We've had lots of picnics in the backyard lately. Lucy really enjoys them.
We got a little firepit that doubles as a grill. There have been lots of s'mores.
Charlie is TWO!! He was so excited about all the paper, boxes, toys, etc that he didn't even mind the camera.
Alphabet magnets from Grandma and Grandpa. He cried when I took them away from them so that he could open the rest of his presents.
Water blocks from Grandma. He likes to bit the rims and shake his head around so that all the colored water goes everywhere.
A couple of tries at a good picture.
And here's where the fun ended. I was so excited because I found a recipe for brownie cakes that Charlie could eat. I thought it would be fun to top with banana ice cream (essentially frozen blended banana, but it is way better than it sounds). After getting a little overwhelmed with the singing of happy birthday, Charlie totally lost it when he stuck his hand into the banana ice cream and it was cold and would not get off his hand. Apparently Charlie really hates cold things, which we have now confirmed several times. Oops! No more ice cream on Charlie's birthdays.
And here are some videos of the presents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9aIQezSb_c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAl_As4aB9c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1R53blF6n4
We love the parks in our new neighborhood.
Charlie loves the swing, but still hates the camera.
So skeptical.
Lucy is learning how to pump her legs.
Among many of the fun things we've done recently with Lucy's playschool is a Fun Run. One of the moms who runs marathons organized the whole thing and did such a great job. She read "The Tortoise and the Hare," they decorated their own running bibs, and she brought cow bells and clackers for the moms to cheer them on. At the end, everyone got a medal and a granola bar, banana, etc. The kids were so thrilled. Here they are in the distance just getting started.
Here's the finish line (which they each got to break).
Lucy and two of her friends bring up the rear. One of the moms very smartly ran with them to motivate them.
Lucy enjoying a post-run energy cookie.
Charlie rang a cow bell and chewed on a medal.
Lucy's drawings have expanded lately to include people and lots of flowers (and every picture must have the sun).
James and I celebrated our fifth anniversary by going out on our first real date in, I don't know, five years. The kids had a great time with a good friend of ours, and we enjoyed several hours of uninterrupted conversation and delicious fish.
We went strawberry picking, but were a little disappointed with the fruit.
Charlie will let James (and only just recently me) hold his arms and he will walk. However, every time I would turn the camera on him, he would throw a fit.
Lucy got a caterpillar into butterfly kit for her birthday and it has only just been warm enough to order the caterpillars. We had a great time watching them eat and grow like crazy and then build their chrysalis. As of this past Thursday, we have butterflies!
