apology

picture credit: Aunt Stef
I owe you all an apology. I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since I last posted!

Life has been crazy and hectic. I am working now - part time from home, but it's more than I bargained for, and is taking up so much of my time - time I used to spend blogging!

August included some pool time and some much needed family time. We didn't take our second trip to the beach, after all.

My mom and dad sold their house and found a great 55+ community to move to. I have been spending weekends at their house helping pack and de-clutter.

My little brother got married a few weeks ago in a lovely outdoor ceremony. The week was busy as the kids enjoyed their cousins. Hannah even came to spend a few days at our house last week.

School has started and Robert is in his second year at Holy Family Preschool. He has almost all the same classmates from last year plus a few new friends. He is excited about school and eager to learn. We are (slowly) getting into a new routine.


The upcoming weeks/month will continue to be busy... Bobby is traveling most weeks and I am training for upcoming running events. (My first half Marathon this weekend!)
We'll try to check in often and post more.

Wordless Wednesday

My leg. decorated by Alex. Beats any tattoo... ever.

The Land of misfit Toys

We have a container that used to be for wipes. We put toys in this container. These toys may fall into the following categories:

~Toys that are broken/need repair
~Part of a game/toy that is already cleaned up/put away (and I am too lazy to put it back with it's family - ie puzzle pieces)
~Toys/parts that are too small
~Toys that I find on the floor before the vacuum cleaner/Vroom gets them

We call the Box "The Land of Misfit Toys."

The box lives in the kitchen cabinet and every now and then (not very often), I'll go through the box, toss some of the stuff in there or put it back where it belongs.

You should also know that we have a similar box for Christmas ornaments. Some day, Bobby will fix the ornaments in the "broken box." For each year, the box gets more full...

rear ends, butts and behinds

Last week, Alex approached me from behind with a toy stethoscope. He gently placed it on my rear end and said "I hear your butt." When I asked his what it sounds like he answered (matter of factly): "Cock a doodle Doo."

And while we're on the subject of Alex and my rear end...

A few weeks ago, after stepping out of the shower Alex placed his hands on my butt and announced "BIG BUTT." Thanks for the confidence boost, son. Of course, in relation to his own tiny hiney, I guess my butt would be big.

The best part of all is what he went on to say:

"you got any poops in dare."

My son.

Wordless Wednesday

Stef and Eddie's Wedding: "The Evidence"

While this blog is Michelle's domain this Post will be the central home for all Guest Photos from Stef and Eddie's Wedding. Below is a list of links as I've collected.

• Michelle and Bobby's Photos 1: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=138346&id=655821223&ref=nf
• Michelle and Bobby's Photos 2: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=138347&id=655821223&ref=nf
• Full Quality/Orderable Mich and Bobby: http://trifster.smugmug.com/
  
• Jessica Cemelli: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130327&id=733469988&ref=nf
• Leslie Frisbie: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23418&id=1552776321&ref=nf
• Christy Kurtz Hempstead: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75518&id=1059893699&ref=nf
• UPDATED 21 July: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=10644047&albumId=2922134
• UPDATED Sara Nolan: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=1y5y4a4y.6nzmgqxa&x=0&y=-fwhda7&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button
• UPDATED Mrs. Felins: http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=861211248192661575/l=3090113009/g=21547513/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
  

--Bobby

Alkix and Yay-yay

Alkix and YayYay are what Ava and Alex call each other. They CAN say each other's names correctly, but prefer to call each other by their nicknames.

They also are developing a language between themselves. I am slowly learning some of these new words. For example: "A-Neese" means "let's run back and forth."

Yesterday Bobby and I both witnessed an entire conversation between them:

Alkix: I poopied in the potty, YayYay.
YayYay: Good Job, Alkix.
Alkix: Thank you, YayYay.

And then they hugged. It was precious.

Wordless Wednesday

tearing it down...

Once upon a time there were newborn twins who came home to this.

And now their once beautiful nursery looks like this:

And this:

And this:


Are they trying to tell me it's time for new rooms? Or at least new decor? And if they are this great at ripping down border, why does it take them so long to open Christmas presents???

Wordless Wednesday

Little feet can be deceiving.

No standing - anytime.

