Happy Father's Day!

This is the first father's day we have celebrated with Ryan when he wasn't a full-time student!  He gets to come home from work and just be with us!  No studying, no interviews, no Bar exams . . .  we all are loving the family time and have spent today celebrating the love that our Heavenly Father has shown in giving Rooke and Gretchen such a wonderful daddy!  I did a little interview with Rooke about his daddy:

What does Daddy like?

He likes his son.  He likes his daughter.

Why do you like Daddy?

Because he's great!

What is Daddy good at doing?

Playing chase

What does Daddy like about Mommy?

He likes to cuddle with her and sleep in bed with her =)

What does Daddy like to eat?

beans, carrots, and the biggest bread

And that about sums it up!  I will add to the list that Rooke and Gretchen really like their daddy these days because . . . he always has a treat for them when we stop by his office, he has a great Sir Topham Hat voice, he knows how to set up really cool train tracks, he can throw them high in the air, his ability to play chase surpasses Mom's by a million, and likes to walk to the corner store and share an ice cream treat.

Milestone

Rooke started preschool this past week!  Whoa.  This was a big milestone for us.  The British government will pay for children over the age of 3 to go to preschool for 15 hours a week.  There is a great little preschool on the campus of the primary school in our neighborhood just a five minute walk away.  I decided Rooke (and I) could handle two mornings a week to start with and we'll just take it from there.  I took these shots on the first morning before walking to school (my mom always took our first day of school pictures in front of the door - anyone else?!).  Everyone was happy and excited at that point.  But you'll notice these are the only shots I got.  There were lots of tears (maybe from more than one person) and a bit of screaming until Mom left.  I was the problem.  I stood outside the door for all of 30 seconds to hear him completely calm down after I was out of the picture.  And that was it.  We've had no tears and just fun since that short-lived initial meltdown.  I'm still not sure how I feel about Rooke earning his big-boy-preschool-badge.  Has it really been 3 1/2 years?

Plus Three Boys

The kids and I made an overnight trip to London to spend some time with our friends, the Hamiltons, before they moved back to the states.  Alora and I worked together back in the day and I've been grateful for our continued friendship over the years as kids have entered the picture.  They have three boys who were so much fun to be with (and will all be big brothers to another baby on the way!). 

The boys were standing next to a life-size model of a blue whale.  It's incredible!  I was too focused on the boys to think about getting the whole what in the picture, but you get the idea . . .

She gets the award for "Best stroller baby" of the day!

We met at a community center drop-in play space.  Not one of London's greatest sights, but perfect for the kids to play and give Alora and I a chance to talk with a little less interruption.  Rooke was in heaven:

Rooke had a great time running around with Hudson (5) and Elliot (4).

Such funny little characters!

Spicy Salsa

She comes by this honestly.  I just didn't think it would reveal itself so soon!  You see, the idea that chips are simply the means by which to eat salsa goes back to my Nana.  I blame this all on her.  She started it, my mom kept it going, and I gave in to my inner latina when Ryan pointed out that I use chips like a spoon to eat salsa.  It's true.  And since she doesn't really look like me, here is my current proof that she's my daughter.  She kept asking for more salsa so I finally put a little in a bowl for her to have on her tray.  That's how it starts, people.  At eighteen months she is already to the point of needing her own bowl!  Now we just need to work on table manners . . .

Swords

I should have purchased thirty of these nerf swords from Target's dollar bin.  These are on their last life, but that hasn't stopped Rooke from charging his Dad with the confidence of a true knight.

Preparing for an ambush

He's a sensitive knight and the fights always end in hugs

Outnumbered

I'm feeling very outnumbered these days.  I mean, I've been outnumbered since December 22, 2009, but I'm becoming very aware that no matter how many more kids we have or don't have, I am permanently outnumbered.  I knew this day was coming.  I felt it.  They were both supposed to be napping (they sleep in different rooms), but he realized he could keep both of them up, laughing, until Mom stopped the fun (which I actually didn't do right away.  I enjoyed watching them laugh together!).  She's saying, "Brother!", which kept bringing him back for more:

Post-Nap Popsicles

The kids enjoyed some homemade yogurt pops after naps today.  Rooke was super happy when he woke up and seemed more interested in smiling for the camera than he did eating his popsicle. 

She devoured hers!

Silly Rabbit

His face cracks me up!  Trix are, indeed, for kids.  Have you seen them lately?  The fruity shapes have been replaced with psychedelic balls of puff.   And this box of very special cereal is, indeed, a rarity in our home.  But to see him so giddy, over almost anything, makes me happy!

Gymnastics

Saturday was another great family day.  We started the morning with a visit to an open play gym at a local gymnastics training center.  It was a bit of a risk since I didn't know what to expect (hadn't talked to anyone who'd been) and wasn't sure if Rooke would enjoy it (Gretchen would have fun if we were all there together).  Rough and tumble play hasn't traditionally been his cup of tea.  But he completely shocked Ryan and I over and over again for the entire hour we were there.  It was arguably the best seven pounds we've spent since being in England - both for the jumping/running/playing and for the family experience together.  I feel like I am watching Rooke grow and mature in leaps and bounds every day. 

This was one of his first jumps of the morning - and he didn't stop for the next hour.  

"I want to do it, too!"

"Um, it's a bit high.  Will you hold my hand, Daddy?"

Don't worry - Ryan and I got in on the action, too!  I liked the little spring trampoline.

Then we moved on to the foam pit.  How cool is that?!

She had mixed emotions about the foam

Our family shot for the morning:

A bit of this and that

Rooke discovered the dryer this week.  And by discovered, I mean the inside.  They were both determined to get Gretchen inside too.

She helped me polish off a pan of roasted broccoli while making broccoli hummus.  She loved it!

Rooke wanted Daddy to play the "sleeping game".  He's very particular and prescriptive in his play these days.  He put Daddy to bed and gave him all the necessary things for sound sleep.  It's really a win/win because Ryan likes playing the sleeping game after coming home from work!

We need to get a helmet for her.  She loves wearing her brother's.  And with all the bumps and bruises she gets, it's really not a bad idea to let her run around wearing one!