We All Scream for Ice Cream

From the ice cream truck...er...minivan.

We heard the tell-tale music and the gang ran down the driveway. It was the first time we ever got ice cream from the tr...minivan. So I thought I should snap a shot.

By the time I made it there they were almost done so I got a far away chain-link fence shot. And imagine my surprise to see a champagne colored minivan instead of the ubiquitous white truck. But I got the picture, dang it.

Because who doesn't remember fondly all the childhood visits from the ice cream minivan?

Cuckoo-Bananas

That's what I call these kids. Here they are hamming it up the other day.

Sorry for the short post. Having two kids is kicking my booty this week.

Inchworm

Silas is inching his way around. Here is a far too long video showing you his new move.

If you get to the end you will get to view his chunktastic legs. That's a reward in itself.

Hosers

A beautiful day at Danielle's lovely new house.

Warm enough for some hosing around. Sans, clothes, of course.

Ah, the joys of being three.

And Then There Were Four

Both of Silas' two bottom teeth have come in and now his two top teeth have finally (finally!) come through. It took them about 10 days. Yes, TEN nights of Motrin and misery. Poor guy.

And while I am happy that they're through, it will change his little baby gummy smile. Sadie didn't have teeth until 1 year and I was told by someone in the know to enjoy those toothless grins while I could. It would be the only time I'd get to.

After all, toothless old folks just aren't cute, you know?

So here are some pictures from today. Counting down the days until we have two cute little bunny teeth in his big grin. I'm trying not to be too sad about it.

Just thought of something that struck fear into my heart. If each tooth is taking 5 nights to come through, as all four have- and we have 16 more teeth to go- that's 80 nights of teething.

Um, help.

The other night while we were brushing teeth Sadie looks up at me at says, Mama, what happens when the water goes down the drain and into the tree?

I said, "Huh?"

The water, when it goes down the drain and through the pipes and to the tree?

"I'm not sure what you mean..."

Getting frustrated: You told me, Mama! The water, it goes down down down the drain into the pipes and goes to the sewage treating tree!

"Oh! You mean the sewage treatment PLANT?"

Yes, Mama! The plant!

I laughed my butt off. Of course plant=tree!

A Dog and His Boy

Sy is starting to notice the pets.

How could you not when one is practically on your lap?

He especially likes Mr. Bird, I'm sure because he is so easy to see, being a messy black and white cat.

And he's been trying to crawl. Trying hard. He wants to reach everything, including those pets. Watch out, Mr. Bird.

Flower Children

An Enigma. Shrouded in Mystery. Wrapped up in Bacon.

I can't figure this kid out. He loves to eat. LOVES. TO. EAT.

He will flip out if he sees you eating something and wants some. We're talking 0 to screaming in 2 seconds flat.

But he doesn't really want to feed it to himself. Unless it's toast or crackers.

So it's up to you to get it into his mouth in a suitable, ever-changing time period.

Or else.

He gets angry, Incredible Hulk angry.

You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

This has probably led to the consumption of too many crackers in an effort to create calm while other food reaches his mouth.

But, hey, I can't afford all those ripped clothes.

Busy Busy Busy

Is what I would say if I were actually too busy to write. But, although busy, I am also lazy. But that's not the whole story.

The whole story is that I have another child who doesn't like to sleep. Well, that's not true, he sleeps. But often has to be held while sleeping.

And that just sort of saps any urge you have to juggle sleeping baby, edit photos and type witty posts right out of you.

Bear with me, people.

I have just started cleaning out the video camera. It shows that it has 140 videos on it.

What are they? Who knows! But my intention is to bring you the highlights:

Babies banging on musical instruments! Toddlers saying unintelligible things! Such excitement!

So, without further ado:

SILAS PLAYS THE UKULELE!

The Week in Pictures

New plants! Broccoli, spinach & chard.

Rhubarb.

Sadie's first time with a bat. Hey, she hit the ball on the second try.

And later found out a ball hitting your hand can hurt. Even if it's a wiffle ball.

But she didn't let it stop her. She loves playing.
And this one?

Still quite possibly the most delicious baby in the world.

Things my children are scared of

Brother:

The electric train set.

The end of the They Might Be Giants' song, Violin.

Crinkly paper bags.

Kids screaming, happy or otherwise.

The vacuum.

Sister:

The stools shaped like teeth at The Science Factory: They don't have eyes, Mama! That's why they're scary! Yes, I tried explaining that teeth aren't supposed to have eyes, to no avail.

The hallway.

The washing machine- Still!

The vacuum.

And so on and so forth. They are a couple of wackadoos, god love 'em!

Kids on the Kouch

I had to do it. It's a pet peeve of mine to spell things with K that are not supposed to be spelled with K. I mean, why do people do it? WHY?

I saw a day care called Kiddie Kollege the other day. Just on my K principle alone I wouldn't send my kids there. But to imply some sort of collegiate, get-ahead atmosphere and misspell COLLEGE? No way.

Anyway, here are the kids on the kouch. 'Kause I know you Kare!

Painting Eggs

What the Heck Do Babies Have Against Baby Toys?

Silas's favorite new toy:

Take it away and you die.

Easter

Well, Sadie may be afraid of leprechauns and a bit wary of Santa, but it would seem that the Easter Bunny is so not scary.

When we woke this morning I said, "Hey Sadie, do you think she came?"

Yes, the EB is a she. How do I know? Sadie told me so.

Anyway, all it took was that reminder that it was Easter and Sadie was down the hallway. Come, Mama! Come!

I'm thinking next Christmas she'll be sneaking out to open presents at 4am with no fear.

Here's what Ms. Bunny (did I not mention she's also a women's libber?) left for Sadie and Silas:

A book, a toy, a puzzle and bug catcher for the gal who loves worms and ladybugs.

Some chocolate bunnies, too.

Here Sadie is right as she managed to get me to agree to give her one to eat in the morning.

Hey, I did make her wait until after breakfast. But Easter is a day to eat junk at times you don't usually get to. I ate a half pound of See's chocolates. Really.

And some felted wool toys I made.

The two eggs are rattles for Brother. And a cracked egg with a bunny for Sadie.

And here's the bunny out of its egg.

And, yes, I am aware that bunnies do not come from eggs. Creative license, people.

Happy Spring, Everyone!

My Dose is Duffed

Try having a conversation about Alvin and the Chipmunks when you're sick and can barely talk through the phlegm. With a three year old. It goes something like this:

Mama, who is that little hamster?

Those aren't hamsters, that's Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Who? (intelligible gibberish) and the chickups?

No, hon, Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Alpbin and the Chickups?

No, Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Mama! What!?

Aal-Vin and the CHIP-MUNKS.

Alpbin and the Chickens?

Yep. That's right!

I give up.

The Week in Pictures 2

Raisin-walnut bread

The cutest cookies ever! Made by Grammy.

Eating them.

Fat's Stats

Silas had his 6 month check up yesterday.

Yes, yes, I know he's 7 months. But it was still his 6 month check up.

He's 28.75 inches.

He's 22 pounds 11 ounces.

AT 7 MONTHS. Holy mercy.

My aching back. I'm so sorry, Back. One day I'll make it up to you.

He got a clean bill of health from the doctor.

And I got some big, fat, back-relieving, prescription ibuprofen pills.

I kid you not.

It must have been the pact with Satan...

No, I didn't win the Zigo contest. Well, maybe I did, but it hasn't ended yet.

But I did just score a brand-spanking new Zigo off of Craigslist for less than half the price. So thanks for all your universe asking, well-wishes, prayers and hopefully not pact-with-the-devil-making!

Pictures to come soon.