That sign says "No Standing." Look closely and you'll see all the letters there... maybe not in exact order. The sign hangs on Robert's bedroom door (which now remains locked-like other doors in the house) because of one of newest big purchases:



We now have bunk beds in Robert's room. Since we set it up last month, Robert has 'graduated' to the top bunk (which, by the way, is a big pain in the butt to make) and Alex will soon move in and take over the bottom bunk.
Ava and Alex are not quite ready to make the transition, and will remain in their cribs until the timing is right (or they start to climb out... whichever comes first)

So, the sign that Robert made states that there shall be "NO STANDING on the top bunk."
or "boo-beds" as Ava calls them. And who do you think is the expert climber on this new "playground?" Click here to find out, if you don't already know!

Robert's 4yr check up

Robert visited Dr. Novak for his 4 yr check up last week. He was very cooperative for the entire visit. He now weighs 40.5 lbs (80th percentile) and is 42.5 inches tall (90th percentile). Dr. Novak asked Robert if he could count to 10 or 20, and the show off that he is, Robert proceeded to count to 29. He would have kept going if he knew what came next! He also spelled and wrote his name and showed the doctor that he knows his left and right. The doctor asked him questions about safety and hygiene and then Robert had to have two shots. I was fully aware and was prepped by the nurse to NOT tell him about the shots. I have to say, i am SO glad I refrained from telling him! He had no idea it was coming and it was over before he had time to even realize that it happened. He let out a squeal, but had no time to really react.
In the end, Robert is still a healthy, growing 4 year old. (but I still sometimes threaten to give him away!)

Robert is very interested in signs. Be they street signs, warning signs, any type of sign - he always asks "What does that mean?" Some days it gets annoying, but I know he's just learning. And even Alex is in on it. He will also say "What dat mean?"

I'll post more on signs in my next post...

Today in the dryer, I found the following items:
~an outlet cover (slightly bent out of shape)
~a water bottle cap
~my watch! (I was looking for that! It still works, but the leather band is destroyed)
~the remote to the Bose speakers (oops!)

Note to self - check pockets before doing laundry. I should have learned this lesson last year when I washed (and dried) a roller ball pen.

5 years

Dear Bobby,
Today we celebrate five years of marriage. Five years ago, we had no idea what life had in store for us. I wouldn't have wanted it to turn out any other way.
Thank you for loving me and thanks for all you do. I hope the next five years are just as fun and the first five.

ilu,
me

Growing Tree

Every year in May,Ava and Alex have their picture taken under the tree that their Godparents, Aunt Germaine and Uncle Rob gave to them for their Christening in May 2007.
We call this the Growing Tree.



Here they are last May:

popsicle season

I recently got an email with 100 uses for coffee filters. It mentioned using a coffee filter to prevent drips when eating a Popsicle.
We decided to give it a try. It worked - But I still consider popsicles to be an outside treat!

Have Stroller, Will Sleep

comments, please.

I changed the settings on our blog. Now anyone can comment. You do not need to have a gmail account or be a registered user.

Now, go on and leave us some love!

Robert the Artist

Below you will see Robert's interpretation of BroBee from Yo Gabba Gabba on Nick. I'm wondering where he got these skills.




And while we're on the subject... have you ever really watched Yo Gabba Gabba? I used to think it was crazy and just plain stupid. But over the last year or so, I have grown to like it. I especially like the music that is incorporated into the program. My favorite episode is when Jack Black makes a special appearance. As if Jack isn't funny enough on his own, when he is put with the Yo Gabba Gabba creatures, he is even more hysterical!

Bon Apetite

So, I have been meaning to blog this for a very long time. Too long, in fact. Ava and Alex are different eaters. No matter what I put in front of them, Ava eats one thing, Alex eats the other. These breakfast bowls are an example. This was not staged, people!
Alex drank the milk and left the cereal while Ava ate the cereal and left the milk. When given a banana, only one or the other will eat it - never both. strange.

And it doesn't stop at breakfast. At lunch, Alex will scarf down his pb&j while Ava will pull it apart, often take a lick and leave it on her plate. Alex loves peaches and pineapple while Ava prefers pears and kiwi. She drinks milk, and he wants water.

At dinner, Ava always digs right into the meat and Alex much prefers carbs. More often then not, I find myself switching their plates mid meal so everyone can have a fair share of seconds and nothing goes to waste.
Alex loves his sweets... chocolate pudding, ice cream, lollipops and candy. Ava can take it or leave it.

And there is one thing they both agree to love. You'd won't believe it: Broccoli. No lie.