August 18, 2010
water park
Audrey's friend Sarah and her nanny invited us along to the local park district pool today. We'd never been there before and it was a lot of fun. The zero depth part of the pool is huge and there is a sand area and kid water play area.
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August 16, 2010
honk honk
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August 15, 2010
attack of the cousins!
Audrey and Charlie had a nice surprise today - a visit from cousins Imani, Jeffrey and Jaila! Audrey raced around the house while Charlie demonstrated his throwing skills to Uncle Jeff. After we all said our goodbyes Audrey plopped down on the couch and told me that she needed a rest because "my friends got me too excited!"
Posted by Thrillmer! at 03:41 PM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2010
touch-a-truck FAIL!
When Jill told me about her latest discovery I thought we had a winner. But touch-a-truck day wasn't meant to be this time around.
Charlie was excited, looking around wildly at the ambulance, fire truck, police car, etc. But he got jumpy when he heard sirens. Audrey was interested too, but the sirens made her cover her ears and demand that we go somewhere else. We traveled across the lot to see a dump truck and a tractor, but some super-dad honked the dump truck's horn making his own kid cry. Once he broke the silence every kid in line had to climb up there and honk the horn which brought about more ear plugging and more demands to leave. We left without touching any trucks!
The day wasn't a total loss - we took off to Pockets for their customer appreciation day and once everyone had eaten and chilled out a little we stopped by the zoo. Audrey was excited to show me the Mastodon she's always talking about. And Charlie was happy he had me around to do some heavy lifting.
It was ungodly hot, but we had a fun time checking out the animals as they beat the heat. I don't think the otters have ever come this close to us before; the kids were thrilled to get such a good look at them in action.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2010
a cat and a dog
I don't know how it came to be that Audrey is obsessed with cats/Meow and Charlie with dogs/Bandit. Here they are each looking at books about their favorite animal.
Posted by Jill at 09:30 PM | Comments (0)
August 12, 2010
poolside
We had another swim day today at Channy's.
Erika, Seth and Grant were there too.
Charlie is really getting better in the water. Today he was happy in the floating turtle and the innertube. Check out that kicking!
Audrey didn't even bother with her lifejacket today. She is becoming an old pro.
Posted by Jill at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2010
pasta shake
Today I didn't mind when Charlie and Audrey raided the cabinet and pulled out boxes of food. They had so much fun making music and dancing to the sound of dry pasta.
After all that activity they needed to rest.
A rarity - sitting still and looking at the camera at the same time.
Posted by Jill at 08:19 PM | Comments (1)
August 09, 2010
hurry, back inside!
We attempted to have some outside fun after dinner, but it wasn't meant to be. I don't know about your backyard, but ours has become mosquito central.
I think the boy's face tells the tale better than I can.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 09:33 PM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2010
okay barbie let's go party
That's my boy having the most fun playing with Barbies. I love that guy.
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August 07, 2010
and Charlie is number 101
We were going for Billy Idol. Not sure we got there, maybe we were close?
Posted by Thrillmer! at 08:11 PM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2010
the queen of accessories and the king of the ball
Who needs to actually fill the pool with water? Today Audrey, Charlie and I sat in the shade in the empty pool and blew bubbles and tossed the ball around.
Then they went down the slide again and again and again.
Posted by Jill at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2010
bedtime stories
One of the things I am most excited about these days is Charlie's new found love of bedtime stories. I about died recently when he grabbed a book from his shelf and then plopped himself in my lap, but I was even happier to see him do it to Audrey tonight! She read him Goodnight Gorilla and Books are for Eating Reading all on her own. He still gets a little squirrely, which she countered by hugging him tight every time he tried to make a break for it. So fun, I could not be more thrilled to see this become part of his nighttime ritual.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 09:27 PM | Comments (0)
July 31, 2010
lunch
In order to beat the heat today, we went out to run some errands and grab lunch. Charlie graduated from high chair to a seat that attaches to the booth. At first he seemed excited, but the novelty faded quickly. When he starts saying "down!" you know he means business.
Audrey worked on the kids' menu and enjoyed the cherries from our drinks. She did not enjoy her father trying to create a poor man's cheese fries by dunking his french fries into her mac & cheese. I received an earful and promised never to do it again.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 08:16 PM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2010
eighteen months, the stats
Charlie had his eighteen month check up today. The little guy is 32 inches tall, 24.2 pounds and his big head is 19 3/4 inches. The pediatrician says he is "perfect."
Waiting to see the doctor
Posted by Jill at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2010
eighteen months
My boy, you are a year and a half old today! My little guy is growing up so fast; I swear time sped up tenfold when I became a father. These past few weeks have been really fun, we can practically see the gears turning in that head of yours.
