Happy Easter!

We had a good Easter this year by celebrating with family. We did a lunch with the local siblings as well as an egg hunt with the cousins. After that was nap time and then we headed over to my parents' house for dinner, but sorry, I didn't take any pictures. My mom took a couple on her camera, I'll have to get them from her later.

Here are the kids' Easter baskets. We borrowed matching Easter baskets from some of the cousins this year, thanks! Can you guess whose basket is whose?



Colin got two hats (he wears them when I run at night) a bib, some place mats for when he starts on solid food and we go out, and a glowworm. The eggs with candy and duck bubbles are just for show since he doesn't care about them yet.



Gavin got two sand molds of Lightning McQueen and Mater, a friction train that you push and it keeps going, and the red train named James (who is one of Thomas' friends, he had been asking about him lately).



Gavin loved the trains, of course.



Colin was somewhat interested in the glowworm. It plays lullabies and its face glows.



Showing off one of his new toys.





We also had an egg hunt in the backyard with the cousins. Each parent filled eggs for each of their kids and put their initials or name on them to avoid some kids getting too many or getting candy they are allergic to. Philip hid the eggs for Gavin: here are a few of the hiding places he came up with. Unfortunately some of the bigger kids were really excited and since Gavin's were easy to find they picked them up and gave them to him even though we had told them to leave them alone if they weren't their eggs. Oh well.



Gavin wasn't actually all that interested in the egg hunt. He opened one of the eggs that the bigger kids had handed him, finding chocolate coins that he immediately unwrapped.



So this is what Gavin 99% of the egg hunt: ate chocolate coins and jumped on the trampoline.



Aunt Natalie held Colin during the egg hunt. He looks so interested in that egg, doesn't he?



It was actually pretty sunny outside, so I went inside and got Colin some stuff to cover up a bit. He makes a cute cool dude, I think!



Playing with some of the cousins on the trampoline.



He loves his James.



It was a good day. I hope everyone else had just as much fun at we did!

Hands full!!!

Philip had his hands full with the boys the other day. Notice Gavin's "big boy" pants? We have officially begun potty training! I will write more on that later.

Reading!

The other morning I came into Gavin's room and found him reading a book in the dark! Even though I came into the room and turned on the light, he continued to peruse the book. I am so glad that he loves to read! Sorry this picture is blurry, I used my cell phone to take it since the memory card was full in my camera.

San Clemente Trip!

We have plenty of beaches to choose from in southern California, but we drove quite a way to go to this one that has a great bike/walking path. There are also picnic benches and a small play area for the kids with swings and a slide. I went with the kids and my friends Dori and Anj. We had a picnic lunch and went to the 99 cent store where I bought some candy and things for Easter. Thanks for the trip, ladies, I had a great time!

Baby Outdoor Fun

After nap lately we have all been going outside to play. Colin has been enjoying tummy time out in the outdoors. I haven't been putting him on his tummy as much as I should because when we are indoors, Gavin with bug him and lay on top of him. It's especially scary if I leave the room. Colin still isn't rolling over, but he looks like he is trying to a little bit now.

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.