Did I Mention

That my brother rocks and just finished his MFA at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston this year? We went up over spring break to see his thesis exhibition and realize what a star he is. We're so proud!

Sleepover

The girls had a sleepover with Alison this weekend while we went out to see the Hoax and grab some food at Taqueria.

Ellis took this pic right before bed time. Leah is sleeping in her newly acquired dress that was too short for Alison-- one of the first things they started doing was trying on eachother's clothes. I suppose some of these behaviors are just built in! They had a really long day including ballet in the morning and the Inman Park Festival that afternoon before even getting to Alison's so I know they were EXHAUSTED.

I am way behind on pictures and have to put together an April album and get all pics since September (eek!) on Kodak Gallery to order prints before their sale ends!

Gettin' Hitched

The premise of this dress up occassion was that they were a "bride" (Leah) and a "handsome prince" Sydney. Now, i don't know exacty how they decide who gets what gender role but they both seemed genuinely happy. Sydney chose this sweater and hat since it was a "handsome suit."

All March Photos and Videos

Here is our album of March photos--- there are also videos in it so be sure to have your sound on. Since I haven't had time to blog, I did manage to throw some captions in there so do the slideshow view.

March 2007

Link to Columbia, SC Pictures

Here are a few pics of the girls with Logan and Tate in South Carolina a few weeks ago.

We are leaving for Maryland on Saturday and I hope to post some pics and videos from the past month before we head out of town.

It's been a great Spring so far-- minus the allergies. We were lucky to have Sonia/Thomas/Emmie here in Atlanta for several weeks!

Great Blog: On Balance

I discovered this blog the other day accidentally, and it is right on topic with many of the issues I am interested in as a part-time professional and full-time mom.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/onbalance/

Check it out.

Big City Kids

 

After a day at the Children's Museum in Atlanta

Life Is Sweet

A visit to the KK in South Carolina with Logan and Tate. Happy Birthday Tate!!!!

All pics taken on my phone which isn't too terrible, actually.

New Album of Photos

January & February 2007

So "Fancy"

 

Not sure words can describe these fashion statements created by L&S this past weekend.......... but safe to say they were having fun.

Big Girl Beds

I meant to post this when it happened-- but for the record the girls got their bunks.... here are some before/after pictures!

Their Room: Before & After

Too Cute Not to Post

 

My Picnic

I work a flex schedule at TKCG which is something that is increasingly important to me, even as the girls get older and more self sufficient. Right now it's 80 hours a month, which currently equals Monday/Wednesday working 5-7 hours and 4 hours on Tuesday/Thursday. I've kept my Fridays off since the fall of 2005 and really enjoyed that. I am constantly rewarded with more responsibility and get plenty of recognition for my work, which as a mom, is NOT always something you get at home!

It makes me feel extremely grateful for the opportunity to work outside the home, because i am just not cut out for the 24 hour mommy role. I'm a better mom, when i have that time to reflect on how wonderful they are, instead of just being frustrated by all the food on the floor.

I plan to increase my hours this summer when they start an extended day program at St. Andrews. Although I'll be putting in almost 50% more hours (28 a week), I plan to keep Fridays off. I know we'll really appreciate that in the summer when we can hang out at the pool. In the fall they'll go to school 9-12 on Fridays but we'll still have our afternoons together, and I will enjoy some unadulterated alone time to perhaps accomplish some projects around the house or attend to my many unfinished hobbies.

The photo above was from this past Friday-- we had a wonderful day just playing with toys around the house. They have been cooperating really well together and games like this ("let's make a picnic") are a great example. It all started with setting up a grocery store, then going home to put the groceries in the kitchen, then cooking up this feast which we enjoyed together.

Friday was also a big day as Sydney finally gave in and pooped on the potty (too much info, i know). Every one at Mellow Mushroom Northlake now knows about this success as well.