Now I know it gets frustrating not being able to communicate with us to the extent you obviously would like, but the word "ball" comes across loud and clear! We need to work on this obsession before you turn into your Uncle Jeff! You've been saying some new things too, just the other day you started saying "knee" with a whole lot of enthusiasm (just like your big sister used to, I guess it's just a fun word to say). And you've been repeating things from books (which you now love to read with all of us, even Audrey), especially sounds from Mr. Brown Can Moo. Can You? I love hearing "boom, boom, boom" in that little Charlie voice.
You love to play and simply cannot get enough of whatever your big sister is doing. One thing that has been constant is your good humor, you love to laugh and be part of the fun. I came home from work earlier this week and as soon as I opened the door I heard "Dada!" and here comes Charlie running to greet me. You looked up at me, smiled and then started dancing for a minute and then ran off again to see what Audrey and Mama were doing. That's my boy!
Posted by Thrillmer! at 09:22 PM | Comments (1)
wild animals
This afternoon's trip to the park started off just fine. We spent time looking at memorial statues and the flowers in the sunken garden before heading over to see the animals.
What ended up being our last stop of the visit was the reptile house. Lunch was overdue and Charlie was a little nutty. He was banging on the alligator enclosure, running and then laying on the floor. He even got a talking to from the high schooler working the front door. Then on the way to the car, Audrey had a huge fit because she didn't get to see the mastodon. Good times.
Posted by Jill at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
July 27, 2010
ballet
Today was the last class of Audrey's first session of ballet. Channy and Nana came to watch the budding ballerina.
Warming up
First position
At the end of each class, the girls show one of the steps they practiced
Todd took off work to watch too
Nana stuck around after class for a bit to try to catch bugs with Audrey
After naps we went on a search for soft serve ice cream
Charlie was a big fan
Posted by Jill at 08:47 PM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2010
two cakes
Tyler's 14th birthday was a few weeks ago AND he graduated from 8th grade so we celebrated him and his accomplishments at pool party at Channy's today. Congrats, Tyler!
Audrey and Charlie were both tired - Aud from her sleepover with Allysa and Charlie skipped his nap for the party.
Charlie even fell asleep on the way home.
Posted by Jill at 09:19 PM | Comments (1)
July 23, 2010
drop off
Charlie and I dropped off Audrey at Channy's this morning to spend the night. Allysa is staying over too, so there is a cousin slumber party tonight!
Audrey was all ready to swim in Channy's pool by the time Charlie and I left.
Posted by Jill at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2010
coloring
I think this may be the first time I let Charlie go wild with the markers. They are messier than crayons but I don't have to worry about him taking a big bite of the marker. Thank goodness for the washable kind!
Posted by Jill at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2010
swinging
Posted by Jill at 09:19 PM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2010
pool
We finally took the baby pool that has been sitting in the living room outside and filled it with water today. We let the water warm until after dinner, when Audrey and Charlie got to take their first dip in it. They have been having fun it the pool in the house but really loved to actually splash around!
Posted by Jill at 10:01 PM | Comments (0)
strangest houses
These are regular spots for Charlie and Audrey to hang out. Audrey calls her corner her house and doesn't want Charlie to come in, hence the pillow door.
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July 18, 2010
boy hugs
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July 17, 2010
yo-yo party
Jill was off to see a friend's performance in the city which gave me the chance to spend some quality time reconnecting with the little ones. Jill had purchased a Hello Kitty yo-yo for Audrey earlier in the week, but hadn't yet given it to her. I broke that baby out after dinner with the promise that I'd show Aud how to use it. After about a minute of instruction, she ran to the living room and called out to us to come quick and join her yo-yo party! Charlie grabbed his bubbles and we were on our way to good times.
While I don't have much to report, I can say with certainty this was the best yo-yo party I've ever attended.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 11:38 PM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2010
target shades
We had a nice visit with Sara and Emma today. We happened to notice that Emma and Audrey have the same sunglasses and, of course, had to make them pose for a picture.
The girls played with chalk, jumped rope, hopscotched . . .
and rode Audrey's scooter that she got from her cousins.
Posted by Jill at 09:26 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2010
airport loop
Audrey, Charlie and I have all been home since Monday. The grandparents all say they did great during their three day stays. Todd is done with his conference and we picked him up from the airport today. We were all happy to be back together and Todd brought gifts.
Charlie got a new BALL.
Audrey got a sticker book and a snowglobe, which has become the traditional souvenir Todd brings her from his work trips.
Posted by Jill at 08:01 PM | Comments (0)
July 09, 2010
on vacation
This morning Todd took Audrey to Nana and Papa's and I took Charlie to Channy's. They are staying for three days while Todd and I go to Denver! It will be nice to have a break, but we are going to miss these two.
Posted by Jill at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)
July 08, 2010
the artist and her assistant
The girl loves to draw so when I suggested she work on some artwork this morning, she was eager to get to going. Charlie wanted to be part of the action too so Audrey let him fetch markers and even color a bit on some of her pages.
I'm not sure what this is that she's working on, looks a bit like the flux capacitor to me. It's too bad I didn't capture her working on "Sun Holding a Meatball" as that was my favorite of the day.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2010
playground reroute
We met Audrey's friend Sarah at the playground this morning. The equipment was too wet from last night's rain though, so we walked over to the free zoo instead.
turkey vulture, Audrey, Sarah
It was a muggy morning. Even Charlie was hot lounging in the stroller.
Showing off their best snake impression. They also did moose and crocodile. Talented girls.
Charlie always likes the attention he gets from Sarah.
Pushing the wall. I have no idea why.
Finishing the morning with a drink and a snack.
Posted by Jill at 09:59 PM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2010
a boy at play
Charlie isn't exactly at the age where he can entertain himself for any length of time, but he does break off on his own every so often. He's really taken a shine to the wooden caterpillar Popsicle Man made for Audrey when she was little.
The boy likes to work the circuit around the kitchen with the caterpillar in tow. Now you can't go read a book or get on the computer while he's at it, but he is perfectly content to run his laps all on his own.
Despite his seemingly endless supply of energy, sometimes our li'l guy needs to stop for a rest.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)
July 04, 2010
pool party
We celebrated our independence today by heading out to Channy's pool party!
Audrey wanted "the Pebbles" ponytail and completed the look with her superstar sunglasses.
Charlie was just happy to get out of the house.
Audrey insisted I teach her to swim, but mainly just clung to me for dear life. Her cousins Seth & Grant brought along some inner-tubes, which made for a much more enjoyable swim.
And what is the Fourth without some patriotic mini cupcakes?
Charlie took a dip too, but spent much of his time poolside, avoiding the paparazzi.
After tucking the boy in for the night, we let Audrey stay up late for the annual neighborhood fire works show.
The proceedings were a bit lackluster this year, but still fun - Audrey made sure plenty of "oohs" and "ahhs" were heard, if only for our benefit.
Posted by Thrillmer! at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2010
aunt and uncle visit
We hadn't seen aunt Erinn and uncle Kieran for a while and today they came out for a fun little visit.
Kieran entertained himself and Charlie by throwing balls at Charlie that he would never catch and putting things on his head.
Erinn cooperated for the visit's required holding of the baby.
Charlie missed out on decorating cupcakes with Erinn and Kieran during his naptime.
Posted by Jill at 09:35 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2010
the great escape
Audrey agreed to leave the house this morning, even though the men are still working on the back patio, for a quick trip to the store. Charlie isn't bothered by any of it and is up for anything, as usual.
Yesterday's progress: wall done. The entire project should be complete by the end of today!
Posted by Jill at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
June 30, 2010
work begins
Work has finally begun on our back patio! Day one consisted of tearing out all of the timbers, rocks and weeds surrounding the concrete, digging and filling with gravel in preparation for pavers. Charlie could have just watched the men work all day. Audrey refused to leave the house all day, even out the front in fear we might actually run into and have to talk to one of the workers.
Interested kids
Progress
Posted by Jill at 08:42 PM | Comments (0)
June 29, 2010
seventeen months
Seventeen months and Charlie has a new obsession: balls! I don't know if it is because it is one of the few words he can say and we understand him, but he really loves balls. "Ball" is usually the first thing he says in the morning and the last thing he says at night.
From what I understand, uncle Jeff was obsessed with balls at a young age. Maybe we have the next great basketball player of the family in the making here.
Charlie is still our crazy little guy, but will finally sit still long enough to make it through an entire book. He loves picking out books to read before naps and bedtime, his favorite being Goodnight Gorilla.
Posted by Jill at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
seesaw partner
Yay! Audrey finally gets a worthy seesaw partner - Brylen!
While Charlie was still at Channy's, Audrey and I met up with Amber and Brylen for some girl-only time. We walked, played at two different playgrounds and lunched. It was great fun!
Posted by Jill at 08:20 PM | Comments (1)
June 28, 2010
second overnight
Charlie is having his second overnight at Channy's tonight. This morning the weather cooperated and we got to have some pool time. Charlie even had a little swim before going down for his nap.
