Vivie's Lego song

I love this video.  It's cool because Vivie was completely unaware I was there the whole time.  So you get to see her as she normally is, not hamming it up for me.  She loves to sing whenever she's focused on a task ... be that coloring or pooping.  Here she's working on a drawing and singing the chorus to "The Saga Begins" by Weird Al Yancovic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcjgJSqSRU)

Finally ... SNOW!

Up until today ... Feb 29th ... Boston recorded only trace amounts of snow since the October storm.  Finally we got a few inches of wet snow to play in.  Nothing major, but we didn't complain.  

Vivie had fun following Pip's tracks to find him.  It really works!

Then they worked together to make and decorate this snowman, completely without any adult help!

She's Chompin' Brocco-leh!

Meg's first foray into broccoli was a hit!  Phil tried it out one night and she took down five huge spears brontosaurus style!

Battle Spell

Phil really is genius with Pip and his homework.  He's patient but persistent and often comes up with ways to make it fun for him.  Here was one awesome idea in action.  I like to call it "Battle Spell".  They'd each take time drawing elaborate battle scenes (they started as simple tanks, then evolved into ships, planes, helicopters, submarines and airships) and then Phil would write a sentence on the top portion of the board.  If Pip read it successfully, he could bomb Phil first.  Otherwise Phil would bomb him first.  Pip's earnest effort to draw a battle zone was impressive.  His glee when he read the sentence and bombed Phil filled all our buckets.

Here's a pic:

And a couple of videos.

Pip's Pictures

Pip has become adept at the camera.  Not the Droid one, the real Canon DSLR.  He snaps like 50 in a row, paparazzi style.  Here are some of his Lego!   (Not pictures are the bathroom shots which had to be deleted a resulted in a conversation about what we do not take pictures of.)

Cutie

Check out the bows Grammie put in Vivie's hair!

Created quite a few hams in the house.

Vivie's first Lego creation!

A spaceship with lots of captains!

Video binge

Lately the kids can't get enough of electronics.  The TV, the computer, video games, the Droids, and their Leap Pads.  Tired of swimming upstream (and knowing Grammie will not be defeated) we announced it was "Video Binge" day.  They could immerse themselves in the addictive screens to their hearts contents.  

After while, we were able to pry them away.  Here are some other activities that distracted them.

Chair rides:

Legos and dress up:

Making soft pretzels:

Tickling Megan:

Note the stiff arm!

And even a dance party.  Moms 1, Video Games 65389.

Strawberry mice

Never at a loss for ideas ... Grammy makes strawberry mice with Vivie.  Yum.  Even Meggie had one (which had peanut butter to stick on the raisin eyes, so we are happy to report she does not appear to have an allergy!)

 

Picking up Grammie

Grandma Bresler came to visit!  We were so excited to see her.  After getting her at baggage we went back upstairs to watch the planes a bit!

Sink or Swim

It's impossible to keep Meg away from the toys in this house now that she's walking.  She's persistent and she wants what you don't want her to have.  So we gave in.  Meg is gonna have to learn fast that these aren't edible.  Luckily, she seems to have accepted that fact.

Pip's spiral

I am not sure when or how, but one day I realized Pip can throw a spiral!  I seriously hope this Brady jersey was not the inspiration.  

On the run

This girl's gotta go!!  A few days ago we were impressed she could walk the room without falling.  Now she's turning this way and that as she goes, laughing all the way!  Go Meg!!

Angry Birds

Figured it was time to bring this up since we've been cooped inside for a while.  We set up the launcher on one side of the hot tub and then various set-ups for the pigs on the other. 

Here Vivie get ready...

Aims ...

Fires!

Pip had some serious sniper skills.

 An example of the pigs...

Here you can see how the music motivates:

Buddies

Does not matter how long these guys go without seeing each other.  They are besties everytime.