Fine Dining

Friday night we took Tommy to our favorite local restaurant - Francesca's on the River - the place where we got engaged and where we went to celebrate Tommy's referral, along with birthdays, anniversaries, etc....we went early to avoid crowds, and he was a perfect dining companion! He usually does fine in restaurants, but this time he did really, really well. Maybe it was the new trucks he brought along (I bought a few new ones at a garage sale that morning for 25 cents apiece, you can see the truck with crayons sticking out of the windows!) or the large bowl of buttery and cheesy pasta that he devoured...and then of course the scoop of vanilla gelato that he was kind enough to share with Daddy.

Thomas in Real Life

Thomas the Train, that is......live and in person......we visited the traveling Thomas the Train at the Illinois Railway Museum a few weeks ago. Tommy was kind of interested -- he wanted to climb up on the REAL trains that they have there.

The ride on the Thomas is pretty uneventful, but the boys did love to see him driving by.

Tommy is looking down - cousin Henry on the right and Henry's friend Carter on the left

Now Tommy is looking back - getting a shot of them was nearly impossible.

Here's the main attraction -- note: you do not ride inside of the Thomas train - a lot of the kids seemed troubled by that!










Tommy leading Henry and Carter in the line.

Not great, but at least they are all looking at the camera!

It's all about the Food

Tommy has always been a great eater and is always willing to try something new that he sees on our plates. This summer he has been in heaven with all of the fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer's markets we go to, as well as tomatoes from our own garden.

Here he is enjoying some corn on the cob - he knows just how to eat it and loves it!

Devouring a juicy peach - he eats them right down to the pit!

And lastly, a tomato from our garden. He helps me to pick the tomatoes by putting them in his bucket and carrying them in to the house. Last week we were picking tomatoes and I turned around to hand him one, and he was eating a tomato just like an apple -- I think he may be the reincarnation of my Dad!

Sporting his new froggy rain boots - they are a bit too big, but he insisted on wearing them and splashing in the puddles outside.

More cool weather gear - the summer heat and humidity has finally subsided and we can wear jeans and turn off the air conditioner.

Watching for the school bus......

Vacation, Part 2

More shots from vacation - the beach pics were taken while I was in the boat and the guys were on the sandbar playing with the kids, so they're pretty far away.

Checking out the ocean water

Having a discussion with Pops about digging in the sand
Pops, Caroline, Tommy and Doug building a sand castle

Doug's Dad reads about 3 newspapers a day, so Tommy was in heaven with the abundant papers in their house - at home he will open up a section while we are reading the paper and say "read"

Vacation, Part 1

Two weeks ago we left for Boston to visit Doug's family for a long weekend. I'm just now downloading pictures from the weekend. Tommy had a great time playing with his cousins, riding in the boat in Ipswich Bay, playing on the sandbars and Crane's Beach, and swimming in Uncle Nathan's pool. More pictures in following posts.....

Enjoying Elmo birthday cake for Daddy and cousin Caroline's birthdays - the red frosting was EVERYWHERE

Cake and ice cream with the Gray cousins

He hated that life jacket but did like the pool after a few minutes - I think it's time to start swimming lessons

22 Months

Look at how much he has changed from one year ago...... No longer quite as chubby in the face, but still absolutely adorable!

Life as a Stay at Home Mom

My job recently ended (I worked in the office two days a week) and Tommy and I are now home together everyday. I will admit that I was a bit anxious about being home every day without a "break" (my break being going to the office/Tommy to daycare) but we are having a lot of fun and quickly finding a new routine together.

Last weekend we traveled to Iowa with my Mom to visit my sister and her family. Tommy was a great traveler and liked playing with his cousin's toys.

Next week we travel to Boston to visit Doug's family for a few days.....more pictures when we return!

Getting ready to take a wagon ride with the neighbors - Tommy adores them and they love their "baby"

Trying on cousin Henry's cool fireman's outfit -- he could not walk very well in the boots, but maybe Aunt Tracey will let him borrow it for Halloween and he could get some practice ahead of time???

Enjoying a delicious snack of juice and cheese crackers with Henry - yum yum, as Tommy would say

Taking a ride in Henry's Jeep -- yes, it really drives, and yes, they both wore helmets

Playing with his new sand and water table that was an early birthday gift from Grandma Sharon -- and wearing his railroad engineer's hat from Pops, in preparation for the upcoming visit with the real Thomas the Train!

Cracking up and having a great time with another neighbor at a baseball game -- Tommy chowed more popcorn, cotton candy, and someone's french fries -- he is not shy when it comes to food. He did great at the game until the fireworks started -- then he lost it.

So handsome :)