Up, Up, Up With the Fish!

"We can have lots of good fun if you wish, with a game that I call, 'Up-Up-Up with the fish!'".


"Put me down!" said the fish.
"This is no fun at all!
Put me down!" said the fish,
"I do not wish to fall!"

I LOVE Dr. Seuss, (Thankfully, so does Norah) so I was thrilled when a precious friend from church ordered a "Cat in the Hat"-inspired cake for her daughter's 5th birthday. Nothing like a good children's book cake to re-ignite my cake creativity! It was such a fun cake to make!

I Still Say They Look Alike

Ever since Norah was born, we've heard countless times how much she looks like her daddy. I'd say for every hundred people who tell us she favors Jason, I hear that she looks like me, maybe once. (And I'm really ok with that--after all, his good looks were a contributing factor to my marrying him)

Eli's been a different story. We've heard a myriad of theories as to who he looks like-- ranging from the Robinsons, to the Maniords, to the Gilmores, and Shelbys, and back again. (Not to mention a few random, non-family comparisons...not sure how I feel about those implications!)

My story hasn't changed. I still say he looks like a more masculine version of his big sister. (With his own, distinct charm, of course) So, to continue with my blog tradition, here is another photo for comparison. The first photo is of Norah at about the age Eli is now, and the second is one I took of Eli this morning (sorry for posting it twice, but I wanted them close together for the comparison) At any rate, they're making different faces, and shot from slightly different angles, but I still think they look pretty similar. Don't worry. It's ok if you disagree. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, after all.

Speaking of opinions...thanks for all of your input (and compliments on my son's dashing looks) on which photo to send in for the baby blessing. (I did, by the way, go with photo #1 by unanimous vote.)

Eli Update (in pictures)

I needed a photo to submit for this Sunday's "baby blessing" at church, so I thought I'd post my two favorites from E's mini photo shoot this morning. Which one would you have chosen?

Extra Edition

I witnessed a classic "Norah-ism this morning. I laughed so hard, in fact, that I couldn't wait until next week's "From the Mouthes of Babes" post to share it.

N: Mommy, I'm so berry, berry hungry.
A: What would you like for breakfast?
N: Cross the lakes.
A: What?
N: Cross the lakes (with careful enunciation on each, individual syllable, this time).
A: Norah, I don't understand what you're saying, honey. Would you like a waffle or an oatmeal bar?
N: I'd like Cross the lakes-- like Daddy eats.

It suddenly dawned on me she was asking for Frosted Flakes. Jason's been eating them all week long and I guess she decided they looked good.

As a side note...the top she's wearing in these pictures is one I made for Patti last summer and Jenny handed it back down for Norah to enjoy. It was my first experience with shirring, and the tutorial on House on Hill Road was a great help! Sewing with elastic thread was a little intimidating, but once I braved up to it, it wasn't as frightening as I'd expected...and I was more than pleased with the results! (I'm just excited that it's endured through 2 toddlers wearing it!)

From the Mouthes of Babes...

A: (to Daddy) I can't believe how curly Norah's hair is getting.
N: It's so berry, berry, berry cute!


At the dinner table, Norah was playing with her food (Lately, she has become the world's slowest eater. She still eats great, it just takes her roughly 100 years to finish a plateful of food). Hoping to make it to Wednesday night worship on time, I finally decided to lay down the law.

A: (slightly flustered, in my staccato, "bossy mom" voice) Norah, I want you to sit down, eat your carrots, and eat your chicken.

Silence, coupled with a mixed look of confusion/pleasure at the realization of her own ingenuity...

N: (calmy) Mommy, I'm already sitting down.
A: Well, you've got me there. Thank you. Now, please finish your dinner.

Pretty (Tough) in Pink

Remember those teeth I was telling you about?










Now, I'm sure when he's older, Eli's gonna wonder why I took pictures of him in a hot pink wagon. Well, the simple answer is...he loved it...and it was there, and he was cute. For now, let's just not mention it to him that it's pink, deal? Uncle Grant hooked Norah up with this personally custom-painted wagon (the back even has her name on it!) for her birthday. (Aunt Paige made the color-coordinated seat cushion) Both kids LOVE going for rides in the wagon together (more pictures of that coming soon!)

"I'm sorry, what did you say? This wagon is what? Pink? Yep. That's what I was thought you said. What am I gonna tell the guys back at the nursery?"

While Eli sat debating a more masculine term for pink ("Ruddy? Rhymes with muddy. Not bad. Salmon? Isn't that a type of fish...that's manly, right?")...






Norah feverishly tried to pop every bubble in sight...















in her wagon- matching, hot pink boots, no less. (She calls these her "Jenny boots"...you'll never guess who gave them to her)

An in case you're wondering, yes, we do let her wear them with shorts out in public. It is springtime in Texas, you know.







It was a fun night, for the whole family. We are truly loving the beautiful, down-right Spring-like weather (while it lasts!). What are the odds our lawn will look this green, come August?

Go Fly a Kite

Once upon a blustery evening, a young family of four took a walk to the park. Much, to the eldest daughter's delight, her parents had packed a special surprise.




Both children were amazed by their father's kite flying "mad skills". (Little did they know that he had used this same kite-flying prowess to woo their mother during their courtship, many years ago)

Unfortunately, the mother's camera battery was quite low, and therefore, only allowed her to capture a few, quick pictures of this momentous experience. (Hence, the submission of an eyes-closed photo of their daughter, and the lack of submission of any photos of their son, who, by the way, LOVED watching this family activity, as was evidenced by the huge grin on his face for the duration of the flight...)







But oh, the kite-flying was glorious! (And hopefully just the beginning of many more -albiet, better photographed, family, kite-involved adventures to come!)