Little updates

So we've encountered a new phase in our household. Ben has mastered opening the back screen door. That's not a good thing! Addie just mastered it not too long ago, maybe 2 months? So now we have to be vigilent to close the big door, or else the backyard with fountain and toys is just too tempting. Not to mention there are bubbles and bugs out there. What more could a kid need?
Addie's got a rough cough right now. It started on Monday night. Last night she was awake a lot with it. She keeps telling me she is sick and needs a Scooby Doo bite-amin to make her cough go away. :)
We spent the afternoon at Muddy and Guppy's in the backyard. By the time we drove home, I had two kids in their carseats only wearing diapers (we didn't have any extra underwear for Addie at their house). They were soaking wet from the fountain and "watering the plants." Ben gets this devilish grin on his face, and comes over very deliberatley to poor water on people's feet.
He had a major meltdown in Kohls today too. He never behaves that way, so I think it's teeth. Needless to say, I was the parent with the screaming, sobbing, wriggling kid in the store. An older woman walked by and commented "you've got your hands full." Is that necessary? I'm hoping the other moms who were there were feeling empathy and know what it's like when this happens. I don't need a stranger to make some comment to me that basically suggests I can't handle my two unruly children, who would be better off just being silent. The whole thing could have possibly been avoided if Kohls actually had carts with buckles! Child safety is not a priority with stores, I tell you!

Whirlwind, super busy

Look how sweet Ben is....

OK, so to update:

Addie weighed in at 33 lbs, 36.5 inches tall

Ben weighed in at 27 lbs, 3.5 oz, 33.5 inches tall. Both are perfectly healthy.




We went to Longwood Gardens on Sunday night with Muddy and Guppy to see the fireworks and fountain display. Very cool. Addie loved them. Benjamin loved them too, even though just before the finale he fell asleep.




And the most fun of the week:




It was just a little bit cold. Look how pitiful Addie looks, as she cons Guppy into the icy waters!


Remember Brian bought this thing for the kids, right?



Total wedgie, but having so much fun she couldn't care less.



Sunning, in her original bathing suit that she needed to change!

Videos aren't loading right now!! Boo!!

Our week

Our week has been pretty busy. I'm finally fighting off this sinus thing I've got going on. Brian's been working really late since he was off last week.
The kids have spent each night doing arts and crafts. Monday it was painting with her new Horton Hears a Who painting book. Tuesday they broke into the huge art supply gift box Savion gave her. More painting ensued. I have some really funny pictures of them, and Ben in particular, covered in paint. That night I decided to make spaghetti, figuring he couldn't get much dirtier. Luckily it all came off in the tub!
Today we're heading to the pediatrician at 11 for Ben's 18 month and Addie's 3 year old well child visits. We haven't been there in quite some time, which has been nice. I have a bunch of things to ask the ped about: Addie's picking and thumbsucking; Ben's underbite, his permanent bruise area on his forehead and how the hell to get him to stop nursing! I've been wondering if his ears are ok, so we'll find out today!
Our plan is to see Muddy and Guppy afterwards, but that depends on how Muddy's feeling. She was really sick this week.
Only 2 weeks of work left for me!

The aftermath

Sunday morning while heading out to breakfast, in her new sunglasses and earrings carrying her new Disney princess purse. She wore them the whole meal!

Party at our house

The awesome ant and worm cake that Muddy made. The ants are carrying signs that say "Happy" "Birthday" "Addie"

Yes, the graceful birthday girl flashing her Elmo undies

Guppy + Moonbounce= lots of fun to watch (and lots of winces for fear there would be permanent damage!)

Addie is just a *little* excited

Hugging on Muddy, who of course made her birthday dress


Opening her Disney princess accessory gift. That's a smile of pure delight!

Her boyfriend from daycare, Savion, was a big helper with opening her gifts

Blowing a kiss to someone for giving her a present



Driving her new Gaucho for the first time. Look at her expression. It was so cute to see she and Savey drive off together. He looks a little nervous with her behind the wheel.


