First Homemade Gift....EVER!

I've gotta get on this train more often from now on. Much more fun. Much more inexpensive. This is the first hommade gift (christmas or otherwise, I think?) that I've/we've given the kids, aside from the wand that I made for Norah for valentines day (I don't think I ever posted my photos, but this is the tutorial I followed, for the most part).

I credit Heather with this idea. So thanks, Heather :) It turned out cute!

New photos

On Saturday night, we took the kids to the annual village tree lighting. It was the first year we went and it was cute. Annnd then....

We had our first snow yesterday into today. First *real* snow. Mommy? Not so thrilled. Kids? Happy as larks.

Santa Visit 2009

santa 09
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

We saw Santa on Wednesday. Aidan said this was the real Santa because his beard was long and attached to his hair. Norah didn't cry for the first time ever, and when I praised her and asked why she changed her 'tude, she said that she didn't want to discuss it.
Too funny.

The power of Visa

A scene at Walgreens today:
I am about to pay for my purchase and Aidan stops my hand and says,
"Mommy, I want to see a football game."
Me: "I know that, honey, but Packer tickets are really expensive."
Aidan: "But mommy, if you use your Visa card, you'll be automatically entered in a chance to win two tickets to a playoff game!"

Hmmmm. Perhaps commercials should be aired w/ subliminal messages about being good and not arguing w/ your siblings.

Look! Yay!

My photo! It was chosen on the internet travel guide!

Something I will continually remind her about...

A recent conversation between Norah and myself...

N: "mommy, when you had your babies come out of your belly, did it hurt?"
Me: "no. the doctor gave me medicine"
N: "what did they do about the hole in your belly?"
Me: "they sewed me up!"
N: [thinks real hard and responds seriously] "i don't want a baby in my belly when i grow up"
Me: "well, babies can come out other ways. not just from cutting your belly."
N: "how?"
Me: "you'll learn all about that when you are older"
N: "mama, please tell me, just tell me."
Me: "no, honey"
N: "its ok, you can tell me"
Me: [deep breath and then I tell her]
N: [laughs] "you're just kiddin'!!"
Me: "no, honey, I am not."
N: [says very quietly and seriously and wide eyed] "mama, i don't want a baby. ever"

Then today...
Elliott: [complaining about Norah getting to stay home from school and play on the computer] "I wish I was Norah"
N: [very seriously with big eyes] No you don't. Then you'd have to get a baby out of your belly. They cut you. And sew you up. Or it can come out of your 'china.

Letter from the boy

I got this letter from Aidan earlier this week:

Dear Mommy,

Can you teach me how to cook like you? Can you teach me not to complane when I am playing piano? Is it hard when you make new resapes? Why can't we talk about next year? Is it rood? Why do you sleep in on the weekends?
You are the best mommy ever.
Love,
Aidan

How great is that?
Re: talking about next year. I kindly asked them to refrain from discussing next Halloween until we get through the next round of holidays, and focus on the here and now, instead.

Tu Tu Cute

Miss Norah's been asking for a tutu for awhile now. So the other day we headed over to JoAnn and she picked out some ribbon and tulle and I got started. She picked green and light pink. Too bad that once the pink was cut, it looked white :(


Instead of using an elastic waistband, I decided to use a ribbon for the waistband, using the method I found on a video on youtube and on this website.It looks much cuter on than it does on the hanger (but those pics will have to wait until the princess is feeling better). But if (when?) I do it again, I don't think I will make it quite as long or quite as full. And I will choose a different type of ribbon.

Big girl

Big girl
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Today was the first time that I officially felt like she no longer looks like my baby and she's growing up. I mean - crap. Look at that.

I don't mind if I do...

Jackson Square
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

...toot my own horn for a moment, that is :) This one is all about me.

Today I opened my email to find this email:
You've been sent a Flickr Mail from Exxxxxxx:

------------------------------
------------------------------

:: Schmap: New Orleans Photo Short-list

Hi flabonganator,

I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has
been short-listed for inclusion in the ninth edition of our
Schmap New Orleans Guide, to be published at the end of this
month.

[link]

Clicking this link will take you to a page where you can:
i) See which of your photos has been short-listed.
ii) Submit or withdraw your photo from our final selection
phase.
iii) Learn how we credit photos in our Schmap Guides.
iv) Browse online or download the eighth edition of our
Schmap New Orleans Guide.

While we offer no payment for publication, many
photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap
Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and
are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a
maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and
link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.

Our submission deadline is Thursday, November 12. If you
happen to be reading this message after this date, please
still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are updated
frequently - photos submitted after this deadline will be
considered for later releases).

Best regards,

Exxxxx,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

Of course I submitted the photo! I am absolutely flattered! I know its just an internet guide and I am just learning photography, but its so cool.

The photo to the right was the one they were referring to.

Trick or treat...smell my feet...

...gimmie something good to eat.

does anyone else remember that?

The kids went trick or treating twice on Saturday. Lucky kids! It was blustery cold, though. We went from 3-4ish w/ friends in Pewaukee, then again at night in our neighborhood, when it was a tad less windy.

Some photos from the two events and from their halloween parade at school a few days before halloween.

SIX?!?!

I threw a 6th birthday part for Norah and Elliott. I got some bug up my bum that energized me to throw one at home...for both kids...16 guests. And it was a rainy day. Thankfully, everything went fine. A little chaotic at times, but fine. The kids seemed to have fun! I tried to keep the boys and girls separated for most games/crafts, and rotated them through games/crafts. We painted pumpkins, decorated cookies, did a freeze dance, played a pumpkin roll race, and played hot pumpkin (like hot potato). Oh, and each did a scavenger hunt - the boys hunted for bones to put back together a skeleton, and the girls hunted for the black cats hiding from the witch. Each bone/cat had a hint that led them to the next.



Thank you to Robyn for taking the birthday party shots for me. If she hadn't offered, then I would not have had a single shot because I was so busy! And thank you to Kelly for helping me. I could not have run the show myself.

Happy 6th Birthday, Babies!

Wow. 6 years. It does not seem like it has been 6 years. It seems like just yesterday I was laying in that bed like a beached whale, trying hard not to wish time away, missing Aidan. Driving back and forth to the hospital every day to sit with you all day, for 42 days. Learning the lingo of the NICU. Sleepless nights. Colic. Oh my - the crying. It was relentless. And just like it started, it stopped (right as I was about to lose my mind!). Your little personalities were there from day one - the laid back one and the feisty one. The overachiever who wanted to do everything early and the one who loved to chill out and take his time. If you could do it laying down, it was even better. Its still that way.
Its been a wild ride, a blur at times, but a wonderful 6 years overall. You two are the best.

Autumn in Wisconsin

cold soccer
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Brrrrr! Where soccer players have to layer and wear hats & mittens, wind whips the nets over, and parents are huddled in blankets!

Dancing Queen

Norah had another dance open house this past week. Mama was sick, so daddy took her and she was all smiles! Normally, she's shy when I am there. What's up with that?

The things we do for our kids

Like standing on our feet for hours to bake, frost, and decorate cut-out cookies for their birthday treats at school. Cut out cookies are one of the things I really dislike making. Its just so (ugh) hard. All that rolling and cutting -- so tedious, boring, and a PITA. But it tastes so much better than that store-bought stuff, and for classroom allergy reasons, we can't buy the store-bought stuff anyway.
He didn't care what I made him. She wanted Hello Kitty. They got some sad looking jack-o-lanterns and Hello Kitties, because an artist their mama isn't.
This will make them happy. And I just have to hope that some kindergartner doesn't heckle my skillz.

Pumpkins 09

Today we had our family photos done at Barthel's farm, courtesy of Robyn Beckley Vining of Ticklebugs Photography. Aidan was a bit surley, but overall, it went pretty well considering I have 3 kids.

After photos, we picked pumpkins.

The New Toothless Wonder

Some much better photos

being shy about it....

there we go....a little peek!there's the big grin!

Bad quality photo. Will have to re-take. But I wanted to record the date my baby girl lost her first tooth. Not only did she lose her tooth, but she actually LOST it. She said it fell out when she was eating her watermelon at lunch. I so hope she didn't eat it.

Where's Waldo?

TFM
Originally uploaded by rhommer

I was looking at Tosa Farmers Market photos that collective people have been posting on Flickr, and found this one that we're all in. Can you find us (warning: I have not showered)?

Rainbow Cake

Jacksons castle cake
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

I saw this totally cool rainbow cake on Omnomicon.com and thought the kids would get a kick out of it. We set out to do it, but I realized that I had loaned out one of my round pans to a friend so she could make this super cool castle birthday cake for her son's 6th birthday. So I settled for a 9x13 pan. The kids had fun helping and it looked pretty psychadelic.

Fancy Nancy

Norah's become a big fan of Fancy Nancy. And apparently, she's taken small steps to make her room fancier, since its not fancy enough.



