See ya!!!

Would you trust this man to watch your children?

I WOULD!

Uncle Stu is in the house tonight and Chris and I are out on the town with Mimi and Mom celebrating Mom's birthday. I predict very late bedtimes, plenty of running around and lots of books read. In fact Athena (who is napping now in preparation) will pretty much have the time of her life until we get home and pour her exhausted little body into bed.

See ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Halftime show

We had our very own live halftime show during the Superbowl that really was not restricted to halftime. In fact, the show continued pretty much throughout the entire game (sorry PopPop). We are not a serious football family, but we did enjoy the game (Go Giants!)

My babes rockin' out to Tom Petty
(I could not be more proud)

We call this Zoe's "white man overbite" dance.
She's a special dancer. She flings here arms behind her
and bends her legs spastically.
I think she's got her mother's rhythm.

And the bow.
Thankyou...thankyouverrrymuch.

Party Girl

We went to a friend's birthday party today. I took so many cute photos of Zoe in her party dress that I could not choose just one for the blog. So, here's my first attempt at a collage. I'm not really sure how to adjust the photos, but it's the best I could do.

Ready for School

Every morning as I struggle to get a resisting three-year old dressed in all her winter layers for the cold drive to preschool, Zoe willingly brings me items of clothing to put on her too. "Boo" she begs as she hands me her boots; "jah-ket" she says while trying to put a sweater on her head.

We try to tell her that she is just too little for school, but it's not sinking in. She stares longingly out the window as the car pulls down the driveway, like she's thinking "Why did they leave me..."

Then she goes about her morning business of watching Elmo and playing with her sister's favorite (and usually off-limit) toys.

Photo of the week

Tandem Tickling
(Chris' talent...not mine)

Birthday Bash

Oh my.

We just came back from the birthday party to end all birthday parties. A joint celebration for four kids in Athena's class with over 30 children in attendance. One of the kids celebrating was Nick. The little five year old that Athena can not stop talking about.

It was a circus themed party - there was a bounce house, jugglers, gymnasts, corn dogs, popcorn machine, craft table, clown noses for all, four ornately decorated theme cakes and personalized handmade clown costumes for each kid celebrating a birthday. (Side note: Nick had a Darth Vader cake and Star Wars themed clown outfit, so he's pretty cool). The amount of time, energy and money that went into this party could have rebuilt half of New Orleans.

Athena was by far the youngest child there, and clung to me for the first twenty minutes. But soon adapted to the noise and the running and the chaos. She had a great time and I met some very nice parents. But man, whew, don't want to do that everyday.

I didn't take that many photos, because the professional photographer was pretty much handling that, but here's what I did get.

Athena decorating Nick's present with little hearts.

So, this is Nick.

The party in full gear.

Sugar high kicking in.
Athena got so shy when I asked Nick to stand
next to her so I could take a picture.
"Oh Mom!"The wall of party favors.

Athena could barely carry it.

But she did manage to bring one home for Zoe.

Weekend Pass

My darling husband (who I love and adore) offered to watch the babes while I took off for the weekend to have some fun. It was Miranda's 40th, so Mimi and I drove to Saratoga Springs and had a wonderful time with the birthday girl and Sarah and Jonathan. We started the day with some cross country skiing, then hot tubbing and rounding out the evening with a fantastic meal and lots of wine. So rejuvenating to spend time with good friends.

As nice as it was to get away, it was nicer still to come home. I opened the door to choruses of "Mommy" and soon had two little girls firmly attached to my knees. I was only gone for 36 hours, but I missed kissing their little heads and I have not stopped since coming home.

Mommy working

"No Zoe, I can't help you right now.
I busy! I working!"

"No Zoe, I can't help you right now.
I busy! I working!"

"No Zoe, I can't help you right now.
I busy! I working!"

(insert heartbreak here and repeat)

This is what Athena said over and over again the other day as she colored in her princess coloring book on the living room floor. Sigh. I guess I have been working alot lately. But since pressing the "submit" on the NEA website at 12:43 yesterday, things have started getting back to normal 'round here (whatever that means).

No Matter How Cold

Sometimes no matter how cold, you simply must... get.... outside. There are only so many coloring pages, puzzles, play dough sculptures and Super Why episodes you can watch before you start to go a little crazy. So, even though it's 15 degrees in the sun, you power through. Then, coloring on the living room floor or quietly doing a puzzle becomes a welcome treat 'cause you're not freezing your bum off!

Look at poor Zoe's cold runny nose.
She, of course, refused to wear her hat.

Kitty boots in action!

Zoe is so ready to go home.