Thursday, March 31, 2011

MMM, PEAS!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

POTENTIAL

Nova has the potential to be a professional trail-mix-separator. Need your trail mix sorted? She'll find the chocolates first, then the raisins, then the peanuts. If you're lucky she may actually eat some of the peanuts, but don't even try it with almonds and cashews. Not a chance.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

MORE FINGER PAINTS


I have to admit that I'll be happy when we run out of these paints. It's kind of a mess.

Monday, March 28, 2011

STICKER SHEETS


This little monster gets a sticker every time he uses the bathroom. Enough stickers means candy.


Enough candy means a movie.



It's been a week now, and I'm running out of ways to motivate him. Also, wondering how long the sticker thing has to go on. Will we be doing this when he's 10?

Sunday, March 27, 2011

AMAZED BY THIS

I should probably go look this up before I tell you how cool I think it is - Nova gave up the "fist hold" for crayons & pencils awhile back.

Now she holds them like an adult. She's 21 months? I've never seen a kid under 2 do this. Heck, Gus doesn't even do it.


Our ECFE teacher pointed it out to us in February, and since then she's really mastered it. She also prefers pencils & pens to crayons. Dave has high hopes that she'll be the one who's really into drawing.


In other news: see that boy in the background in the top picture? He's not wearing a diaper. Day 5 of the POTTY WARS and counting!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

NO!

This is either "No! Don't take a picture!" or it's "Gimmie the camera!" Hard to tell which.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

OPENING PRESENTS





Wednesday, March 23, 2011

OH, MINNESOTA...

Why do you do this to us? All week it's been sunny and we've seen the snow melt. The garden beds revealed themselves the other day, and we saw daffodils pushing up! Come on....


Back inside for a few days, until we see the sun again. A perfect time to teach one little monster how to use the potty....


Maybe two little monsters?

SNOW AND SLIDE


Yeah, we had to shovel it out..... but spring is spring and Miss Nova was determined to go down the slide.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

BRODERICKS

Aunt Katie and I think that these two look more like each other than they look like their siblings. We have created Brodericks!

Monday, March 21, 2011

COUSIN BENJAMIN


Last weekend was quite possibly the first time our cousin Ben saw records. I think he was impressed.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

FIRST FIRE

We had our first backyard fire of the season. Yes, there is still snow, but dammit - it's spring. I know it, you know it, and the monsters know it.


The kids love being outside again now that the weather is nicer. We had a wonderful time burning wood from last fall.


Also, because they only weigh 20lbs each, they can walk on top of the snow banks. Unless the snow is too melty - then they sink, and I have to rescue.


Saturday, March 19, 2011

AUGUST


Grandpa & Grandma sent Gus a new coat rack for Gus's birthday. It has removable letters, which is a whole lotta fun for both monsters.


BIRTHDAY PARTY

There was a three year old boy:


There were cupcakes:


There were candles:


There was singing:


There was chocolate:



There were sisters:


Oh, and there were lightsabers. Awesome.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

THREE

FINGER PAINTING

Gus got some finger paints from Jill for his birthday.

Since I'm the parent who hates making messes, I figured I wouldn't be the one to show them to the kids. I was wrong, though - I had to make a phone call and needed 10 minutes of quiet.


They absolutely loved doing this - though Gus was more about the WHOLE HAND painting than finger painting.




Nova got the picture, though.




Unfortunately it may LOOK like like strawberry jam, it does not taste the same.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

NO SMILES


It's hard to get a smile out of Nova for a picture.


Even still, she's very pretty. And her hair is getting so long!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

PAINTING OUR NEW PLAY HOUSE


We ordered something in the mail the other day that arrived in a HUGE box. Huge enough for two little monsters to turn it into a play house.


Poppa cut a door and a window, and we use a blanket for the roof.


Painting was the next big adventure!


I haven't had a chance to take a photo of the finished product. It may need a second coat before we call it done.

Friday, March 11, 2011

ALMOST THREE