She dug out this old crocheted doily from some bin in storage. I imagine my great grandma made it. And she replaced a framed print for it. She also put a shimmery purple wrapping bow on her Doug Melvin bobblehead.

O...M...G

playroom disaster
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

I started the playroom purge today. Only to realize how long of a process this is going to be and how overwhelming it is. The closet was being used as a utility closet, but now that it houses other things, where do I go w/ the other stuff? I have to find a home for that. And other toys and books? They need to go into the kids rooms. But not before I purge in there and find space for them. Other larger objects need to go into the rec room, which also needs to be purged first.
Lesson learned? Guess I should have started w/ everything *but* the playroom first. Yikes.

And the playroom? Shelves and molding need to be torn down and the walls painted. Oh - and who installs a window sideways? WTH? I found that out when they were painted this summer.

I've got my work cut out for me.

The Snake Dance

Aidan playing piano
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

I love this piece.

Older cousins. Aidan adores them. He couldn't have been more thrilled when he got to spend time with them.

(photo not taken by me. just had to clarify)

Fun with dad

While their cousins from CA were visiting, the kids went mini golfing. Apparently daddy bought them a slush puppie (what exactly is that?). I didn't know this until I just came across this photo.

Nothing screams "family photo"...

...more than Budweiser.

Back to school.....9-1-09

So observant. So true.

A few days ago, a friend was here with her girls. Aidan asked about their new playset and if it was finished and I believe she said something to the effect of everything but the ground being done. Then Aidan commented, "Well, our kitchen is STILL not done. My dad is never going to finish it." (insert hand on hip and eye roll).

heh heh heh.

Thursday 13

Thirteen fun things we're planning this summer

1- Brewer games
2- Little League games
3- Bay Beach Amusement Park
4- Discovery World Museum
5- Grand Geneva (Lake Geneva) trip
6- Summerfest (ok, so that's sans kids)
7- The Beach! The pool!
8- Sunset Zoofari concert
9 - Northern WI trip (2 thumbs up for Laona!)
10 - Noah's Ark
11- Coldplay (um, sans kids again)
12- Memphis, TN- New Orleans, LA - St. Louis, MO road trip
13- strawberry picking

For more TT, go to Thursday 13.

HTML! Gah!

Trying. Trying oh. so. hard to change the fonts on this thing. I hate those standard boring fonts. However, as you can see, I did something wrong. Because, well, I know nothing about HTML except that it looks like gibberish.
Bear with me.

ETA - ok. at least i got my titles back. not to figure out how to make the cool stuff work.

Wordless Wednesday

Their creativity, silliness & cuteness never fail to make me smile.

(putting on a show)

For more WW, visit 5 Minutes for Mom and MomDot

Blog Overhaul

Trying. Really trying to make this something substantial. If someone could tell me how to add a photo to my header in PSE, I'd be grateful. Why is it not easy like it should be?

...how does your garden grow?

Slowly, but surely, I guess....
My herbs are doing great. My tomatoes, eh, kinda slow compared to last year!

Who doesn't love something FREE?

Normally I am not one for posting photos of myself in a bathing suit on the internet. But since it involves something free, eh, why not??

Frills, Fluff, and Trucks is giving away a $25 GC to TJ Maxx and a $25 GC to Marshalls just for posting a great find. Now, I've had many great finds at said stores, but I can't seem to think of what they are at this particular moment. Some must have been gifts? The one recent thing that came to mind was my new bathing suit. I picked it up in the spring at Marshalls. Its Jag and retails for $102 (who the heck would pay $102 for a suit?!). And the best thing about it? It actually fits and the material is not flimsy and cheap, unlike the 10 other suits I have.

I have searched high & low for a year for a suit that was a tankini with a skirted bottom. The problems I ran into were that the tops were either too loose in the midsection, or the skirt made my hips look like they were 5 sizes bigger than they actually are, or both. Or, the suit was flat out made for someone 20 years my senior. I just wanted something that stayed put while I played with the kids at the beach or pool...something that didn't require me to adjust every 5 seconds or have me worrying about how I moved or ran.

Here it is. $10. Marshalls, baby. Rock on.

Where'd he go?

Aidan and I are struggling and I am not sure how to handle it. I can certainly say that it has caught me off guard. He's always been my sweet boy, aiming to please. Almost a little Eddie Haskell ("mommy, you look so beautiful in that shirt today.")

