One room down... 6 to go!

Well... that's not entirely true.  The living room is pretty much done save for some paint touch-ups.  Our bedroom is about is done as it's probably going to be for now... removing wallpaper on a room that size is not in the time/energy budget right now!  Aaron's room is 90% complete... we are waiting for a few things to arrive and then it will be picture ready.
Here is Marcus' room...

I painted the lampshade, the canvas with his name on it over his crib and the small canvas on the shelf.  I'm really pleased with the way this room came out.  Eventually he'll sleep in it... I'm just not ready to cut the cord yet!  :)

Bathroom Etiquette 101

I debated for a long time about writing this post.  I thought it was a little crude and would certainly make Aaron feel foolish down the road.  BUT... after speaking with Uncle NoNo last night I knew that this had to be archived correctly as the original story has already morphed into something bigger. (This is why we call Nathan "NoNo"!!!)
Last weekend Uncle NoNo had his White Coat Ceremony up at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.  The White coat is the iconic symbol of the medical profession and the ceremony is meant to acknowledge the commitment and responsibility of Nathans class to providing medical care to others.  It is also the start of their transition from classroom work to hands-on clinical care.  It was a great ceremony held in the Ira Allen Chapel and we were so so proud of him.  They even stood as a class and said the oath... we were beaming!
After the ceremony there was a reception in the Billings Library.  We went over for hors d'oeuvres and met many of NoNo's classmates.  Aaron informs us that he needs to use the restroom so Brad proceeds to take him.  After Aaron finishes, he and Brad step out of the stall to wash their hands.  Aaron sees the urinals and people at them and asks Brad what they are.  Brad proceeds to tell him that big boys and adults use those instead of going in stalls.  Aaron asks if he can use one and Brad tells him when he's a little taller he can. When they get to the sinks, Aaron looks over and says "Daddy, that boy is a big boy. I'm gonna use that when I'm big like him." Then he takes a closer look and says "whoah! that boy's penis is really long!"  Brad wanted die of embarrassment as the boy and his grandfather start laughing.  Brad looked at them in horror and said "I'm not really sure what to say... I'm sorry about that!"  The Grandfather laughed and said "I'm pretty sure you just made his day"  Brad whisked Aaron out of there to discuss bathroom etiquette.
As we learned last night, NoNo was approached by a girl in his class who asked him if he had a young nephew or friend come to the white coat ceremony.  NoNo said that both of his 3 year old and 6 month old nephews were there... and asked why.  She proceeded to tell NoNo the bathroom story that he heard from Brad.  All the while he was laughing his butt off.  She was very funny about it and wanted Aaron to know that he really had made her brothers day! 
So there it is... before NoNo tries to make a bigger deal out of it. 
Lesson learned... guys don't look at other guy's winkus's.  If you do happen to catch a glimpse... no commentary necessary. 

Tumble Tot

Aaron began tumbling class a few weeks ago at the Gymnastic Academy of Boston.  He attends every Thursday and is one of 4 kids in his class.  He LOVES it!  In addition to learning how to do forward and backward rolls, handstands and cartwheels he has gotten so much better at following instructions.  Each week the theme of the class changes and his teacher, Katrina sets up a series of obstacle courses for the kids to go through.  At various points in the obstacle course they find cut out shapes or animals taped to the mats and they have to perform the task each shape represents... star is for "ta-da!", triangle is for a scale, a smiley face is a cartwheel, a hand is a handstand etc...  Katrina runs the obstacle course first while the class sits and listens.  When she is done they get to go for it.  It typically takes 10 minutes or so to go through the course so it's a lot to remember.  I'm really impressed with Aaron's ability to recall the path of the course.
I was told when I signed Aaron up that the Tumble Tot class didn't need any parent participation but when we got there all the mom's followed along and helped out... I couldn't very well be the only mom in the waiting room!  I wasn't sure how I was going to do it with Marcus but Brad has arranged his schedule so he can work from home on Thursday morning and Aaron and I get some one-on-one time together.  I love his tumbling class as much as he does!

Monkey bars!

Crossing over the balance bridge

straight jumps on the trampoline

Aaron's favorite... jumping into the foam pit!

 They finished all the obstacle courses early so Katrina let the class mess around on the trampoline.

There are 7 weeks left of the class... we will definitely sign up for another class when this one ends! 

Video snipits of the Libertore boys

I have loads of little 30 second videos of the boys that I love... I wasn't sure what else to do with them and I don't want them lost or forgotten.  Here are a few of my faves in no particular order...

My dad ("Ace") giving Aaron his first tennis lesson (6/2010)

Aaron giving Marcus the giggles (1/2011)

 

Marcus the bear... grrrrr! (1/2011)

Aaron and Ace playing in the leaves (10/2010)

Mad skills... (12/2010)

 "you are my sunshine" - funky version (11/2010)

"you are my sunshine" sweet version (12/2010)

I couldn't find the original video of Aaron giggling but here is the link to it on youtube:
Aaron giggles at 5 months

Chopsticks!

