Pittsburgh - South Park

When we were in Pittsburgh we spent some time with our family at a park.  It was nice to have cousins for everyone to play with!

 

 

Ava and Leah

 

I think they are first cousins once removed?

 

So if you've met this boy you know he is a charmer.  He had everyone in Pittsburgh laughing over his baby farley impersonations.  They were also pretty grossed out over angel baby.  I've heard tell of him putting it into a puddle swishing it around and then sucking the water out.  I'm pretty sure he has an immune system of steel.

 

Cousins on the slide

 

Poor Carter, Dawson was getting a little rough with him.  Surprised?  Not in the least.

 

Ava got pushes from Meme

 

and a ride from me!

 

Can you believe it was Memorial Day and we were all in sweatshirts and long pants?

Pittsburgh Zoo

This weekend we ventured into Pittsburgh for a graduation party for two cousins and a family reunion.  We had some free time on Saturday morning so we decided to take them to the Pittsburgh zoo.  Giraffees are Ava's favorite animals, and our little zoo does not have any.

 

 

Ava cuddled with her Daddy.

 

We were able to take a picture with an elephant.  Look at the elephant's trunk!  It's tickling Ava's belly!  She was not very happy with this, and moved for the next picture. 

 

 

The elephant was so sweet and let us touch it's legs.  His trainer kept throwing treats into the hay, so he was mainly focused on finding treats.  Apparently Ava must have smelled like a treat!

 

Our Safari stroller.  It's funny how Carter and Ava's legs immediately became too tired to walk.

 

Mike was super happy with his GINORMOUS burger.

 

Although they liked the other animals, the biggest hit was aquarium.  They loved the jellyfish, shark and groupers.  Carter also loved the blue lobster.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins!

 

 

The boys climbed right into the polar bear trap.  Ava was a little more hesitant.

 

We had a fun morning, and then onto more fun with family at a graduation party in the evening.

Big Week!

 
I was so proud of my Carter boy this week.  On Tuesday he went to the library and read to Major, the therapy dog.  He choose a book called Homer by Diane DeGroat.  It is about a dog named Homer who goes and plays a game of baseball at night, and of course Homer hits the winning home run.  He LOVES this story.  Interestingly enough Homer was a golden retriever just like Major! 
 

 

I was proud because I could tell he was nervous but determined to read this book to the dog.  Ava and Dawson had fun too, they love playing with puppies.

Carter wrapped up his last week at preschool.  On Wednesday he went to field day, and he recieved a diploma and book for completing preschool.  It's just so hard to believe in three short months he will be in kindergarten.

Also this week, Ava went to her four year check up.  She grew three inches and gained five pounds this year!  She is growing perfectly and the doctor was impressed after quizzing her on numbers and letters that she knew them all and wasn't even in preschool.  As the doctor was trying to talk to Ava during the exam, she was feeling a little shy.  But no worries, Dawson answered every question for her perfectly!  But she warmed up, and Dawson spent the rest of the time singing "The wheels on the bus."  He loves this doctor's office because all the exam tables are either buses or fire trucks. Now I've got to start thinking about how I'm going to keep these little ones busy this summer! 

Dirty Feet-Enjoying the Spring

This weekend the kids spent a LOT of time outdoors.  While Dad and I spread mulch, cleaned the house, ripped out bushes, and planted the garden the kids did this: 

 

 

which of course ended in:

 

 

They spent a lot of time in the shower this evening!

 

Our Week

 

Last Friday we went to the Mansfield Reformatory on a ghost walk.  Mike had downloaded a super scientific ghost app on his tablet.  

 

It really is a gorgeous old building, full of history.  Don't know If I'm going to go back to do a ghost hunt though........ 

 

 

Carter had a superhero themed day at preschool this week.  He was so excited to wear his spider man mask and shirt.  Even though spider man doesn't have a cape, he still wanted to wear his blue one.

 

I can't believe he has two days left, then he is a KINDERGARTNER!!!!!!

 

Imagine this sound effect with this face:  vrooooooooooooooooom.

 

This is his lawn mower face.

 

 

It never gets old finding notes like this:

 

Dad, you're the best crime fighter.  I love you. 

Fancy Nancy Tea Party

This week we went to a Fancy Nancy Tea Party at our local library.  I knew Ava would be in her element, Fancy Nancy is one of our current reading obsessions, but I was a little worried about how my oldest boy would react.  Turns out I had nothing to worry about! 

 

 

 

First we made crowns

 

Ohh-la-la

 

We sang Frere Jacque, because everything is fancier in French.

 

Then we had refreshments {that's fancy for snacks.}

 

Yes, I have read the Fancy Nancy books one too many times.

 

While Carter and Ava had a ball, this one was decidedly unhappy the entire time.  He was adamant that he is NOT fancy.  He does NOT want to be fancy, and he does NOT want to go to a fancy party.  Too bad little dude, you are just along for the ride today.

Backyard Shenanigans

 The weather has been gorgeous, so as you can imagine we have been spending a lot of time in the backyard. 

 

Carter and Ava like digging in the mulch bed around the trees and near the wood pile.  They make bird homes, toad abodes, and hide outs.

