Monday, March 9, 2009
Seriously, this better be the last snow
Pip was the only person in New England happy about this last snow. He made some snowballs, shoveled his heart out, and plunked down in it for snow angels.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Abundant energy
Pip and I hosted his first playdate with friends from school. We had a blast with Isabelle, Drew, Natan, and Morgan this afternoon. Pip was thrilled and basically spend two and a half hours at full speed. One would think this would have tired him out, but apparently he had some more energy to burn before bed.
How better to spend it than couch jumping.
This was dangerous, but not quite as bad as the angle makes it seem. While he did clear her, rest assured we explained that jumping over Vivian was perhaps not a good idea going forward.
Pip had some suspicions that Daddy may have pooped. An interesting discussion took place.
How better to spend it than couch jumping.
This was dangerous, but not quite as bad as the angle makes it seem. While he did clear her, rest assured we explained that jumping over Vivian was perhaps not a good idea going forward.
Pip had some suspicions that Daddy may have pooped. An interesting discussion took place.
Pip decided to check:
Vivian is just cute.
PARK!!!
Finally we reached the park after a long, cold, snowy winter. In truth, Pip and I tried to go a few weeks back, but everything was still covered in snow and it was not too fun. This time it was much much better. Pip dove into the sand box without hesitation and spent equal time covetting the dump truck a younger boy had and marveling at the castle building skills of an older boy.
Vivian got in on the action. I wasn't too keen on this since the sand was wet and cold and the thought of what bacteria might be swimming in it as she stuffed it into her mouth was unsettling.
Vivian got in on the action. I wasn't too keen on this since the sand was wet and cold and the thought of what bacteria might be swimming in it as she stuffed it into her mouth was unsettling.
Can I eat this?
Pip persevered until the younger boy had to leave then pounced on the truck.
Later Pip showed his prowess on the swings and Vivian bravely followed suit.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Back in the groove
Well it's back to life in the tundra. We were welcomed home by a nice coating of snow, but our neighbors having dug us out certainly made it easier to take.
Here's Phil's report for his first morning getting the kids back at school:
Pip started making noise around 6:45. He was calling out for mommy, daddy, anyone who would listen. I croaked that it wasn't time to get up yet, so he chattered away in bed until 7. He was in a cheerful mood and immediately ran off to have dinner...uh..breakfast. He wasn't too interested in my offerings, and finally agreed to strawberry yogurt. He
then rejected that and asked for the other one (blueberry). Overall, he didn't eat that much. He was more interested in Thomas videos and his trains. Viv was squeaking by now, so we got her squared away. She had a pretty good breakfast and then got busy crawling around after Pip. Later in the morning, Pip disappeared for a while. I eventually found him in the downstairs bathroom attempting to open the package of cookies from JetBlue. He had been working on it for some time since the package was all crumpled up. He promised to be a gentleman for the rest of the morning, so I opened it up and give him one. We got loaded up without further incident and headed to school. On the way, Pip was excited to tell his friends all about his trip. At school, everyone was happy to see the kids and asked
about the trip. Pip told James about the big sandcastle that kept the water out and Isabelle about the airplane ride. Amy was already there (I don't usually see her in the morning), so Viv was excited out of her pants to say hello.
At pickup I learned that both Pip and Viv had great days and were very happy to be with their friends again. Cynthia was duly impressed by Pip's easy reintegration into the classroom, as I guess it is typical for kids to struggle a bit after vacation.
In other news, Vivian is 100% out of her swaddle even at naps (she was clinging onto it at school for some time) and eating only finger foods. She hates being fed now, preferring to do it herself. I am trying to remember what foods I can give her but so far she loves bananas, macaroni and cheese, peas, and baby goldfish. She's luke warm on hot dogs. Not so hot at all about avocados.
Here's Phil's report for his first morning getting the kids back at school:
Pip started making noise around 6:45. He was calling out for mommy, daddy, anyone who would listen. I croaked that it wasn't time to get up yet, so he chattered away in bed until 7. He was in a cheerful mood and immediately ran off to have dinner...uh..breakfast. He wasn't too interested in my offerings, and finally agreed to strawberry yogurt. He
then rejected that and asked for the other one (blueberry). Overall, he didn't eat that much. He was more interested in Thomas videos and his trains. Viv was squeaking by now, so we got her squared away. She had a pretty good breakfast and then got busy crawling around after Pip. Later in the morning, Pip disappeared for a while. I eventually found him in the downstairs bathroom attempting to open the package of cookies from JetBlue. He had been working on it for some time since the package was all crumpled up. He promised to be a gentleman for the rest of the morning, so I opened it up and give him one. We got loaded up without further incident and headed to school. On the way, Pip was excited to tell his friends all about his trip. At school, everyone was happy to see the kids and asked
about the trip. Pip told James about the big sandcastle that kept the water out and Isabelle about the airplane ride. Amy was already there (I don't usually see her in the morning), so Viv was excited out of her pants to say hello.
