Focus

People may become introspective as the year draws to a close, focusing on what is most important to them.

When the A-team watches television, their focus is clear:  Daniel Tiger and his neighborhood of friends.

Adam is so into it that he doesn't even realize how cute his crossed legs are:

As Karla pointed out, all he needs is a newspaper.  Then he'll look like an adult!

So whether it's Daniel Tiger or a more serious philosophy, the crew here at Mystic Lake wishes you and your families happiness and health in 2014.

A-Team takes on Widener

On Saturday we visited Harvard Yard.  Turned out to be highly entertaining for the wee folks:

This next clip is rather long, but I was so excited to see the kids climb the steps on their own that I just kept recording.  Besides, I wanted to see if Adam would open up the door and go in to Widener Library, y'know, to take a nap in the stacks like his Daddy once did.

Playing in the Snow (?)

The kids really wanted to go outside and play.  The snow was melting, but that didn't stop them.  It was more like puddle stomping.  I later learned that snow boots are snowproof, not waterproof.  Rookie mommy mistake!

Visit to the deCordova Museum

We visited the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, MA recently.  There was a fantastic children's event.  We read books about boats, saw an art piece about boats, and then the kids built (and floated!) their own boats.  

In these clips, Adam is interested in getting back to nature.  His boat is in the stroller.  Ashley, on the other hand, is very proud of her boat and won't give it up.

Rody Rodeo

Now that the kids are learning how to bounce, the Rodys in our home have a new lease on life:

Yogibo

A few weeks ago I participated in a silent auction to benefit the United Way.  The kids wound up with a Yogibo.  They love it!

Hot Cocoa

It was cold outside and the citizens just came in from playing in the snow.  Hot cocoa is the perfect way to warm up!

A Walk on the Fancy Side

Ashley and Karla were practicing how to walk like fancy ladies.  As soon as the camera started rolling, the antics began:

Talking 001

Now that Adam and Ashley are much chattier, it's time to start sharing some of their pearls of wisdom, demands, or jokes.  These posts probably won't have photos, but they're (almost) guaranteed to make you smile.

So without further ado, here's what I heard this morning as I was getting dressed:

..... out of nowhere, Ashley exclaims:  I want bacon when we get there.
Me:  Where are we going?  [note:  I was getting dressed for work.   We weren't going out for breakfast.]
Adam:  To da ress-tah-rant.
Me:  Oh!  That makes sense.
Ashley:  I want Daddy's bacon too!
Daddy:  OK, I'll share.
Ashley:  smiles
Me:  Ashley, if you eat Daddy's bacon, what will he eat?
Ashley:  Eggies!

Cat in the Hat Bathtime

The sun did not shine.
It was too wet to play.
So we sat in the house
All that cold, cold, wet day.

I sat there with Ashley
We sat there we two
And I said, 
"How I wish we had something to do." 

To wet to go out
And too cold to play ball
So we sat in the house
And we did nothing at all.

And then... 

Something went splash!
How that splash made us giggle!
Mommy threw us into the bathtub.
In our wet clothing we wiggled!

(Yes, this is what happens to a blogging Mommy who is stuck inside with two toddlers on a wet, cold day.  She dreams up photo ops based on the books they are reading.  For those who haven't read it in a while, this poem is based on the famous Cat In the Hat by Dr. Seuss)

Who knows which toddler story will appear next in our blog?

Sharing the Sit and Spin

The citizens are starting to play together.  The other day, they even managed to share nicely:

To be honest, this toy doesn't go as fast as the one I remember from my childhood.  I'm now officially old enough to start to wonder how we ever survived our childhood with "dangerous" toys like these, hahaha!  Perhaps we should save this one for Adam or Ashley's kids?  At the rate this toy is slowing down (in the name of safety), it will eventually be called a "Sit and Wish You Could Spin".

Thanksgivukkah Part 2

Thanksgivukkah finally arrived, turkeys, latkes and all.  Before we gave out the Hanukkah gifts, we tried to get the kids to settle down for one quick photo. 

I told you it was quick.  Anyway, the kids had a blast.  They especially liked the coloring train:

We hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!

Raining Cats and Dogs

Every now and then I like to take a detour and poke some fun at Daddy.  This time, it wasn't entirely his fault.  My jacket was closest.  Besides, this is how my mother trained Lambie to go in the rain:

Congratulations Karla!

Congratulations Karla!  After coordinating an international Skype session, it's final:  Karla has graduated!  Papa Marty thought an ice cream cake would be the perfect way to celebrate.  All of the cousins agree:

Yeah Karla!

Adam can't sit still.  He wants the ice cream!

You don't see concentration like this very often....!

Sugar High

Adam and Ashley are the first to admit that one of the best things about visiting Grandma and Papa is the abundance of sugar in all of it's glorious forms:  cookies, ice cream, and cake.  Lately bathtime has been a bit of a struggle, so we promised ice cream cones to the participants.  

Ashley prefers the chomping on the cone without any ice cream.  Adam slowly savors the ice cream as it drips down his face, not as interested in the cone.  What a team!

Singing Star?

We visited Grandma and Papa in NY for Thanksgiving.  Just before the holiday, Grandma and Karla took Ashley, Adam and Samantha to the library to see Mr. Kurt perform.  Ashley was so moved by his performance that she volunteered to sing the ABC's with him.  Grandma acted quickly enough to take a photo with her delightful new phone!