Family Trip to Sesame Place

We decided to take Aaron and Helena to visit Sesame Place in Longhorne, Pennsylvania this summer. We spent two days visiting the park and the kids loved every minute. Stacie's mother and sister came along too with Aaron and Helena's cousin Lexi.

Auntie Jill and Lexi ride on the Sunny Day Carousel

Aaron wanted to ride the blue horse

Helena's favorite horse was the "Purple One"

Lexi takes a short break from all of the fun!

Family Trip to Sesame Place, Part One

Meeting Bert and Ernie

Waiting for the parade to start

A picture with Abby Cadabby

Meeting Elmo was a favorite moment

Family Trip to Sesame Place, Part Two

Aaron and Helena loved riding up in the air in the balloons, although it was hard for them to see over the seat.

Lexi poses with Oscar the Grouch

The line was very long to get a picture with Zoe, so we just took her picture and waved instead

We had a chance to see an Elmo Live show, Aaron and Helena loved being up close!

We had our photo taken on the front step on Sesame Street

Family Trip to Sesame Place, Part Three

Earnie's Waterworks: A small water play area designed for children under the age of 5. The water didn't spray too hard and there were lots of areas the kids could play with the water.

Aaron enjoyed playing with this oversized faucet

Helena spent a great deal of time with this water toy. The water came splashing down several tunnels and she was able to manipulate how much came out using this divider type toy

Helena turns the water wheel

The end of an exciting two days at the park

Fouth of July Celebrations

On July 4th we celebrated our country's independence and Aaron and Helena's cousin, Anna's, fourth birthday. Stacie's brother and his family visited from New York for the weekend. Aaron and Helena spent most of the day swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool and playing with their cousins.

Aaron and Helena both enjoyed the birthday cake!

Swimming in the pool with Mommy

Helena was very drawn to her cousin, Maggie, who turned one in May. Helena liked sitting and playing with her and was very careful to help her walk through tricky doorways and around the table and chairs

26 Months

Aaron and Helena are 26 months old! They are now eagerly walking, running, jumping, marching and dancing everywhere they go. They now have favorite songs they like to sing and books they prefer to read again and again. Favorite songs right now are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and "The Alphabet Song." Some of their favorite books are "Little Quack" and "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." Aaron and Helena are starting to talk to each other a lot more and are able to communicate their opinions very well!

Swimming in the new pool!

Aaron likes to try to stand and slide into the pool!

Fun in the sun

We spotted this turtle walking through our yard last week

Sleepover

Callaway came to sleep at our house last weekend and Aaron and Helena loved having their cousin around to play with. It was a beautiful weekend and we spent a great deal of time outdoors playing. They are going to have lots of fun memories growing up together!

Aaron, Helena and Cal loved to walk up and down the street, taking turns riding in the wagon

Helena takes a moment to enjoy the view from her slide

Cal and Aaron liked shooting hoops together in the backyard

Memorial Day Fun

We kicked off the summer with a trip to Stacie's parents house to spend Memorial Day out on their deck and newly opened pool. Although it was a beautiful and warm day, the pool water was chilly to say the least. The temperature didn't seem to bother Aaron and Helena at all, as they went into the pool at least three times and Mommy and Daddy had to encourage them to take a break and warm up.

We bought Aaron and Helena swimmies that work wonderfully. They also liked to use a tube so they are able to keep upright and swim after their older cousins
Aaron loved chasing after all of the balls floating in the water. He is getting good at kicking his feet to move himself around the pool

Mommy and Helena relax out on the deck

Grandpa and Helena enjoy visiting Auntie Barbara's house during Memorial Day weekend

First Trip to Shady Glen

On Monday, Grandma took Aaron, Helena and Lexi out to lunch at Shady Glen. This was such a special treat as I have many great memories of my grandmother taking my sister and I as kids. Aaron and Helena got to try a piece of their famous cheeseburger and some of their homemade ice cream as well.

Aaron and Lexi enjoy their lunch

"I'd like my ice cream now."

25 Months

Aaron and Helena are now 25 months old. They are developing so fast. Both can now put as many as three or four words together when communicating and can express their wants and needs most of the time. While they are both growing more independent, Helena is much more vocal about wanting to do things herself. She now picks out her own clothes, carries her own dishes to the table and is specific about which cups she drinks out of. Aaron and Helena are also insistent about climbing into their own carseat and buckling up before we drive anywhere!

Helena wears her new Mets hat

Aaron shows off his new Mets hat, which needed to be returned because the toddler size was too small!