Hanging Out

The laundry, that is!

Jessica installed a clothesline for us to use outside, so I thought that I would give it a go for our clothes. I have been trying to line dry my diapers especially because the dryer is hard on them and the sun naturally whitens them. I want to use them as long as I can, since it will be expensive to replace them. The dryer is actually hard on all clothes, so it's probably good to hang them all out to dry. Not to mention that it is more green than using the dryer. However, I have come to the conclusion that I don't want my underwear flapping the wind, even if it's only family that will. The towels and diapers also need to go in the dryer for at least a few minutes since they are made of terry cloth and line drying them leaves them stiff and rough.

Here is Colin hanging out while I hung up the laundry to dry.



The kids' clothes and diapers look especially cute hanging on the line.





I had Gavin and Josh hand me diapers and clothespins while I hung them up. It seemed to work out pretty well since it kept them entertained for a few minutes and I didn't have to bend down so much to get the laundry and pins. Thanks for the idea, Jessica!

When chickens attack!

Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but Gavin seems to think that's what happened...

I gave Gavin a bowl of cut up strawberries for snack and he took them outside. I was finishing up something inside when I heard him crying outside. Gavin had been cornered by the chickens near the shed outside. I went over and took his hand, leading him out towards the trampoline, which is where he said he wanted to go. I stayed near the shed and watched Gavin go. One of the chickens was still following him and so he ran with the bowl and started screaming! I was laughing and told him it was okay, and then led him all the way to the trampoline.

Today I gave him another bowl of strawberries again. This time he took my hand and wanted me to take him to the trampoline so the chickens wouldn't get him. I think he's been traumatized when it comes to the chickens and them trying to get his food. I do remember, however, being scared of the chickens that we had as kids as well, so I can't say I blame him. Size does matter when it comes to something like this.

Here is Gavin from today with his strawberries, making a great fashion statement. He asked to wear both these things, and no, he wasn't wearing his pajamas all day: he asked to put them on after nap. I'm guessing that they are comfy or that he thinks the dinosaurs are cool or both.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

This past Tuesday, March 23, was our 8th wedding anniversary. I still can't believe it's already been that long, but it has. Philip's work schedule being hectic, he couldn't get home early that day, but I went to a church function that night anyway. There was dinner and a program for the women that night, with babysitting provided for those who needed it. I kept Colin with me, though, because babies take more attention than the older ones require. When we got home that night, Philip was home already and had made me some chocolate mousse for dessert. I was so lame, I didn't do anything at all for our anniversary. We do plan to go out to eat together after Philip's busy season is over. We still have to pick a date, arrange a babysitter, and I need to start giving Colin the bottle again. He hasn't had one since January when I was in my friend's wedding; I like Philip to give it to him and he has been too busy to do so. It hasn't really mattered anyway, because we haven't done any dates because he has been so busy... oh well, such is life.

Gavin Boy

Gavin was babysat by his grandma the other day and she helped him build a track, then I added a little bit to it as well. Here is the finished product. It was so cute, I came home during nap time and went to get Gavin shortly afterward. He asked, "Where's my grandma?" when it was me who came in to get him.



I love the crazy sleeping positions we sometimes find him in.



Gavin has a thing for kitchen utensils, and especially spoons. He also LOVES to eat cereal, and will ask for it at most meals if I ask him what he wants to eat. Here he got the biggest spoon he could find in the drawer to eat with, it was a serving spoon. This morning he wanted cereal and I got out dishes for both of us, including spoons. He had already gotten one but I filled his bowl with cheerios, craisins, and milk with the spoon I had gotten him. He then told me he didn't want the spoon, so I took it. It had a piece of cereal stuck to it, and he said, he wanted the piece of cereal. Crazy kid, wants every last speck of his cereal.

Mr. Cool Dude

Gotta love the cuteness. :-D

A little spring cleaning

Gavin was "helping" me vacuum in his room.

Playing with daddy

With how hectic Philip's schedule has been lately, he wanted it documented that he was there and playing with Colin as a baby. Philip's been working himself crazy the past several months.

Sleeping on the job

I was making dinner and didn't realize just how tired Colin was while he was in the exersaucer.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A little late, but oh well. :-D

Love the green pacifier.

















Doesn't he look so cute with his little shades?

School Projects

Various seasonal and alphabet projects.





Gavin LOVED the kite so much, they let him make two. We happened to have seen some kids playing with a couple at the park the day before he made them. I guess I know what outdoor spring/summer toy to get him now.

Mommy thinks I'm cool

A friend of mine gave me this outfit. I put him in it while it was still cool. It's a nine month outfit, but it's not too ridiculously big, actually. By this time Gavin was already wearing nine month clothes (since he was so long); Colin is getting close in the sleepers. They always seem to outgrow those first.

Time Out, Thomas!

I thought that this was funny enough to warrant its own entry.

Gavin was playing with his little Thomas and the soft blocks, when he made Thomas knock down the arched blocks that were set up like a tunnel. I then heard him count to three and he told Thomas he had to go to time out.



Then he took him to the rug in the hallway where I put him for time out. He put the little train smack in the middle of the rug.



Then he reached for the timer that I use to time his timeouts and tried to figure out how to use it. He told Thomas that he had to stay there two minutes and he pointed at him and told him to stay like I do (because unlike Thomas, of course, Gavin moves).



He never did figure out how to use the timer, of course, but had fun doing the buttons. I asked him if Thomas was done with timeout and he went to get Thomas and gave him a stern talking to.



It's interesting to see the things you have said and done being acted out by a two-year-old. I have to be aware of my actions so that he doesn't put me in awkward or embarrassing situations!

Mr. Gavin...

...hard at play, eating, and sleeping!

Gavin wasn't interested in playing with a baby doll that I got from some of his cousins before Colin was born, but he'll take care of Percy or his Teddy Bear. One night he had been turning on the baby swing and I kept turning it off. It wasn't until the next day that I found Percy like this in the seat that I understood what he was probably doing...



He has been playing a little bit with Teddy Bear again. I like him putting the bear in the exersaucer much better than him getting in it himself.



He was spinning the bear around.



He was giving Teddy Bear a "Yee Haw" ride while he was wearing his slippers and Colin's jacket.



Love the way Gavin was sleeping. He had the important things right in reach: Thomas, Mater, Percy, and his cup of water.



I don't know why, but he suddenly wanted to get in the high chair this morning. Then he asked for rice. Not sure what he was thinking, but it kept him occupied for a while.



A box built for two. Two little boys, that is.

Mr. Colin

I have been busy taking pictures!

Here is Colin with a baby puppet that was my present for my first Christmas.







Darn kid keeps trying to suck his thumb! I don't want him to start that since, after all, you can't throw away a thumb, but you can a pacifier.





Love the looks of concentration he has while playing with his toys. He does that some now. He was making these spin.





Love the folded hands! My mom says that I used to do that a lot when I was a baby.



Look how hard he is gripping his hands! Sorry this picture is sideways...