Winter: the age if shivery and shovelry

We have had a ridiculous amount of snow this year... I finally found the usb cord for my camera so here are a few shots of winter 2010-2011 in Boston

Brad thought my method for cleaning off the top of the car was photo worthy... I'm 5'2, how else am I supposed to clean off the top???  :)

Aaron playing in the front yard

The tree on the right side of the photo is Aaron's "house". We had a snow picnic under there... Aaron made snow apples and snow pizza.

The front door after I spent several hours shoveling the drive, walkway and steps

Look at all that snow!  And my new ride!

Ace and Aaron built an Igloo!!!

The mail carrier came by while Aaron and Ace were digging this out... he said "I could get pretty cozy in there if I had a cell phone and a six pack".  Aaron now says this often... never in context but always hilarious! 

I'm sure this isn't the last of the snow but it would be nice it were!  What's a sure fire plan for snow removal?  SPRING!  When is that again?

"I missed"

Aaron decided he was big enough to take care of his trip to the bathroom from start to finish today.  It turns out he's not ready to do the dirty work yet.  This is how I felt...  Literally!  It was not pretty!

Aaron - You were so proud of yourself for taking on this task and it made you so sad when I got irritated with you.  I'm sorry for grumbling... I wish I could have a do-over.  If I could I would hug you and say "I love, love, love your independence!  I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to take over that particular aspect of your personal hygiene.  I think, however, that we're a good ways away from you being able to successfully do that on your own.  Don't be discouraged, pal... I've never met a 3 year old that could wipe their own dupa.  You'll be doing it all on your own soon enough... for now, let Mommy or Daddy help you.  I love you biggest!"

The good news is... we're already laughing about this!  :)  Daddy says this is one of those little tid-bits about your childhood we'll share with your future wife... much like the stories your Mimi and Papa have shared with me about your Daddy.  Oh boy!

Moving to the Burbs!

We're moving!  It looks like we'll be in Boston for a few more years at least so we've decided to rent a home in Norwood, MA (a few miles west of the I95 belt line) and see how we feel about the suburbs.  Our hope is to find a town we like so we can purchase a home in the next year or so.  Norwood is really cute and quaint.  It has a cute downtown, great shopping, great schools and it's own electric company (something we have learned after living in Boston for 5 years - is a GOOD THING!).  The neighborhood is very cute and family friendly.  We have a great yard with what looks like some really nice established gardens (we can't wait to get our hands dirty!).  There is a wooded reserve across the street with walking trails and our neighbors are a good distance away on either side - it is very private.  There are 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, eat-in kitchen, living room, formal dining room, laundry room, bonus space (we think this will become a den/office combo), garage and a VERY large play area for the boys (we may partition part of this room off as a guest area... not sure yet).  There are 2 working fireplaces... one in the living room and the other in the playroom.  Two separate attic areas allow us to get rid of our storage unit!  Yay!  All in all we are saving $350 per month in rent (apartment, parking and storage unit) and nearly doubling our space!

Our official move date is Saturday, January 15 but we are slowly bringing things over to the new house now.  There is a great deal of cosmetic prep work to do before we can get settled... there is a lot of purple going on in that house!  I'll have to get in there with my camera to do some before and after shots.  My list of updates include:

1.  Paint entire first floor... Living room, dining room and kitchen

2.  Paint upstairs hallway

3.  Paint Marcus' room... it is currently Easter purple and it has Got. To. Go!

4.  Replace cabinet and drawer pulls in the kitchen

5.  Replace door knobs on the 3 doors to the backyard/garage... the owners don't have keys to them! Huh?

6.  Replace hideous chandelier in dining room with something more classic (it is too small for the space and is dripping in gaudy "crystals" and gold... ew!)

7.  Take down swan wallpaper in master bath... this will take 3 minutes since it's already coming off and the space is very small

8.  Take down wallpaper in master bedroom... this may pose a problem with the owners.  They are VERY attached to this house and seemed really bummed when we asked if we could paint the purple bedroom.

9.  Replace ceiling lights in upstairs hallway and front door... more drippy gold grossness!  

10.  Replace switch plates... many are cracked and yellowed with age

I wish we could rip up the wall to wall burgundy carpeting in the living room and dining room!  For now we will hide as much of it as we can with large area rugs.

The owners are really sweet... they are Lebanese.  They moved to Foxboro last year to be closer to Dr. Hannowi's dental practice.  They have 3 children... 2 boys and a girl who all grew up in that house.  I understand their attachment but... their wall color choices are very taste specific, the things we hope to do are very neutral and a big improvement on what's there.   

We are really excited about our new house and new town!  See ya, Boston!  It's been real!