2 Years, 1 Month

My little imps ("Hen-e" left, "Gak" right):

It feels very strange that I can now actually quote the boys... they talk! A lot! 

The boys are perfect little toddlers: talking up a storm, throwing fits when they don't get their way and then being ridiculously adorable to make up for it. Jack loves to play hide-and-seek, incited by demanding "seek!" but gives himself away when Mom inquires "is Jack behind the curtain?" and he answers "no!" The boys like to refer to the small recessed lights in our kitchen and sconces in our living room as "baby lights." Whenever they hear Steve's phone vibrate, they exclaim "froggy!" And whenever they bid someone farewell, they say "Bye bye! Good luck!" 

A Couple Family Pictures

Jack with Mom and Henry with Dad, riding the Santa Cruz trolley:

Henry with Dad, Jack with Mom, at Santa Cruz Main Beach:

Second Birthday

Toddlers are funny. The boys absolutely love getting mail. They were thrilled beyond belief to get birthday cards in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa Pool.

Henry pouring over his card on the couch:

Jack excitedly shows off his card:

Henry just can't get over his card:

Jack pulls along his birthday mop bucket, containing an even more special surprise...

... their very own dustpans! Henry shows off his prize:

Yeah, those lucky boys got cleaning supplies for their birthday. In my defense, I also got them Curious George t-shirts and some stickers... so Mom's not all bad.

Steve picked up a flavor variety of birthday cupcakes. The boys indicate some interest (Henry left, Jack right):

Magnifico! opines Henry:

The boys were excited to receive another package in the mail. Henry helps Daddy open it while Jack looks on:

Yay, friend Cassy sent us new books! The boys read with Dad (Jack left, Henry right):

Jack cuddling his birthday doll from Grandma Loveridge:

More goodies arrived with Grandma and Grandpa Pool's visit. First, the boys open books sent by Uncle James and Aunt Brooke. Here they show off their excellent direction-following skills:

(The title is Don't Push the Button!)

The boys show off their Red Jammers, brought back from Grandma and Grandpa's travels to Glacier National Park.

Jack:

Henry:

Visitors

My parents were able to visit Santa Cruz for two weeks in August. The boys had a great time and have been asking for Grandma and Grandpa ever since. 

Jack, getting a lift from Grandpa:

Reading time with Grandma:

Jack and Grandpa, preparing to launch down the slides at Ocean View Park:

Out to brunch at our favorite local spot, Brasil (left to right: Henry, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Jack):

Jack and his Momma: 

While waiting for our table, Jack directs the passing traffic:

Jack (with co-pilot Henry) piloting Grandma and Grandpa's rental Jeep:

The Great Outdoors
Henry drives his dump truck along our backyard wall:

Our backyard has been a great place for the little guys to roam this summer.

Jack appears to have been caught in some unknown crime, perhaps theft of Daddy's hat? 

Jack, reveling in his rock collection: 

His rock collection!? Excuse me!? Henry is incredulous:

Steve and I bought a petite backyard shed to have a place to put away the boys' toys. The boys seem to think we bought them a playhouse. We all won with this purchase.

Henry was especially thrilled:

The boys love to pretend cook. Here's Jack, ordering "one please!":

Jack seems to be very precocious with wheeled objects. He likes to spin the wheels on this toys and seems to study how they operate. 

To my knowledge, he'd never seen a toy like this before he borrowed it from a girl at our local park (who hadn't used it for him to see), and instantly knew how to use it to zoom around:

Jack rides home on his balance bike, which he also figured out how to use on his own:

Henry, returning triumphant from another "adventure!" (his favorite word and what he'll answer if asked what he wants to do or where he wants to go): 

The Great Indoors

The boys love to spend time in the kitchen, pretend cooking or sculpting (okay, squishing) their play dough. 

Looking to Dad for instruction (Jack left, Henry right): 

Jack pulls up his rocking hair to observe and learn from Daddy: 

Jack mixing some dress up with his play dough, in this case a basket hat. Nothing gets Henry to concentrate like his play dough; he absolutely loves the stuff. 

Henry, smug after demands for "PLAY DOOOOOOOUGH" were actually met with said dough: 

Upon seeing a squirrel outside the window...

Jack:

Henry:

The boys love music. They have some assorted small instruments, but they've both really taken to their harmonicas.

Jack:

Henry:

The boys enjoy coloring and have very different styles, Henry preferring lighter swirls and Jack heavier jagged scribbles:

The boys love to spend time with their daddy. Jack is very pleased with himself, Henry judges Mom for interrupting boy bonding time: 

The boys appreciate Dad's dramatic readings: 

Henry sunshine: 

Mischievous Henry, and his beloved Hen-e-phant, looking for his next adventure: 

Lizard Henry, communing with his stuffed animal collection: 

There's no escaping brother when you're a twin:

Jack, well-loved-yellow-chair spokes-model: 

Jack, delighted with his afternoon cartoons:

The boys are becoming amazing little people.