Clowning Around

Vake, Huff and Taren went to see a presentation at the library yesterday that included a clown and a reading of "If I Ran the Circus" The clown handed out red noses to everyone. Vake was a little suspicious of the clown which sort of surprises me. Hmmm. Shades of Santa Claus I think.

Abby Pony! Abby PONY!

We had a chance to go see Abby again on Friday- the chant of Abby Pony! Abby PONY! is frequently heard around our house! We have to brush Abby.

And get her ready!

And then we all get to ride.

Birthday Party Saturday!

One of Vake's friends from the Little Gym, Ellie, celebrated her second birthday today with an Elmo party, so Vake, Eric and I got to go!

Here's Vake carrying his present for the birthday girl!!!!
When he got there, a clown painted his hands with a truck and a train before lunch- what a treat!!!

Vake was very excited to see everything that was going on and really loved it when the clown made balloon animals!

Here's a snap of the birthday girl getting her cupcake.

Vake loved his- it looks like he has a black eye, but that's really just the paint from his hands that migrated to his face.

Delicious!

This is my child- he loves "ices" (icing) as much as I do!

And then the highlight- Elmo showed up!!! It was great.

Vake was a little suspicious, but warmed up enough to give Elmo a high-five and to dance with him a little.

Here's the highfive!

Whew! What a weekend!!!

Ohmygoodness!!! We were SO busy this weekend- and Mom's upstairs looks amazing.

Pictures to follow- I am so tired I am going upstairs to pass out.

Riding the bike.

Look at my big boy- he loves the bike that Gmary gave him for Christmas. On Sunday after church, we practiced riding outside in the beautiful beautiful weather.

He's still figuring out the pedals.
It is a little confusing.

And sometimes we get a little off balance.

But he's trying to figure it out!

Girl!!!!

Anne and Dennis got the great news today that they are having a LITTLE GIRL!!!!! How exciting. And probably evidence that the universe will foil those of us who thought we had a preference!!!!!

Anyway, what better way to celebrate that to go to KidsGrow- this cute cute cute consignment shop on the Northside. The woman who owns it knows that I have a sickness- she calls me anytime something smocked comes in in Vake's size. Now that we have a girl to buy for, it could be TROUBLE...

Cute little cherries on a tiny little bubble in blue striped seersucker.
Basically brandnew Willits "Freckles" shoes. LOVE THEM. Would buy them for MY fictional daughter.

Beautiful Rosalina smocked day gown. Look at the scalloped hem.

Cute top and pants set.

Check out the duck detailing. SO AMAZING....

Watermelons. Maybe for the Carytown Watermelon Festival????

For Baby "Dear"- get it? Dear?

Like Father, Like Son

Taren had today off (she was supposed to have the whole week off, but long story, her vacation's been postponed). Mom thank Goodness watched Vake so I didn't have to take the day off.

Here's what they were up to when I got home.

Vake had talked Gmary into skipping a nap and they were baking together.
You have to stir...

...and sometimes get help from Gmary...

...and mix...

...and add ingredients...

I mean, when did he get so big????

The good news is he was so worn out by all this excitement that he was in bed by 6:30....

Mother's Little Helper

Vake and I have had a long 24 hours- Eric had to go to Washington yesterday to go to a dinner and poor Vake figured out that Taren was about to go on vacation and had a super tough day yesterday. He was incredibly clingy and then of course I had a substitute babysitter last night and THEN the poor child had a substitute babysitter today because I had to work.

He did not sleep well last night and the nap today was a total wash. Talk about a LONG afternoon. Finally we gave up on sleeping and worked on cleaning- look at how sweet my helpful little helper is. He wiped down his kitchen repeatedly.

Mardi Gras and Abbypony

We wound up being so busy again this weekend. Today we went to our friend Stacy's Mardi Gras party. Vake was very into the mask she had given him to wear (we had to hide it from him after she gave it to him last weekend so it wouldn't be destroyed) and I got him to pose for a few pics this morning- although he's such a man on the move it was harder to achieve that you might guess... Here he is with Daddy.

And a few Abbypony shots from yesterday. Abby is the ultimate snack hound and she always wanders after Vake, thinking that he might be the source of a treat.

Abbypony gets lots of hugs- this pic gives you an idea of how petite Abby is.

My bigman rider.