Slumber Party

I have been begging Laurie and Robin to let Lydia spend the night with us for awhile now both because she’s a super cool kiddo and the whole Contine family loves to spend time with her but also because Laurie and Robin do not have family near by and therefore don’t get a “night off” very often. Brian and I are lucky enough to get at least one a month with my parents so close so we really wanted to pay that good fortune forward and let Laurie and Robin experience something that we almost take for granted at this point (but mostly it was just because Lydia is so stinkin’ cute).

They finally obliged us the weekend before last. Lydia came over late Saturday afternoon and her parents headed off to dinner and a movie with plans for sleeping in and brunch the next day. When Lydia arrived we threw both kids into the car and headed to the grocery store to pick up some staples. How do you handle two toddlers at a grocery store? Like this:

Whoever designed this cart is clearly a genius. Or the parent of two kids. Two steering wheels = no fighting. They had fun the entire time spinning their steering wheels and honking their horns.

We got home and started the bed time routine. We got both kids in their pj’s and read stories:

And then Brian took Oliver to his room and I took Lydia to the office (which we had set up with our Pack N Play and the rocking chair from our bedroom) and we rocked and sang to our respective kiddos and put them to bed. They both chatted for awhile but were fast asleep before we knew it. 

The night went really well. Lydia woke up around 6:30 and Brian got up and played with her while Oliver and I slept in. When Oliver woke up around 7:30, Brian opened his door and let Lydia walk right in. Oliver got so excited to see “Lyds.” Brian picked her up and put her in the crib with Oliver and they played this game for about fifteen minutes:

Okay, I know I’m biased because I’m head over heels crazy about these two kiddos but that is ridiculously cute, right? I mean, when Oliver says: “All done!” and Lydia looks up at him with her big beautiful eyes and asks: “All done?” Sheesh. Too much cuteness. The game was eventually broken up by Lydia’s declaration that Oliver had pooped. She even checked his diaper to be sure. 

After the diapers were changed and everyone was dressed we all headed to Dan’s for breakfast where Oliver showed off his friend to the staff. After breakfast we headed back home to play. We went on a long walk (well, actually it was short walk but it took a long time):

And then had some snacks

How beautiful are they? Seriously. The kiddos played so well together the whole time, just a few squabbles that were easily settled. It was awesome how much they talked to each other, too. They would have entire conversations and sometimes Brian and I even knew what they were talking about.

Before we knew it Laurie and Robin were back and the slumber party was over. We all had such a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat.  

Music Class

Laurie and Robin started taking Lydia to Music Together classes at the Austin Lyric Opera last year and were always raving about how much they all loved it. So, for Christmas we asked Grandma and Grandpa Contine to give Oliver music classes. The session started the second week of January and we have been having such a great time with them ever since. It’s been awesome to see him enjoy the classes and learn so much. While he often takes a “sit back and watch” approach to the class while he’s there (the only exception being when it’s time to clean up), he is doing so many things from class at home. He’s even started to “sing” a little which is so cool to hear. He’s also completely in love with the teacher, Paula Rae. He sits right in front of her and just stares and stares when she sings (she has a beautiful voice). 

The class came with a CD of the music we sing in class and Oliver has listened to it so much he now has it memorized and has a sign or a word for each song as it plays (“Pop” for Pop Goes the Weasel, dance movements for songs like Don Alfredo Baila, miming driving a car for another song). Aidan and Lydia are both in his class and Oliver loves getting to hang out with them every Saturday morning. I’ve noticed that he’s had a bit of a verbal explosion since the classes started and I think the two are probably related. Every morning he wakes up, points at the stereo and says: “Class on please!” which is how he asks us to put the CD on.

Music education was a really important part of my childhood and I’m so excited to see how much Oliver loves listening to and making music already. I am so grateful to Ann and Bill for giving him this opportunity. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

NFL Ref in Training

I watch a lot of football but I'm not really that into the game. I mostly watch for the referees. It's weird, I know. But I love all the penalty signals. I even have favorite NFL refs. So, once football season started I tried to teach Oliver the penalty signals. He's gotten pretty good.