I don't think it's ever been this nice on MY birthday...

And that would be because it hasn't. 80 degree record breaking temperatures and it was awesome. Jay and I took the afternoon off work, ate outside at a cafe down the street from our house, went back for Rosco and headed out to play bocce ball in a park at the end of our street, picked the kids up and had dinner outside at a restaurant in the village. And then, home for baskin robbins ice cream cake and presents. Was one of my best birthdays ever!

Daddy Makin Me Grumpy

That's what Hannah says whenever Jay is stern with her, it's quite amusing really. Jay tells her "no", and she makes that face from this picture and chokes out the words "Daddy Makin Me Grumpy". When Leah gets upset and she's ready to be over it, she says "Leah needs a hug". Girls. They are so ridiculous sometimes.

I Knew They Were My Children When....

Joseph started singing "Party rock is in the house tonight. Everybody just have a good time" while playing in the kitchen
Hannah did a happy dance at the dinner table when her food was placed in front of her
Leah gave a smirk when she thought she was about to get away with something

Underwear Test Drive

Hannah asked to wear underwear the other day and we told her if she kept pooping in the potty that we would let her try it. So every morning for four days in a row she went to the bathroom and asked if she could wear underwear and finally on Saturday we let her and Leah put on their pretty princess panties for the first time (Leah has also been practicing on the potty). They were both quite pleased with themselves, and stayed dry for the two hours they had them on (we switched back to diapers for the zoo and naps). This morning they started out with underwear again too, both said once that they had to go pee, and then both proceeded to pee there pants by lunchtime (not bad for our first run at it. For now this is only going to be a weekend thing, when we aren't in the car, when they aren't sleeping, when we aren't going somewhere. An underwear test drive if you will) Before Jay left for his trip he played tackle with everyone one night before bedtime. The kids have a blast (as does Rosco), and it may have ended with Leah and Joseph bonking heads, but everyone had a good time. Maybe Jay should get some pajamas with footies. Then it would be a really cool photo.

Strike a Pose

Hannah has been striking some interesting poses whenever the camera comes out. In the picture with Leah smiling Hannah is yelling "Cheeseburger!". Joseph may actually be saying Cheese in his pose with the soccer ball, and Leah is just giving me the "You're crazy mom" look when I was trying to capture the kids having fun in the play tunnel. This weekend they had lots of fun playing with Bubbie and Poppa (ah hah hah ha haaaah - which is what the girls came up with, like a little joke that no one else gets) while we helped Aunt Gina load her things onto the Uhaul to move back to Evanston for her new job. They made brownies, did some artwork (and if I'm not mistaken they did this without Leah coloring her tongue and Hannah tattooing her hands and feet which is usually what happens when I let them color while helping Joseph with his homework each week), Joseph did some connect the dot alphabet exercises, and of course there was some Scooby Do. (it would not be a weekend without any Scooby Do, though today Hannah expressed her desire to watch Spiderman instead). Jay's got the new tv all ready to go in so we're going to wrap up the weekend with a family room viewing of Megaminds with some popcorn and lemonade (which is Joseph's favorite drink, when we make it he stirs and then sticks his nose in the pitcher to see if it "smells ready").