She was promptly rewarded with the much loved Princess Fruit Snacks (glorified candy, oh well) and although we haven't had a repeat performance yet, I know it will all come together at some point. She has been successfully wearing underwear though for the past week (minus the #2). Really, it HAS to all get dealt with before June 4 when their extended day session starts at the school!

Happy Birthday To Me

The girls MADE me this cake (with a little help from Betty Crocker and GramE)...... and I was quite suprised! It was hysterical because when I walked in they kept going "sssshhhh.............cake!" which, is about as long as a three year old can keep a secret I guess.

It was a great birthday weekend including going out with Scott last night to Shaun's where we totally overdid it but it was all really good (even if we did wait 40 minutes for our table with a reservation). Spent rest of the day just hanging out but went on a mission to scope out bunk beds. It's really time but I do get nervous with them using the top bunk. Leah won't even do it, Sydney is pretty good at it. We took the ladder all over Pier One Kids and let them try climbing up.

Of course, they only liked the "fancy beds"-- especially the one that had a fabric tent on the front that looked like a house. Not sure if we NEED that accessory but it could hide a lot of clutter :)

Two Other Photo Albums

The ones from the holidays

Christmas 2006

And a few random pics from January

Random January Pics

Pissed Off

Exchange with Sydney today:

"Sydney, are you in a bad mood?"

"Yes, I'm cranky"

"Why?"

"I'm pissed off at the Beatles who are dead. John and who? Who else? Oh yeah, George. I pissed off they dead."

That kind of sums up their latest obcession with the Beatles. Yes they can name them all. Not suprisingly their favorite songs are Yellow Submarine and All You Need is Love.

Getting Back on Track

It's finally February. I'm not sure where January went but I'm personally glad it's over! It was a long hard month.

Since going to DC for Belle's funeral it's been a game of catch up with work, illnesses and I also had a vacation to Las Vegas that had been on the books for about seven months. Pics here.

Vegas January 2007

While I was out of town, Myra, Allan, Isaac and Sara came to visit for the weekend with the ladies. I know they had a great time and did lots things like going to Brody's birthday, the Aquarium, ballet class, out to eat and just hanging out and having fun.

The girls through it all have been wonderful. I'm going to make an effort to keep up with this blog again.

Grandmom Belle

Grandmom Belle died yesterday at 4:30 p.m. She was Scott's maternal grandmother and the girls' great-grandmother. We were fortunate to be with her this weekend and she was continually surrounded by her children Diane and Myra, husband Ben, sister Marian, as well as her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be in Maryland either tomorrow or Thursday.

I feel lucky to have met her 10 years ago. She cared so much for everyone. What I always found most suprising is under that ultra-nice exterior was a razor sharp wit that would have us laughing out loud.

I'm sad that I don't have many recent photos of her--here are a few from a day that she helped babysit the ladies.

We'll miss you Grandmom-- you are loved!

Last Night of Hanukah

Ellis' pics here

Scott's Birthday

It was 12/22 but here's a nice pic Ellis took

What's Wrong with Cinderella?

Funny enough we had this exact discussion on Christmas day as the girls' sat entranced in front of the TV, watching the digitally remastered DVD of said movie.

Reading this article today brought home some interesting points.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Rock On

You make the rockin' world go round.........

Part I

Part II

More Random Thoughts

It's happening again-- too long between posts and my memory is failing me.

Random thoughts:

