Tea time!

For snack time, I tried to get a little creative with the kids. Claire was excited about wearing a costume and we made crowns for Ash and Ave. (Ash did not like his.) They all enjoyed drinking out of the cups and all the little snacks.

Unfortunately, the party was crashed by an univited guest who settled in my teacup.

Peach time!

The time to harvest peaches has come! As tempted as we have been to tether one of the pups to the base of the tree to keep the squirrels at bay, we have actually been able to harvest quite a few. Claire is extremely excited about it and enjoys collecting them in the bowl as well as pointing out which ones need to be picked. Avery and Claire have enjoyed eating a few but Asher is not too thrilled with them. Maybe he will receive them better when they are baked in a cobbler... or made into ice cream... or baked in a bread...

My, how they've grown...

The twins are now 22 months old, which is the same age that Claire was when they were born. It's amazing to think of how young she was when they came into this world and how much all 3 of them have grown.

Just this afternoon, I watched Claire put Asher into timeout for eating rocks. She was a mini-mommy to the tee! Even more funny was how Asher listened and obeyed her. Avery is into all of Claire's toys and enjoys a good battle when she reclaims them.

Asher and The Alphabet

For about 2 months now, Asher has been OBSESSED with letters. He can identify and say all 26 (OK, so H sounds like S and R is more Ur sounding, but he is consistent!).

Some funny things I hope I can always remember...

- Alphabet books, specficially Alphabet Mystery by Audrey and Don Wood
- Saying, "C, C, C" when his spaghetti noodle fell into the shape of the letter (meanwhile, I'm looking around thinking, "What does he see?")
- Biting into his sandwich and saying, "L", when indeed it made the shape of the letter L.
- Holding up his straw @ lunch and announcing "L" and then turning it upside down and saying "F"
- Reading letters in the newspaper upside at breakfast
- Turning his head and trying to get a better look at letters
- making letter sounds too
- spelling out anything he san see: "A-r-t-s-a-n-d-l-i-f-e."
- demanding letters be written on the sidewalk with chalk

Pretty Morning Out and About

What wonderful weather we have had for Gran's visit! Who would've thought we would need long sleevs and pants in May? Oh well! After playing outside all day yesterday, we hit the arboretum this morning for Family Fun Mondays. The kids enjoyed the petting zoo and Claire got her face-painted a purple tiger. (She promptly wiped it off in the car though...) We're taking Gran back to the airport this afternoon, so the visit is drawing to a close.

Dancing Queen!

Claire's 1st dance recital is this wknd. She had the dress rehearsal yesterday, pictures today, and tomorrow is the real thing. Gran flew in from Miami to share this experience. Claire was cute on stage-- I mean, she is 3 years old, right? : )

A Rare Event...

All 3 children... sitting still... next to each other... looking at the camera... camera captures all 3... I do believe in miracles!

Beaver's Bend State Park, OK (the only dry portion of the trip)