Random Pictures

***Pictures taken anytime from 04/07/10 - 05/06/10***

Cuddled up watching a movie together

Sharing a car seat "chair" together

Playing airplane with Daddy

First PONYTAIL!!! (05/05/10)

Helping plant flowers

Helping water flowers

Testing out his new goggles

High ball

Finally, as requested...the pictures of Junior's "high ball" he said he was going to hit for Aunt K during one of his baseball classes. After I took one of these pictures, Junior called over to me and asked, "Did you get that one? We need to send it to Aunt K!"

He really DOES pay attention in mass!

Recently, Junior has taken up processing around our house holding the broom I sweep the kitchen floor with high above his head while chanting, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..." (Just as the alter servers do when they process the crucifix in at the beginning of mass.)

And yesterday while playing with his Aquadoodle, he takes the pen-like utensil filled with water and swings it around on Daddy and me spraying water on us. He then instructs us to "do this" (as he makes the sign of the cross).

There's nothing like being blessed by a three year old during Easter season!

Gaga's first kiss

I am all for an arranged marriage, especially if it's to this sweet little man! Of course we will have to wait and see, his calling could be to the priesthood!

Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend started out early Saturday with a surprise visit from Aunt K!!! Daddy knew she was coming in for the weekend, but it was a wonderful surprise for Mommy, Junior and Gaga. Although Junior had been a little under the weather he sure perked up as soon as he saw Aunt K and acted like he was feeling better already.

That evening we put together Aunt K's kite she brought with her and headed to the park to see how it would fly. The adults had a great time trying to keep it up in the air, Junior became disinterested quickly and Gaga didn't know what to think. We then headed to the park for a few minutes and then back home to open special Easter treats from Aunt K!

Easter Sunday Gaga woke up with a fever like Junior had the previous few days. Despite not feeling well she did great at mass, egg hunting in front of our house, visit to the great-grandparents house and more egg hunting. Junior was an expert this year at hunting eggs, finding ones that were more difficult. Gaga didn't do too bad either. Once she realized to find an egg and put it in her basket, she was ready to go. The first one she found she opened it right away! Smart girl! She knew where the good stuff was!

At the great-grandparents house we spent leisurely time eating, visiting and egg hunting once again. We even made it out to a field to try out the kite flying once again.

Aunt K took Monday off from work and spent the morning with us before heading back home. She accompanied us to Junior's baseball class and then out to lunch. The smile on Junior's face during class was from ear to ear as he made sure that Aunt K was watching every move he made. He even showed off as he hit the ball during batting practice harder and further than he ever had before!

We sure enjoyed our weekend with family and Aunt K's visit! Thanks for coming up Aunt K. We love you!

Easter Weekend 2010

If you don't have anything nice to say...

then don't say it at all! Isn't that what the majority has been taught? Apparently the lady at the store the other day was in the minority. Here's the story...

I had been searching far and wide for the perfect (get me through Easter Sunday) white shoes for Gaga. I found a pair that I liked but they did not have her size at the store I was at. So while at home I searched for the nearest store that had her size and headed there later that afternoon. I parked the car and went to the back to let the kids out. Junior is always first out and as I lowered him to the ground I told him to stay close to me (as I always do when we are in a parking lot) while I got Gaga out. He listened very well and stayed a little too close to me because as I took a step back with Gaga in my arms, I tripped over Junior and we all fell to the ground. I landed on my tailbone (that hurt!) and Junior was underneath my back face down. We all get up, Junior now crying (loudly) with scratches on his face from the asphalt and me hobbling to the entrance door. (I was determined to get those shoes.) We make it to the baby shoe section and Junior is not letting up. Do you blame him? His mother fell on him and his face is scratched and bleeding now. I looked everywhere and did not see the shoe size we had came for. Of course, could this trip have gotten any worse? But yes, it could! An older lady walks by as I'm searching for the shoes that online said would be here and says in a rather rude way, "I think he needs to go home!" I'm standing there with my mouth open wide thinking...alright lady, thanks for the rude, unsolicited advice. You have no idea what we have just gone through and I think he has every right to be wailing right now! If I didn't feel so bad for Junior and want to get him feeling better soon, I might have followed that lady around the store awhile. :) But we didn't and we left the store crying, hobbling and empty handed.

