In case you were wondering...

....yogurt doesn't make your hair soft and shiny.




but it sure tastes yummy!

Brush, brush, brush

We have been working hard on brushing our teeth since our dentist visit. Elmo even gets his eyeballs brushed. I guess they kind of do look like teeth..

Swim time

Charlton was in Seattle for a conference last Thursday through Sunday. We all missed him, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time off from work. It was great to have some uninterrupted time at home and with the kids. I didn't cook for 5 nights straight, a record, I think! I organized their toys and threw away two garbage bags full of trash. I checked out some good books from the library and enjoyed reading in the evenings, and just catching up on some rest.

We got a coupon in the mail for a free visit our neighborhood athletic club and pool. I was so happy Saturday was warm enough for us to visit their pool, and pleasantly surprised that the outdoor pool was heated! I am a wimp about swimming in Colorado because the air is so dry, it has to be almost 90's for me to feel like it is comfortable to swim. Saturday there was quite a breeze, so we did freeze when we got out of the water, but when we were submerged, it felt great.

I couldn't get any actual swimming pictures because I was in the water with my two little fish, but we had a wonderful time together. Rylan actually went down the water slide by himself which made me so proud and Caroline even spent some time without her water wings, until I decided she had swallowed enough pool water for the day.

Getting ready for the pool.

Notice the lovely bruise on Caroline's cheek. She managed to fall and hit her face in almost the same place two days in a row.

The kids were popsicles at this point and glad to snuggle in their towels and warm up in the sun.

Friends

I watched my friend Carrie's girls on Friday night. Brooke and Hailey are almost exactly the same ages as my kids and really play well together. We ate dinner, walked to the park, and then crashed at home with a movie until Carrie came back. I was tired, but it really went much more smoothly than I expected.

Rylan gets along great with Brooke, but I wasn't expecting this display of affection when they all piled on the couch together for a movie.

I had to get a picture of four kids under 4 sitting still at the same time. They were totally mesmerized by a Cedarmont kids preschool music video. Brooke knew all the songs so she would sing along, and at one point, both she and Rylan were dancing to the music. I wish I could have gotten it on video because it was so hilarious.

You know you have a(n almost) two year old when...

....your pictures start looking like this! One second ago, both kids were standing at the top of the stairs looking adorable. As soon as I whipped out the camera, this is what happens. Thanks to Rylan for being so sweet and cooperative.

The war prayer

Charlton and I usually pray with Rylan before bed. Usually we try to thank God for at least one thing, ask Him one request, and think of something to ask for forgiveness. Last night, Rylan asked me to pray the "war prayer."

"I'm sorry, buddy," I replied, "but I don't know that prayer" thinking it must be some kind of special father/son bonding prayer Charlton had started with Rylan.

"You know, mom, the one that goes 'hallowed be your name' and 'give us our bread."

Pony tail

It only stays fixed for about 5 minutes, but isn't she adorable? All that cuteness sure helps since Caroline has officially turned "two" this week. I know her birthday isn't until November, but she has just started acting her age. Oh, the screams and fits! It is a little hard not to smile at her fury when she scrunches up her face, turns red, clenches her fists, and yells her meanest insult, "Go away!" Today she threw an impressive fit at the playground, screaming, flopping on her face in the mulch and even waving the arms and legs. I am definitely in for it....