Eight Cows

V: Daddy, your feet are cold!

J: What could I wrap my feet up in if they are cold?

V: A towel!

J: What else?

V: A cow!

C: Where would you find a cow around here?

V: In a tree!

C: How many cows have you seen in a tree?

V: EIGHT!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi... ha ha ha ha, aw...

I've been back to work since January (mostly Saturdays - and the weekdays Mom or a friend helps out). Judson gets me through most of these days by sending pictures of their adventures...

Cruisin'

I'm thankful that the kids really are good travellers. Even if it means I have to play DJ to their every whim.


Trip there...

Trip home...

Wordful Wednesday

Veronica

• While swirling around in the baby pool, "I'm Ariel. I'm in the washing machine." The washing machine? "Yes, because it's wet. That's where I live. I'm washing my hair."
• While I was coloring a star yellow: "No, Mommy! Stars aren't yellow. They're white."

Thomas

• Mommy, you're enchanting.
• Am I five now? (The age at which we said he could watch a particular Spiderman cartoon.)

Kids. In. Spaaaace.

The other night while I was out, the kids insisted on wearing PJs with "no pants." (One piece pajamas). When they were babies, Judson would zip them up in these types of sleepers and then say, "Baby Astronaut, prepare for take-off!" Then he'd count down and blast them off. They'd giggle and giggle.

They found these footed sleepers - which they were thrilled that matched and said they were their astronaut suits. They were extra excited because they matched (we are very into matching the littlest details). When I went in to get them out of bed in the morning, they were covered up to their necks so they could surprise me with their suits.

While Judson and I were reminiscing the baby astronauts, we were corrected that they were now "kid astronauts."

They've also accessorized their space suits...


Today I was scheduled to work, as I often am on Saturdays. However, Judson had to go in a little to proofread some mailings. I finished as quickly as I could and Judson took them into "Daddy's Statehouse" to try to get a head start before I could pick them up. When I arrived, I walked into the foyer of the committee rooms. (Judson kept them out of the office so that his coworkers could concentrate.) To my left, was Judson alone proofreading. The other four committee rooms were dark. Then, I hear, "We're in space! We're astronauts!" Around the corner, out of the dark vastness of space came two kids zooming stuffed dogs (thanks, Lauren!) around. Veronica said excitedly, "We're astronaut dogs!" Thomas added, "Mommy this is my space puff!" (pup?)

I'd had a craft idea in my head for months. Today, being an extraordinarily high heat index, I thought would be the perfect day for an indoor craft. So, we came home and made our astronaut family. Complete with Shuttle Thomas and Shuttle Veronica, both with opening payload doors. They got a lot of mileage today!

School kids

We had decided not to send them to preschool until they were four. Then, Veronica shows major interest in going, all their friends are, and I'm working. I could get another half day of work in a week while they enjoyed school (and I'm really impressed with the teacher they'd have). I'm still torn though. They are so young! But, it's only two half-days a week. Oh, how I hate decisions!

I decided to send them to Summer Adventure Program for two days where they went to Vacation Bible School to see if it made my decision any easier. The program lasted until 1, so they got to take their lunches which THRILLED them both. New lunch boxes that they helped me pack. They were so proud of them.

Veronica grinned from ear to ear the whole way there and you could feel her excitement. Thomas took it all in stride. When we arrived, Veronica was completely stoic and Thomas said he wanted me to stay, but didn't cry. When I picked them up, Thomas didn't want to leave! Their favorite activity was "jumping jacks". The second day, Veronica was ready to go before she was even dressed and Thomas didn't say much. When I dropped them off, Thomas clung and cried. It broke my heart. Of course, he was fine and happy to show me his art projects when I picked him up. Veronica was excited that she got to be the line leader.

I'm still not sure of the preschool decision. (Veronica is.) Please don't grow up too fast kiddos.

Wordful Wednesday

Veronica:

• Thomas, look at me. I'm bigger.
• Mommy, does everybody know Jesus?
• Guess what my Mommy did with Jesus... She married Him, and I did too!

Thomas:

• durfent = different
• yoinion = onion
• Mommy, you're enchanting.
• Mommy, you're beautiful, but you have to be a bad guy.

