Daddyday - Oct. 26

Yesterday was another daddyday. We woke up early and decided we would take the kids to the conservatory at the Bellagio. However, before we made it downtown we made a detour to IHOP to sample the Pumpkin Pancakes. Sorry, I didn't get a picture of the pancakes because what kind of weirdo brings a SLR into IHOP?

We had a great time (both at IHOP and the garden). I highly recommend the display to anyone living here and if your looking for cheap food that is kid friendly, I recommend IHOP (not really).

There are a couple things I like about this picture. 1. The kids' faces. They were in complete amazement. 2. Do you see how Steve is holding my purse in the background. He's such a swell guy. He carried my bright-red, heavy purse around all morning so I could play with my camera.

I am sure my face looked like theirs when I saw the tree below.
This tree /fountain was amazing. They had 3 of them. They were made out of copper or bronze (I'm guessing) and had thousands of holes for the water to drip out. I have never heard ANYTHING replicate the sound of rain like these did. If I had money to spare I would buy one of these and place it in my living room.

Nothing like a nice, wet kiss from a 4-year-old!

Finally, there was this terrifying, horrific talking monster tree. I was so excited to show it to the kids and BOTH of them started crying when they saw it - before it even started talking! They definitely have the scardy cat genes that have been passed down from me! It was kind of cool, but now that I think about it kind of freaked me out, too.

perfect landing

Guess what happens when you are playing the lets-spin-and-get-really-dizzy-and-fall game and there are legos on the ground?

The lego wins.

I love...

his chocolate eyes,

her blue eyes

and how much they love each other.

Reenactment

There are certain milestones in childhood that are dreaded by parents. Clara reached one last night. I had a feeling that it was coming, but I was in denial.

Thomas was 2 1/2 when he learned how to climb out of the crib. I figured she was going to learn a lot sooner because I have caught her taking private lessons in secret from her big brother.

She was not too happy that I was making her demonstrate her new skill.

Or, maybe she wasn't too happy that I was standing in the room with my camera waiting for her to get out. She has not been a fan of the camera lately.

I must admit she has great agility. I was quite impressed with the strength in her upper body.
I'll add that she is very quite when she does it. One might even say she is stealth like.
Thomas and Clara are sharing a room right now and she did it twice while he was reading on his bed, he didn't even notice she had done it.
She doesn't make a thud when she gets out. I know this because I was in the office right under the bedroom last night. I usually hear every noise in their room, last night it was silent. She had a plan and she knew what she was doing.

She finished off her performance by sticking her hands in the air and saying "TA DA."

Come ON!!

I have never attempted to cut my kids' hair, or Steve's hair. I don't have enough courage to do it myself. I am always afraid that it will end up looking...well, kind of like it does in the picture.

I DID NOT do that. I actually paid someone to do that.

I think I need to rethink my position on cutting hair, because I am pretty sure I could have done a lot better than that.

Thank heavens her hair grows fast and thank heavens she's not old enough to have self esteem issues.

She's falling in love.

Clara has always been a Mommy's Girl. I am sure it has something to do with her nursing for a year and a half, or that I was the one to get up with her during the night, or just the fact that I am with her all day.

Recently, she has discovered how fun her Dad is.

She is always the first one to hear his truck pull in the driveway. As soon as she does, she starts yelling, "Daddy 'ome, Daddy 'ome!" She runs to him when he comes in the door and does her trademark scream / squeal. She hugs him, kisses him and screams some more - this time in his ear.

She still is my little shadow during the day, but I think Daddy is moving up the ranks. It's too cute to see the two of them together.

And I think he loves her just as much as she loves him.

Fro Grow '09

We are in the first week of Fro Grow 09. Thomas should have had his hair cut this past weekend, but he is growing it out for the next month. We are trying to grow the perfect accessory for his Halloween costume...

I am so excited to make this costume. I bought a pattern that I can modify last week, so I need to make a mock up before I make the real one. If anyone knows where I can find a large, gold square belt buckle, please do tell. I have been searching the internet but can't seem to find the right size. Steve says I need to use rollo wrappers and make my own. I would rather not, but if I can't find anything it may be my only out.

I also need to find a pair of bright yellow leggings (sz 4T or 5T). We are going to be in Washington for Halloween and I think the weather will require something warmer than tights. Maybe I should just dye some long-johns yellow. Any ideas?

My little bathing beauty.

I was recently introduced to the blog momtog. I love it! I have learned quite a bit from her entries and was thirlled to get this picture today of Clara, shot in manual mode. I am finally getting the aperature / ISO / shutter thing figured out. For any of you wanting to get off automatic mode, give it a read.