• Sydney named one of her babies "Swims-a-lot"
• Leah thought a good holiday gift for Alison would be a pack of princess panties
• Sydney puts on sunglasses and a bandana and tells me not to worry, it's just her in a "mask"
• Sadly, Sydney also put an animal in a box recently and told me "it's dead"-- perhaps the nearly disposable fish aren't a good idea?
• While enjoying some music Leah told me to "not rock out"
• Scott is now officially Eric from the Little Mermaid
• Our dear cat, Paddy is forever "Luk-a-feerr" or Lucifer from Cinderella
• Sydney often makes Leah pretend to be Prince Phillip from Sleeping Beauty
• For their birthday they got walkie talkies which Sydney rejected immediately as a toy "for boys"
• She then changed her mind and decided she liked her "waakie-hockey" and she and Leah stood in different rooms screaming "Sisssy??? Can you hear me????" since of course there were no batteries in it
• Many birthday gifts were opened to the phrase "OH MY GOODNESS!!!". They're three going on thirty
• This story relayed by my mom the other day about Scott's records:
  "GramE, squares have all sides EQUAL!"
• Leah told my mom that she was "going to Tucker High with her notebook and pencils! That's REALLY school!"
• They're really in to what they call "holiday music" right now. Faves are Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, Mr. Grinch and the Dreidel Song.
• Favorite NON holiday songs are "We Want the Funk" by Parliment and "Fat Bottom Girls" by Queen. I'm really not kidding, video evidence to follow.

There's No Place Like Home...........

Yay! Uncle Keith (my little brother) got in last night for Christmas. He'll likely pop by after the girls wake up from their nap.

Christy should also get in this weekend, as well as Ted, Daniel and Summer. I wish I had more time off this week but I have to go back to put in some hours on Wednesday and Thursday.

This morning we had a fun playdate with Lyle, Lucy, Bill and the twins at the Little Jumping Bean. We all forgot that school is out for everyone-- the place was insane. Leah & Sydney decided the slide was the thing to do and went up and down for about 45 minute straight (we got our $20 bucks worth of play for sure). They were a sweaty mess by the time we left at noon and are now out cold.

Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah AND Scott's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!!!!!

More Holiday Fun

Click here for an album of pics that Ellis took on the 1st night of Hanukkah.

These are a few of my favorites. Not sure why Leah is pulling such a pouty face but it's funny.

Ballet Last Week

You know it's that time of year. Since last posting I've attended two holiday parties, hosted one holiday get together and managed to squeak in shopping during the hours my mom has been watching the kids.

Last weekend was the open house for ballet-- below is a link to an album of pics:

Ballet Class

Crissey was here and got to watch it with us. What a riot. All the kids were simply adorable and I don't know what hit me but I nearly burst in to tears when they did their little butterfly dance-- they laid on the ground as catepillars and then turned in to butterflies and basically ran around the room.

Sunday Funny

Sydney looked at me in all honesty tonight and said "Happy Kwaanza, Mommy." I said "huh?" and then they both repeated "Happy Kwaanza Mommy!"

Sydney then proceeded to ask me what exactly Kwaanza was and I think I answered correctly.

Uh, and apparently Nathan and Brody celebrate it? Perhaps one of their parents can confirm or deny this one (I'm going with deny).

Nice to see the multi-cultural love going on in our house. Speaking of-- we desparately need to get our tree together while simultaneously dusting off the menorah. Five days til Hanukkah, 15 til Christmas. EEEK!

Birthday Photo Album here

Leah & Sydney's Third Birthday

And I think I mentioned that you can view Ellis' photos here using IE7, a Mac of Firefox as your browser.

Baaah Humbug

Not sure if you can see it in this photo but check out Leah's dubious expression! In the end our photo session with Santa @ Northlake Mall turned out just fine.... but I caught this moment as the poor photgrapher tried to wrangle a smile out of them! 

Such Cultured Kids

Since Leah has refused to nap she's hanging with me on the couch watching Oprah on Tivo.

Today's guest is the international singing sensation Il Divo.

I gotta say these guys are CHEEEESSSEEEEY.

But Leah took one look and said "is this opera? I like opera-- do you like opera mama?"

Got to give her credit for knowing what this is trying to be.

We're Three!

It's official: Leah & Sydney are three! Leah announced on her birthday morning that "all the kids at pre-school" are three and that she can "do everything a big kid can do." Almost totally true!

