Bragging Rights... :)

Here is a "legal" copy of Little Miss A's 1st grade school pictures. (I paid $2 for a very low resolution copy, but at least I can sleep at night. :) I actually forgot it was picture day and she was late for school that day. Guess it just makes it that much more "authentic," right? :) She LOVES school this year. She is doing really well too. She loves to read- she finished "Little House in the Big Woods," and just started "Little House on the Prairie" today. She's a good little student and she loves her teacher. I'm pretty proud of her!

And then there is this little man. FIVE MONTHS!!! Just flying by. He is trying SO HARD to crawl and he's almost got the hang of it- he's doing the "rocking" on all fours thing. He's strong and he can lift his little bottom up from his tippy-toes. He's SO slobbery and EVERYTHING goes in his mouth.... especially paper... of which you cannot identify when he is done mutilating it.

He also love to slobber on his toes, (Was I ever so flexible, I ask you?) and he's gotten good at pulling his socks off... a little too good. He's showing off his trouble foot- we have an appointment in a couple months... hope that indicates the seriousness of his condition, because I feel a bit neglected.

Is that not a look of TOTAL contentment? Seth got car stickers in a package from Grandma Nana, and he was utterly delighted. (And yes, Autumn IS tying herself to the chair behind you. Just in case you were wondering. It's been a long day. :)

I cringe when they put all the stickers in one place. It's like eating an entire pie in one sitting. But he was so happy, I didn't have the heart to hide the stickers this time. Thanks Grandma!

I'm sure I'm bias, but I think this guy is so cute- I can't seem to capture all the cuteness on camera- he's just frumpy funny in this picture. He's so much better in real life- you're just going to have to come see for yourself. :) His chubbiness makes me soooo happy. :) And I think he likes me back. He gives me lots of open mouth kisses. I would say that's a sure sign of affection.

Make 'er Quaker...

I bought a big old 25 pound bag of oats (and was too lazy to put it away) and some water spill and soaked up the bottom of the bag. I salvaged most of the bag, but there was a bit at the bottom that I didn't have the heart to throw out-- at least not after the kids got their hands in it. They are ALWAYS begging me to let the play in the flour or the sugar buckets, so I finally indulged them. However, I don't think I would recommend this one. They may look happy and angelic in these pictures, but this one got out of hand very quickly, and taking it out side only made matters worse. :) It was easy to clean up though. Quick Oat to the rescue.

When Autunm decides how her hair is to be done, her father's love of "Lord of the Rings" definitely manifests itself .

Can we say, "Master Elrond of Rivendell?"

We just need to work on her ears a bit and I think we have it. :)

Who wouldn't want to wake up to this sweet little face! I just love this little dude!

Look what Aunt Chody sent in the mail for Autumn's b-day! Isn't she the best. The girls keep playing "Chopped" and "Master Chef" while sporting their lovely aprons. She calls it her "princess ruffle apron." Thanks Chody!

OH BROTHER!!!

I have two very silly little boys that are quite lucky to have each other!

And it's a good thing they are cute, because they keep me up at night.

This is what I get to wake up to some mornings...

But how can you get mad at him?

Or him... under the bed and dreaming. I mean, that can't be comfortable. We all make sacrifices.

Just some more than others. :)

(Briggy's a little piggy when it comes to meal time- he LOVES rice cereal- can't feed it to him fast enough. He's in the "wide mouth" drooling stage... and I love it.)

Even Samson Got a Hair Cut...

There comes a time in every mans life...

...and that time came long ago for this little man. There was no doubt in my mind that he needed a trim. We were quite attached to that hair (particularly Doug- who knew boys were so sentimental?) and I almost cut it a couple times. (The CSNY song "Almost Cut My Hair" would play through my head. Why do I love that song? Kind of rebellious of me. Definitely brother's influence there. :) "It was gettin' kinda long", and this time, we really did it.

Is it just me, or does that look like fear on his face? And then there is my cruel smile. :) No wonder.

But the results were all happy! Isn't he a handsome little man cub! :) Thanks for holding still, Brig.

This Is Actually My Party...

In the words of Grandma Kaye's favorite song, Miss Autumn is "the happiest child alive. She had a birthday and now she's five." We had a really fun "Charlie and Lola" themed birthday party, which was perhaps a little selfish on my part just because I'm just as much a fan as a the kids. We just invited her primary class. It was a really cute bunch of kids, and it ended up being pretty simple and fun.

First, we played "My little Town" which ended up being a really good idea. The kids had a lot of fun coloring and drawing on the roll of packing paper I bought at the dollar store.

Then we played "Pin the Bow's on Lola". (I had way too much fun drawing Lola- Autumn and Seth helped with the coloring.)

We watched a couple episodes- great time killer. :) And then we played "Musical Statues" which the kids loved. They were such cute dancers.

And of corse we had to finish it all off with pink frosted cupcakes and Lola's Pink Milk! We had fun and Doug was a big "behind the scene helper. Happy Birthday my precious Autumn B.!!! We love you!

Check out our "Musical Statues." What is up with Autumn's "off the shoulder" thing going on. Too many Disney Princesses I think. :)