Posted by Jill at 09:19 PM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2010
random activities
We hadn't been to the mastodon slide for a while, so we all went out there this morning. Charlie slept through both visits last year but this year got to slide just like his big sister.
This is us going through the car wash - the ultimate wash, to be exact. Audrey likes it, just thinks it is loud. This was Charlie's first time and he looks a bit stressed but didn't fuss at all.
On the way home from the car wash we saw that the neighborhood horse was outside so we stopped to say hi.
Posted by Jill at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2010
reptile house
We paid another visit to the local zoo this morning. We spent some time by the mastodon statue and went into the visitor center to look at the mastodon bones.
Then, we watched the crocodiles for a long time. This guy snapped at the turtle in the cage next to him.
Posted by Jill at 08:16 PM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2010
toy story
Todd and I took Audrey to see her second movie ever, Toy Story 3 today. She hasn't seen the first two movies, but is now a huge fan of Buzz Lightyear. She was great during the entire thing, her favorite part probably being the popcorn.
Posted by Jill at 09:14 PM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2010
happy father's day, dada!
Todd woke up today to hugs from his biggest fans.
French toast, Sunday comics, presents consisting of comics and comics-related items - what more could a father want?
Natasha even joined in the celebration.
Todd is trying really hard to get these two interested in comics. So far it has worked with Audrey.
We went out for a late lunch of stir fry, where Todd was able to get four different kinds of fake meat in his dish. Afterwards we got cookie dough and ice cream.
Otherwise, our day was relaxing around the house, something Todd greatly deserves. We love you, dada! Thank you for all you do!
Posted by Jill at 09:10 PM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2010
sometimes it's tough being little
Audrey attended our neighbor's seventh birthday party at the bouncy place this evening. She wanted so badly to hang with the older kids, but they were just too fast for her to keep up. Audrey had plenty of fun without them, went down the huge slide all by herself many times and made a new little friend.
Posted by Jill at 09:10 PM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2010
pretty, pretty princess
Brylen and Audrey all dressed up. Why is it that three year olds like princesses so much?
Posted by Jill at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2010
trickster
Audrey proudly performing one of her many "tricks" - laying across the arms of the chair.
Posted by Jill at 05:35 PM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2010
rainbow
Last year I tried to show Audrey a rainbow and she had no idea what I was talking about. Today, she got to see her first real rainbow! It is to the left of her head in the picture.
Posted by Jill at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2010
first overnight
Charlie spent his first night without us tonight at Channy's. Even though it was Charlie's big day, shortly after we got to Channy's, he went down for his nap so all I have are pictures of Audrey.
She didn't waste any time digging into Allysa's toys and dress up chest.
Aunt Ericka, Seth and Grant stopped by while we were there. Seth had just went to the dentist for the first time so he and Audrey had a lot to talk about together.
I always want to go to Ikea, but don't want to go with both children, so I took advantage of no Charlie and Audrey and I went. She had a lot of fun playing with the toy kitchen and sitting in the display rooms, especially the kids rooms. She had a hard time figuring out why the display toilets didn't work though.
What better way to spend quality time with Audrey, but to take her to dinner at Noodles?
A picture text from Channy this evening showed that Charlie is sleeping, so I guess all is well for him away from home.
Posted by Jill at 07:10 PM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2010
family reunion
Todd's family had a reunion today to coincide with uncle Steve and some of his crew being in town for the first time in a while. It was most of the family's first time seeing Charlie. We met at the racetrack and hoped the rain would hold off - it didn't. This would have been the time to take extended family photos, but, as usual, we were focused on the kids.
Charlie checking out the petting zoo that consisted of a llama, donkey, rabbits and an albino kangaroo. The rain kept Audrey from riding a pony.
It's the Batmobile!
The rain did not stop the Audrey from having a lot of fun with her cousins.
Posted by Jill at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2010
idol
Sometimes Audrey uses the drum mallet as a microphone. Today she was really on a role. She danced and sang like crazy.
Charlie was looking pretty cute today too.
Posted by Jill at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2010
another zoo trip
Charlie getting a good look at the peacocks.
Audrey and her favorite turtle, Franklin.
Enjoying the zoo together.
Posted by Jill at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2010
new basement
We went to visit Sara and her newly finished basement this morning. We haven't been over there for a long time. Charlie got into everything he could, while Emma and Audrey played. It is so nice to see Audrey playing nicely and not being that annoying little kid.
Posted by Jill at 09:56 PM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2010
stick
Today Audrey had her last gymnastics class...
...and her first ballet class.
Posted by Jill at 08:18 PM | Comments (0)