April 2011

First frozen yogurt!

My children are the sweetest masters of destruction. Ada and Will can tear through a house like a tornado--leaving a trail of banana slime and boogers in their path--singing the sweetest song with the brightest smile on their face. Happy and curious, Will and Ada are just going to town this April! Exploring their world, testing their limits.

For example, in picture below, I locked Ada and Will in our bedroom/bath during my morning shower. During that time (5-7 minutes?), Will had gone from lounging on my bed reading books to helping his sister open a box of Qtips, and emptying them onto the floor, in and out of their bath cup and sand sifter.











Reaching new heights...











They can climb right up into their high chair! And yes, that is Ada's posing face for the camera. "Oh mom..."

...and reaching new depths. Here, Ada unloading the linen closet to make a little hallway rest stop. Presently, Ada is our agile and dexterous kiddo. Will with way more scrapped knees to prove it!



















Market kids. And helpful! Here, Ada helping Tia Rach push Will in the wagon. Tutu and all!











Will and Ada celebrated with Grandma and Chip at Market merger party for Watershed Management Solutions.











First taste of summer in Rachel and AJ's condo pool (heated!:)) They love the water...











...and the outdoor ceiling fans. Will and AJ spent a good 15 minutes walking back and forth between the two fans pointing to them.






















This is how we roll, grocery shopping with two 14m olds. Beep, beep!











Ada, Miss Independent, has been going through a bit of separation anxiety, always wanting to be close to mom and dad. Someone referred to it as "the Velcro stage". She has never been one to be attached to anything--binky or blankey. But lately she has taken to carrying around a pair of my pajama pants. I find this behavior in my daddy's little girl, simply adorable.

































My children are also supremely smart! :) No more word development to report on yet, but Ada and Will are clearly understanding more English. Here, Will pointing to the nose on his new lion from "Auntie" Kristen. They dance on cue (no music required), can find certain toys, their dogs, wave hi-bye, clap for others achievements, or their own, etcetc. And Ada signs "more". Genius.











I also know their understanding more English because they seem to have a very keen sense of when they are doing something they are not to do--climb on top of tables, up the stove, grill, you know, the awesome, dangerous things of the world.

They will get this face, like Ada's above, not directly looking at me with mischievous eyes, and seemingly, mysteriously, loosing their hearing at the same time. "Ada, I know you can hear me...." A trick they also do most of time you ask for a smooch. I steal one anyway if they dont offer it up!

This girl at 16, I have a feeling, will be quite the force.










Ada may have a one-up on Will in terms of agility, but Will is showing strengths in other ways. Will is a master stacker. Often taking on projects, like the green cups with the concentration of an engineer. Usually talking the problem through. Big talker will babble to himself during projects, you can tell when he's stuck on something as his babble turns to a frustrated rant!

PS, also dad and Ada surprised Will with this lion balloon during a dad-daughter grocery store run. It was his best friend for a good week of its life.











Bring these cups together...










...lets stack this ...










...Success!











Brother sister love. Ada often, pinned. They both find it hilarious. Still in on most things together.




















They have narrowed their diet to prefer mostly just bananas and cheese. All the creative, delicious, fresh broccoli preparations I keep trying end up getting donated to the dogs. (PS have I mentioned the dogs seem to be liking the kids more???)

Also, Ada has sprouted three molars!












April is the first time I have left the kids for more than a day. I went to San Jose CA to visit our good friends the Cooper Borkenhagens, and meet baby James for the first time, now 11 weeks old! I had a great time getting spoiled there--sleeping in, read 3 magazines, no diaper changes, no cooking (you're right...like I do that here anyway :))--while catching up with great friends. Was great to smell some ocean air and take walks in the California sun. Next time we will make it a family affair. Will be so fun for Jameson to play with Will and Ada!











Ada helping mama pack.











Sweet baby James.











My sweet baby Will. Slide time.











Now that I am part time, we are getting to explore more ways to have fun and create some traditions that Ada and Will can grow with. We had our first story time at the library. I was so proud of "Velcro" Ada sitting up close to the teacher all by herself. And Will and Ada had such a fun time singing songs with the other kids and listening to their first teacher.




















Oompa loompas.






















Taking time to smell the flowers. Our second gardenia bud to pop this season.






















We take gardening very seriously in our house.






















We love water play in the late, shady afternoon.











Ada taking a liking in some lady-like lace and frill lately. We were recently gifted a pair of Leah Doneski's winter-y, velvet, fancy shoes that Ada loves! We wear frequently in our daily trompings, wondering if she'll be the girl wearing princess crowns in the grocery store someday...











...or tutus on the head.











Will having a snack, with his sippy and balloon, watching a little midafternoon PIXAR.











Quite sophisticated eaters, now prefering their meals in dishes, with spoons. Note, not neccessarily neater.



















Pretty common "family portrait". Notice, we've already lost one kid entirely, the rest of us have moved on in other ways. We have got places to go, people to see!