Preschool Pictures

How cute are these?

Look at that hair!



The kids were allowed to pose with a favorite toy. Was there ever any question as to who would get the honor?



Oh, my Lucius is a boy. A big boy. No baby left in him. I feel like it happened overnight. We've only been in NJ for 2 years, but when we moved here Lucius was barely talking and still in diapers. Now he's a big boy. And he won't let you forget it.

For the past couple of months he's been into stories. As in, Tom or I (mostly Tom) has to make up 3 different stories everyday. Everyday! These stories typically involve some combination of Batman, Superman, Sportacus, or any number of Nick Jr. characters plus a villain or two (Penguin, Joker, etc...). That's a lot of creativity and thinking that we just don't have after working in academia all day. A couple nights ago Tom was driving home and telling the requisite "driving home from daycare" story when he wasn't paying attention and (barely) ran a red light. Unfortunately, it was the one light in town that has the red-light camera attached to it. So, no more stories while Daddy is driving since he got a ticket. I guess that's a win-lose for us?

In other news, Lu's been writing his name really well. We're impressed whenever he does anything remotely educational. For the most part he's content playing with his action figures and that's about it.

He's finally getting to the really fun age. The age where he's easy to take places and gets excited about things that I have fun doing too. ;) We're headed to the beach in a few days and I'm so excited to spend the day in the surf and sand with him. I don't have to worry about him pooping in those god awful swim diapers, or him having to take two naps or day, or waking us up at 5am. Four year olds are much easier than 1 year olds...in some ways. The whole attitude and fighting I could do without!

Memorial Day

A big thank you to all of the men and women that have served our country!!

We had a wonderful Memorial Day. We spend time with friends at the parade, community picnic, and pool/hot tub.

Watching the parade.



Alice's first lollipop courtesy of Miss Donna.


I guess Lucius will not be joining a biker gang. They were just too loud for him.


He asked the balloon lady for Batman and boy, did she deliver!


In the Haugh's pool. It was a little too cold for me.


Hot tub time! Now, I did enjoy some hot tub time. Tom said that if he gets tenure then we can get a hot tub. I'm totally holding him to that!


Even Alice got some pool action. Although, she was asleep for most of the afternoon.


My bathing beauty. How cute is that suit?

Updates, updates

Wow, I'm really behind. I don't even remember what we've done in the past few months until I look at the pictures on the camera.

It appears that we went strawberry picking.




I got a remote for the camera. Here's Lu taking his own picture.


And we still have a silly boy in our house.


Alice's new boyfriend. She wouldn't leave him alone!


Alice is taking after her Jagee and developing a love of soil.


So much dirt, so little time...




She even had to taste some.

walking, talking, wrestling, and getting into trouble

Well, it didn't take her long after she finally took some steps. It looks like Miss Alice is a walker now.

She's also saying "up, Up, UP" when she wants, you guessed it, to be picked up.

She's still as silly as can be and now loves wrestling with me and her brother (aka rolling around on the floor).

Walking

Alice took some steps yesterday. Yes, real steps! And then she took about 4 more this morning. Perhaps she'll be walking by the end of the summer.

A girl and her music

Alice LOVES music. More specifically, she loves LOUD music. Based on personalities you'd think that Lucius would want the music loud. Nope. He takes the volume control knob off and hides it so Alice can't turn the music up. Here she is rocking out.

Yes, she does this every time we put music on. Nasty, nasty boys...

Things that Alice is doing = not much

Well, that's not entirely true. Alice says hi and can wave hi and bye. But the big news is that she can stand all.by.herself. You know she's very proud of herself because she claps everytime she does it. Oh, she also gives kisses now. So cute.


Today is Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all of the great Moms that I know.

I'm sure lucky to have such great kids. I <3 my babies! **just realized the the <3 doesn't work in html -- it's supposed to be a heart **










We've been dogsitting Gus for a few days. He sure does miss his family! So much that he keeps running away to find them...

Cheating

I finally figured out how to retroactively post.

For Lu's bday party look below or click here

What's dat smell?

Thanks to the bed tent, we're always treated to a dutch oven whenever we put Lucius to bed.

Me: What's that smell?
Lu: I don't smell anything.
Me: Take a big whiff.
Lu: Ewwwww, we need a fan in here.

I know.

Last night was really funny.

Me: Goodnight Lu (I said after reading a book and singing a song).
Lu: Quick Mommy, get out of the tent!
Me: Why? Did you toot?
Lu: No, I farted. It was really quiet so you didn't hear it.
Me: (quickly running out of the room)
Lu: (after taking a big whiff) ewww...yuck

Gotta love gassy boys.

Another bottom tooth!

and that makes 4!

Teeth!

I see a top tooth! And that makes 3!

Lucius' 4th Birthday Party

**Just figured out that I can retroactively post posts by editing the date of my posts! Does that make sense? It's actually 5/9/10 right now but I changed the date to 4/10/10 so I don't look like a horrible Mom that took a whole month to post pictures of my son's birthday party. Of coures, now that I'm writing this the cat's out of the bag, but I digress...**

We had a good ol' fashioned birthday party at our house today. We had lots of friends, food, and fun!




Obstacle Course: Part 1


Obstacle Course: Part 2




Then we had cupcake cones. Note to self: those are a pain to make. Don't do them again.
"Happy birthday to you!"


Best Buds: Drew and Lu

Yay for birthdays! Oh, I almost forgot.

Sportacus was there making sure that everyone had a good and "healthy" time.



We played "Pin Sportacus on the blimp"


Yes, I had to take a day off from work to cut out all of these Sportacuses (sportacusi?)


And the take home "treat". Lazytown water bottles (made by yours truly) and Kid's energy bars. I was super proud of myself for all of this craftiness. I feel like my job as a Mom is complete.

Happy Birthday Lucius!

My big boy is 4 today!!! I'm hurriedly trying to get ready for his party tomorrow (his first bday party EVER)...plus I still need to grade 20 papers. I need more time!

I'll try to post party pics over the weekend...but no guarantee on that!

Happy Birthday Lucius! You're super silly and so much fun to be around. We love you!

Happy Birthday Alice!!!!

I can't believe it. It's been one whole year since Miss Alice was born. She's been such a sweet easy baby. We love having her as part of our family!

Her cousins came to help her celebrate her birthday. She was so excited.



She had LOTS to tell them.


She had a great time with her Uncle Darren too.


He made her giggle.


And she stole his hat.





She also had her first bite of cake! At least I think it was her first bite. Who knows what Jagee gives her when my back is turned.

This is Tom's handy work.

It says "Happy BDAY Alice" just in case you couldn't read it...
I think it's a duck swimming in a pond. Oh wait. Tom just informed me it was a chick hatching from a blue egg. Yes, I totally see it now...


"What in the heck is that????"


Still not sure what to think...but assumes she should be excited since we are.


"Hmmm....Do I like this strange sugary thing?"



"Yep, I think I do".


Picking up the entire piece after it dropped into her lap.

"hmmmm...should I eat anymore? It's almost swimsuit time and we all know this is going straight to my hips"


and...I'm done.