Friday, November 20, 2009

DADDY'S HOME!

Jon has been working long hours lately, with early mornings and very late nights. We appreciate all his hard work, and know he is doing it for us. We miss seeing him, but that makes home-comings that much more exciting. The kids (and their mom) get SO excited!
Daddy attack!

Helping Daddy take his lunch box to the kitchen.

Computer Nerd

I taught Michael how to use the computer a couple months ago, and he is hooked. I have to really limit how much he can use it because he would spend all day on the computer. He loves to play Super Why!, which is his all-time favorite PBS kids' show in the morning. It does a great job teaching pre-reading, and is fun and educational.

Crazy Boy

This silly monkey is due to have his adenoids removed and ear tubes re-inserted first thing Monday morning. He's been kinda crabby and ornery this week battling an ear infection and lots of fluid behind his ears, but we are hoping that is solved after Monday.

Katie Loves Her Minnie

Katie LOVES her Minnie Mouse that the Scantlins gave her for her birthday. She sleeps with her and takes care of her, and spends most of the day with her. So sweet!
Here is Minnie swaddled like a baby.

Kisses for Minnie's nose.

Who Got the Better End of This Deal?

Kate loves to have Michael push her around in the baby stroller. I'm not sure how long it will last at this rate...

Monday, November 16, 2009

Alice in Wonderland

We took the kids to see the opening night of the Christian Youth Theater production of Alice in Wonderland. Our friend Hannah Scantlin (age 11) had a couple of roles in the play, and we all really enjoyed seeing it. We'd been watching the Disney version the 2 weeks prior to the show so the kids would get familiar with the plot. Michael's favorite character was the Mad Hatter (though he told me later that it is wrong to be angry like the Hatter :-) and I really enjoyed the caterpillar and her rousing & sassy rendition of Zippity-Doo-Dah. What a fun night! Oh, and if you haven't seen it yet, tickets are still available for next weekend. Let me know if you want tickets, and I'll pass your info along.
PS I have a new camera ordered and should be receiving it this week, so I hope to be able to have more regular posts, instead of stealing Jon's camera for a few minutes when he's home.

My Kitchen "Helper"

We made cinnamon rolls the other day, and Michael always loves to help me in the kitchen, especially when it involves baking.
He listens carefully to my instructions,

but he's really just in it for the perks.
(BTW, that's straight white flour he's licking there. Ewww!)

Special Delivery

It's always a fun day when we get a package in the mail because the kids get to play with the box.
Katie carefully packages the goods.

All ready for shipment.

Give to Daddy for transport.

And OPENED! It's a MICHAEL! What a great gift!!

Baby Girl Strollin' with a Baby Girl

Kate loves to push her babies around in the stroller. Like her mom, she over-prepares and always has a blanket, 2 bottles, some baby lotion, and sundry other objects with her, just in case.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Ice Cream & Adenoids

The kids were really good during our errands and doctor appointment today, so I treated them to .50c McDonalds ice cream cones.
Kate enjoys her ice cream until her cone gets soggy and she gets any on her hands. Then she's done. She's eating her last bite here.

Michael ate every bite, and licked a little drop of ice cream that dripped onto the counter. We're really high-class here...
I took Michael to the ENT this morning because he has had some notable hearing loss in the last few weeks. The doc said that his typanostomy tubes had dislodged and were in his ear canal. He had a massive effusion (fluid pressing on the ear drum making it bulge) and infection in the middle ear, as well. Since it is effecting his hearing, we had a hearing test done that showed some hearing loss. He decided to schedule him for the first available slot (Mon, 11/23) for a removal and reinsertion of tubes, a middle ear washing, and removal of his adenoids. I'm glad we were able to get this scheduled pretty quickly, and hope that my boy will be back to his old self again soon! So next time I head to the grocery store, I'll be stocking up on freeze pops and ice cream.

Mr Independent

Sorry this is a little overexposed, but I thought it was cute.
Michael has been wanting the help do everything, especially things in the kitchen. Here he is peeling his own orange. It's a little messy, but I'm glad he's wanting to learn, and doing more for himself. I can't believe he will be 4 in just 3 weeks!

The Girl Can Walk in Heels!

Actually, it's more of an old lady shuffle,. but she loves her dress-up heels.

It's Hip To Be Square

Dad is teaching the kids how to use a level. Look at Michael's expression, taking it all in. My kids have no hope to ever be normal...