We had a great birthday WEEK starting with DeeDee arriving last Thursday. She got to watch the girls' dance class on Saturday morning and then come with us to Lyle's birthday party at The Little Jumping Bean

Photos of everything and some video clips are coming soon. Photo above courtesy of Ellis Vener

Ellis' web gallery is here--- it will only work if you are running IE7 or using a Mac

Their party day was Sunday and our theme was Under the Sea-- lots of bright tropical colors and lots of fish-themed items from the goody bags to the crafts and decorations. We hosted a big group and luckily the weather was good enough that some of the big kids played out back for a while before it got dark.

And the presents-- we owe everyone thank-you notes but we spaced the presents out over the past four days and each gift has been greeted with exclamations like "Oh my goodness!" and "I always wanted that!" even if they'd never seen one before. Right now the hit item is the Princess dresses (thanks Faith).

A big milestone-- they got rid of the pacifiers. The night of their party they were pretty distracted with all the new toys so I just hid the box full of nuks and told them that the Nuk Fairy had taken them away! I can't lie-- they would cry for a few minutes, then I'd come in the room and they'd just start talking and talking like nothing was wrong, until the door closed again. It's got to be hard, they lost their main coping mechanism for falling asleep. As I speak Leah is refusing to nap actually...................but they can do it.

DeeDee told them to think "happy thoughts" to help fall asleep.

Tuesday at school they had a party with cupcakes and hats.... the school took cute pics of them which was sweet.

FYI Sydney wished on her cake last night for a "shark, a dolphin and a fish." That's my girl!

New Pictures!

Here is a new album of pics from trick or treating through our Thanksgiving weekend.

We're now in operation "Prepare for Birthday"-- Diane is on her way here (actually I just heard the car come in the garage!) and looking forward to a fun weekend.

Trick or Treat and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Leftovers Part II

From Trick or Trea...

It really was a jam packed weekend. I'm not sure if I can even detai it all here, let alone throw in links and photos. So to summarize:

-Friday morning we were off with Poppy Joel to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to catch the "Niki" exhibit before it closes at the end of the year. Added bonus, the girls got to ride the special Holidaze Train around the Great Lawn. We grabbed lunch @ Rusan's Sushi before going home to crash (all of us).

-That night we had a leftover "party" with Ginny, Ellis and Alison. It was literally a repeat of Thursday with the girls' eating strike (crackers only!). By the time they left it was 10pm and Scott and I took advatage of Joel's built-in-sitter status to go see Casino Royale. It was MUCH better than I had anticipated. We've gotten spoiled having seen three movies in three weeks.

-Saturday morning: thank goodness we had no ballet this week, the break was appreciated by everyone. Instead we slowly got ready and went with Joel and the girls to the recently rennovated playground at Peachtree DeKalb Airport. This place is definately cool for grown ups and kids. The play equipment is cool enough but it also overlooks the runways at what is one of the busiest commuter airports in the country. We all enjoyed sitting outside in the nearly 70 degree weather watching the planes take off. I, of course, was fantizing about being in one of the massive private jets. The airport has a a really cool family-run restaurant onsite, mainly burgers and salads. Perfect lunch spot while visiting the playground.

-Saturday afternoon while the girls napped, Joel and Scott went on a secret birthday present shopping mission for the ladies. By the time they came back it was already time for Joel's return flight to Maryland. Leah & Sydney had a great time with their Poppy--- it's funny ....their favorite game was to pretend to call him on the phone while he was sitting with us! We had to remind them that they can actually call him when he's not here too. :)

-Saturday night was a grown-up evening (for me at least)-- Heather, Susanne, Michelle and I visited Ecco --I really enjoyed it. Not just for the great food but the totally 100% adult atmosphere. Which means, Leah & Sydney got to have a mini-sleepover with Nathan & Brody!

-Sunday (is this weekend over yet???) we had a visit from Joan Pollack and her parents, Shirley and Ippy, old family friends of Scott's grandparents. Joan has visited a few times so the girls were a bit more responsive to her, but I think it was great the Shirley could visit and "report" on what's happening with the ladies.