At pickup I learned that both Pip and Viv had great days and were very happy to be with their friends again. Cynthia was duly impressed by Pip's easy reintegration into the classroom, as I guess it is typical for kids to struggle a bit after vacation.
In other news, Vivian is 100% out of her swaddle even at naps (she was clinging onto it at school for some time) and eating only finger foods. She hates being fed now, preferring to do it herself. I am trying to remember what foods I can give her but so far she loves bananas, macaroni and cheese, peas, and baby goldfish. She's luke warm on hot dogs. Not so hot at all about avocados.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Florida: Day 7
Our last day was spent packing up and saying our goodbyes. Mom helped us organize and entertained Pip and Viv as we packed up. Pip was sad she wasn't coming on the plane, but he was excited to go home and watch his Thomas and Fireman Sam videos at home (Uncle Mike does not have those).
Pip was Mr. Cool on the plane ride home. Viv only slept about an hour and much preferred charming the various men all around her. It was quite funny because we were surrounded by these burly, grouchy looking men (probably returning from Rugger-fest, hungover and tired). Viv kept standing up on me and peering back at them. They had their earpods in or were sleeping, but she persisted in smiling and cooing, undeterred. Eventually I looked back to find them waving and smiling back at her. I swear this girl could charm the pants off Osama.
If you didn't get enough pics here, our full album is available here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200902February?authkey=Gv1sRgCKHL8rjjycilLg&feat=directlink
And the videos are here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9BB9DA4B4113C814
Pip was Mr. Cool on the plane ride home. Viv only slept about an hour and much preferred charming the various men all around her. It was quite funny because we were surrounded by these burly, grouchy looking men (probably returning from Rugger-fest, hungover and tired). Viv kept standing up on me and peering back at them. They had their earpods in or were sleeping, but she persisted in smiling and cooing, undeterred. Eventually I looked back to find them waving and smiling back at her. I swear this girl could charm the pants off Osama.
If you didn't get enough pics here, our full album is available here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200902February?authkey=Gv1sRgCKHL8rjjycilLg&feat=directlink
And the videos are here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9BB9DA4B4113C814
Monday, March 2, 2009
Florida: Day 6
On our last day we decided to break out the saw and hammer and check out some coconuts. Pip loves the tools. 
We got a video too:
As it was our last day to go to the beach, we took one last trip. It was on the brisk side but bundled up we were warm and cozy. This time I got to play sand castle with Pip while Daddy hung with Vivster.
We got a video too:
As it was our last day to go to the beach, we took one last trip. It was on the brisk side but bundled up we were warm and cozy. This time I got to play sand castle with Pip while Daddy hung with Vivster.
We took a walk to the pier and Pip got his feet and pants wet. He was not exactly down with that.
The pier is home to some aggressive pelicans that gave me a bit of a scare about 10 seconds after I took this shot.
We FINALLY got a family photo!!
Pip loves to grab our camera whenever he can to take pictures. Despite our best attempts to convince him otherwise, he holds it backwards. Here he also had it on video, and the result is pretty funny:
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Florida: Day 5
Sunday was a day to visit friends and family. We started with a visit to Cara's home, where Mike taught Pip how to fish. Pip was well intrigued by this, but alas nothing was biting that day.
Later we enjoyed a very nice lunch with Mom at her friend Barbara's house. Pip especially loved rolling down her hill out back:
On the way home, Pip was tired and whiny, and got annoyed that Vivian was talking. He responds to this by yelling at her, which she translates as talking to her. She talks back and this only makes him more angry. It is quite funny. We tried to get a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv-WZqEhoeM
Later we enjoyed a very nice lunch with Mom at her friend Barbara's house. Pip especially loved rolling down her hill out back:
On the way home, Pip was tired and whiny, and got annoyed that Vivian was talking. He responds to this by yelling at her, which she translates as talking to her. She talks back and this only makes him more angry. It is quite funny. We tried to get a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv-WZqEhoeM
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