Big $pender

Osten had a few quarters to burn this past weekend, and I took him to the candy and plastic egg machines as we were leaving Wal-mart thinking that he would like a handful of Skittles, some stickers or some flimsy plastic stuff. As it turns out, he made a beeline for this car, climbed inside, deposited his quarters and went for a ride.

Lady and the Tramp-oline

The trampoline has been quite the place to be lately, and Marci can't seem to get enough of it.

Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that Osten chases her off shortly after she gets started.

Even Spiderman and Batman like the trampoline!

Here's an action shot of Osten's latest trick.

Spring has Sprung

Here's Marci sporting her new shades from Grammi and FaFa as well as Mommy's first attempt at a homemade hairbow.

Off to enjoy the sun and feed the fish with Daddy . . . Spring has sprung!

Let's Play Ball!

Osten had his first t-ball practice last night. It was a hoot! Here's the team getting ready to run the bases.

Osten and Wilkes bringing up the rear! Despite much coaxing, they could not be convinced to run and opted instead for a leasurely stroll around the diamond.

Let's play ball! Here's half of the team waiting in line to bat while the other half took to the field.

Here's our little South Paw at bat for the first time.

Seventh-Inning Stretch

Marci couldn't hold out for seven minutes, much less seven innings, to stretch her legs. Except for this picture, she pretty much ran all over the field.

Here she is making her getaway! Luckily, Gramma Sue was with us, and she took Marci to the playground while Daddy and I watched Osten practice.

Baby Nose Best!

Mama nose best no more!

I didn't think Marci was ready for utensils, but she proved me wrong tonight . . . although she still appears to be a fan of finger food! (As for me, I'm still a fan her little dimple, which you can just barely make out in this picture!)

Dinner by the Spoonful

At Osten's urging, Marci ate her dinner by the spoonful tonight.

As it turns out, she's a natural!

Of course, she had to eat the "yucky" orange yogurt, but she didn't seem to mind.

In fact, she seemed pretty proud of herself. (I'm pretty proud of her, too!)

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman

After his swimming lesson this morning, Osten and I stopped by a local farmer's market. In addition to organic produce, they had face-painting! I wasn't sure that he'd be interested, but as soon as the woman asked him if he liked Spiderman, Osten was transfixed. He sit completely still (shocking!) and as soon as he saw himself in the mirror, I didn't think I'd ever be able to convince him to stop staring at himself!

He paraded his painted face through the small market and then we returned to my car. I was able to adjust my rear-view mirror so he could catch glimpses of his red-webbed face as he attempted to sing the cartoon theme song (courtesy of Daddy) on the drive home. When we got home, After he had lunch and played with Gramma Sue, Spiderman started to get sleepy, which posed a bit of a dilemma. Surprisingly, a bath was an easy sell.

Check out those superhero lashes!

One last shot of our friendly neighborhood Spiderman, who by the way is starting to become quite the little swimmer.

Caught in the Web

The face-painting lady just happened to be featuring a package deal that included a priness veil. Talk about made to order! Spiderman snagged one to birng home for Marci, who immediately upon receiving it got busy covering herself in a web of ribbon and tulle.

A Family Tradition

We've been doing some work in our bedroom lately, and it is a maze of boxes, pillows and random artwork. In the midst of the madness, Marci found a cast-off magazine, and without missing a beat she started shredding it just like Osten used to do!

Seven-oh!

Like I said, I'm way behind on posting pictures. Here's a prime example. We celebrated Gramma Sue's seventieth birthday last month with family portraits in the park followed by dinner and cake and presents at our house. Surrounded by her four grandchildren, she had lots of help opening her presents.

The night's festivities were not without a good dose of silliness . . .

I think this one is my favorite shot of the night!

Like I said earlier, there was a good bit of silliness. Osten just may have had the best time of all, goofing with his Uncle John and staying up WAY past his bedtime!

Zen and the Art of Sharing

Is there really any need for a description of this shot? (In my own defense, I will note that the shirt removal and the tie-and-pajama-bottom ensemble were not my idea!)

Ah, serenity now. Although the art of sharing remains an ongoing struggle. I guess it's a slowly acquired art . . .

Story Time

Once upon a time, there was a bed, some books and two little children, and life was fun and games.

Except for sometimes, when it is more games than fun.

And then the game ends, as all games do with a sole victor. And when victory is yours, life is mostly fun again. Except your pajamas have inexplicably disappeared and it looks like you've also lost your diaper in your quest to be queen when really it is just hiding behind a strategically placed book. And how's that for happily ever after!

The End

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall . . .

Look who's discovered herself in the mirror!

Her reflection was almost as interesting as her wand.

And wands are tough competition!

Meanwhile, Osten couldn't be bothered to stand still much less pose for the camera. A little fireman's work is never done!