Raggedy Nandy

Aunt Christy and Cousin Tori sent these for the second birthday. Alison and Stuart LOVE them. They call them both 'Raggedy Nandy'. When we opened them Stu and Ali were a little sick. I think Raggedy Nandies really made them feel better as they acted out what was happening to them on the Nandy.

If you feel lousy, rest Raggedy Nandy. Mommy's bed is best for resting.

Okay, Raggedy Nandy, let me take your temperature.

Drink all your medicine up. Thank you Raggedy Nandy.

Eat one fish cracker. I promise it won't hurt your tummy Raggedy Nandy.

Thank you for the Nandies!

Birthday Cake

The Big Second Birthday lasted all month at our house. We finally got around to eating cake and giving them their presents from Mommy and Daddy on the 30th--Ryan's Birthday. (Happy Birthday!!! I love you!!!). We purchased a rocking chair for Alison. She LOVES it. She gasped and brought it outside where she happily rocked on the front porch. She liked it so much she rocked herself right off the front porch and gave herself a fat bloody lip, bloody nose, and goose-egg forehead. Perfect way to celebrate your birthday.Last year, you may remember, we got two special cakes. We want to continue doing that every year. They already share so much, we think they deserve their own birthday cake. This year their birthday cakes were decorated with a truck (Stuey) and duck (Alison). They went crazy over them. I let Alison peak in the fridge and then is was all chitter chatter about duck cakes until it was time.

Stuart takes a more dignified approach to eating his cake. He politely asked for a fork.Oh boy, Uncle Aric. This is the best stuff you've ever had, just wait. Okay, open your mouth wide.
Told you. That is good stuff huh!?!

Cake makes Stuart want to run fast.

Alison wanted a pet

adopt your own virtual pet!

Washing Kid Laundry

Stuart got some new clothes this week. They came in the mail (because I hate to shop). Before this shipment arrived he had one pair of pants that fit---unless you include the ones his Mama knits for him, but I don't.
We woke up to snow this morning. So, really he needed a whole new pile. Now I'm washing the whole new pile. I dutifully check for stains and pretreat the kids clothes. And while doing that I thought I should check the tag for care instructions. First tag, "Turn inside out, wash in warm with like colors, tumble dry low heat." Few more similar to this but not exactly the same. I don't know why I even check. I guess maybe because I hope one will say, "Wash warm, rinse warm, dry warm, no need to fold," Because, honestly that is what I'm going to do anyway.
My favorite was, "Wash cold, remove from washer promptly, tumble dry cool."
REMOVE FROM WASHER PROMPTLY!?!
Yeah, like that will ever happen.

New Bikes!

We love our new bikes. Such a great day!
Uh Oh, Traffic Jam!
Oh, its just you! Sometimes it is nice to take the view from somebody else's front door.

Helping Daddy Clean the Car

Gardening

Our garden hasn't been much to talk about this year. We didn't get things done as early as we would have liked with the backyard. Next year, right? Spring always comes again. We did have an awesome pea-crop (which has long been cleared out), some delightful herbs, enough mint to kill a large donkey, some strawberries, and lots of grapes... and a few peppers.

hmm, what to do, what to do

A while later I found them together in the garden picking all the low grapes.

I went back onto the porch until I hear this little voice yell, "Mommy, TWO PEPPURS!" Little Alison had found my two pathetic peppers and picked them. I asked where she got them. "Gawden!"

At first I was dissapointed as I knew they were quite possibly going to be my only ones this year and they could have used a bit more time growing. But nobody could have loved them more. She carried them around the yard even insisting on swinging with them tucked closely next to her. Then, around lunchtime she directed me to cut them up in a "sawad". We did. I cut and she placed each piece carefully in the bowl. We put some dried tomato dressing on and she ate them. Note to self: Next year, plant lots of peppers.

Waking Up

Yesterday when Alison woke up I went downstairs to find her quietly waiting. She looked at me and said, "Quiiiet Mommy, Stuey sweeepping!" He slept till nearly 10.

So this morning, when I heard her saying, "Quiiiiet" I rushed downstairs thinking I'd get Stuart some more snooze time two days in a row. I opened the door and stood in the dark to assess the situation. I hear, "Quuuiiiieet Stuey. I babies are sweeping!" She was busy putting them all in a line and putting their blanket on them.

Drawing

Alison no longer scribbles. She draws things. I love it. This is the first thing she drew intentionally and told me what it was (as far as I know).

She told me these are "wassa mommy's fwowers" (Lots of Mommy's Flowers). I was so proud.

So I took a picture. Stuart thinks I'm crazy.

Crazy Catch Up

Okay. So I've taken some time off and need to buckle down and get some posts out there. I could post every hour and possibly still not catch up so I'm going to be more selective, try to post each day for a bit and see where that gets us.

Starting with: TRIP TO THE FAIR

Awesome. We had so much fun. We wish there was a fair everyday. Alison and Stuart loved seeing the animals. We went through the row of animal buildings. Then backtracked through again. Then through once more, and then of course, we had to then make our way back through to get to the gate. We pet goats. Saw chickens. Touched bunnies and a big goose. Saw the goats get milked (to which Ryan remarked, "Do you hear that? That sounds so familiar. You know, that sounds EXACTLY like your pump." Thanks for reminding me of the dairy bar days honey! At least somebody feeds the goats while they pump). Ate greasy fair food. And, the upmost importance and clearly the favorite activity, saw the cow poop! For the rest of the time Stuart was demanding that all the animals poop. I tried to explain that even though I can do many things, I am unable, thus far, to make animals poop upon request. The goats, thankfully, did oblige. Stuart noticed they have "wittle poops" and cows, they have "big BIG poops." I am somewhat thankful though because since our trip to the fair, Stuart has been very aware of his own ability to poop. He now tells us, "big BIG POOP! Yuck! Stinky! Poop!" promptly, which is one more happy step towards him possibly using the big boy potty at some point in the future.

Come on Mommy! No more pictures! We have cows to see and poop, if we're lucky.