Almost, Almost...No

I truly wish that we were as close to being potty trained as this picture makes it look. He has no problem going on the potty and loves to wear under-roos as we are calling them. The problem, he doesn't want to stop the action to take time to sit on the pot. But darn, he is cute in his big boy underpants.


This is just one of the many, many reasons why I have gray hair.


These are why he has my heart.

V-E-R-A

Kids make massive amounts of art, Vera is no exception, and I have been known to donate a few of said creations to the recycling gods. Recently she began to realize that not all of her projects are being properly treasured. So, instead of handing these little gems to me, she went straight to Daddy and asked him to scan them so that she could have them forever.

The Special Day

We waffled back and forth this year about what to do for Vera's 5th birthday, big party, special day with a friend, or a day with mom and dad. Finally, we let the decision be made by the birthday girl herself. She chose...and I was a little surprised...a day with mom and dad all to herself. Cue a big sigh of relief from me that I no longer had to plan a party for our nearest and dearest (though it would have been fun) and instead could concentrate on finding a babysitter for The Dude.

Her day arrived and other than a mild tummy ache, we were ready to go. After dropping Keller off for a very long play date, a huge thank you to Mrs. E, we headed to Zodo's Bowling and Beyond. Wow, Zodo's is one high tech, fancy-schmancy bowling alley with a price to match. J and I kept having conversations that started with, "Remember when you could bowl for an hour for a $1.50..."

However, the price was worth it to see her wearing the cute little shoes.


Vera started off with the good old between the legs push...

...but, soon graduated to a more mature bowling style. My favorite part of the day, watching her take twenty baby steps to the line and then hurling the ball towards the pins. She then would rush back to us to watch the ball hit. The bumpers were to her definite advantage and at the end of the game she was the winner with 4 spares.

After bowling it was time for lunch and Thai food was on the menu...yummy!

Our next stop, The Ty Warner Sea Center.

Whew! At this point I was started to lose steam, luckily, I could just sit and watch the show. Can you guess which sea animal Vera is imitating?

The final agenda item for the day was a trip to Yogurtland. Uhmm...Yogurtland is delicious. In fact, even writing this I am craving some of their Red Velvet Cake Batter Yogurt.

All in all, good day for a girl turning 5!

Time for Bed?

Bunk beds!

Zia and Zio in SB at the Zoo

Vera is 5!

In the hospital:

Age 1:

Age 2:

Age 3:

Age 4:

Age 5:

The Christmas Collection

There is no order or rhyme or reason to this collection. It is basically the last 2 weeks in our lives all jumbled together and encompasses all of our Christmas activities.


This is the closest that Keller got to Santa this year, the fact that he is picking his nose didn't dissuade me from posting it.

Our friends' new puppy, Buttercup (if I could have thought of a witty Princess Bride reference it would have gone here).

Cookie Party 2010!

Christmas Eve cinnamon rolls...yummy!

Opa did a good job.

Christmas Eve dinner at Mrs. E's house.

Santa gave the kiddos costumes this year, for the bat obssessed child we of course got Batman. This has been the only time I have gotten him to wear the costume.

Our very own Minnie Mouse:

Who knew that balloons + 2 pumps would = fabulous Christmas gift.