Lately, he's been challenging me. Not that I don't want him to think for himself and make a strong arguement. But that's not what he's doing. He's giving me attitude and flat out not listening to me. I don't get it. Is this a phase? Please tell me its a phase and not something that I get to work with for the next 10 years.

Can they be any more beautiful?

You know what's better than peonies? Poppies.

First autograph....

Aidan is enamored with baseball. Completely and utterly, without a doubt. So yesterday, he and daddy went early to the game and got to get a little tour and see batting practice and Aidan got to meet Jeff Suppon and get his autograph on both his shirt and glove. He was seeing stars!
(photo quality courtesy of old sucktastic camera)

They never cease to crack me up

Friday, I was at my regular after-school-pick-up playtime at Meghan's and Elliott was taking forever in the bathroom. He finally came back outside, looked at us, and it was a scene from a commercial: mouth open, teeth exposed, and then he slowly licked his top teeth, making that smacking, clean teeth, satisfied noise, and then he said, "I just brushed my teeth!"
What?! We were cracking up. Come to find out, he apparently does this every Friday when we're at their house. Oops. So we had a conversation about how you don't use someone else's toothbrush. Ew. Ew ew ew.

Saturday, I set out for the neighborhood rummage sales and the kids saw Kelly and I leave. Apparently, the boys got their piggy banks and snuck down the street and Aidan came home with a THIGHMASTER!!!!!!! He said something to the effect of, "daddy, aren't you proud of me? I got something I can exercise with!" Daddy made him promptly return said Thighmaster.

Easy Baking!

Summer blooms

Peony
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

I used to hate peonies. The ants. The fact that they were a big mess after 1 rain. But I now appreciate the hard work that goes into making them bloom and how pretty they really are.

Skeletons aren't scary

Scary
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

how can they be with eyes like this?

snug bugs in a rug

snug bugs
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

or, in bed. our bed. during a thunderstorm. because they are all scared.

More Noteables....

On the way home from N&E's gymnastics class today, Aidan told me that he wants to be a school teacher when he grows up. He went on to ask if there are any boy teachers (his school is female dominated). I told him yes, and went on to tell him which of my elementary teachers were men, and he said, "Oh good. I want to be a teacher because you get treats for everyone's birthdays. Not just your students, but from old students, too."

Aim high my son. Aim high.

And...
Tonight's dinner conversation was focused on baseball and Norah said, "We like the Red Socks, right Aidan and Daddy?" Aidan said, "Yeah. We like the Brewers and Red Socks. They rock." And then Norah says, "The White Socks stink!". Elliott says, "And the Blue Socks stink! We don't like them!"

Who knew.

Dominick The Donkey

Dominick The Donkey
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

When Aidan turned 1, we got a compilation of songs off of the Mob Hits I and II CD from a friend. Since then, its been a regular in our dinnertime music rotation. The kids have recently taken a liking to 'Dominick the Donkey'. Aidan even put it down as his favorite song on a survey he did last week for school!!

Funny Little Creatures

When Aidan was at Take Your Child to Work Day with Chris, one of the questions they asked the kids was if they knew what their parents did. Aidan answered, "my dad makes money."

****
Today on our walk to school, Elliott informed me that God is Dr. Seuss. I don't know if this stemmed from me telling him that God was not male and in his mind, Dr. Seuss looked pretty much like he thought that grandpa male god would look. Or if he just thought Dr. Seuss was pretty cool. Or maybe Dr. Seuss was just on the brain. I couldn't get any additional info out of him.

Number Grids

Everyday Math. It seems like a great curriculum. However, its so not the way I learned math. As if its not difficult enough to help your child with their homework, a foreign way to learn something is thrown into the mix (foreign, as in alien and not natural to me).

Yesterday I was trying to help Aidan do some homework that involved getting an answer via a number grid. He was doing it incorrectly, so he was arguing with me that because the grid said that the answer was 19, that's what it (37-19) was. I was telling him that he was doing it wrong, because that was not the answer. We finally figured it out, but shiiiiiiiiiit. Number grids, fact triangles, name collection boxes, & function machines.... its like I am learning math all over again. As if it was not bad enough the first time around!

A Life Changing Event

That's how the little girl in the movie, Bedtime Stories, describes her first hamburger. Apparently, my kids feel the same way. Its only been recently that they've had beef* and oh boy... they love it and prefer it over anything else, it seems. I guess I can give them all the tofu I want and they'll still end up with their daddy's taste buds.

* I take that back. Back when I was in the hospital, pregnant w/ the twins, Aidan got a healthy dose of red meat and I recall that I was told that he would wolf it down.

