Waiting for Grandma & Grandpa Marx

So...my poor parents are due to arrive today for a visit from NJ and their flight is delayed. So I had to figure out how to entertain the kiddos while we waited to leave for the airport. We first decided to go for a stroller ride.
Evan was thrilled to stroll around the neighborhood.
This sweet little girl turned wild halfway through our ride. She kicked off her shoes, one of which I never found and then screamed until I let her out of the stroller. She said she wanted to 'walk nicely'. Ok fine.

We got back to the house (with no shoes on and black bottomed feet from walking the neighborhood) and she informed me she needed to drive the car. Fine.

She then dragged out the step stool and started climbing. Fine.

Finally she decided to ride her bike still with no shoes on. I give up. Grandma and Grandpa...you better get here soon!

Kinderberg Park

On Wednesday, Paeton, Evan and I went to Kinderberg Park for the first time. We met up with a bunch of friends and had a great time. Even though it was a bit chilly the kids insisted on playing on the splashpad as soon as the water turned on.
I didn't pack any swim stuff for Paeton because of the weather...she swam in her diaper. Oh well.

Evan: 3 weeks old

Evan is 3 weeks old at 6:47pm tonight!

PlayFoam

Grandma Marx sent a big box of stuff for the kids late last week. We always get so excited for these big boxes to come even though we wish grandma was inside the box herself! Paeton received 'PlayFoam' as a gift to the new Big Sister so we decided to break it open Sunday night while I was making dinner. Paeton and Jodi made this giraffe and...

this elephant. Pretty cool huh?

Zoo A La Carte

Jodi and I took the kids to the zoo on Saturday for 'Zoo A La Carte'. We bought $20 in food/drink tickets and ate like kings. All the food was so delicious! We rode the train right away because there was no wait. This was Evan's first train ride :)
Paeton enjoyed a mango/strawberry smoothie; she refused to share with anyone. It's hard to tell from this picture but I actually had to zoom in all the way with my camera to capture the photo. She wouldn't stand near us for fear we'd want a sip of her smoothie.

It was super humid on Saturday; we are dripping sweat in this photo and the elephant smell is super pungent. But, we were enjoying ourselves and having good family time.

Playdate - Frame Park

Today was my first day having both kids home with me ALL DAY. Paeton, Evan and I joined up with a bunch of our friends from Spring Creek for a playdate at Frame Park. Although Paeton was a little shy, she had a really fun time.

Pickles

Jodi spent the afternoon yesterday carrying on his family tradition of canning. When it was all said and done, he made 22 jars of pickles broken down this way:

6 Bread & Butter

7 Dill - from fresh dill stems

4 Dill - store recipe

2 Jalapeno

2 Hot Banana Pepper

1 Habanero

My kitchen is finally back to its normal state with several rounds of cleaning and runs of the dishwasher. We love pickles!

I hold him!!

"I hold him!!!" - a phrase that I've been hearing for 13 days now from Big Sister Paeton.
We're working on being gentle with baby Evan.

She's so proud of herself when she's holding her baby brother. We're working on supporting his head and his neck :)

Wirth Park

We took the kiddos to Wirth Park Saturday morning to expend some energy...Evan really wore himself out.
Jodi tested the diggers out in the sandbox...

And then he helped Paeton since her legs were too short to do it on her own.

Once the mosquitoes took over around 11am, we had to leave. I wish the bugs would go away!

Peaceful Evan

Evan is such a love...I've been taking pictures of him nonstop to remember these lazy days at home with my baby.

Our Beautiful Boy

I had some fun taking pictures of Evan this afternoon...what a love.

Preparing for Paeton

Since being at home on maternity leave, I've found I need to prepare for going from one child during the day to two in the evening. Paeton is still going to school full time during the day so I can get my rest. In order to do so, everyone must give momma a little break so I can 'prepare for Paeton' :) Evan takes a nap...

Kona takes a nap...
Brewer just rests...

William always has one eye open...

And I set the table. Paeton is so overstimulated from school all day that she needs a quiet table activity when she gets home. I try to have art out for her along with her snack. This helps to keep the peace in our house around 5:30pm while I make dinner.

First few days...

Our first few days adjusting have been pretty good...Evan loves his crib.

Paeton needs more attention than ever.

Evan sleeps through all her tantrums.

He's pretty cute even at 2am.