Boston grandparents are here!

Just in time for the 9th month birthday (yep, another bogus one, people) the Boston grandparents have arrived.  The boys have met them with a few achievements - both can high-five (though Ben is decidedly more interested in the activity) and both now enjoy standing around while supported by an object (and a bit by a person).  The boys continue to grow nicely.  No teeth are visible yet, though the arriving chompers bother them plenty.  Both Ben and Zev try to munch on everything, from toys to people.  Occasionally, even food.  Ironically, pieces of raspberries have not been grabbed and eaten as eagerly as, say, plastic spoons.  Pieces of apples and mango, however, prove to be great gum-scratchers and are consumed readily.

Both of the boys sleep well for the most part.  For a couple of nights Zev had a recurrence of ... well, not sleeping.  Whatever was bothering him past mercifully quickly and we are not back to the 7 pm to 6:30 am - if we are lucky - routine.  Ben still needs a pacifier once or thrice a night, but that can be managed.

Aside from that - the boys are delighted to see the Boston grandparents who spoil them with attention.  I shudder to think of how much attention they will deserve in a week.  For now, however, we all enjoy having them here.  That G-D for spring break.

Last Sunday the boys had their first trip to Gymboree (cute pictures to follow in chronological order).  An hour of socializing and trying not to fall from various devices went reasonably well.  I won't share my opinion of paying for (as much as we'd have to) for access to an area with a mat, a few wooded pieces and a few other kids for an hour a week.  Suffice to say that upon hearing the price I exclaimed to Alla "But I can buy *two* handguns a year for this!"  I am afraid there are no guns in my future, only mats and wooden toys.

With that, here are a few pictures before I fall behind by over a month again.

A couple of weeks back the boys had a brief visit from uncle Mike from Boston.

With Misha, a.k.a. uncle Mike  2/11/12

The next day the boys went for a walk... You'd think at the North Pole - and you'd be wrong.  Still in Tigard, OR.

Ben in Arctic survival gear, 2/12/12

Ben smiles, unaware of the terrible dangers of the Oregon weather

Later that day the boys went to a birthday party!

Zev with Anya ...

...and now with Lenya

Ben was skeptical when he woke up ...

... but got into the spirit of things quickly.

On Valentine's day mom was out of town and the Kaplan boys had a house to themselves.  What to do?  Throw a party, of course!

serious Ben with uncle Shane

sleepy Zev being snuggle by aunt Shawna

You know that there was only one way this could have ended, right?

They are starting a bit young, but with the good stuff!*

*For a member of child protective services who may chance upon this blog or an over-protective relative: no alcohol was actually consumed by a baby, nor was there any consumed by adults around a baby.  Dad and uncle Shane shared a very civilized drink after the boys went off to sleep.