Splashless pad

We have a new(er) park in our neighborhood. At the end of summer, they added a splash pad -- basically, a fancy sprinkler system. This concept has come a long way from when we were kids and played with the lawn sprinkler at home. We never got around to exploring the new feature last year (if it was even open) because, well, the older park is much closer to our home, which is commentary on our laziness (and gasoline that was $4 per gallon last summer) more so than our loyalty. Here are the girls exploring the new splash pad, under dry (and much safer) conditions:

Playing at the Civic Center

After the show, we had a snack:




And then stretched our legs after sitting for a while:

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Yesterday we went to see "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" at the Birmingham Children's Theatre, a Wee Folks production. All of the BJCC personnel were incredibly welcoming and gracious, and we loved the production. The girls did really well, had a great time, and are looking forward to their next show.

Here is a picture of the stage:



Below is a shot of Lauren with Goldilocks after the show, although she is much more interested in Baby Bear:



Here are the patrons in their seats:

Valentine photo shoot

Today we spent some time attempting to get a good picture to use as a possible Valentine's Day card. The goal here was not an ambitious one. I wanted to attempt to obtain pictures on a leather chair, at the foot of our stairs, on our steps outside, and in an outdoor chair. By the end of our shoot, I was ready to settle for any pic with 1) both children and 2) that didn't capture a melt down.

Here are a few for the cutting room floor:

Enjoying the sunshine

Roxie: January 1995 - January 2009

Roxie was pushy, aggressive (to the point that the veterinarian placed a "CAUTION" sign on her cage when he boarded her) and loyal only to the person most likely to next ply her with food, her drug of choice. If it is possible for a dog to be narcissistic, she was exactly that. She was, as Skip described her, a "ROCK STAR."

However, she had moments of sweetness. Roxie was much more welcoming of the girls when they arrived home from the hospital than Brownie, our cat. While Brownie staged a hunger strike, Roxie would sniff their feet and heads and look at them so curiously.





To say that Roxie was a good dog might be stretching the truth a little (she was a biter and had myriad behavioral issues).... but.... she was our dog, and we will miss her.

Book worms

Purple Invasion

Although Gracie remains true to her first love, Elmo, Lauren has discovered the dreaded purple dinosaur. We recently surprised the girls (ok, mainly Lauren; again, Gracie still only has eyes for "BELBO") with a miniature Barney of their very own.






This is one of my favorites because it captures the facial expression Lauren makes when she is figuring something out.... Here, for example, I imagine her saying, "If you're the 'real' Barney, why aren't you bigger?"

Admiring Elmo

Lauren enjoys a quick read; Gracie has a drink

Indoor camping