Twisty Hips

Carson has this funny way of running. He kind of crosses his feet over each other and this little action makes his hips twist like Chubby Checker. As you can imagine we've had a couple of laughs over this.

That Girl's Got Confidence!

Mad Hops and Piggy Back!

Have you ever noticed that Daddies have all of these games that they make up on their own? If you really think about it Daddies are the most cretaive people on this planet. At anytime of the day Jared can change into a Bear, a monster, a monster truck, a horsey, a doggie, and here's the latest. A jumping frog? Jumping Man? I'm not sure what he calls this one, but he has the game where the kids run up to him and he leaps over them. It's quite entertaining. :)

Leaps

and bounds! I love Kate's laughter in this one.

Look at that curled little tongue!He always looks like he is drumming up some trouble.  We love this boy!

I pointed out to Jared that he was pointing his toe like a ballerina. He really appreciated that insight.

Can you see why this is so much fun!?!?!



Mad hops!!



No leaping, but she squeals and laughs all the same.



I thought this one was funny. I love Carson's impossibly large shoes. He insists on wearing them.



A Day in the Life

I am a Stay at Home Mom trapped in a working woman's body. Or is it the other way around? Point is, I dig being a stay at home mom. Any time I get the chance to do it I will. When I'm working, my staying at home momness comes by way of telling my boss I am taking off some days. Everyone assumes you are going somewhere. I had several people ask me where I am going. To take off that many days surely deserved a long get away? Nope! I told them I was going to spend it with my kids. Just hugging them and being with them and catching up on their lives. Because even though we like to tell ourselves that it is not true, when you work you DO miss out on so many of the details. Today I kind of documented a day in our life. My kids and I just really enjoyed each other. There were lots of spontaneous tackle you hugs. I love when Carson said over and over again today, "Hi Mommy!" I just loved today. I loved the rhythm of our lives today. So free, so easy. The only thing I had to worry about today was taking care of my kids and I felt so blessed!

This morning when I came in to get Carson he had this Bozo the clown thing going on with his hair. I love it. There was no way I was putting water on that to mess with that flair.

It used to be that the first thing Carson wanted to do in the morning was, "EAT!" Now he says, "Go see Kate!" Sometimes Kate is sleeping in when Carson wakes up, but this time she was up and they got to enjoy some crib time together. Talk about melting this Mommy's heart!

I tried to tell her.......

I really did try. That hat! Those socks and shoes! But she was adamant. "Mommy! I want to wear my red shoes!"

There was a lot of hugging today. I was in heaven.

I just want to know. Will there ever be a picture of my kids hugging each other where he doesn't look like Kate has Carson in a choke hold? It looks so....oh I don't know.....forced!

 I wished I had a video camera for this one. Carson was doing this hippity, hoppity, galloping, turning circles happy dance.

Puzzle time! I love watching Carson do puzzles. He picks up the piece and looks at it then looks at the place where it should go. You can actually see him putting it together in his little brain. It's so cool!

This is Kate running past me with her shopping cart.

I love  a good profile shot.

Elmo was being put down for a nap. I've heard the kids doing this lately. They go through the same little bedtime ritual that Jared and I do with them each night. It's so sweet to hear what it sounds like to them as they play it back with various stuffed animals. It just really reinforces to me that they really are watching everything we do.

A prayer for Elmo. Goodness knows the little red gremlin needs it! Elmo looks like he is really pampered right? Well, I do have to report that when he "woke up" 5 minutes later Kate abruptly, and might I add harshly stuffed him into her shopping cart for a wild ride. Not a fun way to wake up.

Carson imitating what a sheep says, "Baaaaa!"

The joy of dumping out a puzzle.

The bluest eyes in Texas.

Carson is such a good brother. He was bringing Kate's cup to her when he realized it was empty. He had such a sad look on his face.

Carson being pushed by Kate in the "Beep Beep!" Believe me, that smile is more about Kate pushing him than the ride itself.

My work out for the day. Kate loves to ride piggy back while I run and gallop up and down the hall. I've never heard her laugh so hard.

Carson's turn!

I got this great idea off of someone's blog. I filled up 2 bowls with water and ice and gave them both a slotted spoon. They spent the next 30 minutes transferring the ice back and forth between the bowls. Such a great and simple idea!

Classic Carson. He is telling me to "Cwose the dO (door) Mommy. Go inside!" In other words stop taking pictures! :)

It's the Simple Things

Today I listened as Kate tried to coax a dead bug on the windowsill awake. "Hey Bug! It's time to wake up!" she said sweetly. Of course that bug wasn't getting up so she gave up eventually.Or so it seemed.  Not 2 minutes later she was at the same windowsill saying, "Love you bug! Love you!" I love kids. They are such a master of living life in the moment. Of enjoying the simplest things of life. You know things like.....



Wrestling. As long as everyone is laughing it's  a-ok!




A tunnel made out of a blanket.



Using chairs to make a fort

The brightest moon I;ve ever seen.

Height check! Even for Mrs. Potato Head..:)

Kate's turn! She's 3 feet 1 inch!

Carso's turn!

I used my mixer no less than 6 times this week. Kate's getting smart about this. She stays close by inncocently asking, "Whatcha doin'?" She knows she can lick the paddle soon.

To do it right, you must at least get it on your nose. Now that's true enjoyment!

This week end I became reacquainted with an old friend, my sewing machine. It resulted in a sunny yellow dress for my sunshine girl.

Kate and I drew a lot this week end. Mostly circles. As she asked me to draw her each shape I obliged. Then suddenly she says, "What about a octagon?" Um yeah....that has 8 sides right? Kate's octagon is in the lower right hand corner. My girl's wicked smart!

I love watching Carson drawing. He gets really serious about it. He carefully considers each color.  

Carson is watching the sprinklers run outside. He's been helping Daddy outside a lot lately. Jared built a pond this past week and Carson helped Jared carry the small rocks. He took his job very seriously.