ice cream...and the dentist

thankfully, livi and jacks' visit to the dentist had nothing to do with our first family trip to the ice cream shop.  we headed over on a hot day to a local ice cream parlor to get their first cone...cookies and cream!  the best part was that after they each had their licks, they became fascinated with the idea of me and john having bites, so around the table it went, and we did not refuse when they would instruct "daddy bite!" and smile as they waited for us to take our turn.

i always dread going to the dentist for myself so i'd be lying if i said i was looking forward to this appointment.  i headed back with livi first and she was not having anything to do with the sweet little hygienist that was trying to welcome her into the examine room by promises of a brand new toothbrush and some stickers.  we all realized quickly that we'd have to do a lap-to-lap exam where liv straddles me and then puts her head back into the dentist lap.  the downside is that liv screamed the entire time, but the upside was that her constant screaming kept her mouth wide open which gave the doctor a clear view of the pearly whites.  30 seconds later, livi was told her teeth were beautiful, no cleaning was necessary and she could choose a toy at of the treasure chest!  with tear-stained cheeks, livi cracks a smile holding a spiderman-like toy as she heads over to show leanne and jacks in the waiting room.  leanne let me know that they (and the 6 other people in the waiting room with them) could hear her screams loud and clear!

jacks, on the other hand, was amazing.  not sure if it was because he had a trip to the dentist 6 months ago (for teeth grinding) - although he was an angel then too - or if he just isn't as frightened in those situations.  either way, i'll take it.  he sat on my lap in the big dentist chair, got his new toothbrush, leaned back and opened wide.  i was shocked to see the hygientist brush his teeth, polish it with an electric tool, FLOSS, and then use one of those metal picks, all while jacks sat still on my lap with his little tongue pushing out at everything.  the dentist came in, gave his mouth a peek, said he looked great and off jacks went to get a toy giraffe from the treasure chest.  it was definitely nice to end the visit on a high note!

the first bite

so cold and so delicious

more please

what?  all done all ready?!? dad takes the biggest bites!

horsies and ice cream...we're not complaining

hold on tight for this bunkin' bronco

i <3 the dentist

he was born for this stuff

pleased with their treasure chest loot

choo-choo starter set

best after-nap surprise

this is what mom's track looks like

dad's is a bit more elaborate
(and he gets a bit more disappointed when his work gets destroyed after 15 seconds)

twin party - at least one of them was having fun

  

the next beckham!

with abs like beckham

and naked fans like beckham 

what a smile

duane couldn't resist the fun that was happening around the water table

the sizemores' kitty tucker made brief appearances,
 but then retreated as our kids started chasing him screaming "tuckah, tuckah!"

muni bus excursion!

dad teaching jacks that you always hold on while the bus is moving

we toured the local animal shelter to view the kitties
(i would have left with two - mocha and pasha - if bones was a nice doggie)

stopped off for some greek yogurt made in-house!

all four of us were big fans

waiting for our ride to pick us up

headed home after lots of walking
(leaving the stroller at home is nice but also tiring for all of us!)

they now ask to ride the bus all the time,
so we took it down to the farmers' market

banana break

nothing like some cream-filled brioche on a sunday morning

park time

livi screamed 'no!' at another kid trying to climb on the turtle
(first time i've seen her do that to someone outside of the family...yipee!)

bones' treats double as drum sticks and weapons

my little helper

apparently grocery shopping is boring
(definitely his father's son)

our staples - tofu, pasta, cereal and MILK

they were waiting for us when we came back from the store

just another morning stroll

getting their chores done

leaf crunching fun

  

daddy's little helpers

i'm sure there are many questions - why the galoshes?  why the long face?
why are stuffed animals tied to the vacuum? -
but basically livi was using the stroller so we found another vehicle
to hold his monkey, donkey and giraffe

hanging out on the big slide

the sweetest little boy

picking flowers for mom?  a girl can dream.

made a trip to marin to get some sunshine...

while we shopped, they hung out by the many fountains...

rode the duck, the turtle and the dragonfly...

experienced the joy of the escalator...

joined their parents for a fine meal...

and finally...partied like a rock star!

family trip to target!  i love this place.

livi didn't want to get back in the car

  

saturday morning beach date

met up with their buddy, odin

sand used to be my enemy...but now that they don't eat it anymore,
it's actually a welcomed activity where there is stillness and silence

gotta love the head-first slide dive

bea and teddy turn two!

hmmm, where is giraffe's weewee?

pure joy

come and knock on our door...we've been waiting for you...
where the kisses are hers and hers and his...three's company too.

parachuting a whole new way

loving the spotlight

apparently, the kids get so excited to get on the zoo train,
and once they board, they all go straight-faced for the entire ride

it's definitely a tubby day

saying hi to their buddies

just another pop star at the park 

the pellegrini patriots

jumping off the couch for the 80th time

sunday stroll through golden gate park

  

mama duck and her baby ducks

reflecting 

we stumbled upon the vocal warm-ups for a peace festival....
everyone got a kick out of the kids 'dancing'

another fun off-the-grid picnic

their favorite part is throwing trash away
(which gets more disgusting as the afternoon goes on)

though they didn't have the words, i'm sure they were thinking:
'mom, you're embarrassing me, you are way to old to ride this"

hundreds of stairs...these toddlers' dream

trying to keep their steps in synch was definitely challenging

john snapped a cool pic of the kids reflection in the "weeyo, weeyo"

picked bones up from camp and the kids were mesmerized
with how long he was pee-peeing

sandwiches in the park

i think they prefer shelby over me so they can go much faster

trying out their new booster seats

pear-pear!

all done.