Memorable March Moments



3.10.2012  Parents of toddlers and preschoolers - take a minute.  Try and recall the last time you took your children out to eat.  I know you've buried it - - - deep.  If you think it might help refresh your recollection, I'll happily throw a wad of sugar packets in your general direction or dump a glass of ice water in your lap - or worse - in your purse.  Any luck? Well, what if I told you the whole experience could actually be more enjoyable.  That you wouldn't have to bring an arsenol of dollar store distractions in your diaper bag or eat your entire meal in less than five minutes to avoid the inevitable "I'm done sitting in this crappy highchair and am ready to help out in the kitchen" moment.  Check out the Montlake Alehouse.  Their solution to containing and entertaining their very underage patrons?  A pit.  A green carpeted crater in the back of the restaurant - full of toys and books - with coliseum type seating around the perimeter to provide parents with a view of their children and a place to set their beverage.  The pit buys you at least an hour of time - maybe more.  (That's like three hours in "toddler years.")




3.10.2012   Claire lovin herself some Uncle Kerry.  Good thing one of the adults is paying attention to her. 




3.10.2012 This is why you don't tell kids to say "cheese" before the photo.  Lotta teeth.  Not a lotta eye balls.    




3.14.2012  Summer Olympics 2020.  Bring It.




3.14.2012  She's got the "tada" part down. 




3.17.2012  This is "Larry" the Koosh Ball Leprechaun.  Uncle Jimmy hid him in the living room of my parents' house.  Once they found Larry, Stella and Claire each received a stuffed dog dressed like an Easter bunny and a small bag of gummy bears.  Just an obvious sign we have no idea how to celebrate this holiday if it doesn't involve green beer.  



3.17.2012  Oh wait, this is Larry the Koosh Ball Leprechaun.  My bad. 




3.20.2012  Beef Stew Deconstructed.  Whatever it takes to get a three year old to eat dinner, right?

 


3.23.2012  Ahhh...sun.  A rare sighting this month.  We took full advantage and spent over two hours at the park on Friday afternoon.  Notably, the girls did not whine once while we were there.  They did not bicker or otherwise exhibit any outward signs of frustration.  They played perfectly and problem solved patiently.  It made me wonder if, in addition to reducing the risk of various types of cancers and autoimmune disorders, Vitamin D might just make us all more tolerable, happier creatures.  To test this "profound" theory, I've decided to move to Santa Barbara.  I'll send postcards.



 


3.23.2012  Vitamin D might also be responsible for helping Stella overcome her intense fear of the playground bridge.  (That or the fact Claire was just rubbing it in her face - running back and forth squealing in delight while Stella quietly tapped her toe on the edge for five minutes.)

 




12.25.2012  Aunty Jordan bearing gifts from her recent trip to Hawaii.  Grass skirts, bikini tops and pooka shells.  Fabulous.  I have included a few shots from the fashion show below.  





3.31.2012 Swimming lessons.  Six weeks before this picture was taken, Stella and Albee wouldn't get in the pool without me or Beckie.  They wouldn't speak to the instructor, let alone put their face in the water.  Today, however, they hardly noticed their moms over in the bleachers.  They showed the teacher how to do a proper backfloat and blew bubbles without hesitation.  Here they are holding their "Tadpole" certificates and feeling quite proud of themselves.  They aren't ready for "Seahorses" anytime soon.  But, they made great progress.  Two weeks off then back at it ladies!