Hide & Seek, Part 1

This is my favorite hiding spot that Michael chose! Face down on top of the couch. They'll NEVER find me here...!
What a cutie!

Hide & Seek, Part 2

I love that Michael likes to announce that he is going to hide in the same great new hiding spot that dad just came up with. And I love that Kate hides right beside him and they both giggle until they are found.
Where are the kids?

There they are! Right where dad previously 1/2-way hid (it's a small area!)

HERE WE ARE!
Kate's hair got a little tousled in the process.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Sweet Katie Pumpkin

I realized that I forgot to post my Kate's stats from her 2-year-old well child visit. She was deemed to be in exceptionally good health and growing perfectly, and doesn't need to go back for another year. No shots were needed, and both kids got the flumist while we were there.
WEIGHT- 26.5lbs (47th percentile)
HEIGHT- 35in (77th percentile)
HEAD- 18.11in (13th percentile)


I Voted

Proudly displaying an "I Voted" sticker:
The kids went with me to the polls today so I could vote. Michael asks TONS of questions daily, and wanted to know why I would want to "boat." As I was explaining to him the voting process, I was struck by the incredible, providential grace of God that allowed us to be born in America, where we can actually elect our leaders in a safe, peaceful way. I will try to remember and be more thankful for the blessings of God that I often take for granted!

See, They DO Love Each Other

This was a real hug, too, and not a disguised infliction of injury!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

My two kids were Peter Pan and Tinkerbell for Halloween this year. I was so happy to find matching outfits at a garage sale, and couldn't resist their cuteness (or their cheap price!)
Peter and Tink

Tinkerbell had a ton of fun and a TON of candy at our Halloween event at church. We don't usually have candy at home, so she went nuts (and had the sugar high to prove it!)

Peter Pan wants a kiss!

Kate loved the little ducky pond, and in a split second, she was jumping in. I didn't think I had caught in on camera, because I jumped the second I saw her foot move over the side of the pool. She was ready to take a swim.

You can fly, you can fly, you can fly!
We watched Peter Pan earlier in the day, just to get in the mood, so Michael was thinking happy thoughts of flying. Being a kid is FUN!

Two Kids In Jammies In a Box

Can't think of a much better combo!
Forgive the picture quality! I have broken my camera (probably from overuse!), and have a bid on another one on Ebay, so hopefully will be able to give you worthwhile pictures soon.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Birthday Girl!

We celebrated Kate's 2nd birthday yesterday!
When did this little one grow up?

We had a fun day of celebrating. We went to the park for lunch (no park pics, as I forgot the camera!) and had Kate's favorite meal for dinner- Spaghetti.

Snuggling with Mommy and Minnie Mouse on her last day as a 1-year-old

Birthday door decorations, which they were both more excited about than the expressions I captured. :-)

This is what happened when I tried to take Minnie away so she could get dressed for bed- drama ensued. Needless to say, she LOVES her Minnie Mouse! Thank you, Scantlins, for a great gift!

Lovin' on Minnie

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting on our "You are special" plate.

Not sure what happened to the camera, but all the cake and presents pics are over-exposed. Kate got some princess dress-up clothes and shoes, a Veggie Tales coloring book, fairy princess wings and skirt, and a Tinkerbell ball (picked out especially for Kate by Michael).
What a wonderful day of celebrating. We thank God for our wonderful gift of our lovely, sweet girl! She brings us such joy! We love you, Kate!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Guess Who Has a BIRTHDAY tomorrow?

Hint- it's one of these silly ones:
(And yes, she got stuck in there all on her own. A good place to meditate, perhaps?)

Yes, it's my precious Kate, and she will be TWO YEARS OLD tomorrow! WHERE does the time go?! Enjoy your last day as a 1-year-old, sweet baby girl!

Check-up

My old Littmann stethoscope from college finally got stiff and broke.
Michael loves to play with it.

Even if packing tape was not the best choice to "repair" it. :-)

Kids in Boots

The question is- Why NOT wear boots for fun around the house?

Lobster Claws

Every time I take the kids to Giant, our local grocery store, we always stop and see the lobsters. The man behind the counter always asks if we'd like to take one out to pet it (Ewwwwwwwwww!), and once we took him up on it. Michael found this rubber band and decided he was a lobster with claws. Cute!