Talking 007

Last night, Adam was sitting on Daddy's lap and was feeding him some tomatoes.

Ashley turns to me and says, "Mommy, I think this makes a good picture.  You should get your camera."

She was right!  But sadly, the camera was out of batteries.  

Yum Yum

It's hard to get Adam to try new foods.  Once he does, he's usually hooked.  Although I'm not particularly proud of myself for introducing this one, at least it broadens his culinary horizons, right?  Even though the sweet and sour chicken with veggie lo mein was a big attraction, it doesn't compare to the music videos on the mall's tv (the focus of Adam's intense concentration).

Haircut #3

This has been a big month for the number 3.  Ashley just turned three.  A few days ago, she had her third haircut.  This time we did not need the assistance of a smart phone and/or Netflix.  She was a big girl and did it on her own:

Getting ready to wash her hair

Ooohhh... this is different than our bathtub at home, eh?

Adam kept himself entertained with my car keys.  Listen carefully to see if you can tell which car he's "driving".

Orange Leaf Lexington

The kids love it when I take them for a long walk on the weekends.  Why?  It ends at the Orange Leaf frozen yogurt shop in Lexington.

I took a number of photos, but the kids were too riled up (from sugar?) to pose for a nice photo.  And please, whatever you do, don't tell the kids that they are eating frozen yogurt and not ice cream.

Birthday Post #2

Thanks to Karla, our star photographer, we had lots of great video clips from the party.  Too many to choose from!  Here's a quick sampling:

Really, all these kids want is a puddle to play in.  The slide is really a fancy bonus!

Kid Train

The A-team turned 3 this year, so we coincidentally had three birthday celebrations.  You, our loyal reader, will get at least 3 separate posts!  First I have to sort through all of the photos, which is going to take a while.

Until then, here's a quick clip of all of the cousins lining up to take a photo after dinner.  Thanks to Uncle Scott for shooting this clip!

Play Time

Sometimes the best fun is created just by hanging out in the living room:

Lil' Orphan Annie

About a year ago, just as the kids were learning to speak, they asked me to sing songs with the word "sun" in it.  So I sang (rather off-key) "Tomorrow" from the Broadway play Annie.  Over the past year they requested repeat performances.  As long as no other adults were around, I happily indulged them.

Imagine my surprise when Ashley asked me to record her singing the song:

And she had so much fun doing it, she asked to do it again:

Tumblin' Toddlers

This is a good one.  The toddlers are trying to figure out how to do somersaults.

Skype Story Time

Every now and then, Grandma and Papa team up to read the citizens their bedtime stories via Skype.  It's a hoot!  Below is a clip from the first story time together.

O-K Corral

Adam and Ashley were treated to some Wild West fun at camp.  There was a "campfire" at the picnic lunch.  And there were pony rides.  Wow!  The citizens are now officially convinced that going to camp is more fun than hanging out with Mommy, Daddy and/or Karla.... although I bet if asked, Uncle Scott and his garage of fantastic riding toys comes in a very close second.

Wiggles and Giggles Returns!

Lots of photos this time.  I give the photographer a lot of credit.  It's hard to take a good photo of a running toddler.  Enjoy!

Adam:  Why is everyone laying down?
Ashley:  I don't know.  Is it naptime?

Look closely.  In the far back... our little ones are trying to figure this out.

Hit something with a racquet?  No problem.  Got that one covered.

A bubble lands gently on Adam's finger.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Thought it might be fun to look back at the A-team over the past three years.  Here we go:

Day One

Month One

First Birthday

First cupcakes

Second Birthday

Almost 3 years old!

Almost 3 years old!

Birthday photos will be uploaded as soon as possible.

Mountain Climber

Ashley climbs a mountain:

Where's Adam?  Our budding geologist had his eyes firmly on the ground looking for interesting specimens to put in his pockets.  Guess when I find those rocks?  In the dryer, naturally.

Mo Ice Cream, Please

Mo's Ice Cream Truck made a special stop at camp last week.  The A-team loved it!

Snack Time

Recently we've been meeting our friends at the park on Sundays.  There's always a snack break in the middle.  Adam and Ashley, ever the devoted swingers, refuse to get off the swings, even for food.  

Somehow they convinced Grandma and Papa to bring the snacks to them:

Papa's Cheese

When Grandma and Papa come to visit, they always bring cookies.  More recently they have been bringing other delicacies from NY too, like "Papa's Cheese".  Now before you run off to the deli looking for this one, it's really called "munchee cheese" and I've never seen it anywhere other than NY.  

So why is it called "Papa's Cheese" in these parts?  I dunno.  I guess Papa really likes it!

Breakfast Hike

When the weather is cool but sunny, the birds are chirping, and it's a Saturday or Sunday, we grab bagels and hit the trails for a breakfast hike.  Adam and Ashley have the easy part:  they eat while being pushed in a stroller.  It's MLM and MLD who get the real workout!  After breakfast is finished, the kids often hop out of the stroller and join us for a bit: