The Scots Would Be Proud

While in Scotland this summer, Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Neil picked up some very stylish and adorable tartan tams for the boys. They were not convinced the boys would actually want to wear them, but they couldn't pass up buying the tams. Little did they know that the boys simply adore wearing hats of any kind (mine, Ian's, fleece winter hats in summer!). They instantly took to their tams and have enjoyed wearing them inside the past couple days. Come fall they will be good for not only fashion, but function.


Gavin also loves the Scottish buses that Grandma and Grandpa brought back. There are two buses, but of course, Aiden has barely gotten a chance to play with either one. Gavin is a "who dat" hog.

Now if we could just get the boys to use "aye" instead of "yes" they would really be little Scots.

*Yes, the boys do indeed own clothing. They just prefer to be "all natural."

The World According to Gavin

Every day the boys are learning and repeating more words, but Gavin seems to have the best translations.

Here are some examples of Gavin-speak:

Gavin - "Abba"
Aiden - "Abee"
Blueberries - "Boobabies"
Strawberries - "Heybabies"
Car - "Pow"
School Bus - "Who dat"

School bus is my absolute favorite. Thankfully Tammera heard him say it while pointing to a bus, otherwise I would have never made the connection.

The Secret Life of Gavin and Aiden

Although Gavin and Aiden enjoy engaging in typical two year old boy things (playing with trucks, getting dirty, spending time at the playground, roaring like lions), they also have a secret life involving more scandalous activities.

One such activity the boys love is "naked time." This consists of Gavin and Aiden squealing and running around the house in nothing but their diapers, often taking the form of wind sprints across the living room. They even request it by name, "Naked! Naked! Naked!" Although this time is usually limited to 20 minutes or so before getting dressed in the morning (or before bed), last week on a rainy morning it lasted for over an hour...


Gavin enjoys some light "naked" reading while Aiden finds just the act of being "naked" hilarious. You can only imagine the mayhem that ensues when the boys are actually naked in the tub. The squeals are really amplified by the bathroom acoustics.


So here is the problem with "naked time" - it appears to be a gateway activity that leads to other more sordid acts like reading a People magazine that Mama bought and left lying around. In another strange twist, the boys actually shared the magazine and each took a few minutes to peruse it without any fighting (shocking!).

Gavin spent the majority of his time with the magazine looking at a two page spread of stars at the beach. He was most interested, perhaps perplexed, with a photo of Matt Damon surfing.


Phew...all is right in the world again when the boys tired of the People magazine and together ripped it to shreds. Again, they were surprisingly cooperative. "Naked time" seems to foster brotherly love.

The Sandbox

Over the holiday weekend, Ian built the boys a proper and spacious sandbox. It is a marked improvement over the previous "sandbox" they had been playing in, which consisted of: a sand pile left over from when we redid our patio last summer. a border of weeds on one half, and an additional border of black PVC piping that previously lived under the old patio. From my description you can tell it was quite the classy little play area.

The new and improved sandbox has a square wood border, four corner benches, clean sand, and even a cover to help keep out critters who may try to use it as a dumping ground. Gavin and Aiden were excited to get in and start digging.

Gavin put his trucks to work digging and pushing the sand around.

Aiden gets acquainted with the sand and decides that it will not be good for eating, but excellent for playing.

No, Cheese, and Bob

Gavin and Aiden have turned into quite the little talkers lately. They seem to learn a couple new words a day and can even string two or three words together...when they feel like it.

Aiden's favorite words are "no" and "cheese." For example, when Aiden does something he knows he shouldn't, like touching the TV, he likes to say "No, no, no" in a mocking, sassy way while looking directly at Ian or I. He is so cute, but such a little stinker sometimes. "Cheese" is used at every meal as either a chant, question, or statement. When a meal does not include a cheese course, he looks at me with big puppy dog eyes and meekly asks, "Cheese?"

Both boys now greet Steve with a "hi," which is often followed with "Eeeeeve," their pronunciation of his name. I asked Gavin yesterday what his cat's name was and he nonchalantly responded, "Bob." We have been reading Sandra Boynton's book 15 Animals a lot lately and in the book 14 out of 15 animals are named Bob..."I have a cat named Bob and a dog named Bob..." Gavin really gets into the book and likes to say all the "Bobs." Poor Steve, the disrespect only continues.

You can ask the boys what color something is as long as the item is blue. Our act would never survive on the road.

Tiger or a tiger?

While Ian was watching the U.S. Open on Father's Day, Aiden decided to turn off the TV (one of his favorite activities). Ian's response was, "Now we don't get to see Tiger's shot." So Aiden and Gavin both disappeared into their playroom and each returned with a tiger for Daddy. Gavin brought in the big stuffed tiger, and Aiden brought in the little plastic tiger. Very smart, boys!

Gavin gives the tiger some nice petting, a concept that rarely applies to his interactions with Steve.


Aiden is thinking, "Hello, tiger. In just a moment I am going to try to eat you!"

Pop Quiz: Aiden and Gavin Style

What happened right before this photo was taken?

A. Aiden and Gavin ran over Mama's new Azalea bush and both said "Uh-oh!" in unison.

B. The boys had just completed a lap around the block cruising for chicks...literally looking for small birds.

C. Aiden let out a distressed wail as Gavin carjacked him.

D. Nothing of interest because Aiden and Gavin are perfect angels.


Correct Answer: C - his weapon of choice was brute force

*Thanks to Tammera for the photo and accompanying story.