Oh, and did I mention we're in the midst of getting ready for the girls' THIRD BIRTHDAY party this weekend? Diane flies in Thursday night so that should be great too.

I think by the time the girls' actual birthday rolls around (on the 6th) we might just pass out with sheer exhaustion. But seriously, we're enjoying living each and every day with them to the fullest.

Random: Oh lord, I'm watching Oprah and she is talking with Julia Roberts about twins, who are about to turn two. Oprah says "can you imagine that, having twins who are two??" Um, YES Oprah! As I continue to watch this she is asking Julia all those typical "twin" questions. Bleeech. Ok, enough of that.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Ok, so this is only post #2 in a month. I know it's bad when the very few people who read this regularly (you know who you are) actually point out the fact that I've been behind.

Since last getting online we were busy preparing for Thanksgiving. This is the 2nd year we've hosted at our house and I think it's become a fun new tradition. The best part-- I really don't have to cook!

The girls and I spent last Wednesday standing in line in the freezing cold to get flu shots. They were certainly the bravest kids there-- they didn't even shed a tear. Quite honestly they were puzzled by those kids who sobbed the entire time in line. By the end they said "Those kids shouldn't cry! It not scary!" Let's hope that attitude holds up through next year, or even until December when they get the second round.

The rest of they day was scrambling to make the house look like 2 toddlers don't live there (ha!) and then the fun part, setting the table, etc. And at least two last minute trips to the grocery store.

Thursday morning we woke up and watched the Macy's parade. Since it is nothing more than a moving commercial, for things like Fisher Price and Barbie it proved to be a major hit with the ladies. Especially since two of their idols, Julie Andrews and kiddie crooner Laurie Berkner were both performers. Oh, Sarah McLachalan too which does not bode well for her career status.

Poppy Joel was our special guest and he arrived around 2pm Thursday just in time to help with a few last minute things. The meal was wonderful, we had a total of 17 folks (counting the triplets, which I do!) and everyone brought fabulous food. Oh, the Foley's stopped by for a post-dessert visit.

The big battle on Thanksgiving Day was the non-stop cracker eating and total rejection of any "real" food. The girls just were not in the mood to deal with the concept of nutrition, especially with so much to do. Dessert incited a near riot as they demanded at least three types of dessert-- and I'm pretty sure we gave in.

I hope everyone had a good time and we can't wait to do it all again-- I mean it!

A Bit Behind

I have no idea how I've gone from Halloween to one week before Thanksgiving with out a single post.

I guess it's that time of year! Trick or treating was a blast-- we hooked up with a bunch of neighbors and it was a bit of a rolling happy hour. The girls ran from one house to the next with the big kids. I will never forget hearing Sydney shout out "Wait up Kayla!" as she sprinted across a lawn. So grown up. Since then it's been two weeks of whining for candy, and often getting it. Today I think I finally saw the bottom of the bucket.

As a testament to how busy we've been I haven't even dumped the photos yet off my camera, and the battery is dead and I haven't even put it in the charger.

Since Halloween we had our last day of Kindermusik and I'll miss the "Our Time" class format with parental participation. Starting in January they'll be with 3-5 year olds in "Imagine That" where the parents come in for the last 10 minutes. The schedule change will also mean a new teacher-- we loved Lisa Nall, she was a fabulous leader, and as it turns out she's a neighbor.

I posted below a funny video clip from nearly two years ago. Whenever it gets close to their birthday (coming up) I get very nostalgic for the "baby" days. Not sure why since they're totally more fun now, than ever. As you can see in this clip they were able to just crack themselves up by, well throwing vegetables on the floor!

I hope that the busy-ness of the next 6 weeks or so don't keep me from trying to take the time to enjoy each and every day with my family and hopefully throwing some thoughts online to share with you all.

Giggles at 1 Year Old