Keeping busy

Between work for Daddy and I and school and baseball classes for Junior, we have been keeping busy. It makes me wonder what we will do when school and baseball classes are over for the summer. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's also nice to have the outside world to explore again. We have been to the park a couple of times or just in the front of our house practicing on our new big boy bike we got handed down from cousin A! We are definitely ready for summer!

Water table fun while Mommy and Daddy washed cars

Cousin A handed this down to us...thanks!

Cousin A came for a visit a few weeks ago...the boys headed out to blow bubbles

Great Aunt D helped

Great Aunt K supervised

15 Months Old

Yes, she is already 15 months old! I still can not believe how big she is now! First some stats...

15 Month old stats:
31 inches tall
18 lbs. 15 oz.

Second, some facts about our 15 month old...

• She's officially WALKING, even though she still prefers to crawl 60% of the time
• For the most part she plays well with her big brother (there are the occasional quarrels)
• And because of those quarrels she has started to "fight" back, which has led to a few reprimands and "no-no's" from us and a few tantrums from her
• She can not go to sleep without her pacifier and pink pig
• When she says "hi" and "bye", you would think she grew up in the deep south
• She understands quite a bit and can follow a few commands from us
• She knows what a dog says and what a cow says and will mimic when asked
  
• She tries to put socks and shoes on her feet
• She pretend feeds herself from the play kitchen (even though she has no desire to feed herself for real with a spoon/fork)
• She's really good at brushing her teeth and goes straight for the bathroom stool to stand on when either we are brushing our teeth or she has gotten out of the bathtub
• Immediately after dinner she says and signs "bath", knowing our routine
• She loves her bath
• She loves when Daddy comes home and crawls (because it's faster) as quick as she can to greet him
• She loves hanging upside down and will put her legs up in the air to ask for more
• She loves to talk and tell you stories while pointing to EVERYTHING
• She can make us laugh with any funny noise, facial expression or the sound she makes when she gets excited
• She has a great personality and loves interacting with anyone she meets

Words she can say now:

• hi
• bye
• mama
• dada
• Junior's real name
• uh-oh
  
• banana
  
• ball
• bath
  
• shoe
• teeth
• truck
• night-night
  

Lastly, some pictures of our 15 month old:

Play date with a friend

She is fascinated by everyone

Her new favorite activity

By far one of my favorites (excuse her hair, this is what happens after it's been up in pigtails)
"I know I'm cute!"

Loves pushing Junior around on his tricycle (same day as the above pic...wild hair)

Sleeping beauty

Day Out With Thomas!!!

The long awaited day had finally arrived! Junior had anticipated this day almost as much as we had. He was dressed before all of us, complete with his Thomas the Train shirt and tickets in hand, that he had tucked safely in the drawer of his nightstand. He was ready to go...so we went!

After dropping Gaga off at Nana and Great One's (thanks to them for watching her!) we headed out. When we passed by Thomas while looking for a parking spot, we all were excited, but especially Junior! We rode Thomas, played with the train tables, visited animals in the petting zoo, jumped on a bounce house, watched a short Thomas movie, and took pictures in front of Thomas. It was a busy day!

I would be most certain that the highlights of our day were playing with the train tables and of course, riding Thomas. While riding on Thomas, Junior belted out his best "choo, choo" about every 30 seconds. It was wonderful to see such excitement radiating from this little guy! Click below to see all our pictures.

Day Out With Thomas

Junior's Open House

Junior had his open house at school that included a musical presentation by the 3 year old classes. I don't recall seeing his mouth open to sing any of the songs, but he gave a great effort in performing all the motions to each song. It was so cute! After the show we went to his classroom and were able to see many artworks he had created over the last few months. He was proud to show them off!

His class processing in, waving streamers (his "favorite friend" is right in front of him)

Singing with suns...

with sticks...

and with shovels.

Making his bluebird fly

Proud sister looking on

Star of the show

Star of the show with his sister

Junior displaying some of his artwork...the rest were on the walls.