I Agree, They ARE Cute!

Okay, here's my confession. I told Kenzie I'd get her a popsicle and let her swing if she first held Parker and smiled for me. (But let's face it, I would've had to anyways, at least I got something out of it this way).

So Maybe I Need a Hobby...

Today when I put Parker in this outfit, I remembered that Kenzie (on the right) had worn the same outfit. So I tried to re-create the picture from my memory (I'd forgotten there was a bib so it's not the best comparison). But here they are at roughly the same age in the same outfit. I really can't say what the point is, but I just can't help myself. As for Parker and McKenzie, they'll be so thrilled someday to see things like this! They'll wish I took MORE pictures. (Here's one for Jeanne - we need MORE PICTURES! MORE PICTURES! Close enough.)

"I Just Need to Make You Breakfast"

Last night was "Achievement Day," where a group of girls ages 8-11 came over and we made several crafts. I had lots of beads and aquarium gravel left over, and hadn't had time to clean it up yet. So of course I was rocking Parker to sleep upstairs this afternoon when I heard the melodic sound of beads cascading down the stairs (and cascading, and cascading some more. Then it stopped, and started again, and then again...) It sounded like a rain stick (which we made at the last Achievement Day), but instead it was Kenzie. "I just made you a quesadilla," she told me (the beads had started out in a bowl, so naturally she pretended to cook). So I took a picture (if you look closely you can see that the stairs are quite colorful). I think it started out as an accident, but then she enjoyed the sound of small pebbles and beads bouncing down the hard stairs, so she kept pouring. And now I get to go find the broom...

Arnold Family 2008 Editions

Left to right: Tatum, Paige, and Parker

Paige was born in February, Parker in May, and Tatum in August

This one is my favorite with Paige and Parker holding hands! Poor Tatum looks so tiny!

"I Just Need to Dance with the Prince"

Today McKenzie's Halloween costume arrived - a Cinderella dress and gloves. So, naturally she told me she wanted to be Sleeping Beauty! Once she saw the dress she changed her mind, though. She even held the gown up off the floor like Cinderella and danced around. I told her it was time to take it off and get ready for a bath. "But I just need to go to Halloween!" She was not convinced that tonight was really not the night to go up and down the street asking for candy (but hey, if I wasn't so tired... I could go for some chocolate). To put the disappointment in the words of Kenzie: "My heart is just not feeling good!" I asked her if she was the most dramatic three-year-old ever, and she said, "Yes!" I have a feeling the dress is going to be worn in quite well by October 31.

Stall Tactics

So, my mom says, "What goes around comes around when it comes to bedtime!" Yes, I do distinctly recall putting my "100 Reasons Not to Go to Bed" on the refrigerator door (and I remember thinking it sure would save me time if I could just get out of bed and yell, "Number 32!" and have my mom reference it herself and discover I was thirsty or whatever). Still, I don't remember being this desperate: Kenzie came into our bedroom last night after I thought she'd exhausted her repertoire of excuses. Imagine my amusement when she started picking up the toys that had been on the floor all day. "I just need to clean up a little bit?" she asked hopefully. Tempting as it was, I still sent her to bed (and yes, our room is still cluttered with toys, but maybe tonight I'll let her finish cleaning up!).

What Else? More Pictures of Parker and Kenzie

I realized the other night that I actually had not taken any pictures of Parker in the bath yet. (Can you believe there actually was a scenario I had yet to capture on film?) So here's a picture, and I thought it was funny since he always watches us through the mirror instead of looking right at us. Also, as a free bonus I've included a picture from tonight of Kenzie and Parker together. I first propped him up against her arm, and she promptly scooted away and he tipped over. I gave her that motherly frown and she defended herself: "He was just on me!"

Best Laugh Ever

Parker's been making these squeaky/hiccupy noises that I think are the start of a laugh.

Okay, but maybe this is why the poor kid hasn't laughed yet; he's always having to wear goofy hats and have incriminating photos taken!

News Only Parents Could Appreciate...

Kenzie about knocked me over getting into the bathroom this morning. "I gotta go potty!" Hooray! That's two days in a row now that her Ariel underwear has made it (most of) the day. Hey, progress is progress. I know I feel that I deserve a cookie or sticker or something! P.S. I realize this picture has nothing to do with my story, but I liked it (and aren't we all glad that my picture obsession does stop at the bathroom door?).

Happy Labor Day

Here's how we spent Labor Day. (One of the reasons I almost didn't start a blog was that I'd have to admit how boring we are!) Kenzie is currently requesting that she type a message, so here is her first post: uyy juyre555ccfcccu u u hhhu uuuu uuu u uuyuy uuyy y y y uui;j j h h u h h h h h g g g gg g gghgghyyyt y ggg y tgggt gg gh h hhe ,j n,k,n jj hnhhhh uuuhgttb bbh jjjiiijjjuuuuuiuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu u776r46t554wrrrrr5 yy7765645frtn nnnnnn