Trunk Monkeys

The other day as we drove down the road our children began to get on each other's nerves. Jeff gave them the rearview mirror glare and said, "Do I need to put you in the trunk?" That got them quiet until Kaity dryly remarked, "As long as we're not in the trunk together."

Sweet Boy

Just now, the kids were outside playing in the sunshine and I was rocking Selah and beating my mother and her brother Mike at Lexulous (Scrabble). Leaving the laptop on my chair, I slipped upstairs to lay down the drowsy baby. When I got back Joe was sneaking out the front door and this is what I found ...

Love that little man!

The Latest Excitement

Just before we got married thirteen years ago, the first purchase Jeff and I made together was a washing machine and dryer. We picked out just what we wanted and you should have seen the salesman's face when Jeff pulled out cash to pay for it! Without a word he placed the huge, clunky credit card machine back in the drawer and slid it shut. Priceless. (Remember the days of those things? "Ka-chunk, ka-chunk". It was so much trouble!) Anyway, last weekend we bought another set, hardly paying any more for it now than we did then! (And still with cash!)

The one downside I've found is that since it's a new high efficiency machine, I can't use my homemade detergent for a year because it will void the warranty. But after the year is up the homemade will work just fine since it's a very low-sudsing detergent anyway. Nice, since I dropped $12 on detergent and fabric softener and my homemade only costs twice that for nearly a whole year's worth! 

It's been a constant source of amusement for everyone in the family.

"Hey, Joe! You gotta check this out!"

The load they're watching is actually Kaity's clothes, and the first load she did in the new machine. She started doing all her own laundry from start to finish last year. She was so excited to get to use the new equipment!

And here's Selah helping me hang and fold the laundry:

She waited until I had a whole stack of Daddy's shirts hung up before she pulled them off the couch! At least it wasn't folded clothes -- I keep those out of reach!

Book Worm

Here's a picture of my childhood:

My mom used to laugh at my best friend and me for spending our treasured time together reading books! It was what we loved to do, though, and we would discuss the books and trade them ... It was wonderful!

Kaity is every bit as much of a reader as I was. She loves going to the library and generally finds new authors or a new series every time she goes. During the school day it's not unusual for me to hear, "Oops! Mommy, I was only supposed to read two chapters and I read four!" or some variation of that!

Lunch!

So, Little Miss got a bit impatient for her lunch today and decided to pull it down from the highchair ...

Zucchini, carrots, brown rice.

"Let's have lunch like this every day, Mommy!"

Selah on the Phone

Please ignore the oven timer for my cookies, and the people in the background talking. :)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Pittards at the Park

We escaped outside again today! This time we met some dear friends at the park.

Miriam & Selah

Kaity, Jonah & Lydia

Joe-Schmo

Chrissy!

A Beautiful Day

Yesterday the weather was stunning! After snow three times this season, we were SO ready for some spring weather. Of course, the day after the temperature dips below 60 I'm ready for summer again. Anyway, we took advantage of it and rode bikes, walked, and rode in the stroller up to the library.

Cowgirl Kaity and Little Joe

Cowgirl Kaity's boot and spur.

Selah loved it! She randomly clapped and laughed throughout the trip.

They got WAY ahead in the graveyard.

So Happy!

My Little Sweethearts

Yesterday, Jeff and the kids continued the modern tradition of gathering around the laptop to read the Sunday comics. I snapped a bunch of pictures because they were all just too cute.

Joe apparently can't look at the camera without being silly, so I made him turn for a profile shot!

Selah let them snuggle for only so long before she wanted in on the action! I wish you could hear her grunting at them!

This was just before she got pulled over for texting and driving. It starts so early these days.

Big Brother, Little Brother ... Oh, Brother!

Poor Joe - a bossy big sister and an annoying little sister.

It's a rough life.

The Lawn Mower Handle

Mom and Berk got Selah a cute little "push mower" for her birthday. It makes mower sounds, plays music, teaches letters, and most importantly: it has an off switch. Just kidding! The most important thing is that the handle stands up. There was some debate over whether it did or not, and my mother someone in the family was very firm in her their opinion that it did. As these pictures clearly show, the handle does indeed stand up on its own with absolutely no outside assistance.

Now here are some cute pics of the baby enjoying her new toys.

She loves putting her baby in the basket and taking her out again. It never gets old!

Give Peas A Chance

Selah loves eating! She doesn't use a spoon or fork yet, but she has the routine down cold. I spoon-feed her what I have to, like oatmeal, but if she can pick it up off her tray, I let her. She tickles herself chasing peas around the tray, using her little forefinger and thumb to pick them up one at a time, so proud of herself!

She's also a ham who plays to the camera in case you hadn't noticed.

Selah's Birthday Party

Playing peek-a-boo with Grammie and Baba!

Kaity and Sarah

Selah's cupcake with a cursive S.

Make a wish!

Nannie and Selah