Simon's Spring School Picture

Full Size below... 

Spring Break Vacation to AZ 2016

We had an amazing spring break trip to Arizona to visit Grandpa Bart and Frankie Dog. The goal was to swim every day and we did!

The pool at Dad's club is amazing for the kiddos - Zero entry and a max depth of 1.5 feet so they could comfortably play while we sat in the shade and watched or played with them. Poor Lillian got a pretty terrible heat rash that turned into a sunburn but it didn't stop her for a second. She hated having sun screen or any lotion put on it (it stung!) but I'd tell her she couldn't go into the pool without sunscreen and she would tough it out. She is tougher than I am, that's for sure. She LOVED swimming and could not have been happier than when she was in the pool. She had lots of confidence going without a 'floaty' and generally loving the feel of the water. She'll be swimming in no time! Simon also enjoyed playing, but preferred to always have the floaty on, even in the shallow water.

Simon also played golf with Grandpa Bart almost every day for an hour - one day they were at the driving range for 2 hours! Both Simon and Grandpa Bart's swing improved after the week of practice.

Funny note: At one point Simon was complaining that his goggles were way too loose, that there was so much water coming in.... but upon closer inspection they were sunglasses.

Dancing down the path in her cool outfit from Auntie Colleen.

Family breakfast outside at MoJo's.

Early morning hike to go creature adventuring.

He looks so old in this picture!

Inside the club.

Golfing on our last day there.

Lots more pictures after the jump!

Sunburn Recovery

Home from a great vacation and both kiddos are recovering from their sunburns. Simon had a sunburn mustache and Lillian had a heat rash/burn on her arms. Almost all healed and getting back to our routine!  Bottom two pictures: I told Simon we could all have a jelly bean when everyone finished their dinner. Simon finished his, got up and walked over to Lillian and started feeding her to move the jelly bean receipt closer. She loved it. :) 

Lillian says (2.5 years old)

Lillian has become so very fluent lately. She has always had an impressive vocabulary but sometime in the past couple months her conception has really progressed and she is tying together advanced concepts and making lots of mental leaps and connections - as a result she has been so delightful to talk with and be around. She randomly will just come out with something that is very true but so funny. (See example below about dog hands.)


Some things Lillian has said this week (that I remember):

• So, dogs don't have hands. They just have dog hands.
• I know all birds poop on cactus.
• It's just a fart. Just my body talking. (Mother's Day 2016)
• Who do you call? ... Go Mustard! (ghostbusters!)

Dinkles morning

Went to Dinkel's this morning as a family before school.

"I'm not falling!"

Weddings

A few weeks ago Simon proposed to one of the girls in his classroom. Proposal took place in the bathroom and the kids have made the below invitation. They're waiting until their baby teeth fall out because then they'll be adults... just a couple more years.

In other news, Simon is still wearing ties to school most days. Here he was this morning: 

Playing together

Really long video, but a nice snapshot of a day in the life. '

Some Pictures of Lillian from March/April

She is imitating Simon's picture.

I told her to lower the picture - so she lowered her whole body, and the picture. HA!

This is our selfie face.

Getting ready for Arizona. She be style'n!

Loving her new Hello Kitty shoes

I asked her to show me her new shoes...

Alan asked her to lift both shoes in the air so I could see them better.
She jumped and jumped!

Wearing the sweater from Auntie Sharon

Was told she could not have cookies before lunch.

Cried louder after I took a picture.

Wild Kratts Live

Simon is a HUGE fan of the show Wild Kratts. As a result Lillian is also loves them. They came and did a lives show, which the kids thought was just watching the tv show with a bunch of other people until it started. Lillian was a little disappointed that the Kratt Brothers made an in-person appearance and they weren't on tv anymore but Simon loved it!

Quick(ish) summary for those that don't know: Wild Kratts stars two zoologist brothers who start each show looking at a real life animal and talking about what makes them unique in the creature world - their creature power, if you will. They then jump into animation with a goal of learning more about that creature power and how the creature interacts with its environment. 

Simon in Ties

My little man decided he liked looking fancy and for almost 3 weeks wore nothing but a shirt and tie. I realized I should have taken a picture every morning, but here are the few that I have.

Lillian's first Chocolate bunny

For some reason I just never got around to giving Lillian her chocolate bunny from Easter. Simon ate his while she went to bed early one day. So here she is. A very long video of her trying to figure it out below: 

Lillian's Baby Doll Repair

Lillian's Baby Doll had a fray turn into a hole with the help of some swinging by the arm and some strong toddler finger exploration into her innards. The first of many patches for Lillian's Baby, I expect. 

Lillian was delighted to have her back.

First scooters of the season

First Scooters of the Season. Sadly Lillian couldn't handle staying up after dinner so it was just Emily and Simon.