Double Dip

Since Meggan had to work tonight and I had to take Everett to the doctor this afternoon, I got to spend more time with the little man....

He puts the happy in Happy Meal....

 Popsicles with big sister...

Have Skates Will Travel

Look out, world (and possibly the doctor's office), the kids now have their own skates.  I don't know if they will be ready for the X games anytime soon, but I do know they look the part and are excited to give them a try...

Shark!!!

For Amelia's birthday, we decided to go to a studio where you get to paint your own ceramics.  While I tried my best on a heart-shaped jewelry box with a special birthday message, I have to say Everett's multi-colored shark, Amelia's spotted dog, and Meggan's classic blue bird far surpassed my efforts...

Looking Up

The power of a role model is an amazing thing. When Everett isn't fighting her, stealing her toys, or trying to beat her in everything, he absolutely idolizes his big sister.  He wants to do everything she does, go everywhere she goes, and play everything she plays.  At this point, he has even started doing his "spelling homework" every night just to be like her. She doesn't know it yet, but that annoying little shadow that follows her around is learning more from her than he'll ever learn from anyone else.




So far, he can spell hat, cat, bat, mom, dad, and dog...not bad for a guy who turned 4 last month...

7

Somehow, my baby girl turned 7 today. It doesn't seem possible. You know what else doesn't seem possible? The fact that she consumed a chocolate chip muffin for breakfast, cookie cake at school, pancakes for dinner, and birthday cake for dessert and felt completely great about her dietary choices...

On Target

Comfortable clothing to allow maximum agility - Check

Spider-man hat on backwards to show this is serious business - Check

My Little Pony purse full of cash - Check

Nothing but sidewalk and shopping carts between them and the toy aisle - Check


Yep, this has the makings of a masterful birthday shopping trip...

Smile

For a man that started out as such a grump, this little guy has really grown into one of those people who have a great spirit about them.  He smiles. He laughs. He loves....and I love him all the more for it.

 Grumpy...

Grumpier...

All smiles...

Fixer Upper

While Meggan was gone, we decided to surprise her by updating the bathroom.  At first, I was a little worried about taking on this task while being outnumbered by the kids. However, I soon realized when you have Everett sanding walls and Amelia taping off mirrors, you can accomplish almost anything.

All Better

When Meggan reported she had burned her hand on her trip, the kids decided she needed a few kisses to make it feel better....

Who's the Boss?

Meggan left for a few days on a work trip.  While we will certainly miss her like crazy, we have already made a few changes to the decor.... Like bringing the basketball hoop back into the house...

Party On

I don't care how much Everett enjoyed this skiing game, I hope to never set foot in Chuck E. Cheese again.  Two birthday parties there in two weeks is more than enough for any human.

Wordy

Let's just say playing word games with a 1st grader and a little guy who only knows how to spell his name isn't the biggest challenge in the world, but it sure is a good time...

Love

We got the dreaded call from daycare today letting us know Everett had a fever and had to come home. Given the 24-hour rule for fevers, this means he can't go to school tomorrow. Aside from the fact that missing work again tomorrow and Monday for Amelia's holiday puts is much closer to joblessness, it also means we had to tell him he will miss his Valentine's Day party tomorrow. As you can imagine, this didn't sit well with him. Upon hearing this news, big sister jumped into action. She grabbed her Valentines she got today, let him go through them, and offered him any of the treats he wanted.  This kind of loving gesture is what makes having more than one child so special. You not only get to enjoy both of them, but you also get to see them enjoy each other. As a parent, I couldn't ask for anything more...other than a full time nanny... Or a maid....because those would be awwwwesome.

Dealt

While Amelia and Everett have always been opposites when it comes to sleeping (he is pleasant and quietly lays in his bed until he falls asleep while she fights with the power of 5 drunken vikings), he has started to adopt her fondness for finding his way to our bed.  Tonight, while I was tucking him in, he negotiated his best deal yet. First, he asked if I would sleep in his bed. This was a classic move to throw out an option he knew I wouldn't go for, but he didn't really want anyway.  Then, he asked me if I would just hold his hand.  Another classic move of the seemingly defeated combatant merely asking for mercy.  Finally, he hit me with what he really wanted - could he sleep in my bed? Luckily, I wasn't so seduced by his sweet, tiny hand-holding that I caved.  That's when he hit me from my blind side...he said "I just want to sleep with you because I love you too much." While, I still held firm on tonight, I did tell him he could sleep in my bed both nights Meggan is out of town this weekend. So, there you have it. I fell for the oldest trick in the book...let them so clearly think they've won at shooting down your one night plea that they don't even bother to look for the reversal where THEY offer YOU TWO nights.

Big Day

When your day starts with a birthday party with this wild man and his best friend....

...and ends with late night dessert with this beautiful girl....

...you know you had a good day...and you know you're going to sleep well.

Picasso

All the great artists had to start somewhere, right?

Best Seller

Amelia's class was tasked with writing their own books.  I was pretty impressed she was able to write an "11 chapter" 14-page book.  However, I was even more impressed that she wasn't afraid to get up in front of students and parents and read a selection.

Rough

This is not the look of a guy who had a great day. Oh well, you should see the other guy (and by "other guy" I mean the sidewalk)...