London

I think that about sums up my feelings!

Wheels

Ramp Riders might be cold and dirty but for a certain five-year-old boy, it's his favorite destination these days with his dad. Sometimes, Claudia comes along for a visit to Granny's - who lives a few blocks away - where she gets to jump on the bed, play with the dog and cat, and drink juice and eat biscuits. Fun for everyone.

We know it's only a matter of time, however, before our sporty girl will want to join in the fun.

Pizza Makers

Trader Joe's pizza dough makes for a fun craft dinner. While not the tastiest crust in the world - it runs a little doughy and our lack of a rolling pin makes a circle near impossible - it sure livens up a Wednesday night. 

Date Night

NYE -- as if you couldn't tell from my festive shirt! Ha.

For those of you not in the child-rearing mode, Date Night is the current term for married couples who manage to cobble together some form of childcare for a night out. 

We give thanks to our babysitters and family members who take care of our children. Thank You!

Mini Picasso

Our den has become part art studio and Lego building station.

And I love it.

For the first year we used the room for books and puzzles and TV watching and now we have expanded its use and general cosiness to include room for new interests.

"Daddy is the big one," Claudia says. The others are Mommy and Rhys or Claudia - depending on when you ask her.

With my Valentine's Day art work.

In other home-changing news, we are all eagerly awaiting the delivery of three new beds! Claudia is moving out of her crib to a Twin, Rhys is getting a full-size bed with a twin trundle for cousin and friend sleepovers, and Dom and I are so excited about our King bed frame and matching dresser.

Only five to six more weeks to wait....

Domestic Goodness

Every once in awhile, I do enjoy cooking or baking. Granted, it isn't often.

Two old, yucky bananas called for some sort of baking creation and Rhys, Claudia and I made banana, chocolate muffins the other day. Rhys and I enjoyed them - Claudia and Dom, not so much.

It doesn't happen often family -- so please try to enjoy it when it does.

Valentine's Day 2013

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us!

Rhys with all his Valentine's! And C carrying her Cupid Gift - a Kimochi Cat. Rhys received the Octopus version.

And for a bit of a laugh, enjoy the Honest Toddler, who is reminding us that Valentine's Day is all about your children. As if I could forget.

Another day, Another coffee shop

In my search for bliss - milky coffee and scones - I have created two converts along the way. From Starbucks to local coffee places, we head out for a second breakfast a few mornings a week.

I can justify it by telling people that I am bringing up children who can go out to eat and participate in society as they get older.

But I think we all know it is much more for me than for them.

Happiness.

Thank Goodness for Libraries

Every since moving to the suburbs weekly visits to the Library have ensued. A visit is always an antidote to "boredom" and we usually have 20 or so books and DVDs out at a time (and have lost more than a few, only to find them once the cleaning ladies arrive - except for that one still missing Penguins of Madagascar!).

On nice days, we can walk or ride bikes there and there is underground parking for those not-so-nice days. Even the librarians tolerate our less than library-like behavior most visits - and we have now been here so long we have had to say goodbye to some of our favorite faces as the move on to new jobs and adventures. 

So today, after much prodding and prompting, I managed to get both children to head to the library using their feet. (A cookie "might" have been promised to children who don't whine and get on with it.) The walk and exercise cheered up even the grumpiest of faces - and we had an impromptu playdate with best buddies L (for Rhys) and his twin bro (O) for Claudia.

But we didn't share our library treasures with them: two Ninjago books and one Ninjago DVD.

Want a bite?

Why Bed Milk

From our little babe who has just learned to smile, laugh, sit up, roll over, crawl, walk, run, scooter, bike...ah, well now he is spelling! (With our sitter's baby Ash around I am reminded of how quickly they go from newborn to toddlers to elementary age kids - and may be feeling a tad nostalgic).

Lately, Rhys is always scribbling and trying to spell and write. So far, he has a few words and is adding to them on a weekly basis. For posterity sake, those words are:

Why, Bed, Milk, No, On (the old switcheroo).

We are proud of him - and, more importantly, he is proud of himself. And yes, we know of children (his cousin Luke included) who could read before Kindergarten...so we aren't delusional, just happy for Rhys that he is growing.

The guitar -- he also gets time on the keyboard and drums with his three band partners.