Both:

I notice how they call the State House, "Daddy's State House."

Their new catch-phrase... "Yippee! ...I mean, Alright! ... I mean, Hooray!"

Old Friends & New Friends

I've had the fortune of reconnecting with an old friend. We connected in high school the first time. She was one of my sidekicks for doing church music. We enjoyed clowning around together - literally, we were in a clown troop. We wrote a song together. We performed twice in the state fair together. We gallivanted through Europe together. Then, distance and time separated us.

Now, over the past year and a half, she's adopted a 5 year old son from Kazakhstan, gotten married, lived over an hour from her husband while fulfilling her teaching contract and living the single mom life, and gotten pregnant. She has finally been able to move her family to one house... a house closer to ME!!!

We haven't really been able to meet Andre, her son, as we wanted him to adapt to his new language, new family, new life. Now that they are living so close, we're barging on into his life!

Yesterday we spent the day at the Children's Museum with him - the kids crawled through caves, discussed dinosaurs, peered at the planetarium, and cavorted on the carousel.

Today we went to their home for a play date. We were greeted by five chickens. It took the kids a while to get out of the car because, I suppose the chickens must have seemed six feet tall to them. Thomas has just held a baby chick days before. He didn't even want to let it go.

Never fear, the gracious host Andre to the rescue! He chased the chickens away when he discovered what was going on. By the end of the afternoon, Veronica and Thomas were thrilled to gather an egg and watch the chickens eat what was leftover from their lunch.

The kids hit it off again. Quite comfortable with each other. Comfortable enough to close themselves into a stuffy tent and "camp" in the heat!

I'm excited to pick up where we left off and embark on new adventures with Jill - and our families!!

Happy Hour

I was surprised by a little happy hour after work with some of my favorite people...

Suiting up!

We're on top of the world.

We burst out of our little bubble and went to visit Danny and Dawn today.

We let them pick what we were doing.

They gave us a lot to choose from!

We started with some swimming at a local country club as their friend Scott's guests. It started a little timidly, but by the end, Thomas was Buzz Lightyear lasering down Zurg (me) so that Zurg would have to go under the water. Veronica and Danny were making up verses to "Chim Chimney". And Aunt Dawn kept everyone entertained!

We had a spectacular lunch and then off to the Science Museum where we viewed Hubble Telescope in IMAX. The kids (and adults) were mesmerized. Veronica snuggled on each adult through the film. Thomas asked very good questions through most of it. When it was over, Thomas told me his favorite part was "when they turned into astronauts." (We watched the astronauts suit up.)

[Fortunately] the elevator was broken through the IMAX and we HAD to walk through the exhibits (without a ticket!) to get out. The kids relished a Sesame Street exhibit on the body. As, you can see above, Danny and Dawn thought it waSNOT bad either!

The twins remembered Danny's gigantic TV and the fact that he could get Batman cartoons off of it, so we had to watch a few of those before a fun dinner out.

Snug as a Bug

We made an impromptu visit to Grandma's and Grandpa's today and went SWIMMING!!!

The kids loved the baby pool and we ventured to the "big pool." It was 3 feet deep at the shallowest, so both kids could navigate it independently for a good portion where they enjoyed running and jumping and bobbing up and down. They were little monkeys on the handrails near the steps. They are getting to be pros at blowing bubbles. And Thomas, well, he likes to dunk himself! Veronica enjoys being a "beautiful fish" in her pink fish inner tube.

Another big event was christening the quilts Grandma made especially for them. They are a little big for their toddler beds, so we used them at Pa and Grandma's tonight. Grandma did an incredible job. The colors are so fun and they look good side-by-side. She carefully selected the fabrics to be either fun or meaningful, adding their initials to the center square.

During the process of making these quilts, Thomas assured us all that Grandmas was making him a "Batman Quilt". Not to disappoint, Grandma made sure to add Batman to the quilt.

When sleeping over, it's become a ritual to have either Pa or Mamak read "Snug as a Bug" by Michael Elsohn Ross to them before bedtime. With these new quilts, they will always be snug!

