Praying

We are trying to teach Lottie some basic prayers. Adam is "helping" her learn by telling her things like, "Say it, Lottie." "Say glory be." "Say it!"

So our learning sessions now sound like this:

Adam: "Say it, Lottie. GLORY BE. TO THE FATHER."

Lottie: "I'm TRYING, Adam. I'm trying."

She never says any of the prayers, but she's getting good at talking back to her brother.

Hibiscus

A few pictures with a pretty hibiscus that our neighbor gave the kids.

Stats

Adam and Lottie got their four and two year check-ups, respectively. Here are their stats:

Adam

39.5 pounds (77th percentile)

43.5 inches (96th percentile)

Lottie

24 pounds (15th percentile)

34 inches (51st percentile)

Growing like weeds!

Adam's Birthday Party

On May 28, we held Adam's fourth birthday party. Adam requested a "Transformers and Tanks" birthday theme (transformers, in his mind, are bad guys, not actual transformers). We massaged his expectations to an Army birthday party. He also wanted to invite the entire world, but we talked him down to about 25 kids. Everyone was issued a helmet, dog tags, and put on their war paint. Here they are taking their oath.








The sweaty birthday boy.

Then it was on to the obstacle course.

Drill Sargent Callicott leading the recruits on the balance beam.

We had a few games of Tug O War.

Then Drill Sargent Says...

Then the world's most restrained water fight (but the kids had a great time with the water balloons).

After some food, it was time for presents and cake. The commissary made a delicious cake with a tank that transformed into a robot. Adam was thrilled!

The last activity was the tank pinata.

Lots of yummy candy and little army men!

Splash Park

Our community center has a small splash park in the back. We met some friends for a playdate last week. The kids had a great time.

Jumping through the jets.

There was even time for a dance party. Adam danced to the music in his head.

Extras

A few more shots of Gram and Bapa's visit. The boys all got zip off pants, and had to show them off.

Snuggly grandkids.

Outings

Even in the madness of the end of the school year activities, we managed to work in some extra fun outings. We saw the Ringling Brothers circus in Waco with our neighbors, the Crutchleys. Adam and Dougie were super happy to get cotton candy topped with a "Mickey" hat. (They are thinking Mickey in the Sorcerer's Apprentice.) Adam, Lottie, Dougie, Olivia, and Gavin hang out between acts.

We also had a field trip to the Catholic bookstore and the Japanese import store in Austin. They are conveniently located in the same strip mall. We even had lunch at Adam and Lottie's favorite restaurant in Austin - Terra Burger. It has an outdoor playground and splash area. Before they took off for the playground I got a picture of Adam, Lottie, and Max.

Fun with Flash

We bought the kids toothbrushes with blinking lights to time your brushing. It's fun to brush your teeth in the dark while the lights blink. It's even more fun to take pictures of it! Adam looks normal.

Lottie is bug eyed!

Fun Time

Here are some fun shots from the rest of Gram and Bapa's visit. Adam and Lottie enjoyed playing guitar with Bapa.

Lottie was a good helper in the kitchen.

But the most fun was dancing with the oven mitts.

Chris and Sam napped.

Spiro Hop

Adam and Lottie received their joint birthday present from their Grandparents Chlapowski while Gram and Bapa Callicott were visiting. So Bapa got to help me put it together - Chris got out of another assembly project, lucky him. We were a good team. The Spiro Hop came together pretty quickly.


Once we got it outside, the kids had to try it right away, while the dogs looked on. It's a teeter totter that spins!

Lottie's bouncy hair.

Adam loves it.

Grandparent Visit

Gram and Bapa came for a short visit after a quick trip to Houston. They arrived just in time to go to Zumba with us. The kids were so excited to show Gram and Bapa their moves. Since we arrived a little early, there was time to play at the elementary school playground. Lottie loves to swing.

Adam needed a little help!

Then it was time for Zumba. Lottie spends half of her time being carried, but Adam jumps around like a maniac. Never mind the choreography!

Tired

What happens when a tired baby tries to snack and nap at the same time.

Birdhouse

Our friendly neighborhood birds attempted to build another nest on our carport lights. Chris decided to provide them with a nice house that wouldn't leak bird poop all over our car. So he and the kids put together a birdhouse.

They even decorated it with a welcoming message.

All done!

At the Playground

We've been using our time off of our regular school year activities to let Mom hit the gym. We especially like the gym at the community center because we get to go to the giant playground afterward. We're climbing fiends!

Time to get out of the sun.

No Whining

After a talk with Adam about what happens when we whine:

"And when you whine, I will get constipated!"

He showed me!