Playing

Lucy's most favorite place to play is in the garage/workshop. Ken keeps this place clean and orderly. But if we let Lucy loose in there, this is what happens, just about every single time. Rope keeps this child occupied longer than anything else. We just have to make sure Eli isn't around.

Stick around for the ending. The cuteness factor is worth it.

Fairies

I started preparing Lucy for Halloween months ago. She is a child who needs time to think about new things; Breathless explanations and endless answers to the question why. For several months, Lucy's only answer to, "What do you want to be this year for Halloween", was Tinkerbell. I made numerous suggestions, trying to trip her up into saying something else. But she was adamant about being Tinkerbell. We poured over magazines and the Internet, looking for a Tinkerbell dress that would not be 'scratchy'. When I found what was sure to be a winner, I showed her the dress countless times, and yes, she agreed, THAT was the one.

The dress arrived the other day. She was excited. I was excited, even though I really wanted her to be something a bit more creative. I took the dress out of the bag and she promptly told me that she wasn't going to put it on until Halloween. Bad sign. I gave it a few days without saying anything. Today, while playing I suggested she try on her dress and she told me NO again. Finally, I bribed her with gummy vitamins and she put it on. That kid didn't keep the thing on for more than 1.5 seconds. She told me she did not want to be Tinkerbell for Halloween. On Thursday, she has a parade at school. So that gives me exactly 1 day to find something suitable. I suggested she could be Penny, from the movie Bolt, and she seemed to think that was a great idea. And we have everything she needs here in the house.

Would it be in bad taste to have Eli wear it instead? Because it sure doesn't seem like he minds it so much.

Puff the Magic Dragon

Generally, Lucy will NOT perform in front of any type of camera. I was blown away that she did this for us. She got a new Puff the Magic Dragon book that also contained a CD. She really likes both of them and we spend a good part of our day reading and listening.

Lucy's bday photos

While we were in Minnesota, Lucy turned four. Since we were traveling, we held her party at a park. Luckily, it was a beautiful day!

My friend Amy took photos for me at the party. It was so nice to have someone else do this for me, as there was no way I would have been able to watch the two kids AND take pictures. If you would like to see them, here is the link:

http://amy.wurdock.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2901


Here is my favorite!

Minnesota!

We missed out on all the drama rain here in Atlanta. Instead we were
enjoying record highs in Minnesota.

Even I can see the resemblance in this photo. Sorry kid.

Eli discovered apple juice!

Ely Sunset

For some reason, Eli also ate a lot of crayons on this trip.

Club Kawishiwi

Seasonal clothing

Lucy's favorite new pair of socks is a pair of old mittens she found in her closet.  Always keepin' it spicy 'round here.

First Day of Preschool '09

Getting ready

One more round of 'taking advantage of your 13 month old brother' before we leave. She really was pulling him around like this.

A little too much to handle as we walked into her school. She walked very slowly past her old classroom from last year.

Patient Eli

Taking note of the room. Hardly noticed I left. I actually told her twice I was leaving, just to make sure. Kid didn't blink an eye.

The Simple Life

Sometimes all it takes is a ride on the Merry Go Round, a 25 cent gumball and rubber boots.

Spectators

This was a few weeks ago. Ken ran a little 5K race in our town, and the route was just one block down the hill from our house. I grabbed the kids in their P.J.'s and we walked down to cheer Ken on. Lucy passed the time by leaving small piles of cereal for the squirrels to eat. I love Lucy's goofy smile and her shoes on the wrong feet. Always on the wrong feet. I usually tell her, but she casually mentions that it's okay, she likes them that way. Eli is looking so cute, and happy and handsome. He'll be glad when he can get out of that stroller on a more regular basis and run around with his sister. Although, she's almost killed him a few times, she really does like having him around.

The park down the street...

The Walker

Worth All Twelve Ninety Nine

Today's activity involved going to Marshall's to buy cheap toys.

I'm out of ideas.

We've hit the dog days of summer.

Eli is teething something fierce and his mood, and the boogers and the heat
rash meant it was time to stay inside.

Lucy bought this doll and it kept her happy all afternoon.

She named it Trader. Most awesome doll name ever. Probably after Trader Joe's. But Ken thought she named it Traitor and I'm all, NO - TRADER!

All hell broke out about 4:30pm. I sent an S.O.S. to Ken at work. Nothing
really new. Usually I can keep the house somewhat together, but not today.
This is what just ONE ROOM looked like BEFORE dinner.

Lucy's Solution to Getting Kicked Out of the Jogger

A Day on the Deck

Back by popular demand -- Baby Coffee. And photos. And stories about
Lucy's antics when I have time. For now, a few shots of today and Eli's
introduction to the popsicle.

I'm also testing to see if this emailing a post actually works.

Email posting test

breakfast on the floor. Classy.

Summer '09

Lucy is done with preschool, and we are just waiting for summer camp to start. Two mornings a week. Let's hope she likes it and thrives.

























Eli is still a very happy baby. This is how he greets you after a nap. The smile to die for.

















































But he can be a grump too. Especially around the late afternoon. Also, when he sits at the bottom of the stairs and complains that he would like me to move the gate so he can crawl up.



















Ken and Lucy have a very serious project in the works. A swanky swing set/jungle gym. Lucy doesn't like the sound of the drill, so we have provided her with some ear muffs. I think these will come in handy for the 4th of July fireworks. Last year = disaster.

Catch Up

Busy busy busy. Eli is now 9 months old and weighs almost 22 pounds and is 30 inches tall. He's in the 92nd percentile for height and the 65th for weight...He's crawling, but would prefer to walk if he could.

Here are a bunch of photos I've had but never took the time to post:

Our house at night:













Our Sky:











































Cell phone photos:

































Family Shot - Easter '09

Help Me.

These pictures are so indicative of what it's like here on an hourly basis. Insane three year old, mixed with an innocent, teething and learning to crawl 8 month old, tossed with a few hilarious toddler observations, topped off with WAY TOO MANY TOYS.

Warmth

A week ago, it was snowing here. Today, it's warm enough for a baby diaper photo shoot. A week ago we were all sick with the stomach flu. Yes, all of us, even the baby. Today, no one is on antibiotics or throwing up. I think it's going to be a good week!