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