He's still not so confident about her skills


Wearing the angel wings Aunt Kim gave her

Graham and Ben driving. Ben isn't tall enough to reach the pedals. Graham was controlling the pedals while Ben steered.

This picture cracks me up! This is Guppy with his oldest daughter, Lisa. You would never know they are related, right?! Somethings are just inherited!!

Ben and his cousin Gracie. Gracie was born on Muddy's birthday. Ben was born on Guppy's birthday. They are 10 days apart in age.


After just about everyone went home, Addie had to try out her new shovels from Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Amanda. She insisted we take her dress off of her so she could sit on the ground. This is how she emerged from the house.

Party at daycare

We celebrated with a Little Einstein's party at KinderCare.

The little boy on the right, Daniel, reminds me so much of Benjamin

So happy to be the center of attention

Ben was just happy to wear a party hat on the ride home!

Notice that she's the only one singing along with her teachers. Verbally she's so ahead of her classmates.

Anticipation....

Sorry, I haven't uploaded any pictures from Miss Addie's 3rd birthday extravaganza yet. It was a very busy week for us. Friday we celebrated at daycare with her friends. Friday night we had dinner with Onkteb and Aunt Gail at La Tolteca, where the band serenaded her. Saturday was her party, full of fun. Sunday was a recoop day, which ended up meaning a day away from the house visiting Pop Pop, Mom Mom, Cousin Graham and Uncle Scott. Then we went to see Uncle Scott's new house. Then we went to Muddy and Guppy's and hung out with them and Aunt Linda. We didn't get home until 8:20pm. All three of my loves were sound asleep by 8:45am (yes, that includes my husband). They were just plain and simply spent.

I have probably 100 pictures and/or videos from Friday and Saturday. I'll try to get to them tonight.

So you'll just have to wait a little longer.

Mother's Day 2008

Ok, a few still shots from the Flower Market yesterday, before we get to Mother's Day...


Benjamin rode the pony twice. He wants one for our house now.

I love how you can see the sheer excitement he is experiencing on this ride!

Mother's Day 2008 is down in history now. Another great day of fun and family. Here are the pictures from Chanticleer, the Enchanted Garden.

The annual shot inside the cottage

I asked Addie to smell the flowers. Look how zen she is! (Wonder where she gets that from, Miss Nay and Ilka!)

A shot of perspective at the size of the hill that everyone must roll down. And yes, if you notice that is Onkteb wearing a kilt. Yup, for real. You really see that.

Look at Ben's face, as Muddy helps him roll down the hill. He was giggling up a storm.

Yup, for real. A kilt.

Helping the little fella down the hill. The orange thing that Muddy is carrying is a giant bubble blower.

The annual photo in the tree. Addie wasn't so into having the annual family shot done.

I like this one.

Ben in the tree.

A cute one of Guppy and Ben together.

Monkey girl on Onkteb.

Aunt Gail striking a pose!

Help me, please, I'm stuck in this wall!

Enjoying the faces in the water. Addie questioned how they were floating.

A good shot of some of the bubbles. They were a big hit with most garden guests. Muddy is the Crazy Bubble Lady.

Mr. Big Boy, anticipating Aunt Gail getting him.

Videos worth a million words!

No one would've thought she would like this, right?

Brian wants one for our backyard now!

Brian says Muddy's vertigo is cured by Addie. LOL

Updated picture post

At the Philadelphia Zoo on Graham's 4th birthday

I love how you can see Ben on his tip toes!

My new favorite picture of my guys

Addie got her face painted like a piggy, because "pink is my favorite color." Graham was an alligator.

Addie trying out the new 2008 version of a power wheel we gave Graham for his birthday.


Ben, after his haircut, with Guppy in the moonbounce.


Playing w/ the styrofoam packaging from the waterslide

Yup, that's my 3 year old creating a potty in our driveway. So proud of her!

Ben eating Cheezits while wearing his Mr. Mischief shirt...enough said!