Splish Splash..Shower!

When the munchkins get dirty (often!), this is my "easiest" mothod of getting them clean! I put them in the shower, close the door, and "voila"..about 10 minutes later they emerge good as new...and no worries over baby pooping in the tub!

Ryan is able to wash his own hair, and even Julia's if I ask him to (and she allows for it!). Her favorite tub toys are an empty shampoo bottle, a cup and a bowl. Who needs Fisher Price?! Ryan's favorite tub toy is the soap loofah..where he sees how many bubbles he can make and then cleans off the wall (creating LOVELY soap scum for me to later remove. hehe).

Tuesday Afternoon Fun

Since Ryan doesn't nap anymore in the afternoon, I don't mind at ALL if he watches some television during this time. His latest FAVORITE movie is GeoTrax. He seems to know all the words and songs. Here he is singing and "talking" along to his show.

And then when he realizes I've pulled out the camera he gets embarassed, and lays down on the floor asking me to not take any more photos of him.

Ryan asked if his friend Andrew could play this afternoon. I though he really wanted to see his friend, and then he tells me "No, I want to go to his house to watch his new tractor movie!" Well, I tried to explain we couldn't call and invite ourselves over, so maybe we could see if Andrew could come here...and bring his new movie. Is that faux pas in the Etiquette book also? =)

Ryan continues to ask me "when will he be here?" and "how much is left on the timer?" until Andrew arrives, so we have decided to do some artwork as a diversion. Who knew coloring an old toilet paper roll would be so great? Look at this serious artist's face!

And another serious artist, concentrating on using up the free Highlights stickers...

Sunday/Monday + APPLE PIE RECIPE

Yesterday Jeff's parents called and they are camping at Pere Marquette and asked if Ry would like to join them. Of course, he was SUPER excited. He told EVERYONE at church that he was going camping that afternoon.

Last night Metro's youth group - Fusion - held the annual "Milk Chug". It is exactly what it sounds like...teens (insane ones, if you ask me!) try and see who can chug a gallon of milk the fastest. (And yes, every year, there is vomiting!). So, Julia went with Jeff and I to that last night and had a fun time playing outside on the hill oblivious to all the chaos happening as these students battled it out for bragging rights. Probably much better that way...she gets creative enough with her own milk drinking strategy without that influence. =)

So today, it's just been Julia and I. We headed to the Y this morning so I could play some tennis and she played in the playroom with Emma. (Kel, you are doing GREAT on your workouts!!) The group I played with today was a league my mom plays in, and the ladies are mostly 50's age. At one point, my doubles partner looked at me and said "great hustle!" Ok, I actually thought she was being sarcastic as I really only took about 3 steps to get to the ball! But nope, a quick glance at her facial expression told me she was totally serious. So, in conclusion, they really don't like to run, but they are hard hitters. It was actually a great match. =)

Then we headed home (I could tell Julia had been crying when I got her from the playroom...perhaps because Ry wasn't with her this week? I am not sure..but it was SAD!) and she just hugged and hugged me for the longest time. Anyways, we have had a productive morning, making an apple pie together (thank you Kari Hoover for the most wonderful recipe!) and now the washing machine and dishwasher are running. What a nice feeling!

Ok, so here is Kari's FANTASTIC apple pie recipe. Before you think you aren't up to it, you MUST try it...seriously...I am not really a big cook, but this is so doable. And it felt SO COOL to tell Jeff and my friend Trina when they called this morning "oh, we're just throwing an apple pie in the oven!). Hehehe...satisfies your inner Martha or Betty...not to mention, the house smells WONDERFUL the rest of the day! =)

Kari's Amazing Apple Pie
4-6 good sized apples, peeled and sliced (I use 5 good sized golden delicious, but you can use whatever is in season and yummy!)
1/4 C. flour
1 C. sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2-3 tbs butter, sliced into 5-6 pats
2 unbaked pie crusts (I just use the pilsbury refrigerated dough that comes 2 rolls to a box)

Roll out the bottom crust into a deep dish pie plate ( I just use a pyrex one)
Mix the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apple slices and mix well in a big bowl.
Put the apples in the pie, and pour leftover flour mixture on top.
Place sliced butter pats over the top of the apples.
Roll top crust over the filling. Pinch sides to seal the seams.
Cut holes in the top crust to let steam escape.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 1/2 hour. Turn oven down to 350 degrees F for another 35 min.
I usually put the pie on a foil-covered pizza pan or cookie sheet since my pies ALWAYS seem to bubble over. It is easier to clean up if there is foil underneath it.

Mark, Kelli and Ava Photo Shoot

Tonight Jeff took some 6 month photos of Ava for Kelli and Mark. As he was getting the camera and background set up, he snapped some of him/Ry and Julia too.

My twinkie boys! =)

Julia showing her attitude...come on dad, another photo of me today!?

Ava Grace, 6 mos.

Kelli, Ava and Mark

In my opinion, this is Jeff's "money" shot! Isn't that great!?!

After the photo shoot the kids and I dashed across the street for Devin's 5th birthday party. (Happy Birthday, Devin!). The kids had a great time playing on the swingset, in the sandbox and eating cake.

I'm SO EXCITED to have a "slower" day planned for tomorrow! It feels like we've just been going and going nonstop this week! All fun, but I am ready for a breather...and to have some chill time!