I'm a big boy mommy

Im a big boy mommy
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Can't leave Elliott out! He did it, too!! And is very proud.

No More Training Wheels!!!!

Norah learns to bike
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Look at her go!!! Much like her big brother Aidan, she and Elliott got it on their first try. Yay!!!!!

Feelings

Today Norah went on a playdate, so Elliott and I snatched up the opportunity to go on a lunch date. We chose Alterra, where we could eat outside on a gorgeous, 85 degree day. He was thrilled to share a lemonade with me...such a treat. When we came home, we filled up a small pool and he played in it while I worked in the yard, and we talked to each other. It was perfect. He is such a sweet little boy. Just wonderful. Yet things change when you get him around his siblings and I am still trying to figure that one out.
He and his sister love each other and share an incredible bond. However, if you stick a friend in there, Norah decides to cast Elliott to the side and often even resorts to name calling. I am guessing this is one of the things that causes him to act up at other times.

When Elliott has his feelings hurt, he's recently taken to saying, "That hurts my heart. It makes me sad, and it makes God sad."

Ouch.

Speaking of God's feelings, Elliott's been quite concerned about making God sad lately. Everything from people smoking to litter me putting one of the kids in a time out to not letting him have what he wants. (God is sad when I don't give him ice cream. Don't you know? No dice.)

Aye.

Sadly Neglected

Not just my blog. But apparently someone's cupboards, as well. This salad dressing was something that someone donated during the Stamp Out Hunger food drive this Saturday.
Best when purchased by 1978! Seriously. Can you believe that?! GROSS!

Take Your Child To Work Day

Hopefully Aidan had/is having more fun than his expression shows here. lol.
I'll have to come back and talk about what they did today. I can't remember what was on the agenda.

Edited:

Yes, he had a fantastic time. They started the day with photos, and activity, and a welcome, and the kids were divided into groups. First they did a service activity (making no-sew blankets to donate), then the all-important snack break, then on to marketing, where they learned how to make a logo. From there, they moved on to a teamwork activity (I think he said they played the card game, War), and they finished up with technology, where they did an emailing activity. Then lunch with dad and a big ole goody bag to take home.

When I went to pick him up, he gave me that, "WTF you doin' here?" look. I am sure part of it was the novelty of being in dad's office is pretty cool. But the other part? He was borrowing another child's Nintendo DS. Which he pines for on a weekly basis. Which Mean Mama won't buy him.

How does one "accidentally" do that?

Scene:

We're at the school playground. Elliott approaches me and tugs at my arm. "Mommy? Can I tell you a secret?"

He goes on to say, "I accidentally bit J. I am sorry. I didn't mean to."

Maybe 15 minutes later, after a chat and apology, S says, "he bit me and hit me, too."

WHAT?!?!

How does a 5-and-a-half year old ACCIDENTALLY bite someone?! Twice? WTF?

Elliott is spending some quality time in his bedroom right now.

Discovering the World...

Aid watching the Divergirl
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

During spring break we headed on over to Discovery World, our newly relocated science & technology museum and aquarium on the lake. I had been there twice before, but it was for adult formal events, sans kids. This time was much different (and not just because I didn't have a glass of wine in hand). This place is so freaking cool. WOW. There is just soooo much to see and do.

The kids were moving too fast for me to take decent photos, and they were also moving so fast that it was often hard to really check out an exhibit. But that's ok....we're members now and will be going back again. And again.

Girl hoisting Boy

Girl hoisting Boy
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Silhouette

Silhouette
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

little vermicomposters

little vermicomposters
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Promising Picasso

Promising Picasso
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Its been awhile since the kids painted. I think I banished the paints when I discovered the ottoman was painted green. And it didn't come out.

The kids have been begging to paint lately. So I managed to find some really crusty watercolors. They're watercolors - of course they worked. And the kids created several masterpieces until we ran out of paper.

That's How Its Done!

Watching the dye work
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Look at her intent stare. All, "woah. what's going on in there?" Maybe she's thinking about how we're tainting the pretty white eggs with dye. Maybe she was overcome with vinegar fumes. Maybe she was analyzing the composition of the dye. Or maybe she was thinking about cats.
Who knows.

The Awful Egg Hunt

Aidan at egg hunt
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

He's anticipating the hunt. Excited, kind of nervous, but also thinking that this will be all easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.
Yeah. Not so much.

