Sunday, March 11, 2012

How to Wear Parker Out

Step 1: Play blacklight putt-putt on a Friday afternoon, letting him run around excitedly telling everyone, "Okay, you just need to golf it over to that hole!" Repeat for 9 holes.
Step 2: Wow. Success already. That wasn't hard.
Step 3: Wake him back up with chocolate ice cream. Lots of it!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

McKenzie had today off school, and I had some discount tickets to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum, so we spent the day there. At first the place was overrun with two different preschool groups, so my timid kids were a little shy, but eventually they had a great time!
Parker turned and turned this wheel at the water table for a good 10 minutes straight. I finally sat down on a fake rock to wait. (He's cute in a smock, though!)
Last time we went two years ago, Parker wasn't too excited about the helicopter. This time we had to visit it three separate times - Kenzie was nice and let her little brother pilot.
She was far more interested in this spirograph-type thingy. We have five or six pages floating around the house now of pictures she drew while spinning the wheel.
We left for a little bit to eat lunch, and then came back when the preschool crowds had thinned a bit. Once refueled, Parker was ready for a second round of the ball area!
And, what a surprise, we went back to the helicopter!
They joined in a little art class, featuring today's specialty: painting with pieces of bubble wrap. Kenzie claimed she didn't want to at first, but then she made three paintings!
Parker was too busy to look up for a picture. He was very possessive of the blue paint and took it personally when the other little boy at the table would use it.
Right outside the museum was a free event sponsored by the local PBS station in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday. At 11am when it began, the line was out the door, down a flight of stairs, and even beyond. I did not think that line was worth standing in for a free Cat in the Hat hat and a book. However, around 2pm, there was no longer a line at all, so we decided to have a look on our way out. They were out of hats, but each kid did get to pick a free book. Kenzie then made some Dr. Seuss trees out of pipe cleaners while Parker plopped down on a rug and watched Cat in the Hat on a big screen for awhile. And then...
...the Cat in the Hat showed up! Kenzie was too scared to say hi, but Parker ran to him and gave him a hug! I thought it was way too cute. At that point, we headed over to Daddy's work. Kenzie said several times, "This is the best day ever!" Then she convinced us to go out for dinner on the way home (not that I needed much persuasion by that point; I was tired!).

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Snow!

Here's a picture for my in-laws in Tahiti (although come to think of it, I don't feel bad for them missing the snow...)! Finally, on March 1st, Parker had enough snow to march around the backyard in and throw snowballs with. He had a great time heaving snowballs the size of his head with a giant grin on his face!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

"Sleepover"

I've been slacking - I took this picture a whole week ago and am just now getting around to posting it! Parker wanted to have "a sleepover" with Daddy last Sunday afternoon. I expected Parker to lose interest after a few minutes like he usually does, but instead he took a good nap. It was very sweet, and when Daddy woke up he admitted his first thought was, "I'll bet Tiff took a picture of this!"

Friday, February 24, 2012

The Headstone

Well, it's in. I don't have much else to say about it. Just thought I should post it for those who would want to know.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy "Valentimes" Day!

We started getting ready for Valentine's Day this weekend. I couldn't resist taking a picture of my funny little guy addressing his Spiderman valentines in his winter hat. (I have heard, "Mom, the mail's here!" countless times since then. He hands me his mailbox and I get to retrieve my valentine.)
Since it was the weekend, Kenzie of course was wearing her robe. Most weekends she begs to stay in her pajamas, too. Can't argue with wanting to be comfortable I guess.
Last night we decorated sugar cookies, and this was the most normal picture I wound up with.
After school, I set up a little path of Reese's peanut butter cups leading to their little gifts from Great-grandma Hubbard. I guess I was picturing they'd act like E.T. and pick up each peanut butter cup on their way... not quite! They just ran until they found the end of the trail and the important part - the present!
I think this expression means it's starting to get embarrassing when Mom takes a picture while she literally powders her face. How else was I supposed to show that Kenzie got a make-up kit? That's about it for us over here. I made chocolate waffles and berries last night, since our tradition for actual Valentine's is to get our own dinners! (This might not sound romantic to anyone else, but Chris and I differ greatly on what sounds like a great meal, plus we like to avoid crowds of sappy couples. So for me to pick up a pizza and him to cook himself a steak... well then we're both happy. And that's true love right there!) Happy Valentine's!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Sick!

Parker took this picture of Kenzie a few weeks ago. Ever since Christmas, at least one of us has been sick at any given time. Usually it's been at least two of us. I haven't had anything to blog about because we never feel like making it anywhere. There was one day we were all at about 75% so we went out for ice cream, but otherwise we've stayed home. Kenzie had a sinus infection, and hives. Chris and I had the worst cold ever, which took over a month to go away. I got an ear infection. Parker had a cold. I got the flu.
This was just today. Poor Parker now has the flu. What I had seemed to be a 24-hour bug, so at least he should feel better soon. As I was stripping him down yet again, he said to me, "I don't want to throw up any more!" Can't blame him at all! I've been Lysol-ing down everything in hopes Chris and Kenzie don't get it next... (is winter over yet??)