Double Whammy

Well, this morning I took Evan to the doctor's office (I should have just stayed overnight there!). He has double ear infections as well. Poor babies. I will sooooooooo be glad when they are back to feeling better. It's been a rough couple of days.

Clean Up On Aisle 5

Getting in the cart

I did it!

Getting out of the cart

Evan has become quite the little monkey around the house. He has recently discovered a great "hiding" place on my baker's rack in the kitchen, climbs to the second shelf of the pantry,

climbs up onto the couch- over the arm of the couch and onto the side table which has glass on top or climbs on his toys (which are NOT meant to be climbed upon). Yesterday, Greg asked me as I was attending to Leah {whom has a double ear infection as we found out from the doctor this morning}, "Did you put him in that?" I looked over to find Evan in his little shopping cart, butt in the cart and legs and feet dangling over it. I wanted to laugh outloud, but held back to tell him no with a straight face. He, of course, proceeded to get in it again. It was so gosh-darn funny to watch him get into the cart, we let him do it a couple of times again. Anyway, the toy will probably be going downstairs for awhile.

Press the button

A couple of months ago, when Greg's parents were watching the kids for us, the kids thought it was funny to take their finger and poke Grandpa in the belly. So, his belly became "the button." So, now when they sit on his knee, they press "the button" and Grandpa's leg starts bouncing. Great entertainment for as long as Grandpa's leg can stand it! I didn't include it on this blog entry, but in the video clip I had of Leah, she doesn't "press the button", she reaches up and grabs a real button on Grandpa's shirt. Smart cookie! Here's a clip of Evan bouncing on Grandpa's knee and pressing his button.

Musical prodigies

Greg's grandma had given Evan and Leah harmonica's in their Easter baskets. Tonight we broke them out after bathtime. Greg started playing and the kids wanted in on the fun. The first couple of times, the kids didn't quite understand how to blow into the harmonica. However, after about 10 times of trying, Leah has it down. She actually played with it for abuot a half hour and it was hard to take away before bedtime. Evan was only able to produce sound twice and has given up for the time being. It just cracks me up watching Leah play a harmonica. Watching her pudgy belly go in and out. All we need is a banjo and a washboard and we have ourselves a family band!

Easter 2009

I have a picture slideshow posted below of our Easter Sunday.
We went to church, came back home and let the kids nap (which only ended up being 20 min. for Evan and maybe 40 for Leah). They found Easter eggs in the living room and opened up their presents from the Easter Bunny. We then headed over to Greg's parents' house. We enjoyed our time over there visiting with family. It was also nice to visit with family from out of town we don't get to see very often. After Greg's parents' house, we were off to my parents house. We were hoping the kids would nap in the car (their normal nap for the day is usually anywhere from 11:30/12-2ish.) It was now 3:15 and the only nap they had for the day were the short ones in the morning (as mentioned above). Evan fell asleep pretty much by the time we left the Rau's subdivision. Leah, of course, fell asleep when we entered my parent's subdivision. We set up the pack-n-plays to lay them in. However, as soon as they hit the mat, they were up and crying. SOOOOOOOOOOO only nap for the day: Evan-total of 40 minutes. Leah- total of 45 minutes. Which equals fussy babies for my family to enjoy! The kids had their moments over at my parents, but had fun with family. Evan and his cousin, Mia, enjoyed opening up their eggs right away and eating the snacks. Leah and Maddy found the rest of the eggs. It was too cute!

Easter 09

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Let's fire up the grill!

What's down there?

"Look mommy. No hands!"

"I did it!"

"Lets fire up the grill." (that is actually what the kids' BBQ says when you push a button on it.)

Leah picking a dandelion

It was so nice outside yesterday, that Greg BBQ'd pork steaks for dinner. We both love the time of year we can BBQ and this year should be more fun now that the kids are old enough to run around and play outside with us. We put play clothes on them, went in the backyard and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

Too much sugar?

Is this the result of too much sugar? It's so obvious as to what's funny isn't it? (smile)

As long as they are happy, I'm happy!

First Easter Egg Hunt

This past Saturday, our church had an Easter Egg Hunt. Prior to the hunt, they had some musical entertainment, arts and crafts, games and refreshments. We had a great time making some crafts (or partially finishing them-gotta do it fast because the kids lose interest). As all of the kids were divided into categories by age and given the "Okay" to go hunt for eggs, I got so excited to see what Evan and Leah would do. I pictured them running and scooping up so many eggs and placing them in their baskets. NO. Not my kids. What did my kids do? They picked up one egg and put it in their baskets. Evan picked up his second egg and immediately threw it back on the ground. Leah ran over to a picnic table and wanted to climb on it. Then Evan decides he wants to check out the church's air conditioning system and a rubber hose laying on the ground. So, Greg and I ended up scooping up some eggs for them. They both loved playing with the stickers they received in some of the eggs. Greg and I enjoyed some of the candy. I love this picture of the kids sitting on an old pew inside. It's from the 1800's. Too neat!

Growing Up

Evan and Leah are now 17 months old. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. The latest on the two: Leah is now saying, "Hi" and tries to say "cookies," but it's "cooka-cooka" (something to that effect). She always tries to unzip and take her jacket off herself when we come in from being outside. Leah had another tooth come in yesterday. So, that makes 6 teeth total. (They are coming in slowly). Evan has had a total of 8 teeth for quite awhile now. Greg and I both think their molars will be coming in shortly. Evan can climb up onto the couch himself and is very proud each and every time he makes it up there. They both have amazing receptive language skills. I can ask them to go get things and they will get the right item 99% of the time. The hardest thing for them both at this time is weaning them off of the pacifier (Leah more than Evan) and not taking their Blankies everywhere we go. If I take Evan out to the car first, Leah will be waiting at the door with her Blankie in hand and pacifier in mouth. It's going to be a hard habit to break. This past week, we have been taking their pacifiers out of their mouth when they wake up and then we hide them. "Out of site, ALMOST out of mind!" We have had to change our hiding spots a couple of times.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

The kids participated in another Parents As Teachers Activity Night. Parents As Teachers is a wonderful and FREE program run by many School Districts in and around the St. Louis area. We have a fantastic teacher come to our house four times a year. She brings fun activities/ideas for the kids to do and evaluates them on many things as the year goes on. PAT has many activity nights for kids to participate in. A couple of months ago, there was an activity night which focused on sensory things. The kids loved it! So, we thought we would try another activity night.

This night was Spring Activities. They stacked blocks, found Easter eggs hidden in the plastic grass, played with hula-hoops and balls and MET THE EASTER BUNNY! The picture says it all as far as their feelings towards the Easter Bunny. I am so glad we didn't spend money at the mall for a picture that would have turned out like this one.