laying down the law

A new Kaplan house rule was implemented tonight (thanks, Mandy, for the tip).

No blood, no band-aid.

This after purchasing four more boxes of Band-Aids at Target today.

Without the new rule, these four boxes might last Sophia a week.

Maybe two, but that's being generous.

No joke.

We're not trying to be cruel, but a bump on the head does not require a Band-Aid.

Hmmmm...what to do with our newfound Band-Aid budget windfall? :)

ahhhh...sunshine!

We had been enjoying some gorgeous weather here the week before last so we were spending every possible moment outside (unfortunately, the rain is back). But, Dan was able to fully break in his new grill and the kids broke in their new wheel barrow (first with dirt for the vegetable garden and then with lots and lots of water) :). Of course, in true Kaplan kid form, the clothes came off almost immediately.

It's going to be an awesome summer!

sophia - 25 things to remember about right now

1. you are still very much attached to your "old" stuffed doggie and you always have at least one blankie with you at all times. 2. you love collecting flowers and making little bouquets. You also like collecting rocks, leaves, etc. 3. you tell us you love us every day. 4. you are an amazing little helper. 5. you love your little brother and are (almost) always incredibly sweet with him. 6. fruit is your food of choice. 7. you are happiest when you are outside. 8. you are little miss independent. 9. friendships are very important to you. 10. you love school (bluebird montessori). 11. you are currently obsessed with wearing dresses. 12. you will never pass up ice cream. 13. you are constantly talking or singing or laughing or doing them all at once. you are a very joyful child. 13. you prefer to 'snack' rather than eat big meals. 14. you love to read. 15. you can write your name. 16. you can identify all of the letters in the alphabet. 17. you are so ticklish! 18. you sleep in a full-sized bed and you use every inch of it. 19. you love to ride ponies and your new bike. 20. you are a risk taker. 21. you would wear flip flops or crocs every single day of the year if we'd let you. 22. you have serious attitude. 23. you go through an embarrassing number of band-aids every week. 24. you amaze mom and dad every day with the smart, sweet and insightful things you say. 25. mom and dad love you so very much.

nate - 25 things to remember about right now

1. you are an animal lover to the core. 2. you have a little temper and you throw some serious tantrums. 3. you love being outside and you love to get messy (water and dirt are your favorites). 4. you give the sweetest hugs and wettest open-mouthed kisses. 5. you hate having your teeth brushed. 6. you have a thing for dinosaurs. 7. you don't say too many words yet, but you always get your point across. you do say 'wow', 'dada', 'uh oh' and tonight you said 'book'! 8. you're a voracious eater and you take huge bites. 9. you are very attached to little blue blankie and your binky. 10. you are even more attached to your grammy. 11. you can spot an airplane or bird in the sky like nobody's business. 12. you play with your cars and trucks every day and you love to make 'vroom' and 'weeeee' sounds. 13. you wave to the garbage man every wednesday morning. 14. your favorite foods are noodles with red sauce and pizza. 15. you are incredibly ticklish and you have the cutest laugh. 16. you think it's hilarious when we let you run around naked. 17. you love to play hide and seek. 18. you must read books right before bed. 18.you have been coming to bed with mom and dad every morning at around 5am. we secretly (or not so secretly) love it because you've always been such an independent sleeper. 19. you are very physical (always trying to be one of the big kids), but you are cautious as well. 20. you love ice cream. 21. you think it's fun to chase max the cat. 22. you adore your big sister and you get a kick out of tickling her belly button. 22. you love your baths. 23. you are so expressive. your eyes say it all. 24. you are the sweetest little boy. 25. mom and dad love you so very much.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival - Take 2

We made it back with my dad and our friends Matt, Jennifer and Luke last weekend and had a blast! The tulip fields were in full bloom. Absolutely gorgeous.





Nate rode his first pony. He was apprehensive at first (actually, he cried and tried his best to stay as far away from the pony as possible), but I think he enjoyed it in the end.


Luke felt much the same as Nate :).


Sophia's a pro.


Matt and Dan took all three kids on the cow train. It was a very bumpy ride and pretty hilarious to watch.




And, what's a festival without face painting? (Sophia takes this part very seriously.)



Can't wait til next year! Thanks Wiken clan and dad for a great day!

our visit to a sheep farm

It was a fun (and filthy) time!

wordless wednesday

over the river and through the woods...

...to grandmother's house we go!


Nate, the animal lover.


Filling (and emptying) the birdbath.


Berry stomping!


Busy bees.


I tried to get a cute shot of them sitting on the bench together, but Nate wouldn't sit still.


I always tell Grammy she has the perfect yard for the kids to explore. She usually has to drag them in kicking and screaming!

easter 2009

sophia's request of her nana & bapa

Sophia: Mom, wasn't it so much fun when Nana & Bapa came to visit us last week? (For the record, they didn't come last week -- hee hee)

Me: Yes, wasn't that wonderful?!

Sophia: Yeah. Mom, we need to call them today and ask them to come and visit us again this week!

So, Nana & Bapa, the request has been made. Please let us know when you have made your travel arrangements! :)

"wow" and wooden blocks

Nate's favorite (and one of his only) words as of today is "wow". It's hilarious how he says it. His newest "trick" is fitting his wooden blocks into the appropriate shaped holes. He's quite proficient at it and claps proudly after every successful fit.

Our boy is growing and changing so much every day!

dress obsession

There was once a time (not too long ago) when Sophia absolutely refused to wear dresses. Now that is all she will wear. This, unfortunately, poses a problem since she only owns two long-sleeved dresses and I'm not planning to invest in any new ones at this point (although I am tempted).

Here are just a few photos of her in the same two long-sleeved dresses. These things will be shreds by the end of spring. Ha!





She's even started layering the summer sleeveless variety over a long-sleeved (usually uncoordinated) top. Too funny. She's definitely resourceful!



The girl is obsessed I tell ya. Obsessed.

dan's new baby

Well researched.
Well deserved.
He's been reading the manual all evening.
I think he's happy with his decision :).