Austin hanging out...

Caroline in her "uniform" for the past week. (She has either insisted on wearing her new ruffle twirly skirt, leotard, and tights everyday; or has snuck back to her room to change into them if wearing something else.)

Clayton's infectious smile

Caroline "dancing ballet"

The Boos...

Post baby body...

This entry is for my disciplined, exercise-every-day sister.
Since I got pregnant with Caroline, I have put exercise on the back burner (with the exception of running after toddlers and running up and down the stairs to retrieve sippy cups, lovies, lost socks, diapers, etc.) I never have been a "gym person" and have never done yoga or any of that stuff. I used to run and do some sit-ups. That's about it. Well, Austin is going to be baptized in a month, so I tried on a dress I haven't worn in several years that I would like to wear for the ceremony. Um...Right... Poor Kevin tried his best to zip the dang thing. "Is it close to being zipped?" "Um...No. Zipped would be like this..." he said as he pulled both sides together like Scarlet's maid trying to fasten her corset. Not even close.
I think I have some work to do. I dusted off an old Pilates DVD that I bought right before getting pregnant with Caroline and never ended up trying.
Riiiggghhhtttt. Kevin almost peed himself while watching me try to do a push-up and again as I collapsed to the floor while Patty Pilates did another 20 reps of some seemingly easy exercise.
(Again, Meredith - you would have been crying with laughter as I attempted to do these Pilates poses.) Not only am I morbidly inflexible, but also totally uncoordinated and incredibly out of shape. Do I still get credit for trying? Time will tell if I can get on a program to do this at least a few times a week. Will it be in time to get in my dress? Probably not. I did just make red velvet cupcakes after all, and sometimes sugar = sanity!

Lincoln Park Zoo

On Tuesday, BB and I took the kids to the Lincoln Park Zoo. We got to go with Tia Erica and Godsisters Sofia and Eva!

Here they are looking at the farmyard animals (and typical Clayton, more interested in the rocks then what we were there to see!)

mudcups

We had our neighbor Emily over to make "mud cups" (a springtime kid dessert made with chocolate pudding, crushed oreos, and gummy worms.)

Mmmmmm...

Random thoughts...by Caroline Scott

Here are a few tidbits I heard from Caroline today in the car (and keep in mind, we weren't talking about anything related to any of these things.)...

"When I get bigger and bigger, I get to have a wedding and get married...I want to marry Daddy."

"Where do reindeer tinkle and poop?"


And here are a few things out of Clayton's mouth today (and almost every day)...

"I put the broom away." (He's obsessed with brooms and loves to take them out and put them away , again and again. Then he likes to talk about getting them and putting them away...again and again."



"See the drain...See the other drain". He's now obsessed with drains. Those big rainwater drains in the middle of streets or parks, sink drains, bathtub drains, etc. While at BB's house today, we found him in the tub (fully clothed) so he could get closer to that drain. I also have found him headfirst and feet dangling in our kitchen sink exploring that drain on multiple occasions. This kid is a hoot!

Other springtime events...

Caroline's school-end picnic...

Austin smiling and cooing to the camera...

The "big" kids planting seeds...

Austin snuggling with Daddy

Memorial Day Cookout (9 kids three-and-under!)

Clayton gets inked

Clayton got into a little trouble with a pen today. Hopefully this is the closest he ever gets to actually getting inked.

B&W

There is just something about pictures of a baby in black and white that are so endearing...

Austin is growing!

Austin growing with Mr. Bear at 2 months
Look at how much he's changed in 1 month!


Austin at 1 month


Sleeping in his Bundle blanket

With big sister Caroline

the pool!

We had a "preview of summer" sunny day yesterday, so we broke out the baby pool. The kids had a blast playing in the water!

Happy Birthday BB!

Last day of school

Today was Caroline's last day of school. I can't believe that my little girl has finished
her first year of school. In a lot of ways, time really has flown. My little girl is growing up!

Bible quote of the day

"We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him. " 1 Samuel 1:27

And why is this the quote of the day?
My sister Meredith and her husband Dan are expecting their first baby!!!! We are all SSOOOOOO excited!!!!!

Clayton's shenanigans

I don't know if it is because he is a boy, or if it is just his big personality developing, but Clayton is into everything! Let's see...what are his latest shenanigans...
- shaking the dustbuster to get the crumbs out and then eating them (I caught him in the act and quickly removed it from his possession. I can't even imagine the concoction of disgustingness that he was eating. So gross.)
- Sticking his finger in the sauce of his pizza and then smearing one line on one cheek and another line on his other. He was very deliberate about the one line on each cheek. He looked like a little indian. And where did he learn to put on warpaint? I have NO idea. It's not like we watch cowboys & indians programming. ?!?
- Stealing the diaper cream and rubbing it on his cheeks while smiling and saying "LOTION!"
(and of course diaper cream is thick and sticky and very hard to wash off. )
- sneaking into the pantry and pulling out just about anything in a box and then trying to cram as much of the food into his mouth as he can before getting caught.

videos of the boys

Clayton counting to 13 + 18

Austin smiling

The big kids and their green hats (and, of course, the broom)

Spring Sing

Here is Caroline at her school spring sing.

I love this baby!

I just love this little muffin! His sweet little face just melts my heart!

Wow...are all these kids really mine?

Austin turns 6 weeks!

Austin turned 6 weeks old and now knows how to smile. His whole face lights up and it absolutely melts my heart every time I see it.

He looks so peaceful when he sleeps. (He, of course, LOVES to sleep while being held. He is definitely a snuggler.)

It's kind of funny. I don't know where he picked it up, but Clayton only calls him by his full name now. "Austin Michael!" he'll exclaim when he sees him. Speaking of Clayton, he has been my little "crash cargo" lately. His poor forehead is covered in bruises- old and new. He is constantly crashing head first into door frames, chairs, walls, toys, etc. He is also obsessed with yanking the tubes out of my breast pump, playing with the vacuum, swiffer, and broom and dragging them EVERYWHERE (I hope a career in the custodial arts is not in his future!), and throwing a ball (yes - about the only toy he actually plays with for more than 2 seconds.)

Godsisters Sofia and Eva turn TWO! We went to their birthday party last week and had tons of fun!

For really cute pictures of the girls and their party, check out Erica's blog - http://www.thecapdovas.blogspot.com/
(For some reason, I am having trouble copying a few of her pics onto my site!)