Why did the snapping turtle cross the road?

Look what we almost ran over:

We had to stop and play. Only the turtle was NOT interested, which was ok, because he smelled like he hasn't had a bath his whole life. (And he was trying with all of it's might to stretch his neck far enough to bite Dennis, there was a lot of snapping going on!)

Monster Trucks

Last night was the annual boys night out to the Monster Truck show. Eli was in hog heaven. Not only did he get to see Monster Trucks, but he got to see them with his two best friends, Sataya and Luke. I've never seen Eli so excited.
This year, they got "Pit Passes" so they could go down to the floor and look at the monster trucks before the show started. Eli claims that Tail Gator was his favorite...
Eli and Luke... It's really loud even with ear plugs in. The boys spent the whole night covering their ears and they came home smelling of fumes. Megasaurus was the crowd favorite. He drove around breathing fires and eating cars. I guess you have to be three to truly appreciate the splendor!

Because There Aren't Enough Family Pictures...

Another trip to Hocking Hills to show Grandma Z. the waterfalls.

Little Lambs

It's spring on the farm! We took a trip to Slate Farm--the historical farm that I've mentioned numerous times, that we all love-- and there were new lambs! I'm a sucker for lambs and the kids are too.

The Shrine Circus

Oh the memories of the Shrine Circus. I think I went every year growing up as all of the local school children got free tickets sponsored by local businesses (**and you will write a note of thanks.). So it was with great anticipation that we took the kids to their first circus. And it didn't disappoint. It was as cheesy as I remember. There were rides: Cotton candy and peanuts. (We told the kids that they could each pick out one treat, either a toy or food. Eli chose a flashing dolphin necklace, while Sadie chose cotton candy. I love this picture because Eli let Sadie wear the necklace so he could eat some of her cotton candy. Sadie wore the necklace all evening long and Eli ate most of the cotton candy!)Both kids agreed that the bears were pretty cool (as well as the "swinging girl"):

Eli "ism" of the Day

With tears in his eyes and a quivering lip Eli says, "I don't want to go to school."
Me: Why not?
Eli: Because it's so much work. They make me play. I have to play on the playground. And I have to play inside. I have to do art. Then I have to eat snack. It's just so much work.

Oh to have the work of a 3 year old!!

Sadie Running

It was in the mid-seventies last week, but so windy. Sadie was running into the wind and I thought it was the funniest thing ever. Here she is, trying with all her might to run into the wind.

Spring Fever

Spring is in the air. The past few days have been beautiful and in the sixties here in Columbus. We've been trying to make the most of it by playing outside as much as we can before reality hits us again with another snowstorm reminding us that it is still only March.
Last fall, Buckeye Village finished it's new scarlet and gray playground. The kids think it beats the broken, rotted, old, bee-infested equipment circa 1970 that used to be in it's place!Don't think that they always get along this well. 95% of the time they are pestering each other!

Sadie and her tongue:

Sadie and Gymnastics

Sadie is in the 2-3 year old class (the last class that they can do with mom) at Wendy's Gymnastics. Her teacher is Ms. Ginny and Sadie is in LOVE with her. She will do anything that Ms. Ginny asks her to do. Most of these pictures are from the warm-ups as it's hard for me to take pictures when I'm supposed to be helping Sadie! But, you can tell that she's doing an awesome job following along. The girl has no fear so she's willing to try just about anything. On a side note: I love Wendy's Gym. Their whole thing is to promote self-esteem, not to be the best gymnast in the world. They're all about trying your best and loving your self. You gotta love that.
Balancing on one leg:Windshield wipers while trying to do a v-sit:Putting jelly in her hair:Stepping over blocks on the balance beam:Rocking back and forth:I missed getting pictures of her on the trapeze and the trampoline. Maybe next time... The quarter is ending and I asked her if she would rather do music or gymnastics and she chose gymnastics.

Adventure Recreation Center

There are a lot of perks because Dennis is a student. Free perks! Free perks that are just down the road from house. Score! The ARC is a bring-the-outdoors-in rec center complete with two soccer fields, 4 basketball courts and a climbing wall. Did I mention that it is free? Well, I guess it is included in tuition and fees which has somehow added up to the price of a nice house. So forget that. It's expensive. Anyways, we went early this morning for a little running around time.Sadie played a little frisbee, but mostly she just ran around, acted silly, spun in circles, and made grass angels while repeating the phrase, "I am a princess."The kids had a go at the climbing wall. It is not rigged up for small kids so once they got up above our heads they had a hard time reaching the hand/feet holds. But, they had fun anyways. Here's Eli all harnessed up and ready to go.Climbing up:
Sort of repelling down:Sadie getting a little boost:Swinging down was her favorite part. She kept saying, "I want to do it again."Mom and Dad even got in on the action. Look I made it!Dad too!

Like Mother Like Daughter

Sadie sleeping on the bench in the kitchen 20 minutes after refusing a nap:

Apparently sleeping on hard benches is genetic, because here I am in 1978 at age 2:

Interactive Reading with Eli

Dad wanted to read... Eli wanted to wrestle:

Ohio Hockey

The Ohio State hockey team is not-so good. But, the band... well, they can do script Ohio on ice:They really might be "The Best Damn Band In the Land"!

Yet Another Trip to Hocking Hills

No matter the season, it's always fun to go to Hocking Hills. It was fifty degrees last weekend so Dennis and the kids decided to meet up with some good friends to check out what the waterfalls look like mid-winter. (I was meeting a good friend for dinner and getting a haircut, so I missed out!)
Here is Eli with his friend, Charlie.

I don't have any idea who those people are, but it gives you a good idea of the size of the ice stalagmite.Eli and Sadie's friend, Max, checking out the ice up-close. Apparently is was really really slippery and Sadie could hardly walk on the path because of it. It looks so cool. I wish I could have been there.

Dancing in the Kitchen at 6:30am

Rattlesnake Eating a Acorn

I want you all to know that much to my chagrin Eli hates arts and crafts. He almost never does the art project at school and I can't get him to pick up a paintbrush at home. Though lately he's been showing some interest in writing and drawing. Here is his work "Rattlesnake Eating a Acorn" notice that the snake does indeed have rattles. I think the red line is a worm...

We were playing restaurant today and Eli took my order. Any guesses what I ordered?
That's potatoes, fried chicken and milk!! He's definitely showing interest in writing letters and is getting their sounds down pretty good, though he still has a ways to go. His favorite letter to write is an "i" because he loves the dot and he writes "Eli" over everything!

The Latest Sadieism

Sadie was dressing herself and put her shirt on backwards. "Sadie," I said, "the buttons are supposed to go in the front, not the back." She looked at me, turned around and while walking backwards said, "I'll just walk this way then."