NCCS Walk For The Children

Julia entertains herself with a stuffed animal..."ruff, ruff!"Nina lets Julia hold the leash to her "baby girl" Bella. Julia is thinking she's pretty cool stuff with this responsibility! Shelly sends a smile our way!Julie and I.Mom and Carol hang out and chat.

Krista and Angie enjoying the day

Clifford in the Park!

After the NCCS Walk we took a little hike (ok, a BIG hike...and it seemed like uphill both ways..hehe!) to visit the KETC Channel 9 Arthur in the Park day. Several of the Channel 9 characters were scheduled to attend.

I am SO grateful that I didn't "talk up" any of the other characters besides Clifford to Ryan. He wa SO EXCITED to see Clifford, and we waited in about a 40 minute line just to do so. There were lines this long for EVERYTHING (so I can't imagine waiting to see Curious George, Arthur and the others too!)! It was a total MADHOUSE!! In fact, Krista took one look at the place and decided to head back to the car. Since Ry was so excited, we headed straight to the line for Clifford and tried to entertain the kids in the line while we waited!

Entertaining tactic #1: bottled water.

The Delta Dental bear was walking around (without a wait, gasp!) and mom stayed in line while I brought the kids over to say hello. They had no idea who this "character" was, but they were both very interested in him. Ryan insisted on giving a gigantic bear hug to the bear!

I can't remember the name of this character. He and Ry had a nice little conversation. Ryan told him his name, and that he was "free" (three).

Julia gets up close and personal as long as I am holding onto her. She really wanted to check this guy out!!Smiles! Well worth the wait!! =)

Of course, we can't leave without Ryan planting a big fat kiss on Clifford. (Eek..wonder how many other little lips were touching this same place today!!?!)

Dino Dig

Julia LOVES the sand and watching her shadow.

Ry is trying to bust open a "dino" egg he dug up.

Friday night I headed out with the girls to Drunken Fish in CWE and then The Chocolate Bar in Lafayette Square for Mary's Bachelorette Party...will have to try and get a pic from Em to post... 2 more weeks! =)

Grandparents Visit

The kids got lucky today with visits from Papa and Glammie (Conway), Grandma and Papa (Harriss) and the (Schuette) greats! (...forgot to grab the camera for the greats!)

Papa and Glammie drop by in the afternoon. (Julia is napping). Just look at that face...we have our hands full!! =)

...And when I asked him to please smile. What a goofball!

"Wing! wing, lease!"
aka: Swing! swing, please!

Ry and grandma double on the swing! He has a blast!

Baby has teeth!

This morning at breakfast, Ryan looked at Julia and got very excited. He then exclaimed, "Baby! You have teeth! You have teeth just like me!" It is amazing to me that he has just now noticed. (And I am elated that his noticing her teeth hasn't been at the expense of him being biten or anything like that!)

I think I am going to have to start working on perception with the little guy. Or someday he will honestly be able to tell his wife he tripped over the laundry on the steps for the last 8 months without noticing it!..not unlike his father, who is going on day 2!

Wednesday

Today our parent educator, Heather, visited. I talked to her some about how Ryan is currently "messing up" all his letters and colors lately. She thinks he knows it frustrates me and it is now a game. Jeff says he hated being asked stuff like that as a kid. Jeff's dad says Jeff never wanted people to know how smart he really was...I am finding it very hard to believe at 3 1/2 our boy is worried about being the smartie geek!?! How frustrating!

After she left, Grandma and Papa Harriss came to pick up the kids and bring them to Mills Apple Farm. Fun times!! =)

Ruff Ruff

Today at school Julia's class made doggy ears (they are learning the letter "D"). She seems really proud of them, and wore them out of her class, all the way home, and posed for this photo for me while saying "ruff, ruff, Katy!"

Monday Stuff

This morning Ryan had gymnastics at the Y (which he LOVES and I LOVE the fact he has an opportunity to burn off some of this endless energy!) and then we stopped by Aunt Krista's house to say "Happy Birthday" and then on home for lunchtime and a bit of outside play.

Ok, I just want to reach out there and kiss those cheeks!!! Oh baby!!! =)

And this, well, this is the face of a child who is pooping in her diaper.

I am biased, I realize...but LOOK how precious!!!

Ryan gets the paper off the driveway, brings out his chair and opens to the "car" section and tells me which ones he would like to have. "I like this one, and this one, and this one, Mommy!" He seems to favor the minivans for some reason!?!

Sunday Snuggles

I'm able to get some GREAT snuggle time in with Ryan on Sunday afternoon after he wakes up from a nap. This is rare these days, as he hardly ever naps anymore, and his new nickname is "Tigger" since he never seems to stop bouncing enough for these sweet moments!

Loft Party

Tonight we had a fun night out with some of our "Stl friends". It was one of those nights that was so fun, Jeff says you later compare other nights to that one. We hung out at Marti's boyfriend George's super-cool, amazingly decorated loft downtown. (Which, crazy enough is located in the rear side of my old NCCS office building, and he is soon selling to head to surburbia...)

The crew - Marti, Mark (Happy birthday!), Melissa, Dangerfield, Julie, Dean, Hillary, Mike (Happy birthday!), me, Jeff and Em.

Me, Melissa and Em savoring one of the last nights we'll get to probably hang out for a while, as Melissa has accepted a new "gig" in Philadelphia. (SOSO going to miss you!!!)

Melissa and Marti looking beautiful.

Em and I.