The Zoo!!

The streak of great weather continues! Today we met Liz and Susan's clans at the Stone Zoo. I think it was our best ever outing there. All the animals were out romping (or lazing) in the sun. Plus Pip and Vivie showed at least some mild interest in actually looking at them. It wasn't long before they were playing hide and seek and climbing games all over the place, but at least no one tried to stick their fingers in the cages!

Here we are about to go in. I think the first pic of Pip harassing Nick explains why Nick may be crying in the next shot. Oops.

Bungee cords -- FOUND

The spring weather meant lots of yard work and (thank goodness) the full-out cleaning of our cars. This led to the discovery of several lost bungee cords. You should have seen the glee in Pip's eyes when he was reunited with his long lost pals.

He promptly hooked a chain of cords from the air vents to the freezer door and tried to figure out how to close the freezer this way.


Giving up on that, he attached himself to Vivian who felt this was a fabulous idea.


Phil wanted in on the action and soon he was also tethered to Pip and being yanked around the house.


I think I need to hide these things again before someone gets hurt!

Sleeping In?

Phil and I usually switch off sleeping in on weekends. But this isn't working for me lately. Vivie tends to freak out if she can't see me immediately upon waking up. So, ok, Phil will bring her in for a quick hello. This is intended to be terse, ending in Phil whisking her away for a happy breakfast while I roll back to sleep. Problem is, I have Vivie's cute factor working against me. Obviously, she has no intention of being swept away. She purrs and cuddles with me until I'm fully awake ...



And then gives me this look until I relent and go downstairs with her. So now no one is sleeping in around here!

Pip is all to happy to reap the benefits of this problem. With Phil and I both up early and our first sunny day (45 degree temp!!) we quickly motivated and hit the sidewalk in our stroller.

Soon we were gallivanting all over the Melrose Commons park. Sandbox, Swings, Special Deliveries (of sticks to the playhouse), Rocking Planes, Slides, .... you get the point.

I guess early mornings aren't so bad as long as the sun is shining!

Picture Day!

We seem to have missed the last two picture days at school so we made sure not to miss this one. Pip got to pick out his outfit and we found a dress with long sleeves for Vivie. She looks so different in a dress!! Both were very happy to smile for their pictures. Let's hope they come out ok!

Clicka-Clicka, Clicka-Clicka

Aunt Jenny gave Vivie this pusher that makes a serene clicka-clicka sound when you push it. Phil was in the shower one morning getting ready for work when he noticed hearing it over and over. He got out to find Vivian enthralled with it in the hallway. She kept pushing it back and forth, listening to the sound. Great present!!

Books, Books, and more Books

Have I mentioned Vivie likes to whine and cry when she doesn't get her way???

So the only way I've figured to deal with this at least once-daily occurrence is to put her in her crib. She generally wears herself out quickly enough and peace is (at least temporarily) restored. Today was no different. Except the afterwards. Pip was upstairs and I noticed it was very quiet. Vivie stopped crying quickly and didn't seem to care whether I retrieved her or not.

I went to investigate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itNW8XubHqQ

Is it Spring yet?

We're stir crazy around here!!! Vivian found Pip's rain boots and decided to try her hand at putting them on. (BY MYSELF!!). This was not her first attempt and usually it ends in disaster. But she let me fold up her pant-legs which gave her just enough leverage to find the straps and yank them on. BY HERSELF!! Now we just need it to climb above freezing so we'll have puddles.