Friday Night Out with Luke

Friday night after work, we picked up the kidlets and then met Martin and Luke for pizza at Dagwood's. Chloe and Luke are just crazy about each other!



Owen, always happy to show off those missing teeth :)


All three kids hamming it up. Chloe was looking over at Daddy.


Owen was deep in thought over some nasty, gluey junk that Chloe made in pre-K that day that they were calling Silly Putty. It was not Silly Putty. It was nasty. It was gluey. It was disgusting and Owen had to bring it to the table, fling it around, twist it into shapes and then tell us it was nose gunk (or other more colorful words, just use your imagination since Mom wouldn't like me to write boogers what he said).


After dinner, we walked ran over to Publix to find dessert. Martin loaded up on six containers of Cool Whip. I like Cool Whip and all, but six?


The kids thought they were cool.


Way cool.

When My Boy is 100 Years Old

As parents of a four and six year old, we have worked hard to teach our kids to treat others fairly. To be kind and understanding. To not call names. To follow the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated.

As added back up, we have story books that display openness and appreciation of others in spite of appearances, infirmities or just some good old-fashioned stubborn bullheadedness. One of our favorites doesn't label races or colors, but champions people's skin tones as mocha, peach, cinnamon, butterscotch, or cream. Similar descriptives are used for hair colors.


I love that my son is growing up believing that people are people, not black or white, slow or smart. That he knows everyone is different, but that different does not equate to lesser or better than he. Differences are what make each of us interesting. He agrees the world would be a boring place if we were all the same.


And I also love that he believes when he is 100 years old, he will look like Little Richard.

Chloe is a Hat Thief

Chloe snatched Todd's hat.


Apparently she thought it would be cool to wear Daddy's hat :)

Chloe Smush Face

Think she was silencing herself?


I know the focus is a bit blurry, but I think it fits her sleepy, just-waking-up mood.
Pout

Dance!

I took the last hour of Thursday off from work to watch Chloe in her tap/ballet lesson at school. Owen joined me and sat very quietly, watching as closely as I was over Chloe and the other little ballerinas. We agreed Chloe was the cutest.


A class of four whole girls. I may be biased, but I thought Chloe was the best listener. I know that may come as a shocker to some of the grandparents. Perhaps she was on her best behavior to show off for me just how good she was in her class.



Ta Da!


Jump!



What's with the face? :)


Contrary to popular belief, ballerinas are not all seriousness.


Jazz hands?


Each week, one of the girls is picked as the Princess. Lucky Chloe, she got to wear the tiara and tutu this week.


She was so happy to be the chosen Princess.

The Artist at Work

I love that Owen loves to draw and color and paint. It completely captures his attention. His head tilts to one side, his mouth opens a little and his hearing becomes a little slow because he is so focused on what he is creating.


I want to take the kids to a local art store this weekend and pick out new art supplies for them. A new medium that isn't in our shelves. Maybe some larger canvases and watercolors (the real kind in tubes, not hanging from the Crayola shelves at Target).

Cute, Isn't She?

Get the feeling she dressed herself?

That's my sweet smush!

Owen's Moods

Owen was pouting on the walk down to the bus stop after being scolded for not using his manners with a neighbor. He wouldn't look at me.

All was forgiven by the time we reached the bus stop and he was happy to ham it up with Gabriel.

Owen's Photography

I just love this pic of Todd and me. Owen took it before going to school on his first day of 1st grade.

You can see pics of the kids on their first day of school here.

Chloe Loves Cherries

Walk on the Nature Trail

I love that they are friends and are voluntarily sweet for the camera. When they are both in a good mood, they are extraordinarily kind to each other.


It is a long way down!



I think these little foot bridges are so cool and the kids love running across them.


Owen specifically asked for me to take a picture of him touching this flower. Not only was it big and cool to look at, but it was neat to touch.

Chloe was a little scared about walking through the leaves & weeds to get to the fallen tree, so she would not go sit with Owensk.

Snack time at the end of the walk before heading back up the steps. Owen had trouble opening his fruit bar, so Chloe opened both of them. I heard 'pleases' and 'thank yous' without me ever opening my mouth to remind them of their manners.

Little Fish

See that girl child? Her face is in the water! Swimming with her hands by her sides :)



No hands plugging the nose here...he's jumping in to make a splash with all limbs!



Chloe is our Little Mermaid, she just loves being in the water.



Grandma Suzanney spun the kids around and around until she was dizzy and had to stop. Yay for a Grandma taking control and letting Mom catch a break! :D



Grandma Eloise had fun watching the kids swim & play in the pool! She looks pretty comfy, don't you think?