The horn blew and 100 7-9 year olds ran for the hills, grabbing every egg in sight. Aidan's not the fastest runner, and well, the next thing I knew, he turned and stopped and started bawling. "I. can't. get. any........ "

A Little Easter Lovin'

Easter Lovin
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Do you know that its really almost impossible to take a posed picture of 3 kids?
Also...its impossible to get your husband to finish your fireplace mantle after 3 years. (I love you, honey).

I come in peace....

These boys and those light sabers.
Santa brought them. Santa was veeeery generous, because mama? She loathes those light sabers. And in the morning and late evening when light sabers are off limits? Then oh-so-slyly any object will morph into a light saber.
However annoying, the boys are pretty fun to watch. They have it down to a real art. Right down to the noise.

Oh..."I come in peace". That's a new one. Elliott busted it out in the car on Thursday. He told me that he came in peace. Really? Oh, ok. That's good to know.

Lets get this party started!!!

On Friday...sunny, 70's, just a gorgeous day....we started our seeds. Veggies, fruit, and flowers. They're all planted and we're anxiously waiting their arrival. Once they are big and strong, we'll plant the veggies in our garden and the strawberries will be hanging this year. Not buying any annuals...these are it for my pots and empty spaces. I am most excited about the wildflowers Aidan picked out.

Misc. Funnies and Observations

Yesterday, Norah said to Chris, "daddy, I fed Sauce today!" (Sauce is her Webkinz cat). To which Chris replied to her and me, "Good, because the other day, Sauce was pretty much dead. You almost killed her. Her food was on 1 and her health was on 10. She had a big ole' ice pack on her head. You have to feed the cat, Norah. You can't just buy her crap to keep cluttering up her room."

Norah looked at him and said, "but daddy. I bought her some cute shorts for Spring!"

Ahhh. Priorities. Mama's girl. heh heh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday on the way to Aidan's 7 year checkup (51lbs, 49"....tall and average weight...failed the eye exam. Sigh.), Aidan said, "Mommy? Is the Easter Bunny real? Or is it just a human in a bunny costume?" As I heard him say that, i realized what a ridiculous concept the Easter Bunny is. I mean, Santa? Sure. He's a guy. Tooth Fairy? Sure. A person. But a bunny? Come on. So I asked him what he thought and he said he thought it was a human dressed as a bunny. To which Elliott objected vehemently! "The Easter Bunny is not a HUMAN! How can it be a HUMAN, when its a BUNNY?! A bunny is not human, Aidan." (you could hear the "duh" in his voice). So I said, "Well, maybe the Easter Bunny is more of a spirit? Kinda like how you think of God?" And Norah says, "The Easter Bunny is God? WOW!"
Ok. Guess my point was lost. lol.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Norah and Elliott could not be any more different. I have to remind myself that as fraternal twins, they really are no more than siblings who shared my body for 7 months.
Norah's independent as all getup. Walk her to her class line or class in the morning? Forget about it. "I can do it mommy. Goodbye." No kiss! Just a kiss blown to me! Sheesh. Whereas Elliott will not walk to his line, or if late, will not walk to his classroom alone. He will jump at the chance to try to stay home with me (*cough cough* I am sick . I need to stay home.) He's the obediant quiet little boy in class, who, when I am working in his classroom, comes up to me and gives me hugs and kisses. Norah? Girl will not even look at me.

Yesterday at Aidan's doctor appt, the pediatrician called her a court reporter. She would not stop yapping about everyone and everything. What mommy cooks, what grade they are in, where they go to school, what they did today, that her and "eddie" were born on the same day, their teachers names, that she wants to be a vet, but only for cats, puppies, birds, and bunnies. Etc. This girl has had more playdates this school year than both my boys combined. Ever.

Repelling

Aidan4
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

He was a champ!

On Belay!

Aidan1
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Aidan had his birthday party yesterday. It was the coolest party ever. We had it at Adventure Rock. I am pretty sure everyone had a rockin' time, including Chris and I.

Look what I found today!

grape hyacinths
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

My purple crocuses in my front yard had no blooms a few days ago and now look! SPRING!!!

Proof that the boy's got game....

Good aim
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

He shoots!

And he scores...

and he scores
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

Go Aidan!

The Case of the Missing Teeth

My Little Baller
Originally uploaded by flabonganator

It was before Christmas that Aidan was singing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." And yet..... Santa failed to deliver. Now its the end of March. And still no sign of those front teeth.

Oh yeah...he's a pretty good little ball player, too. The basketball hoop was definitely the perfect gift!!!!