worth of blogging to do. So everyone is in for a treat. I'll try and keep the entries short and just treat you to some adorable pics.

Everything is going really well. They continue to amaze me on a daily basis. They've got mad skillz. And an amazing ability to repeat absolutely everything I say. And they are starting to get a memory. Which is kind of scary. For me anyway.

Mason is a tattle tale. Boy, you cannot get away with ANYTHING around her. Just ask Grandma. Jacob doesn't let on everything he knows. He tries to pretend he doesn't understand things...but he understands. Oh yes.

Enjoy the cuteness.


Almost 2...going on ?


A diva never goes anywhere without her handbag.


SHARING the ABC puzzle. A total feat. (not sure if Jacob wants evidence of this)


A fake smile. Sort of.


A real smile. She's just happy.


My little stinkers. They look so angelic here. Don't let this photo fool you.


PJ's and Boots. A lethal combination. So proud.


And one twin cannot wear boots without the other. Oh no.


Chillin' at the Hoboken sprinkler, looking for hotties.


The get-along-gang...maxin' and relaxin'.

Elmo joins the hummus party!

Compliments of Mase & Jake.

Hummus Party!!!!!!

This might just be one of the cutest things I've ever seen. And just know that I didn't even REALLY capture the true cuteness of the whole situation because it had already happened and then I had to go get the Flip and have them re enact the whole thing.

But...I was standing in the kitchen about to make dinner when Mason comes up to the gate. "Mama's making dinner Mason." I said. Then she started shouting something at me. "Humma Pa Tee!" "Humma Pa Tee". She probably said it about 30 times before I realized she wanted to have a "Hummus Party" for dinner. Seriously, the girl knows what she wants. Then of course Jacob came over and started demanding a hummus party as well.

Hilarious.

Wicked Cute

So yeah...been quiet for a little bit. But with the World Cup and Harvey's birthday, Grandma coming to visit, my physical therapy for my bursitis and my Starbucks job things have continued to be busy. But you don't care that the USA went out in overtime to Ghana. Or that England got embarrassed by Germany. Or that Harvey is now 41. You care about the kiddies! The babies! You know, the ones that are almost 2!!

So lots has been happening in Mason & Jacob land. They've been talking up a storm. Literally. They will repeat anything you say, so although I've been trying to be careful forever, now I need to be extra careful. Mason has been trying to talk in full sentences. No kidding. I mean, clearly I only understand 1 or 2 words in that mumbling, but she's trying nonetheless.

Notable notables that I will try and get on video:

-They both can sing the ABC's...Mason can do the whole alphabet puzzle unassisted.
-Mason sometimes says "Bless you" when you sneeze.
-Jacob calls for Mason when she's not around and he misses her, "Oh Maaaaasey."
-Mason swings from bars at the playground unassisted, as if she were in the Olympics.
-Jacob absolutely loves to brush his hair.
-Mason can put on and pull up her tutu and a few other clothing items on her own.
-They both know the number 2. And the concept of 2 objects. Like, whoever gets out of their crib first in the morning (whoever i take out first) will spring into the living room and get both sippy cups full of milks shouting "two milks. two milks." and will bring the other one their milk. It's awesome.
-They both sing with their friend's Burke & James to the Beatles, "She loves you". They all sing the "yeah yeah yeah".

And those notables are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are about a gazillion more I'm missing.

Just know that everyone in Hoboken is alive and thriving.

XOXO

My crazies

This was Father's day. After naps. Thus the insane hair. Crazy kids.