humming along

While Abigail and Georgia were at swim class with their papas this morning, the mommies and babies got some hang out time..... look at these two cuties.  Nate has older man status with his extra 4 months compared to sweet Sophie.

Nate's big news is that one  TWO of his top teeth are starting to poke through his gummy gum!  He's also starting to like puffs a little more.  Sometimes he enjoys them, sometimes he gags on them.  You know, life of an 8 month old.  Most of all he loves the noise that the puffs make when you shake the container.

Shake it. Chew it. Shake it. Chew it. Drop it.

Stunning spring weather and spring flowers this weekend - love it!

april showers

We're having lots of April showers....

....but we're sure that means TONS of May flowers.

Spring, we're glad you're here.

easter fun

Easter eve found us having a fun dinner at Jessie's house ... complete with egg dying project!

Monitoring egg progress.

Back at home, kids asleep, the Easter Bunny got to work (many, many thanks to grandma for the great easter goodies that made the easter bunny's job a piece of cake!)

 

Easter morning snuggles in the backyard.

Three year olds make pretty good egg hunters (though don't be too sneaky with egg hiding spots ... real mastery of egg-hunting must happen when you're FOUR).

Look, it's our easter angel!

 

Then, Monkey Bread in hand, we made our way to the second egg hunt of the day ... at buddy Ben's house.  Lots of kids, lots of snacks, lots of fun!

And then, after lunch and naptime, we went to a THIRD egg hunt.  Anniek and her family threw a lovely Easter bash, with delicious potluck dinner, the perfect backyard for exploring and egg searching, and even a dramatic thunderclap that sent us all scurrying (temporarily) inside to play.

first dentist visit

Abby went to the dentist!  And LOVED it!  Here she is in the waiting room with a few other toothy friends.

 Relaxing in the chair watching some swimming fishies on the TV before her appointment gets started.

Check out the cool "bib", sunglasses (for the bright lights), and toys! Happy Abby.

Let's pause for a moment and think about how patient and talented someone would have to be to convince squirmy preschoolers to sit still, open their mouths on command, and follow directions during a cleaning.  Given the daily challenge at home of brushing Abby's teeth, this is not a profession that either Papa or Mama would be likely to choose or excel at. But clearly, some people were born to do this! 

Yay Dr. K and team!  And "Mister Thirsty" the little sucking tube thing!  Abby can't wait to go back in 6 months!

morning nap

Check out our sweet sleeper who snoozed for almost 3 hours this morning (in big sis' old sleep sack....Nate's not afraid of sporting pink).

Towards the end of this unbelievably long nap Abigail and I went in Nate's room to open the curtains and tell him that we had a playdate to go to.  He kept sleeping!  Eventually Nate woke up and we had fun playing and lunching with Akaash!

saturday fun

Saturday morning - Abigail gets ready to head out with Papa to her first swimming lesson at the local pool - a huge success!  It certainly helped having pal Georgia at swim class with her!

Meanwhile, back at home Nate has a playdate with Rosie (a different baby-Rosie than Charlie's little sister...).  Nate and Rosie were due-date buddies, and Rosie was born just a few days before Nate. These two hadn't seen each other in a while! (This flashback makes us realize that N's hair has calmed down a little since December....)

Two dear little 8-month-olds!

cuties, tulips

Abby and Charlie lounge tulip-side ... so cute!  And so much bigger than this shot in March 2009!  Since then both C & A have had a little sibling join the mix.  Major life changes for the preschool set!  Charlie's little sis Rosie was along for the ride today at the gardens, Nate stayed home with Mommy to catch some z's in his crib after a choppy night's sleep....babies!

A

How cute are these two?

Fun in the pond.

Springy sweetness.

busy bees

A busy weekend here at our house (first swimming lesson!  dinner at Uncle George and Aunt Jacqui's house!  a visit from baby Rosie and her parents! skyping with Grandma and Grandad!  and just some nice downtime at home....) Here's one cutie reading to the other cutie.

The camera (and Papa and Abby) are off on an adventure to Brookside Gardens now while Nate and Mommy stay home to nap and catch up on things at home.  Photos to be downloaded when they return....

springy spring

Welcome spring!  Abby and Eloise approach the geese with caution.

 Forsythia!

 Hugs!

 Two sweeties.

 Playing in the dirt and petals.

 Girls in action.  (You may notice that there aren't many any pictures of the little brothers ... those mellow fellas were rolling in the stroller and/or riding around in Ergos, catching naps here and there ... pretty much just along for the ride.)

 More action under the weeping cherry tree.

 Having made it to the top of the hill ....

 ... the girls decide it is time to run down the hill once again!

 They got lots of exercise that morning.

 Refueling with a banana snack.

Back at home we manage a group shot of all 4 kiddos before Eloise and Fin and their parents headed homeward.  Thanks so much for coming you guys!  This group will be up to much mischief in years to come....