Wordless Wednesday

Starchy takes the kids to Shedd Aquarium

Because I was gone this past Saturday (spa day whoot-whoot!) Starchy took it upon himself to take the kids to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium.  To say they (I include Starchy in this) were excited, was a gross understatement.  They were literally shaking at the prospect of going on an adventure to the big city.  

Now I am usually the one with the kids 24/7 so my nose was a little out of joint at the thought of missing out on such a fun day.  But being the consummate grown-up that I am, I put aside any jealousy and sent the three of them on their way.  

My one request from Starchy was that he take pictures and document the day.

Here are the pictures that Starchy came home with...

Clearly HP and The Dude mistook some other person as their dad.  Because they are totally looking the wrong direction!  Or maybe Starchy took up ventriloquism and threw his voice over to the right...I dunno.

A nice straight-up-the-nose shot of Starchy and HP.

Even in a crowd, HP knows how to strike a fierce pose (Oh look!  A fish in the background!).  
She looks half-hammered here.  Don't know what is up with the face.  Maybe Starchy said "Gimme a look like you are chewing on your tongue".
Again with the posing (notice how HP is more concerned with the popcorn then the fish).  She takes after her grandmothers in that respect.
A nice shot of The Dude gazing at the underwater sea life...oh wait...nevermind...just some more popcorn.

HP checking out a tent...at the AQUARIUM...are you starting to see the pattern here?

3-D glasses before the big Sponge Bob show.  
A nice shot of The Dude checking out some sharks...nope...wrong again...just him wearing two pairs of 3-D glasses.
HP and The Dude in front of the sea otter's exhibit.  Can't you see how excited the kids are at seeing the marine mammals!  Frickin' eh!  NOT ONE SINGLE PICTURE OF THE KIDS WITH SOME FISH?
Next time I am SO going.  And I promise a giant post all about the kids AND FISH! :)

Wordless Wednesday -My sister-in-law Nina

Crew Cuts Vol. 8

A little sampling of some pictures that I had lying around Homebase.  There is NEVER a dull moment in my house (and that's the way I like it).

Little Peanut.  I guess she's not too little, but she isn't ditching me for Kindergarden just yet.  I am happy that I get to watch her grow for another year.  She is a little ray of sunshine.

The Dude (who is ditching me for Kindergarden...not that I am bitter or anything).  Here he is in all his big boy glory, chillin' under a cot-tent that the kids made.  Damn he is cute.

I LOVE, LOVE this picture.  Here is our little half-British darling Shmook in his "galoshes" (that's how his mum said it).  Isn't he priceless!

HP getting good and dirty.  Little Rick is watching on as if to say "I can't believe you are doing that!".
Swanny Jr. loves the swing!
Little Rick is is such a ham.  I lurve this kid.

Easter (without the killer bunny)

As I was tucking the kids in on Saturday night, I commented to HP about how exciting it was that the Easter Bunny was paying us a visit that night.  Not a good thing to say.  

She went into full on freak out mode.  

Not only did her arms have a vice grip around my neck, but her legs were wound around my waist in a similar fashion.  I felt like one of those Orangutan mom's you see on the Animal Planet with her little baby clinging to her every move.  I am pretty sure I could have done a cartwheel and HP wouldn't have moved.

So, in order to get her to calm down and go to sleep I had to "call" the Easter Bunny.  I was able to strike a deal with him, that he would skip our house and leave all the loot at Yamma and Papa's house.  Thankfully, the Easter Bunny followed through with our request.  

Here are the pics from Egg Hunt 2009....

Shart

The Dude was riding his bike up and down the driveway this morning.  

He was pretty zoned in and his concentration was written all over his face.  I was watching from the sidelines when he got a look of horror on his face, and immediately stopped biking.  

He dismounted and walked over to me with a look of concern.  "Mom" he said, "I think I pooped my pants".  I responded with assurance that accidents happen and that it wasn't a big deal.  

After walking a few steps towards the house he stopped and said (as if confirming a diagnosis) "Nope.  Nope.  Wait...you know what mom?  I think it was just a slimy fart".

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

She dressed herself today...

PINK barrette, PINK shirt with strawberries on it, PINK tu-tu-skirt, PINK tights.  Take the outfit, and add the look-at-how-sweet-I-am pose, you have a deadly combo!  Cuteness overload!

They are GENIUSES!

HP and Peanut are the best of friends.  They truly love each other and get along wonderfully 99% of the time.  They have the uncanny ability to take something ordinary and kick it up a notch.  For some reason, they felt the need, not to paint with their hands, but rather, their mouths.

Watching the spontaneity of children is one of the best perks of my job!

Peanut was gently telling her brother, Swanny Jr, to get his little mitts off of her paints! ;)

Wherever Peanut is, you can guarantee that Swanny Jr. is not far behind.  Here he is giving me his "Power to the People!" fist.  I taught him that. :)

HP getting ready to "face paint"!

Best buddies (tools in mouth).

Peanut showing off her skills!  That girl can PAINT!

100% Boy

We had some snow over the weekend which was gone almost as fast as it came.  Although this didn't result in a lake forming in our backyard, we did have muddy conditions.  The Dude wasn't about to let all the good muck go to waste.  He took it upon himself to relish in it!

Here he was talking to Shmook and his mom who were safe behind the kitchen screen door.  HP was the only "victim" of The Dude's muddy hugs (and she was TICKED!).

The kid had mud everywhere!  I gave him a bath after and upon seeing the muck that he had left behind commented "Mom, I think someone pooped in the bathtub".  Umm...no...that is just the mudslide that washed off of you!

The Dude was having a blast!

The muddy slip-n-slide that The Dude and a neighbor created.  Who needs grass right? ;)

The Dude getting a running start!