A Sunny Sunday Afternoon

The weather was gorgeous today, 72 degrees and sunny. Both kids loved playing outside; Nick on his bike and Ellie playing her new favorite game- "ring the doorbell". Luckily we were all out in the fresh air so none of us had to endure the endless ding-dong from inside the house! Nick was trying to learn some "dirt bike" tricks from the big kids, hence the knee pads.

My Crazy Kids

The computer is finally working (temporarily I'm sure) and I can download photos to our blog at last! My two little subjects are a little spring crazy now though..... Nick is just as silly as can be, making faces and joking around constantly and Ellie is a princess 24-7. She must be wearing a pink dress at all times with sparkly shoes and have ribbons in her hair. It certainly is a challenge to come up with suitable outfits on a daily basis! And trying to convince her that she cannot take a bath in or go to the park in a fluffy, pink, tulle dress precipitates a 30 minute tantrum. Aaahh, the life of a diva...

Our Little Fairy

All in a Day for a Princess

Don't you hate when you just don't feel that your tights "go" with your beautiful, pink skirt?! Poor Ellie was having a tough day, she just didn't feel that her outfit was "pretty" and the tights had to go! And to make matters worse, her mother found the entire scene amusing and took pictures!!! The indignity of it all.

Another Sunday....

For the first weekend in 2 months we didn't have snow!! However there was a freezing fog that clung to the trees and sparkled in the sun. Such a beautiful Sunday morning!

Sunday Afternoon Photos

Playing Cowboy

Our playgroup went to see Cowboy Steve's Western Adventure at the Children's Theatre today. Nick loved that he could wear his western gear to the play. Ellie unfortunately was having a "2" kind of a day- had to have baby and a pacifier at all times and refused to wear her cowgirl outfit. Oh well! A good time was had by all (except El). Nick was even chosen to dance up on stage with Cowboy Steve, such a highlight!

Staying Warm

We took the kids to the Museum of Science and Nature on Saturday since the weather is still sub-zero here. Their favorite spots were the space shuttle simulator and the dinosaur bone dig.

The latest phase...

Both children are going through a dress up phase. Nick wears his Robin Hood costume 24 hours a day, although we do have a rule about not going to school wearing it. Ellie lives in her pink fairy costume during the day. She would love to sleep in it at night but we are fairly certain that the wand and wings will get in the way. My biggest challenge is getting both costumes washed and dried in time for the kids to wear the next day....

Our Big Girl!

Ellie spent her first night in a "big girl bed"! She loved being able to climb in and out all by herself and spent two hours exercising that option. We chased her back to her room several times after finding her running the hallway. Then she discovered the fun of opening her door and talking to her brother across the hallway. Nick thought she was hysterical, and unfortunately that didn't help us encourage her back to bed. Next she discovered she could drag every toy she owns into bed and play. Finally at 9:30 she passed out. Yeah!! One last picture of her actually sleeping and Paul and I were off to bed. We're keeping our fingers crossed for naptime....

Howdy Cowboys and Girls!

Nick and Ellie picked out new cowboy hats and boots while we were out in frontier country and wore them for the rest of the trip. Nick kept busy "shooting" at cow rustlers (or birds, cows, insects, small animals, etc.) while Ellie preferred to dance in her new attire.

The Tucson Zoo

We decided to forgo the crowded shopping malls the day after Christmas and seek out some wildlife instead.

Merry Christmas!

Santa was very generous to the kids this year! Nick received everything he had asked Santa for and then some! The Shake and Go racetrack with Lightning McQueen cars and assorted other "Lightning" paraphenelia were the big hits! Ellie only had eyes for her two favorite toys, the Lucky Ducks game and an Ariel doll.

Playing Rudolph with Grande

The kids had fun singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" with Grande on Christmas Eve. Made all the more real by the actual red nose! Nick even knows the hand gestures to accompany the song, courtesy of his school Christmas recital!

My Loving Children

It was refreshing to see the kids celebrating this season of peace and love by not only getting along but actually embracing spontaneously! A true Christmas sight, and luckily I had the camera!

Photography Studio, Take 2...

Nick has finally recovered from all of his ear and sinus infections and strep throat, yeah! So it is his turn to play willing subject for Mommy's photography studio. Merry Christmas!