Washful Wednesday

My kids can splash all they want in the tub, but have anxiety about getting their hair washed. They also think the shower head is some sort of monster. When it's time to rinse their hair in the tub I give the 2 options: 1) lay back in the tub, or 2) look to the sky while a rinse their hair with a syrup bottle full of warm water. Both solutions cause mass chaos.

They randomly, while getting into the tub or taking their bath, beg me NOT to turn on the shower. I never have. They say it like it's an annoying habit I have and expect me to pick my nose in public at any second.

This morning, however, when I was finishing my shower, Veronica asked if she could get in with me. Mind you, Veronica is the one who doesn't want anyone to get to close to her in the baby pool for fear they may splash some water on her. Thomas is the one who has been dunking his head under in the pool (yet still can't handle washing his hair).

I was in a hurry to be somewhere, so I promised her we'd take one that evening. I figured she would change her mind. She didn't. She took a shower with me - and had me wash her hair.... TWICE! She was so proud of herself, she called Daddy and Thomas in four times so he could see what she was doing.

And another day...

Yesterday I told you it was "just another day in paradise." Not to be proven wrong, here we are with another day.

Of course, there's the little girl in the fancy shoes and her underwear on the front sidewalk.



And the neighbors wouldn't feel safe without your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman spinning webs at every passing car.


And then, of course I had to be the villain who captured the beautiful maiden but was no match for her saviour, Spidey.

Just Another Day in Paradise

I was awakened by a little girl telling me she was hungry and wanted to eat right away instead of snuggling in Mommy's bed. Same little girl got distracted and had to color for over a half hour before eating. She also needed Mommy to color with her.

After this little girl finished breakfast, we started to head to the playroom, when we spied a little eye peering out at us through the crack in the bedroom door. "I'm ready to find my cars," said the little boy. The three of us continued to the playroom where I had to have a split personality between squirrel, camel, Mommy, and bad guy so we could all play "people" together.

This led to playing baby - where I put words and actions to their baby dolls so they could "parent" them. This led to a dance recital and finally, a first breakfast for the boy and second breakfast for the girl.

We journeyed outside where I was to witness a little boy in his Mater underwear and reindeer antlers running laps around a little girl painting a pink snake on her easel, wearing nothing but high heels.

I painted while the kids played in the pool, which I moved to the base of the slide. The little boy told me that is was very "clever" and he was having a "fantastic day." The little girl had lots of giggles, which told me she thought the same thing.

All this and more before lunchtime... just another morning in Paradise.

Emily's 4th

Today we were invited to celebrate Emily's 4th birthday! We were a little late because, well, just because... But we were even further behind when Thomas decided to wear underwear. Of course we weren't going to argue with that!

When we arrived at the party, Thomas informed me that he was shy. Both kids were total wall flowers - even with cake being served! I sat at the kids table where Veronica joined me, but Thomas ate his cake on Daddy's lap away from everyone.

The party was outdoors on a beautiful day with lots of water activities. While we were changing the kids into their suits, the present opening was beginning. Thomas, still against the wall, but now down to his undies, yelled, "QUIET! QUIET EVERYONE!" Then, he turned around and stuck out his cute little rear to show everyone his Toy Story 3 underwear.

Veronica was in heaven with all the big girls to play with. They taught her to fill water balloons which was super-exciting.

Judson, being the all-around good sport, let the kids toss water balloons with/at him. He made the older girls work harder - and meet the same demise as he!

Pipsqeaks on the Prairie

Today PNC Back offered free admission to Connor Prairie. I hadn't been there since about 5th grade, so I was looking forward to it. We met Carolyn, Melodi, Amanda & Jennifer and their assortment of kids there. Where we...

... "Saw a lot."

...and tried to re-invent the wheel.

Thomas truly enjoyed holding a baby chick. Veronica did not want to hold it, but encouraged Thomas by petting it.

We groomed a calf...

...and helped make candles.

We caught up with the wagon train of twins...

...and peered into life in the 1800s.

We ended a long, hot, day of learning with milkshakes all around... before most of us fell asleep in the car.

I- KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - A