To be perfectly honest....

They aren't quite old enough for a movie on the big screen yet.

Having said that, they actually had a rather surprisingly long attention span. We only took two(out in the lobby) breaks per child. I found out that if Lilly has *soda* she sits quietly for a long time.



We will not give up on the "big shows" as my kids call them. The first 30 minutes of the movie were just priceless. I watched Lilly and Drew more than the movie. I am sure drew could tell you the plot line of Madagascar 2 if any one is interested.

**this does not happen ever again unless we are potty training so that means next week then I guess

Sand Anyone??

We are so lucky to live a 40 minute(if that) drive to the ocean. Lilly(my dirty, messy, texture loving child)and Drew(my no thank you to new things, doesn't like to pick of peanut butter and jelly toast because jelly gets on his fingers child) both love the beach. This is a great thing for Todd and I who just get a chance to be kids again and enjoy it through their eyes.

The masterpiece begins....


Then it moves closer to the water where the discovery of sand and water together make way better creations....

(I didn't get a picture of the finished sand castle/fort/McQueen tunnel house because the destruction derby came on fast and swiftly.

Completely fascinated by the ocean. The intrigue of the waves and the realization of "BIG OCEAN WAY OUT THERE MOMMY!!!"


A beached whale or a kid scoping out food at a picnic in the distance?


My favorite part of the beach. Finding sand in mouths, hair, eyes, ears, crackers later that you thought never touched the sand....

ahhh, yes and just regular body part cracks. Let's not forget how we all find sand there after a trip to the beach.

Beautiuful doesn't really describe it

I was so shocked to hear that my gorgeous set up for our small group potluck a couple weeks ago was featured in Better Homes and Garden. The cover says it best, "How to have the best outdoor style that friends and neighbors will be jealous of. It's all about the furniture."



There is nothing like borrowing your parents 1970's table and chairs for a 2009 dinner with friends. Do you like the yellow lawn chair in the mix too?

Elissa Andre was creative editor over the design cover on this issue. Thank goodness I have connections to the editor and chief or I doubt this piece of beautifulness would ever get the recognition it deserves.

Easier on, then off

If I could do one thing over at my wedding....

I should have done something like this. Summer....we were just talking about this.

I wonder if Todd would have approved?



I mean talk about starting the wedding off on the right foot and all smiles. Why didn't I think of this? Maybe when we renew our vows.

Thanks for the tip Aimee.

When food is left out at our house

She came up with this plan all by herself. I swear we feed this child.




I am happy I didn't leave the knife out next to the cheese. Yikes.

Raising the IQ

Forget books, just get a pair of reading glasses to appear smarter

Got to love hand-me-downs

They are loving this "new" toy....surprising they both like to be on it at the same time. Great! I will gladly support sharing the same toy at the same time, a concept that is still not mastered in this house yet.


I swear she did not push him. That was Drew being a crashing-sound-effect-making boy.


Lilly here doing her best impression of an I drank too much at the pool party look.


I love when they share happy moments like these....

The Tea(water) party

There is nothing yummier than dipping pretzels in water to make them nice and soggy to eat.





What they were drinking...


I would have that face too Drew.

Warning...

Toddlers and glass do not go well together.




I did not get a picture of the shattered glass on the floor after the glass slipped from Drew's hand because I was in "Children-go-play-in-the-other-room-right-now-mode"

Swim lessons 09'

We had fun at swimming lessons this year up in Healdsburg. It was for two weeks Mon-Thurs, so we were in the pool every day it felt like. I forgot how much work swimming can be on the front end..middle...and the back end to tell the truth.

Kids don't like being cold and Lilly was no exception. She struggled with the cold water most days and usually told me all done after about 10 minutes of the 30 minute lesson. How can we get more fat on this girl?


Drew was cold at first but really enjoyed the pool once he got used to it(like most people do except for my daughter)


Is this an agony, excitement, or get me out of here face?


Lilly was fine with the giant kick board if I helped....


But not really interested if Kelsey(the trained instructor) helped


Drew loved throwing and then scooping and swimming to get his ball.


Where can I exit this awful place daddy?


Lilly is such a water dog if the temperature of the water is warm. I guess we just have to swim in Hawaii next year then. I am okay with that.

One of the many questions I have as a mother...

When do kids actually start using the utensils you give them?

A new discovery

Wrestling or Leap frog?




They are going to tell you it's piggy-back rides

A mid-week field trip

We visited Mrs. Grossman's Stickery Factory this week along with a stop into Boppa's work(and where I used to work before the kids were born) It was a fun morning out!


Lilly getting cozy with factory Dog, Angus(kind of a weird name in my opinion to name a dog, right?)







We were early for our tour so we had to waste some time outside. Drew of course chose to play cars on the bumpy picnic table.


Lilly chose to just run around and be a happy girl.

Breakthrough

DREW PEED ON THE POTTY TONIGHT!!!!!!!


Please be reminded I have not officially started potty training, but we sit and practice plenty.

REPEAT....THERE WAS PEE IN THE POTTY!!!!!
(and chocolate chips were delivered to the big boy)

Should I be worried about this?

My "youngest" child is plagued with this condition if that is what you call it. The doctor thinks it happened in the uterus and the lack of space. I like to describe that Drew had the 1 acre lot in the womb and Lilly had a studio apartment. So the doctor's suggestion was to tape the two toes together(which lasts about 40 seconds)to attempt to flatten the toes when she walks. It doesn't seem to bother or hurt her.....yet
Could become a problem if she decides to an be athlete of some sort, which a very distinct possibility.