November 2011

November. Where did November go? We are just enjoying the good life here, remembering why it is people live in the desert. We're hitting the parks with friends, zoo, Grandma Cindy's market, and just the plain old back yard. These kids are really getting the hang of this kid thing too, having more and more opinions about how the world should be. From wardrobe, to music, to playing with each other and friends, they will let you know how they feel about something. Talking more everyday. James and I on a lazy morning with the kids counted over 50 words each!

Say each others name--Ada walking around saying "Whoaaa (Will)" and Will saying Ada "Daaaah", saying ABCs-- "A...B....4...", singing their own songs, talking about their own friends--"Fia (Sofia), Charlie ("Uncle" Ians puppy). Also cant forget "mine" and "no", both of which they are getting alarmingly good at. They enunciate much more, better at two syllable words and phrases--"oh-uh", "all done", and my favorite "oh nuts". I love the sweet way Will says "mon-key" and "tur-tle". Will and Ada definitely know how to turn on the sweet, giving each other hugs, saying sorry, kisses and hugs to friends. Some favorite things to talk about are planes, dogs, trucks, socks, parks, hats. Ada is our observant imitator, from facial expressions, hand gestures, words and phrases. Will, our wrestling snuggle bug, always loves a good tickle.

Full of surprises too. Ada the day after Thanksgiving, sitting around the brunch table, with no prompting or encouraging, turned to Rachel after sneezing and said "Bless you". These kids blow me away. Sweet, daring, fun monkeys.

At the zoo with Daddy and Dana (moms gotta work sometimes!). Monkeys mouth.

One of their own...

Will with Dana.

Which one's the monkey?

Ada is our master climber. Will the master runner and jumper.

Ada's growing fashion sense. Leg warmers on arms...

...undies over head...

...sticker legs BIG hit lately (here with incidental, simultaneous poke in the eye)...

...to whole ensembles! Here, cap from Grandpa and Julie, tank top (it is 60 degrees now remember), pj pants, and flip flops. Ready to go mom!

Will, with a rare opinion about what he wears. Good thing, here daddy has him in his sisters ruffle bottom jeans!

Here, though, very dapper in daddy's work shoes.

And when in school with Tia, Will sports a bit more Bohemian look.

Happy boy nonetheless! Don't be fooled by food in front of him, still doesn't eat.

Big girl water bottle= very cool.

Big kids are getting big enough to sit on counter stools for some meals. We think soon we'll phase out the high chairs and eat either at counter stools or around the table in big peoples chairs. Here they're jiving to some dinner music.

Fiiiinally caught a Will dance move on camera! The elbow jive. Its amazing.

Mom chops, Ada stacks.

It was a chalk drawing, diaperless in backyard, boots on wrong feet sort of day. 

Cross legged cutie. Both love their books, now pointing out/"reading" on their own. Ada says "The End" when finishing a book, but sounds like "Dee-no".

Park goodness all around, and my son is jumping rocks. Such the boy.

Here, a big rock tempting him off the sidewalk on our afternoon walk.

Hanging out at Grandma Cindy's store.

The Downtown Urban Grocery Store celebrated its 2nd birthday this month and the kids and I came dressed for the party. Ada and Will were a hit in their Phoenix Public Market tees and chocolate covered banana faces.

Dancing with Grandma at the party. Can tell by the Will squat.

Don't let dad's spotting fool you--Ada has cleared taller climbing walls than this.

monkey bars for a little monkey.

...who prefers a pull up.

Ada loves the swings.

leaving the park, bucket in tow. Job well done.

Will also remains our master organizer. Moving bits from one thing to another. It is his favorite self-play. A boy right after his momma's heart.

Fall has also got us in a great habit of hitting the trails on Sunday mornings with who ever wants to come. Tia, Uncle AJ, and Dana have been our trusty trail pals. But we have even roped a Tony into it!

We do some great rock hunting in the preserves. Here Ada was crowned park ranger with a sticker from the visitor center staff. She would flash it to people walking by, as if to say "I'm on duty today fellas--don't mess with me!".

"Hikes" usually start with two kids in two backpacks...

...and usually end something like this.