How quickly the years pass: Easter Edition

Spring 2008

Spring 2010

Hoppy Easter Everyone!

My first shiner

Yesterday Ava slipped while trying to pull up on Carter's step stool in the bathroom and hit her head on the corner of it.  Today the poor girl has two scratches and the beginnings of a black eye.  She was up from 10-2 crying and squirming and being very naughty. Apparently she must have had a headache from hitting her head the poor girl.  And if she has her mother's genes at all, this black eye is only going to get worse as time goes on!  So be prepared for a black eye for easter!

Sad boy :(

Just look at this little boy's face.  What could possibly be making him so sad? 

Did somebody take pengos?  No way.

Did he lose his scooter?  Nope.

Tonight at the dinner table mommy and daddy were talking about our trip and Grandma and Grandbo.  Carter thought we were going to Bo's house tonight.  After we gently explained that we are going to see Bo on Friday he burst into tears!  Luckily my camera was on hand to document the quivering pouty lip and watery eyes.  It really was adorable.

The bunny came (part two)!

The Easter bunny also came for Ava!  In her basket there were yogurt melts, kid's music CD (this girl LOVES music), and a book.

Pardon the bedhead.

Just open the yogurt melts and nobody gets hurt.

What a beautiful little Easter girl. 

The Bunny Came!

We followed the bunny's foot steps to the hidden basket.

CANDY!!!!!!!

The scooter was a huge hit!  Today before he went to lay down for nap he had to kiss the scooter good night.

Another scooter pic.  He also got a DVD, book (of course), candy, and a car.

Eggs-travaganza!

On Saturday night we dyed easter eggs.

Or chewed on some cards.  Whatever floats your boat.

Daddy made a golf egg.  It's supposed to say titlest (but he spelled it titliest.)

He also wrangled number two.

Happy Easter!

NOT for the faint of heart!!!!!

If you do not like stories with a gross out factor stop reading right now.


We usually bathe Carter and Ava together.  They enjoy the company and it makes our life a lot easier.  Carter giggles, Ava squeals and Mom and Dad get soaked with bath water.  It's always been an enjoyable family time for us.  But Wednesday night, this relaxing time was about to take a baaaaad turn.

Mike and I were chatting and Carter and Ava were playing.  Meme had just bought Ava a mermaid barbie doll for the bathtub.  And as with any new toy the kids were fighting over it like it was the last cookie in the house.  Suddenly Ava leans over and starts pushing and grunting.  I know that this is not good and unfortunately I'm right.  Soon the bottom of the bath tub and all the toys are stewing in a gigantic wave of diahrrea.  Poor Carter is looking at me in horror and Ava is playing happily acting very relieved.  We scoop the kids out of the bathtub fast but the damage has been done.  Cleanup was not pretty and unfortunately the brand new mermaid barbie doll had to find a new home in the trash can.  (Believe me, if you had seen the state it was in, you would have done the same thing.)  I'm pretty sure this is one event that will be burned into my memory for many years to come.  And I don't think my nostrils will ever forget the stench either.  Now aren't you glad I shared this with you?

Cowboy kids

Carter and Ava love playing dress up.  And it goes a little something like this:  Put on this hat Ava.  Keep it on Ava.  (Ava throws it on the floor and giggles.)  No, Ava on.  Keep it on.  (Ava throws it on the floor and giggles.)  Carter yells in frustration.

Ava, we've got your number.  Although you do make a stinking cute cowboy.

Carter gives up on his sister and puts on the cowboy hat.  On his birthday crown.

Independence

This picture was taken in the kitchen.  It was the first time I allowed Carter to play in the yard without an adult with him.  He's growing up.  He's two and a half.  Carter was amazing.  Even without a fence, he knew his boundaries.  The entire time he played in our yard with his toys.  He was out there for close to half an hour, with me going back and forth between hovering in the window and cooking dinner.  I was so proud of him, although it may seem minor it's just another baby step towards independence.

Who did it?

Oh no.  Who got into the plant?

Ok, here's the culprit.

Ava the grouch

Ava is such an easy going baby.  Sweet, smiley and cuddly.  But don't let her fool you, when needed she can bring out the attitude.  And this picture is evidence.

Speedracer

By the end of the summer he is going to be zooming all over the place.

Right now, not so much.  About 3-4 pedals at a time, but it's a start.

