Kevin and the Engine

Here is a picture of Kevin and a very large plane engine.  He had the cool picture of the week.  At work he is working on a "re-engining" project and got to go and talk to some of the contractors and see some of the things they do.  I can't really explain it all, but I know it is very expensive and since he is the cost chief he should know!

The sun came out at the end of a cold week.  I mean cold in a few ways, we were all battling the cold, and it was cold.  In this picture below it does look like they are playing together nicely, but a few moments later there was tears and crying with who would be playing with the wagon. 
The object of the week was an orange and blue Dora soccer ball, and it was Daniel's favorite pick of the week.  I think kids just like anything that is a ball.  He got mad when it got dirty, maybe he is not quite ready for organized soccer, but it is funny to see what he is concerned about.  Rachel did get her own princess ball, and loved it just as much.  
The two pictures below seem to summarize my week with Rachel.  She was pretty clingy and sometimes it is hard when you are in the middle of something to take care of a persistent child.  I think taking pictures of her like this helped me to smile at these moments especially when I need to smile and not get mad.  I keep trying to remember that the kids are not this young for long, and these moments that were difficult now will be fondly remembered later.  (Thanks Mom for continually reminding me!)

Other than that we were blessed with a bunch of cute spring and summer clothes for Rachel and the upcoming season, and Kevin is going out and getting our taxes done today.  We usually do Turbo Tax, but with the property in NH we wanted to be sure we were doing things right.  I think March will come in like a lion and out like a lamb.  

Mini-Van!

The big thing this week is that we found a Mini-Van.  We did end up finding a good price on a Honda Odyssey, it is a 2004 with only 43K miles on it.  Hardly broken in.  I was a little sad saying good-bye to our "Blue Car", our Ford Escape treated us well for the most part, but it was time to go.  I am looking forward to all the trips and extra space we will have, and the automatic car starter is a nice bonus on these cold mornings.  We just need a big Virginia Tech decal or something to distinguish it from all the other Odyssey's out there, but we are happy.  Daniel now says hi to the new van, and asks how it is doing.   

Other than that, it was business as usual around here.  Kevin has been pretty busy at work, the kids have kept me busy at home, and I am just waiting for the warmer weather.  Today was our last day of the swim lessons, and overall it was good.  I think by the last one Rachel just started to warm up to the idea of swimming, but Daniel was all about it right from the start.   

Enjoy the last week of February!

The Mushroom Man

Now I don't know who the Mushroom Man is, but anytime Daniel is acting out a big mean character, he starts calling it the Mushroom man.  For example, we have a puzzle we are putting together and Daniel comes up to the puzzle pieces, takes a few and starts playing like they were little action figures.  He gets in a low playful tone and says "Mushroom Man, Arrrggg".  He repeats this with puzzle pieces, cars, shoes, whatever he thinks the Mushroom Man is at that moment.  Pretty interesting game.

Rachel is entering the slightly more difficult stage.  This is where she is just tall enough to reach on tables or counters or just find a way to create mayhem in general.  The harder part for me is realizing that she needs discipline.  I feel like I didn't recognize it in Daniel soon enough, but I am realizing I need to work on discipline a little earlier with her, lucky her.  Although when did the kids get old enough that they needed the discipline?  

This is the face that Rachel enjoys making and it is funny when she does it.  

Kevin has a four day weekend this weekend and we are just relaxing on this Valentine's Day.  I like the four day weekends. I got a haircut today, thanks Jenny for the recommendations and help, and the kids have only one more swim lesson to go.  I will be sort of happy to have that Saturday morning back, but we are all usually up around 7 anyways.  

This is the best way I could figure to get the ultrasound picture on the blog.  There is the little guy with his little profile.  We took Daniel and Rachel in during the ultrasound and Daniel was only slightly interested, he kept repeating that it is a boy, and Rachel was having too much fun with the equipment in the room. But none the less, there he is!!

It's a...

Boy!

And we are very sure about that.  I have a bunch of great pictures, but I am not sure if our scanner is compatible with our Mac so it will be a little before we can show you.  But until then, he is a healthy, wiggly, baby boy.  

Through the eyes of a toddler

This week I gave Daniel a chance to walk around the house and take some pictures.  See the above.  It was funny to watch my little photographer walk around and take pictures of what he thought was important.  He got a good one of Rachel, some of his parents, some of his fire engine, a lot just of his feet.  I think it is too bad we don't remember much about that age, I think toddlers are pretty happy and care free.  

Other than those I don't have too many pictures from this week.  The camera's batteries have been not charging as well, and I just haven't brought my camera with me as much as I usually do.  If I did I would show you the kids holding hands in the mall as I try to find ways to keep them from running away from me, the kids visiting with some friends this week, and the joy they find in Jello.  We were out this weekend and bought Daniel a Mac truck from the movie cars, and thought he would be so excited.  It was just the cab and not the trailer.  He was so sad Mac didn't have his trailer with him, and was pretty upset about the toy in general.  Mental note:  Daniel enjoys things that are whole.  

In other news we do find out the sex of the baby this week and will keep you guys posted.  I had  a random woman in the grocery store tell me I was having a boy, so we shall see in a few days.  In the mean time we need to get outside and enjoy this 50 degree weather, I don't think it will last long, but I am glad the ice outside our door is at least melting.  And we are contemplating getting a Honda Odessey, we see a lot of folks out there with one, any thoughts on it? 

Toothpaste

Did you know that toothpaste can take out a few day old washable marker on a table?And  you would think washable marker would be more washable, but I guess not after a few days.  Put some toothpaste on the marker, leave it there for five minutes, scrub and scrub, and it does a pretty good job.