A taste of summer

Tonight we treated Carter to a late bedtime, a campfire and a taste of smores.  While Ava was busy sleeping the night away, Carter was getting a sugar high.

I think he enjoyed it.

The pool is open!

We opened the Shadle family pool for the season.  Literally, we opened the box this morning and took it out.

Jump for joy!

The water temperature was freeeeeezing.  But he didn't complain. 

 

Ava was a totally different story.  She didn't want to step a toe into the water.

Look at those little chubby thighs.  If only they were so cute on me.

Hope you are having a wonderful memorial day weekend!

While the cat's away

Last night Mommy went to book club

Daddy and Uncle Jay (down for a job interview) were in charge of putting the kids to bed

and you know that saying, While the cat's away the mice will play.  It looks like this particular mouse had a really good time.

Mommy, why did you leave me alone with all these crazy boys?

Maybe number three will be a girl so we'll have a little more girl power around here!

The Wild Things

These are some of the

 

wildest things

you have ever met.

(Crowns are from a wild things birthday party.)

The final installment

I have been pretty neglectful lately of updating my blog, but I have a good reason.

Announcing the final installment in the Shadle trilogy, coming December 3rd.  Let the chaos begin.

And in case you were trying to do the math in your head, that is three kids in three years and four months.  And in case you weren't just block that sentence out, because it just might give you nightmares.

The airplane ride

The new favorite game in our house:  Carter gets on the airplane and Ava pushes him around the house.  It makes my heart smile to hear them giggling and laughing, even if Carter is bumming a ride from a 13 month old. 

Preschool story time

Today we went to preschool story time by the Hamilton County Parks.  Carter really enjoyed it and learned a lot too.  We read stories, pretended we were frogs by "eating" flies (bubbles) and got to explore some leaves from a pond.  We even saw snails and turtles!  I didn't get many pictures because I only have two hands, but here are some:

Heard around the house

So I managed to figure out the advanced calculus and physics that it takes to make our computer work right now.  I may or may not be able to do this again, we'll see.

Carter:  1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9...14

Daddy:  No Carter, after 9 comes 10

Carter:  No Daddy, it's my house.

Well ok.  Kind of hard to argue with that Toddler logic.

...the Moose out front should've told ya!

Sorry folks the blog is closed (temporarily), laptop is broken again. 

Experience nows tells us toddlers running through and being clothes-lined by the computer cord is not good for the power port!

A good day for a stroll!

As Mama predicted Ava has decided to start walking whilst Mama was away in Florida. 

On Monday Ava took a few 4 or 5 step jaunts through the play room and kitchen.  Here is a quick snapshot of her on the move, but couldn't back far enoungh away for a clear picture (in case she needed to be caught).

Of course, Carter was quickly ready for Ava to present the same deft and graceful movements that he possesses.  Naturally he set an obstacle course:

Sometimes you’re a little strange, Carter!

We went out to eat with Mimi for dinner on Mother's Day and of course Dad let the kids pick their own outfits.   Carter looks especially cool ordering his kids cheesburger.  Yes, he wears his sunglasses at night. 

And speaking of Mimi she did her Mimi best to keep Carter at his utmost euphoric crazy-self!

And of course Ava got in on the action and took advantage of all the extra quality time and decided she needed to sleep in bed with Carter and Mimi. 

 Of an especially cute note today, Ava was babling 'Mama mama' at some time today.  Carter interupted her and informed her: "No A, Mama in Lorida, Mimi today!".

Guest Blogger Edition

As you likely know Mama, I mean Tracey, is on vacation in sunny Souther Florida. 

As a courtesy I have taken to her blog to continue spreading the word. 


The first 24 hours have been uneventful.  Coincendently, everyone has called at some point today to check-in with Dad.  See the pictures below for proof of our first ever successful Mama free day.

First off, check out my right arm.  Yeah it looks bad, but you should see Dad.  Whenever a leader leaves there is an
inevitable struggle for power.  He didn't stand a chance.

Ohh pullleeaazzeee Daddyy!?!?!?!  It's the only thing that can make it possible to bear that Mommy can't be here with me! 


Dad is sooo gullible, like taking candy from an Ava, or any baby for that matter.

Here is a picture of Ava during one of the rare occasions she didn't want Daddy carrying her around.  Of course she is crawling around on the garage floor but she is looking stylish in a new pair of shoes she got from Target today.

Hey Dad, what is it going to take to get some good help around here?   If it looks this disasterous after one day what will become of it in five days? 

Happy Mother's Day, we give you a mess!!!!

More fun on the Farm

We visited Parky's Farm again today, and although I didn't take a lot of pictures I did get some cute ones. 

We are number one!  I really have no idea what she was doing.

Getting two little ones to look at the camera is virtually impossible.

Getting them to keep their tongues in their mouth isn't so easy either.

I will be departing for florida in a little less than 24 hours (!!!!!!!!) and Mike has just informed he will be taking over blogging duties while I'm gone.  I'm kind of suprised/amused/excited about this turn of events, and I can't wait to see the results.  Enjoy them while I'm gone!

My best mother's day present

This is officially the best mother's day present I have ever recieved.  Carter made it at Mighty Max on Monday.

Although sitting on Ft. Myers Beach for five days with no children or responsibilities ranks pretty high up there too (Thanks Mike, Meme, Grandma and Grandbo for making this possible!)  Technically it's my 30th birthday present though.  Only 5 more days to go!

Helper girl

Is it too much to ask that she'll love to do dishes this much in 10 years?

Hat Craziness

Do you like their hats?  Carter picked them out and although we didn't buy them we did have to get their picture.  We checked out Old Navy this weekend because everything in the store was 30% off including clearance.  So I'm pretty proud to report we bought 1 shirt for Mike, 1 shirt for Ava, 3 shirts for Carter and 3 shirts for me, all for $47.  Not too shabby.  The shirt we got for Mike makes him look like Edward Cullen, so you know I'm happy about that. 

Spring Cleaning

Today we took advantage of an empty schedule (gasp!) and a rainy day to do a little spring cleaning.

Can you believe that Mike and Carter dusted?  Well, he got out a rag to clean his TV and I figured while he was at it I haven't dusted since ........well too long.  So just hit the chairs, tables, shelves and tv stand while you're at it.

Carter thought that the chair could use a little attention.  He only left three big puddles of water on the floor.

Thank you boys!