Funnies

• When I was at school picking up Abby, a kid in her class came up to me, pointed to my tummy and asked, "What are you really growing in there?"
• Abby and Sam raced to the rocking chair and Sam tried to wedge his head in under Abby so he could say he was there first.  When he complained he didn't have enough room, Abby responded, "That's because you have the Zwahlen head!"
• Abby was hiding in the bathroom and Sam was looking all over for her.  He knocked on the door, "Abby, it's me!"  Abby answered, "Who's me?"  If you know my dad, you will know that somehow that sort of humor was genetically shared from him.
• Lydia was walking around with her dress up to her ears and I said, "Hey, come here diaper girl!"  Without missing a beat she said, "Hey, diaper mommy!"
• We went to this really awesome, huge park a couple days ago.  It's one of those parks where you feel like you can lose your child if you take your eyes off of them for an instant.  Sam is self-sufficient and Lydia usually hangs out close by so I wasn't worried about being able to keep them in my sights or close enough that they could find me.  Then Lydia escaped.  You know how I found her?  I heard a little voice say, "Oh, Mommy!  Hi, Michelle!"

Soccer, Week 2

Abby had a great second week at soccer.  I could see her really catching on to the game and learning not just rules but some of the strategy.  More importantly, she had so much fun.  She worked hard the whole game and came away afterward feeling proud of herself and can't wait to go to practice this week.  It's good to see how much she is enjoying soccer!  

When in doubt, look for the pink socks!

Spring Break Fun (Part 1)

We had a great Spring Break with Abby!  It was so nice to have her home with us all week.  We sure miss her when she's at school.  We went out to Frying Pan Farm with friends one day and got to see lots of baby animals.  

  

We spent a half a day in DC and visited Roy at work and then the kids and I went to the Natural History Museum.  It was my first time doing a museum by myself with the three kids (go big or go home, right?) and it actually went really well.  We got lucky and got to see a tarantula feeding and Abby and Sam got second row seats right in front of the cage.  We got to bid farewell to the dinosaur wing that will be closed for 5 years and see the T-Rex Room that just opened for the building of the T-Rex.  It was pretty awesome.  Abby wished her cousin Miriam could be there with her (if you hadn't  heard, they plan on being paleontologists together and opening a museum of their own).  Sam, Lydia, and I just appreciated the sheer number of crates that were there holding the bones.  We're excited to go back and see what progress has been made!

Miriam, this picture is for you!

A Reason to Smile

I love this brownie face.  One thing I love about Sam is that he jumps into life with exuberance.  That's everything, even licking a spoon of brownie batter.

Roy is in Palm Springs this week (rough life) and the kids wanted to send him pictures of their silliest faces.  I love how you can see their own twist on the idea of silliest face.

This sweet message came home from school with Abby today.  We do pretty well when Roy is gone, but we would obviously prefer to have him home.  It was especially nice to get this today and give me a boost for the next couple of days until Roy gets home.  Abby is such a builder of people and she looks for the best in those around her.  I love that about her and love that I am the recipient of her love today.

"Something that makes me feel good is:

Mom gives me a warm feeling."

Abby's 1st Week of Soccer

Abby was SO excited to start to start soccer.  We told her on her birthday that one gift was playing soccer and she was so anxious to start.  Because of the extended, snowy winter we've had, the start got delayed so by the time the first Wednesday practice rolled around this week, she couldn't stop talking about it.  In fact, she made a journal in school ready to write about her experience, she woke up early talking about it, and the whole hour-plus between school ending and getting to practice were filled (I'm talking non-stop) with her talking about soccer, wondering about soccer, reviewing rules, etc.

Here's her first practice:

It was so cold!

She's on the right side.  Love the pink socks for the ease in finding her in pictures.

 First game:

Abby's team played so hard!  The first thing she would tell you is that her team lost, but those four kids played so hard!  My favorite moment of the game was when Abby blocked a goal and Roy shouted out, "Excellent job, Abby!"  She grinned and started skipping.  It was a moment of pure joy.

Just a Few Pictures

Me at 22 weeks.  Funny how I feel so much bigger looking down than from the side.  But I'm pretty sure that the last week has me appearing bigger.  So fun to think a little boy is growing in there!

 We have to take a picture whenever they go down like a choo-choo train.  Lydia instigates that :)

Lydia and I went on a little date yesterday and she dressed up for it: hat, sunglasses, green crocs, and a big grin.  I had to take a picture to commemorate the cute girl I got to run a couple errands with.

Lydia's Family Birthday Party

We had so much fun celebrating Lydia's birthday with cousins, grandparents, and some good friends.  Can you see how happy she is?  She loved being the center of attention!  Please note that Sam is wearing a doggy costume.  From his Halloween costume 2-1/2 years ago.  It's worn probably 5 times a week.

 

 

 

Boston Crème Pie and the excitement of blowing out the candles.

 

More of the gang and a few friends.

 

These 2 really get into chocolate.

 

 

 

 

Playing with new toys and old before church: