Steamed Whole Artichokes, Legoland, Bridal Shower, Father's Day, and Ladies Play Date

On the plate:  Steamed whole artichokes

Soundtrack to cook to:  Beyonce's 4 album....I cannot get enough of the track "Love on Top."  It's incredible, uplifting, and a great song to run and dance to.

Allllllrighty!  It's finally summer!  I've been craaaaving warm weather for so long.  After the winter that we had, I've been getting out as MUCH as possible with the kiddos.  (Plus, now that I'm boot free, I've REALLY been going out and about with the kiddos.)
We had a lovely treat of Joseph being on vacation for two weeks.  It was so nice to have him home, wake up next to him, have dinner with him, and the boys have actually got to see him for more than just bed time.  It was so nice.

William enjoying an icy treat for dessert.

Our William Billiam :)

Our silly boys during bath time :)

These guys are just TOO much! :)  Love them!

Alex at one of our favorite places, SOWA
(an outdoor craft fair, farmer's market, and foodtruck fair).

While I was at one of my physiatrist check-ups, her intern said that there was a Legoland in Somerville, MA.  I couldn't believe it!!!  I knew that the boys would love going, so on one of the boys' off days from school, I took them to check it out.

Alex with a gigantic Lego giraffe outside
of Legoland in Somerville, MA.

Unfortunately when we got there, there was too
long of a line.  By the time we got to the check-in counter,
there were only tickets available for noon
and they wouldn't allow us to buy our tickets
ahead of time (it was 11:30 am and I was NOT
about to wait in line with an impatient 1 and 4 year old
by myself for 30 minutes).

So, we stepped out of line and made our way to Papagayo (a Mexican restaurant) and had lunch.

William loved the chips and salsa.

So did Alex!

Afterwards, we checked out Legoland and they didn't have any availabilities until 2 p.m.  (Which would have been fine if I just had Alex with me, but that's around William's nap time and he would have been a cranky little panda bear at Legoland.) 
Thankfully, Alex was very understanding and flexible and was willing to go get ice cream instead of going to Legoland.  What a sweet guy :)

Alex, ready to dig into his ice cream from J.P. Licks.

Adorable little Oscar, getting all snuggly
in Alex's bed during the boys' bed time.

He always comes upstairs with us during the
boys' bath and bed time, falls asleep in Alex's bed.
Then, after we tuck the boys in, he comes back
downstairs with us.  He's a really sweet dog
that loves the boys so much.  :)

"Monkey see, monkey do.."
Whatever Alex does, William immediately wants to do.
(Case in point - the boys rolling on my foam roller)

(During the first part of the week, Joseph was still working.  Then, by that Thursday, he was off of work and ready to hang out with us!)
Woo hoo!  What better way to spend the day than going to Legoland!  I figured that we might as well try again, get there early enough, and that Joseph could have fun with the boys as well.

William took a little cat nap in the car on
the way to Legoland.

William and Alex designing Lego figures.

Joseph and the boys in the "Lego Factory."

William holding a Lego gun during a super
fun, interactive ride where you use the guns
to shoot at characters in the ride.

Alex looking at "Lego Boston."

Alex, ready to watch a Lego 3D movie.

William and Joseph were ready for the 3D movie as well.

Silly William :)

While Alex played in the big boy area,
William busied himself in the Lego kitchen.

Then he jumped up on the microphone
and sang some karaoke.

Our fearless little climber in the Lego Duplo area.

"Woof, woof, woof!" (William's words)

Joseph and the boys in Legoland :)

Alex testing out his car on the race track.

As you can see from the little blur by Alex,
William wanted to join in on the fun as well.

William climbing up the stairs to go down the slide.

Time for some delicious artichokes!!
I took the boys grocery shopping at Wegman's and asked Alex if he wanted to get anything in particular when we were in the produce department.  He desperately wanted to get artichokes and almost threw a fit when I asked him to find another vegetable.  So there I was, putting artichokes in the cart, without the faintest idea on how to prepare them. 
As soon as I got home, I looked up "easy artichoke recipe" and found a terrific and delicious recipe in which to prepare artichokes.  Super easy and super delicious!

