Eeek!

I just found out I got another grant I'd given up hope on.
I gotta stop applying for grants I think I won't get. It's awesome stuff, but it means more work for me.

Also for posterity

This is for posterity, so, be honest.

I plucked a bright white hair out of my head this morning.

Spring Cleaning

and the opening up of the back yard happened this weekend.

First I had to haul 40 sleeping bags from Lakeville to my school, which meant folding down the back seats to reveal a winter's worth of kid flotsam on the floor. So after we returned home, I did a full clean out and vacuum of the van.

 The weather was so nice, we herded the kids outside and as soon as they arrived, they started begging for the release of all of the outdoor toys. I couldn't resist setting up the hammock and clothesline too.

This morning while Leo napped and FP walked the biggun's to the park, I cleaned out the front porch, AND the kids office. We are no longer a family divided. They will have to all deal with whatever choking hazards they can find, and Leo destroying whatever train track configuration they make. Survival of the fittest.

When Leo awoke to see the fence had come down, he was visibly pleased and set about the task of learning to climb up the slide. Everything was made completely worth it when I was able to take this picture without begging anyone to do anything. This is just how they arranged themselves.


Felix looks like a little old man with powder in his hair. I was attempting to get at least some of the sand out before I took him inside.

The weather

Just for posterity's sake, I must post about the weather. At the end of last week we had inches of snow dumped upon us. Boots were appropriate, but I refused to drag mine out. Now it is so nice, I must seek shade every once in a while to cool off. Last week I was huddled under blankets, now I contemplating bringing the fans up from the basement.

Asparagus

I used to think that I hated asparagus.
Then I found out that I love asparagus, but I assumed it would be difficult to prepare.
Then I found out that it is easy to make.
Then I found out why I thought I didn't like asparagus -kids hate to try green veggies
Except Leo.
He loved them.
 
But I didn't want to share very much.

Birthday party

The day started out with Leo sleeping in. A really long time. We went and got him and he was just lounging in his crib. We gave him some breakfast, and he wasn't much interested. He wasn't much interested in anything. Just laying on one of us. Something was up, but we still don't really know what. He was just a little off all day.
Felix was excited and had a hard time accepting that the party wasn't until after his nap. He was sure the "Cars" plates and napkins FP had gotten were birthday presents and were all for him. 
Relia had her dance class and then the guests started to arrive. Pop Pop & David, Grandma D, Nana & grampa, Ryan & Carrie. we watched Neil Diamond sing at Fenway, opened presents, and had some cake.



I think this $1.50 gift form Relia might have been his favorite.


Yes, sigh, we are now officially a "Thomas" house.


He took it out and shouted, "It's a blanket!." Then it was unfolded and he shouted "It's a map!" Both with equal enthusiasm.


You'd think that with a birthday party at the end of April, you could expect to be able to at least try out the roller skates. But alas, there is too much snow on the ground.


You don't see many of these.


Felix wasn't much into the awesome cape, so Daddy & Relia modeled it for us.



Of course Ry & Carrie couldn't pass this up for Felix.






This is as messy as it got.






This is quite a while after the cupcake was placed on his tray, he just wasn't interested.



It was a very nice afternoon. Our first Felix/Leo joint birthday party was a success.

Ignorance is bliss

With the crap going down in Boston on Monday, I now look back and realize that thanks to our children's constant presence, the intensity of my job, and our lack of cable, I have yet to see any pictures, or even have a clear picture of the sequence of events this week. I tuned in for about 45 second after they caught the second guy.
I'm grateful for that.
I don't need to know the details.
They won't help me one lick.
Not many of us do.

I'm cleaning up my photo files and finding a few I meant to post. It's gonna be another one of those flurry of posts weekends.

Leo hooks his toes on the tray of his seat while he eats.The others did this, but not as consistently. Just one of those things that I want to remember.
He also pulls his blanket up over his head when I put him down for bed. Then sometimes, if isn't feeling particularly sleepy he'll play a couple rounds of smiley peek-a-boo.

Another one in the desk

Relia the Ace Reporter

She made the press card for her hat. No idea where she has seen that.


It is spring and it was snowing last night
The temperature was 30 degrees
Hi I am Aurelia

Felix & the Cupcake

Someone brought cupcakes to preschool, and they were having them just as Felix was leaving so he got to take his home. He loved it. It was a big deal. He said it was a little cupcake. Peder said, "No, it was a big cupcake." Felix replied, "Not after I ate some of it."

Later I asked, "Why did you have cupcakes at preschool?"
Felix said, with a big grin, "Because they're yummy & tasty!"
True. "Did someone have a birthday?"
"Yes, me!"

Happy Birthday Leo!

One year ago today I had a little baby Leo. He is so amazing, happy, easy going,
He has figured out how things work much faster than the others -baby gate, climbing chairs, pulling things down, the little pop up toys, and stacking cups. I'm not sure if that is because he is mechanically inclined, or just because he has had more models. He is walking all the time now, and even gets it in his head to try running every now and then. If Felix is yelling as he tries to get settled for a nap, Leo will call back to him.

Like Felix, Leo wasn't much into eating cake, but his brother & sister were happy to help out.


I just love how happy Felix is to share in Leo's cake.

Dressing up

My very first attempt at sewing doll clothes for Relia's "World Girl" doll.


I think it is too funny that her desire for an American Girl doll was completely spurred by the anti American Girl episode of Arthur. It wasn't on the list, but as I was sewing the new curtains, Relia asked if I could make a new dress for her doll. I took a dress/top that Relia had outgrown and cut it down. It's too long, but for 20 minutes of work, it looks nice.

Super Rellie

Spring Break

It's supposed to be relaxing, right? Not for me.

My "to do" list
1. Go swimming with Relia Cancelled
2. Take Felix for a muddy messy walk by the creek.
3. Get new alarm system
4. New toilet seat Done!
5. Tip out tray in the kitchen
6. Tile the kitchen Started!
7. Shoes for kids
8. Donate pile in the basement
9. Renew cloth diaper efforts
10. Buy carseat Done!
11. Organize workbench
12. Organize office -at school (major progress already made on Friday)
13. Make roman shades for kids room Almost done!
14. Order plants from Relia's school (Anyone else want some? Go here)

It is far too ambitious, especially since I'll be spending my second morning in a row at the apple store with a malfunctioning phone. But having a list might help me stay focused.