 

 

Check out this kids outfit:  he loves his new fishing vest from Grandma and Bo.  It is jammed with band-aids, handitizer, bug identification guides and paper and pens.  Don't forget the snow boots!

 

 

 

 

 

This kid loves to dig in the sand box.  And wallow in it.  And bathe in it. 

 

Notice angel baby in the picture?  Yeah, I think I've just given up on trying to keep it clean.  I'm hoping one day it will spontaneously vaporize.

 

 

 

 

I love this boy's CHEESE face!

 

So I've mentioned that he is a tad bit sexist.  And today it continued:

 

Mom! You no drive Dada's jeep again!

 

Mom!  That not your water bottle.  You drink the pink one!

 

Mom, no touch dis! Dis for Dadddy  {pointing to the hedge trimmer}.

 

So apparently I'm not allowed to drive the jeep, drink out of a silver water bottle and use a hedge trimmer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Ava, my sweet girl

 

Ava girl loves her new baby doll.

 

 Today we were busy outside mulching, planting and trimming bushes.  You loved helping me plant flowers.  Most days when we play in the backyard your favorite thing to do it pick dandelion flowers. 

 

 

 

This might be the cleanest baby doll EVER.

 

Right now you are taking an art class with your older brother at our library.  You drew one of the best pictures you have ever done in pastels, of a girl climbing up a ladder and a hundred houses.

 

Ava, you have grown up SO FAST.  I really can't believe that you are four.  Today at your soccer game you actually got into the pack of kids and kicked the ball!  This is huge, as both you and your brother will generally hang back and avoid any contact with the ball.

 

Ava, it is so fun to have a sweet girl in my life. 

 

 

 

Just had to include this pic of the trouble maker photo bombing your baby washing!

Meme and Bob Bob Weekend!

This past weekend we were so happy to have Meme and Bob Bob visit us.  We went to PF Chang's for their birthdays.  Dawson was hilarious and loved using the practice chop sticks.  He was eating the meat from the lettuce wraps and he would pick up each tiny little morsel, pop it into his mouth and say "YUM."

 

 

He also enjoyed the desserts, as you can see.

 

Mom take a picture of my fork.  Ok Ava.

 

Whenever Meme is around we always have plenty of money for the rides.  I'm pretty sure we used 52 thousand dollars in quarters.

 

Ava liked the little tractor.

 

So this little guys bears an slight resemblence to Chris Farley.  Mike has taught him to "be baby Farley."  Then he pushes his face down to make multiple chins.  It is Hilarious!

What we've been up to!

 

Three words:  the eagle's nest.

 

The kids love it, they make crazy hats and I get to grocery shop. 

Best invention EVER!

 

 

 

 

Ava's writing skills have really taken off.  She wrote Dawson on the sidewalk after she drew his picture.

 

Also, she is buckling herself into the carseat now.  Which means I only have one child to buckle up on a daily basis.  This is wonderful!

 

Loving this beautiful weather and we have been visiting tons of parks.

 

I LOVE this.  Lately Carter has taken to telling Mike "that is nonsense." 

 

Mike wants to burn pistachios.  "Dad that is nonsense."

 

Mike dosen't want to collect bebes.  "That is nonsense."

 

 

 

Throwing stones into a pond, a favorite in our family.

 

Oh, and little Dawson has taken some major steps toward potty training.  He is highly motivated by sugar and he is asking to go to the restroom and we've had some successes!  Of course with anything there is bound to be many more steps back, but we are working on it.

 

They've been enjoying lots of blue moon.  After soccer treats for everyone!

 

Now that the kids are older they understand that Mother's Day is coming.  Its kind of funny, but I think they are more excited about it than me!  I've received daily dandelion bouquets and home made pictures every day.  They have also concocted a scheme to serve me breakfast in bed.  Which in all honesty.......sounds gross.  I would much rather eat my breakfast at the table, but I'm going to go along with the plan.  Also, the best breakfast they want to serve me is cinnamon and sugar toast.  I can't wait to enjoy their breakfast!

First Fishing Outing

On Sunday we went on our first fishing outing of the year.  We went to one of our neighborhood ponds, and only caught one tiny little blue gill, but still fun was had by all.  Plus, it was good practice for upcoming fishing expeditions.  Apparently we are in need of two fishing poles and plenty of hooks, good to know!

 

 

 

 

Carter has developed one mean cast.  I was suprised how far out he could get it, and he has far surpassed my fishing skills!

 

Ava spent most of her time playing in the muck and running around with friends.

 

I was also impressed with how long Dawson stuck to the idea of fishing.  Of course, he wasn't really doing anything, but he committed to sitting and watching. 

Soccer Time

It's soccer season again!  Carter has been asking and asking to play soccer again, and finally a league started at the Y.  It's for 4-6 year olds so Carter and Ava could both participate.  Let's be honest here:  right now at this point in their little lives they are both less than stellar soccer players.  They avoid the soccer ball like the plague and if it happens to touch them, they will make sure to deliver it kindly to a member of the other team.

 

 

 

 

 

But you know what?  They are having fun and getting tons of exercise, and they love it.

 

See what I mean?

 

Dawson even ran around on the field for a bit {before the game began.}

 

Then Bob Bob helped entertain.

 

The soccer thumbs up.

 

Love my soccer kids!