What's for breakfast?

Jack gets to choose what he eats for breakfast. I will make him cereal, toast, pancakes or eggs. This morning he wanted eggs and he wanted to watch me make them. As I lifted him to see the eggs in the frying pan, he saw the cookies on the counter and this is the conversation that came next.



J: How 'bout cookies.

Me: No, eggs.

J: How 'bout cookies.

Me: No, we don't have cookies for breakfast.

J: How 'bout cookies.

(you get the point.)

So when he was done eating his eggs, I let him have a cookie. Because really, is there anything better than a chocolate chip cookie for breakfast?

Guess what I did last night?

Or to be honest, what did I do with all of my "free time" last week?



I watched this most wonderful adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's book North and South. I. Love. It.

This is my new favorite and I was happy to watch the first half of it (again) last night with some friends who are enjoying it as much as I do. I can't wait until we watch the second half. If you have not seen this and love Pride and Prejudice and other such lovely books, run out and rent/ buy/borrow this movie today. I promise you won't be sorry.

*Ryan, if you're reading this. I wouldn't mind getting this for my birthday.

Where are my Handymen?

When Ryan's family was here for Addy's blessing, my fabulous brother-in-laws helped Ryan change two light fixtures. Here they are changing the dining room chandelier.





Here is the finished product. I love it and the dining room is now finished.

Can you all come back next weekend?
I have a few more projects for you to do.

Happy Birthday Grandma Shelton!

This is a picture of Ryan's sweet Grandma Shelton on the day she met Jack.

As you can see, Jack and his Great Grandma got along well.

We were happy to speak to her on the phone today to wish her a happy day as it most likely will be the last time we'll get to speak to her in this life. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met and I will miss her great sense of humor.

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home

Ryan has been home from work before dinner every night this week.
Such a rare treat to have him home in the evenings when my day is the most difficult.

See how nicely bedtime goes when Daddy is there to read stories?

These boots were made for walking

I love Jack's fireman boots with the wheels and the flames.
He loves to wear them with any outfit.

The Poo Princess Strikes Again

Don't let this peaceful slumber fool you.

This cute little girl has a hidden talent. Today she shared this talent with our friend, Brett. He was so kind to hold her during church and only relinquished her when she started to get a little fussy. As he passed her over the bench to Ryan and I, he and Ryan noticed the lovely "little" yellow stain that was on the back of her dress and all over Brett's white shirt. Yes, Addy pooed through 5, yes 5, layers of clothing. She and I made a mad dash home to change her clothes and Brett got to run home and change his shirt too. He was a good sport as evidenced by this picture. Now that her secret power is out, who will be willing to hold her when I am at church without Ryan?

Hanging Tough

So, is anyone else sad that they threw out all of their NKOTB posters now that they're making a comeback?




yeah, me neither.

My real life doll

Ryan says I dress our children for my own enjoyment. And I can't argue that it gives me great pleasure to see my kid's cute faces accented by cute clothes. ( I love that her belly is hanging over her waste band.)














Here is the full outfit. I love the beret, her cute little skirt and her Mary Jane socks.

















Adeline is less than thrilled with her hat over her face.

















Thank you cute, Willa, for sharing your clothes with us.

Family pictures Take 1

Adeline and her parents.

Jack and his parents.

These photos were taken the first weekend in April by Mr. and Mrs. Finkle. We wore our pretty party clothes from the wedding that we attended so that we would have at least one photo of us all dressed up. We have yet to edit the family pictures so these are just a glimpse.

Blessing Weekend Continued

Jack entertained us by counting to three and jumping off his toy baskets.




We went to Strong National Museum of Play.

Jack made scrambled eggs.

Adeline slept in the Bjorn.

Jack shopped at Wegman's.
He loves to buy the fancy cheese. A boy after my own heart.

And because the ratio of adults to toddler was 6:1, Amy got to SIT DOWN and have a relaxing conversation with Steph and Jay.


Oh how I miss the 6:1 adult to toddler ratio. When are you all coming back?

Word Explosion

Jack has a new word or phrase everyday. Some of the things he says really crack me up.

Funny thing #1: Jack walks up to me in the backyard, carrying his digger, and says "Hi. How are you?" and then proceeds to shake my hand.

Funny thing #2: I am changing his diaper and we hear an airplane fly over our house. I say, "Wow, an airplane." His response is, "Oh, gotta go," and he tries to stand up to go see the airplane out the window.

Funny thing #3: This week he loves to say, "I'm gonna get you."

Funny thing #4: Sometimes he calls me, Amy. But usually it is when Ryan is talking to me. It is very funny to hear him say, Amy.

Funny thing #5: When you ask Jack if he wants something such as a drink his response is, "YEp, sure."

He also loves to find his sister after nap time or when he wakes up in the morning. He says "Where baby girl?" and then he goes to hunt after her. When he finds her in her crib he says, "There she are."

We are blessed

Today was Adeline's special day.



She wore her beautiful dress made by her Grandma Parry. It was a bit shorter than planned since she is off the charts for height. It was still gorgeous and she looked beautiful with her white dress and pretty pink afghan made by her Great Grandma Matthews.

Our Family

Grandma Shirlene, Uncle Mike, Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jay all came to help us celebrate Addy's blessing. Ryan gave Addy a beautiful blessing and many of our dear friends were able to participate. Thank you to everyone who came to share in this special day.

I love this picture because it looks like she's twirling in her dress.

Jack's Current Favorite Book

He requests this book before and after his nap, before bed at night, and when he wakes up in the morning.


This is a great book and speaks to my inner play therapist with all its play therapy language. They have a whole series such as Hands Are Not for Hitting and Jack's other personal favorite, Feet Are Not for Kicking.