Happy Birthday Papa!

We had a big celebration last night for Papa's birthday (big meaning more than 2 of us eating cake)! Wendy and Joey joined us for dinner and dessert, and the kids REALLY loved the chocate and cream (aka brownies and ice cream). Brady has already asked for it this morning!

We have some pictures from last night. Notice Reese's face during the actual shot. I PROMISE she was smiling and having a good time every time before the shots, and then she puts on this horrible, tortured face. Uncle Joey was not pinching her in this picture!

Chairs are for sitting

Well, "chairs are for sitting" didn't work with Reese yesterday. The first picture was her obvious attempt to show me she was doing something she shouldn't be doing. The second picture was laughing at me (and refusing to yield my positive statement). Thankfully, she didn't topple over onto the tile, because Reese is my "sensitive child." Brady just would have bounced off of it, or as Papa says, "Did you break the tile?"

McDonald's

Well, we haven't really been at McDonald's except on road trips when we had to stop quick. I didn't realize that the playground is worthless for 2 year olds. They seemed to enjoy themselves anyway, laughing at the other children.

Their cuisine was interesting. Neither of them will eat hamburgers or nuggets. Reese likes fries in "dip" (ketchup) and the apples. Brady ate the chicken out of my salad (I'm sure Mom's everywhere can sympathize with never having their own meal), and he dipped his fries in the caramel sauce. Yuck. He seemed to enjoy it, so whatever. It was McDonald's, and nutritional value did not really come into play!

AFTER THE HAIRCUT

Not so smiley, but relieved it was over. It wasn't too traumatic. Papa stayed with Reese (at a safe distance). She was very concerned about Brady. She kept asking Dad, "Is Brady Ok?" One of the barbers gave "Baby" a cut, so she was happy with that. She also made the man next to her hold Baby in a blanket. Complete stranger. She still stayed at a safe distance.

Brady sat in my lap, so I am sure the hair flying all over us was real sanitary. He didn't go completely nuts, but he did cry. I think that the hair falling all over his face, nose, and eyes was the problem. We kept trying to wipe it off, but it only made matters worse. The guy cutting his hair was nice, but he kept saying, "You know what I think? I think you have humbug in you." Never heard that one, but I heard it enough yesterday for a lifetime. Nobody asked what I thought, but I will tell you . . . let's get this over with and get out of here! Brady bounced back before his feet hit the ground.

THE BEFORE: HAIR CUT DAY

Go Red Day!

Well, we scrounged up as much red clothing as we could, and that was a little harder than I thought it was going to be. We wanted to get a family picture, but by the time Gary got home, the kids were stripped down to diapers. Haircuts, McDonald's, naps, snacks, outside play . . . they take a toll on clothing. Just for the record . . . Brady and Reese's Daddy looks great in red!

Painting the Bathtub

Reese and Brady got a bath time finger painting set that they looooovvvvveeee! I love to watch them play with it, but Gary is not real fond of it. Every time I pull out a color, they say "oooooohhhhhh blue!" . . . or whatever color it may be. Like it is a miracle unfolding in front of their little eyes. I have some pictures of yesterday afternoon. We have to immediately get them in there after the neighborhood park, but I think they like the bath as much as the park. Papa had to go sit down in all the finger painting madness. It can be a little overwhelming for many, but I thought they were very civilized this time!

Our first day of "School"

Thank you Teresa!

We had a wonderful visit with Teresa today! It didn't take Brady and Reese too long to include her in play! That is definitely a compliment. She brought some of the cutest toys for them! One of them was a little ball with a ferret attached. It vibrated all over the floor, and they flipped out (in a good way). They didn't initially want to actually touch it, but they loved running and screaming around it. Belly laughs. Then they started throwing toys at it. Belly laughs. It was so entertaining. They acted like little angels to make Teresa think that we must have a secret way with 2-year olds around here. Don't be fooled!

We Love Nanna's Spaghetti

I think the pictures speak for themselves . . .

Outside Play

I haven't been outside in weeks. It was so great to be outside in the cool air, and to watch the kids play. It was probably too cold for them to be outside, but they were dressed in the most absurd, warm outfits we could throw on . . . including legwarmers! (wish I had some on)

Home Sweet Home

Celebrate!

We love our new chairs Aunt Lisa and Uncle Bill!

HOMECOMING!!!!!

My Caringbridge post has pretty much summed up how wonderful it was to come home. Here are the few pictures we shot last night and today. Pictures are usually better than words!

By the way . . . Gary's shirt is wet in our picture, because the poor man is doing all the baths. That is probably the hardest job in the house!

Cute Hospital Visit shots

Waiting for a Heart New Year's Style!

We had a huge bash when the kids came to the hospital to celebrate the New Year with Me, Dad, Nanna, Papa, and Gary. Party hats, noise makers, cupcakes, the works! There is no way you could have more excitement in that! Some of the patients might have referred some champagne and chocolates, but my children were generous to share their PBJ sandwiches and half eaten cupcakes.

Christmas Pictures

I guess I am going to use the blog as an avenue to show pictures and journal on the CaringBridge website. The website isn't letting me post my pictures!

I was at home for Christmas, and we had a very exciting day! Along with a million awesome new gifts, Brady and Reese were blessed with a swing/slide/playhouse set, and they love it! Dad, Lesley, and Gary were trying to put it together, and they wouldn't get out of the middle of the construction. They kept going in and out of the doors, pulling the poles before they were assembled, etc. Grandmother, Mom, and I watched from the sidelines.