Dirt

The girls love getting thier fingernails dirty. They love mud. They love dirt. In one day we have already changed a total of six outfits (3 per kid). Actually including mom and dad that would be a total of ten outfits in one single day. No wonder the laundry is piling up.






It was hot today. Summer hot and it is April. After a long winter we are not complaining about the heat. Just simply stating a fact. It was hot. The thermometers read 90. So we did what all families would do in the middle of the summer. We busted out the pool and let the girls play. It was very amusing. The dogs who were also hot. So they did what all good dogs do. They went to the pool and started drinking. Thinking it was funny Charlotte did the same. Then Maeve thought it was funny and also joined in the fun. Face down to the water, tounge out, lapping up dirty kiddie pool water. Our house is becoming a sitcom. Seriously, the best hollywood writers would have a hard time with the non-stop comedy happening here.












Proof in point. Our neighborhood has the worlds largest and longest slide. Seriously this thing put the sketchy carnival slides that you slide down riding on a burlap bag to shame. Where it came from who knows? but it's behind the school and we just found it this year. Dad rode with Charlotte. Charlotte rode alone. Dad rode with Maeve. Luckily there were no accidents to report. As of yet. But I will bet anything that by summer someone will have a slide injury. Most likely it will be dad.







Then there was the corn incident. Nothing screams comedy like an 11 month old with barely any teeth trying to eat corn. Try as she might, she wasnt able to get much off of the cobb. When she was done she threw it on the floor and Oliver our dog started eating it.

Cousin It

We found cousin it in the bathtub. We aren't sure where she came from but she is ours now.



When she is not in the bath she is climbing on everything. She isn't walking yet, but she is climbing and sort of talking. She says Mom and Dad and Dog, and Mine. And Book. Although when she says Book she signs Milk. Yeah, its a little confusing but we have her figured out.

Team Strength

Today friends, family, and loved ones walked with Shelby in support of her fight with Multiple Sclerosis. For the second year we were able to raise over $2900 in our contribution to help find a cure. While Shelby's Team Strength wasn't the top fund raising team (I think we ended up 7th), we all did our part in helping to try to achieve the $110,000 goal for the Nashua walk. So far, fund raising has brought in almost $75,000. Most importantly we showed our support and understanding for a disease with no cure and no real treatment.

The rain held off, the weather was warm enough to wear shorts, and the 3 miles went by quickly. Everyone brought their kids and we all had fun walking together. Unfortunately we had a couple of people me missed taking pictures of. One being Shelby. Then there was Paul, Jena (with fetus) and Marin. And Jess. And Uncle Bill.

Aunt Becky, Hanna, and Uncle Bill drove from NY to support Shelby. Thank you guys so much.


Lisa, Ryan, Colin, Brenden, and Denise drove from MA to support Shelby. Such great friends.


Kelly and Adrie joined in the walk.


Last year Maeve was in mom's belly (and Kelly and Lisa were also pregnant).Now Maeve gets to see where she walked as a fetus.


Charlotte and her friend Ava getting ready to walk (although they ran most of it).


Dad getting some squeezes from Charlotte before the walk.


Scott & Harrison (and Jess not pictured) participated.


Ava looking stunning in bright orange.


Charlotte and Ava frolicking.


The Walk


After the walk we had a little BBQ back at the homestead. It was so nice to see the kids play together. They all got along great. However there were a few incidents. Charlotte fell down the stairs. Oliver (the wheaton) almost attacked Sampson (the black lab) who jumped the fence into our back yard full of kids. Colin got hit with a plastic wheel barrow. Kelly got her shoes wet retrieving a ball that was thrown deliberately over the fence. Marin stuck her hand on Abigails bum which happened to have some poop on it. And Lisa put Brenden's legs in one pant leg.


We feel the same way Marin


One day difference in age.


Maeve


Adrie


Maeve


Adrie



No real need for the last few pictures except they were so cute (and mom took them). Again we would like to thank everyone who donated and those who walked with us. We love you and look forward to next year...and yes we will have t-shirts made for the adults and kids that join us!

Its a sweep

This weekend was the annual Easter Bonnet contest our town put on. We started going when Charlotte was 14 months old. Dad, Thinking her Easter bonnet was a little bland, decided to decorate it a little with some grass and eggs. Oh and a small stuffed Easter bunny perched on top. Nothing too fancy, but cute. Needless to say we won the Easter Bonnet contest. Thus began our quest to outdo the competition year after year.

Last year dad spent about an hour on her bonnet. Decorating it with eggs and flowers and ribbon. Very cute. And yes we won for the 2nd time. However, the competition had caught on and soon everyone was decorating the hats with Easter goodies.

This year. Well this year dad spent a few hours on the bonnet. Using wire and butterflies and flowers and eggs. Pain stakingly creating his masterpiece, knowing the whole town was out to unseat his reign as champ. He spent an hour finding the perfect dress to match the bonnet. Charlotte practiced her marching and bowing. Then it was show time.



Looking around at the bonnets, dad and Charlotte realized how fierce the competition was. A shark bonnet, a bonnet with a sand castle on it. A gigantic bonnet with more Easter stuff on it then one kid could possibly carry. Then there was Charlotte with her butterflies floating around her head. And of course dear Maeve with her bonnet which she fought to keep off her head with every ounce of energy. With two daughters, he only had increased his chances of winning.





Unfortunately Maeve did not win. Next year will be her year. However Miss Charlotte did win and won big. A blue ribbon and a giant stuffed bunny were her takes. She was exstatic. And of course her father was as well. He is already plotting for next years competition. Wondering how he is going to keep the live baby chicks on the bonnet.
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