When your boss is a four year old ballerina

things like this tend to happen frequently.

This face pretty much sums it up but further pics are include for further illustration (and by the way that's a bit of orange pulp between his teeth. Not the onset of bottle mouth!)

 

No worries Daddy. Our boys are tough enough to wear pink....tutus.

And really, who could resist such a sweet little smile?

Only four years old and already she has boys doing exactly what she wants.

Makes My Monday: Kids + Water = Instant Fun

I recently took the kids to a park so they'd have the opportunity to exert all kinds of energy sliding, swinging and climbing on the playground equipment. Unfortunately it had rained the night before so rather than play "as I had intended them to" they made new plans and had a fantastic time splashing in the mud and sliding around the basketball court.

Next time rather than getting us all dressed and combed, packing snacks, toys, sippies, diapers, spare clothes, and a picnic blanket THEN wrestling three surprisingly strong kids into car seats, and driving to the park all before 8:30am (so as to avoid the 100+ temps that will hit by 10am) , I'll just wet the ground a little in the backyard, strip then down, and let them have at it.

If you look really close you'll see Alex DIVING into the puddle on the basketball court. OUCH!

I'm not at all kidding when I tell people that they're always heading (or running!) in opposite directions.






This one was snapped just before Max fell into the mud splashing his sister and her very lovely dress. That'll teach her for being such a girl about getting dirty.


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Up!

Sophia and I snuck out for a few hours last Friday to see her first movie, UP!,  on the "big screen" --- in 3D no less!  We both had a great time... popcorn, pickles, chocolate,  hipster 3D glasses and some girl time alone. She's still too light to hold a theatre seat down on her own so she had to sit in my lap (which was nice for me!) but was a little embarrased when I kept going on about the "cool" 3D effects.  My enthusiasm even earned me an  "Oh Mom"... the first of many I'm sure.  When the movie ended Sophia shouted "That was a GREAT movie Mom! Can we see it again?"  Sounds like we'll need to plan another movie date soon!

[caption id="attachment_782" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="She even kept the clumbsy 3D glasses on the whole time."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_783" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Her first movie stub... of course I'm gonna save it!"][/caption]

Chicago

Last weekend my sister, Sonia and I went to Chicago.  When she invited me to go with her a couple of months ago my first thought was "Is she crazy? I can't leave two newborns to go to Chicago!" However after she assured me that we would only be away for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, I was in.  (And at the bargain price of $45 a ticket how could I pass it up!)

Wondering what a $45 ticket will buy?

 



Great seats to Chicago, The Musical. (Also one of my favorite movies)  I can't say enough good things about the show and it was equally wonderful to spend the day with Sonia and get a break from "mommy mode".  (Big thanks to Patrick... the kids were happy, the house was clean and the clothes laundered when I got home-- Thanks love!)

Another bonus of the afternoon was the stunning venue for the show. It was held at the recently renovated The Plaza Theatre  in downtown El Paso.  Here a few pics (borrowed from their website). Can't wait to take Patrick to a show there!

 

 Thanks Sonia for getting me out of the house for our "date"! :)  Next time we plan a girl's day out we'll have to make it a long weekend and head to the real Chicago.

 

 

(Pic of us at the Restaurant and Theatre... and no, matching outfits was not a part of our plan)

Practicing for the 2028 Summer Olympics

Last weekend we packed up the familia and headed to Albuquerque for the weekend. Among the highlights of the trip for Sophia were visiting the zoo and swimming in the hotel pool. She dove into the water without any hesitation and before too long she and Patrick were doing different high flying tricks.  She loved every minute of it but was so wiped out afterwards she slept for over 12 hours that night. (We should definitely take her swimming more often!) :)

Mini Trip to Albuquerque

Albuquerque Trip April 2008

Click to see more pics from our Trip!

Why a Little Girl Needs Her Daddy

Sophia has discovered a few magic words.

"Will you play with me please, mommy?" always sweetly followed up with "You want to?"

As unimpressive as that statement seems, when uttered from the mouth of your adorably wonderful two year old (staring up at you with big, innocent doe like eyes) what other choice do you have but to play!

As a result I spend a good amount of time with Sophia reading books, coloring, painting, building towers out of blocks, playing tea party with innumerable baby dolls etc, etc.

Now granted Patrick has spent his fair share of time at tea parties or reading "Big Girls Use the Potty" but when posed with the question "Do you want to play with me, puhlease, Daddy?" He often takes a different approach.

Below are a few examples of Daddy''s version of "playing".

(A Word to Either of the Grandma's Reading This: He usually catches her ..... Usually)



One Happy Little Girl!

Noche De Luminarias

Last Sunday was NMSU's 23rd annual "Noche De Luminarias". Over six thousand luminarias are lit around campus to be enjoyed on foot or in a horse drawn trolley ride. We rode the trolley with a group of very "festive" individuals who sang Christmas Carols throughout the entire ride. Patrick ended up being the lead on most songs as he is one of "those people" who knows the correct words to almost any song he's ever heard. Sophia loved it! She did not however, want ANYTHING to do with the resident Santa Claus.... maybe next year.


Pic of the Luminarias (Courtesy Las Cruces Sun News) :)


Waiting on the Trolley


An NMSU Christmas Tree


Evidence of a chilly night in New Mexico

Okoboji Trip

Enjoying some juice and the lakeside views




The view from our room

Beach Baby

Free at Last!

After nearly five months of cabin fever we were finally able to venture outdoors free of heavy coats, hats, gloves and boots. To celebrate we spent the majority of the weekend outdoors running, climbing, swinging and sliding. Sophia seems to be operating under the impression that this "luxury" time outdoors will soon disappear and insists on heading outside the minute she wakes up. Little does she know we're on our way to NM in a few weeks where she'll be free to spend the whole day outside with Grandpa!

More Outdoor Adventures

This was taken after our last snow fall. We had almost 24 inches in less than a week yet it all melted within a few days. It's likely the last time we'll play out in the snow this winter (fingers crossed) but it was great while it lasted!

Minnesota Days

This was the first time Sophia went sledding. It was also the first time I went sledding. Up until my move to Minnesota I'd never even seen a sled in real life.. let alone attempt to go down an extremely steep hill at 50 mph on one! After Patrick pulled the kids around, the adults went out to have a little fun of their own. I never knew playing in the snow could be so much fun. Still, we're all ready for Spring to arrive.

We're not in New Mexico anymore.....