Just for the Record

Just for the record the adorable starburst hair clips were purchased by Meme. 

So when she is a teenager and complains I can blame it on Meme.

Just for the record.

I'm just the one who keeps putting them on her every day.

A beautiful spring day with Ava

Here is Ava relaxing on the grass.  While her brother preferred running, pushing the bubble mower and playing ball she prefers low key activities. 

Like smiling.  And walking while we hold her hands.

And of course blowing tons of raspberries.

Beautiful Spring Day with Carter

Today was a beautiful spring day at Meme and Grandpap's house.

We all spent time outside.  Daddy and Grandpap were at the golf course, while Carter, Ava, Mommy and Meme played in the yard.

The bubble lawn mower was a blast.

Carter and Meme took the Buick for a "spin."

While Carter and Ava took a spin in the Grave digger.  I love how Ava's little hand is propped up on the door.  They were cruising!

On pretzels and balance

I want my children to grow up to be kind and considerate.  I want them to share their toys and give freely to others.  I want them to have good table manners and be polite.

Because of that, I can be somewhat of a rule nazi at times.  Rules, routines, schedules and expectations.  But there has to be balance too.

Sometimes you have to teach your child to use a pretzel as a pirate eyepatch.  And I think that's ok too.  Although hopefully if either of my children ever go to a fancy dinner with the president they'll know better than to use their pretzel as an eyepatch. (I don't know! But I figure if their table manners are good enough to eat with the president they'll be good enough for anyone.  Even Meme.  Who was notorious for stabbing us with forks when we ate too loud.  Or put our feet or elbows on the table.  Or slurp our food.)

So hopefully finding balance is a good thing.  Carter thought it was he-larious.

Pretty in purple

Heard around the house

Mommy:  Hey Carter, do you want to go on a walk. 
Carter:  Yes.
Mommy:  Where do you want to go?
Carter:  Ireland

Carter:  Daddy want pop?
Mommy:  No, Daddy is a coffeaholic and Mommy is a popaholic.
Carter:  Carter.  juiceaholic.
Mommy:  Yes baby I guess you are.

Carter:  These underpants.
Mommy:  Ok carter.  They have big bird and oscar the grouch and cookie monster.  They rock!
Carter:  Carter rocks in underpants?

Carter:  Carter dink pop?
Mommy:  No, pop is not for kids.
Carter:  Carter spit it out.

The Shamrockers

Here are some pictures of the kids in their St. Patrick's Day shirts.  I couldn't get a picture of them both looking at the camera, so here is one of Ava.

And here is one of Carter.  Enjoy!

The Leprechaun Trap

Last night we set a Leprechaun Trap.  The Leprechaun would walk by, see the shamrock, walk under the box and knock over the blocks.  Then he would be trapped!  To escape the leprechaun would have to leave us something special.

It worked!  The Leprechaun left us a nerd rope, two books, two shamrock necklaces and baby candy (yogurt melts.)

Mommy even let me eat Leprechaun candy for breakfast!

Followed up by a bowl of cereal with leprechaun milk, of course.

And Ava flipped for her baby candy.  Overall I would say St. Patrick's Day has been a huge success!

It all started....

Today was a beautiful spring day.  The sun was shining and there were white wispy clouds in the sky.  It was the kind of day that begs to spend some time outdoors.  So we obliged.

Ava has been practicing walking with her stroller and Carter was pushing his lawnmower.  We saw a stray cat prowling around our house, but it kept its distance.

Then we went in for a bathroom break.  As I was busy cleaning the little potty, I heard a "meow."  I looked behind me and there was the stray cat!  Carter was giggling and said "catty in house."  Then all pandemonium broke loose.  I was yelling and shooing the cat, which then caused Ava to get scared and start screaming.  The cat was scared and ran into the living room and Carter was enjoying chasing it all around the house.  Finally I did get it outside, calm down Ava and tell Carter to never let the cat in the house again.

 

Here is carter with the culprit.  I guess it serves us right after ditching our problem cat at Camp Shadle.  Let's hope this cat has a home somewhere.

Entertrainment Junction - The Roo Version

(Read in a high pitched baby voice.)  Mom and Dad (and Grandma and Bo) took me to see some trains.  I thought they were interesting.

I loved playing with the train tables. 

And spending time with my Bo.

So I say:  Entertrainment Junction gets two thumbs up!