Ingredients:

• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 lemons, cut in half
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 small, whole artichokes

Rinse the artichokes and cut off the stems and the top inch off of the
artichoke.

Rub the top of the artichoke with lemon so that it won't turn brown.

In a Dutch oven,  place the following ingredients:

• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 lemons, cut in half
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place the artichokes in the liquid, bottom side up, place the cover
on the Dutch oven, and simmer for about 30 minutes (or until a
knife inserted in the bottom goes through clearly).

Mmmmmm!  Beautifully steamed artichokes that carry the beautiful
broth amongst their leaves.

These artichokes were so darn delicious!  Normally I dip them in
a lemon/butter sauce, but the broth that the artichokes were cooked
in gave it just enough flavor that these beauties were perfectly delicious
on their own.  A delightful treat! :)

Later that week, I had some friends over for an adult play date with kiddos on the side.  It was my absolute pleasure for Akshita and Shikha (along with her DARLING son Rohan) to come over and enjoy some cheese and white sangria on a hot summer's day.

Shikha's son Rohan who is 6 months old and is absolutely adorable.
He was so smiley and easy-going.  What a darling!  William
and Alex surrounded him with all of their favorite baby toys.

Rohan and Shikha snuggling each other. :)

Rohan, Shikha, and Akshita

Two beautiful ladies and one darling little man.

William and Alex were absolutely enamored with Rohan and surrounded him with toys.   They were SO into him!  Then, William went upstairs for a nap and Alex and Rohan watched the movie Toy Story while the ladies chatted.  It was a very nice get together with some wonderful company. :)

Alex and Rohan, chilling on the couch together.  Rohan didn't make a
peep the entire time!  What a good baby!

Om nom, om nom, om nom!

Love this little man!!

Later that week, my mom came and visited in order to help me prepare for my sister's bridal shower.  Woot wooooooot!  My mom got in early Friday morning and left Sunday evening.  She helped me complete the finishing touches for the party Saturday evening at Courtside in Cambridge - a dive bar/karaoke place that was the perfect setting for my sister's bridal shower.  :) 

My mom helping me make microphone cake pops for the party favors
for the ladies at Kristen's bridal shower.

Kristen's bridesmaids came up with the awesome idea to make chocolate
lollipops in the shape of microphones.  Since there were about 20 guests,
I decided to spear-head the project and made cake pops instead (because
I could get more use out of a cake pop pan than a microphone mold).
They were red velvet cake pops (my sister's fave) with chocolate, sugar sprinkles,
and were placed atop a chocolate dipped ice cream cone and I attached
hot cinnamon drops (as microphone buttons) on the ice cream cones.

I saw the adorable sign on Pinterest, and asked
my mom to copy it and add some clovers in the
corner because Pete (my sister's fiance) is Irish.
We picked up a delicious marzipan cake from
the Danish pastry house and then placed the favors
on the table for the guests.

My sister, mom, and myself in the "photo booth"
area of the bridal shower.

Kristen, Mom, and Me - fabulous ;-)

Mom and Kristen by the entrance of the bridal shower

Sissies :)

Can you tell related??  The Waples sisters loooooooove karaoke!

Mom and Alex

Mom and William

The bridal shower was a huge success and my sister had a blast!  It was great to have my mom here to celebrate with us.  Thanks for all of your help, mom!
 

Happy Father's Day!!!  Thankfully, Joseph was on vacation for Father's day, and we had a wonderful day celebrating how wonderful of a Father he is to our two boys and fur boy.  Happy Father's Day, Joseph!  We love you!

The boys were SO excited to give Joseph his
Father's Day gifts.

Joseph was very happy with his fancy socks,
bow ties, ties, and art work that the boys
picked out and created. :)

Joseph holding up the beautiful apron
that William decorated for him.

Later on that day, William was set on
putting on my house slippers.

Cutie patootie

What a great week that was PACKED with lots of activity!  Lots of celebrations with wonderful people.  Such a happy time! :)
Until next time...

Love and kisses,
Nikki