Banned from the YMCA

We took the kids swimming at the YMCA pool downtown today. They have a great little kids pool that doesn't get deeper than 1.5 feet and the water is nice and warm. There's even a little kiddie slide. Both kids had a blast. It was Harry's first time in a pool. He was not at all afraid. He loved splashing all around and hanging on to the side and bouncing up and down. He leaned forward a couple of times and got a face (and mouth) full of water. Annie loved it too. She was swimming around screaming and laughing for about 30 minutes before she settled down. Both kids went on a big twisty water slide with Grady and had quite a splash at the bottom. Annie must not have minded because she did it twice. Then, just before we were getting ready to leave Annie said she wanted to ride the big slide one more time, but not before she left behind a nice little brown floater. We didn't quite know what to do. All the signs said: all children must wear a swim diaper unless fully potty trained. She's been potty trained for months so I didn't even think about putting one on her. After apologizing profusely to the pool people (who sadly had to fish it out with a net), they had to close the pool to make sure it was sanitized. Thank goodness most of the kids had already headed home for nap time. Grady took Annie straight to the bathroom and then to the shower. While I was drying Harry off, one of the life guards said, "Man, that was a big thing to come out of such a little guy!" I told him his big sister was the culprit. We may not go back there for awhile!!!

Snow in Seattle!

That's right; we actually got snow while we were on our trip to Seattle. So, the weather wasn't the best (even for Seattle), but we made up for it having a LOT of fun. We flew in on Thursday and Kellie, Alex and Isabella picked us up. Annie went with Alex and Isabella to their swimming lessons and they all had some fun riding around in a big rubber boat. Then, they had a nice warm bath and Annie's first slumber party. The next day we went to the Children's museum. The three girls were so fun to watch with each other. They tired each other out running, jumping (including off furniture), and eating lots of snacks (Harry liked that part too). We also made it to the Science Center and the Aquarium. I think the Science Center was a family favorite. They had a very cool toddler play area for Harry to actually get out of the stroller and play. Annie played forever in the big tree house, held sea creatures, and pet a live cockroach. Grady was holding everybody up trying to read all the science exhibits. Harry got to sneak in the bath with the girls one night - not much cuter than 4 little ones in a tub together. Annie loved Pisco the cat, who did not love Annie chasing him around the house quite as much. Harry made himself at home crawling and climbing all over the house. Annie had to get used to sleeping with her buddies. One night she told us: "tell those guys (Alex and Isabella) no talking." Alex and Bella, who have always slept together do quite a bit of talking, tossing, turning and trading blankets, toys and binkis before they finally crash out sideways and out of the covers. Annie, who barely moves, likes the covers over her head and silence. Kellie also graciously hosted our cousins: Mary Beth, Jason and their daughter Maddie (who was great entertaining the kids). We all had to catch up on our sleep once we got back home, but we can't wait for Alex and Bella to come to Boise soon.

Easter

Beyond the kids and I getting colds we had a great time in SLC for Easter. Annie learned to sing, "Here comes Peter Cottontail" and she had a blast first coloring and then finding Easter eggs. Of course, she ate way too much sugar (particularly while she was making cookies - Poppy finally said, "that's enough sugar!"). She also ate a "giant jelly bean" made of jello by Ma B. Her eyes got as big as baseballs when she saw it and I told her it was a giant jelly bean (she's been getting a jelly bean as potty bribery). She yelled out: "Poppy! Look! I giant one!" Instead of sugar, Harry got dry toast which he LOVES to eat. We had beautiful weather - blue skies and lots of sunshine -- so we hung out on the deck a lot. The kids looked adorable in their Easter outfits, as you can see. Annie also learned a new potty song thanks to Nana which ends with "such is life." She asked us what that meant and I said it means, "tough beans!" She told Grady when they were playing doctor and he said he didn't want to have a shot, "its just part of life daddy." We cracked up.

"Sometimes I have to be firm"

This will make sense for those of you who read the "Oliva" children's books. Olivia is a mischievous little pig with a little brother named Ian. In one of the stories she puts on a mask to scare her little brother away because "sometimes Ian just just won't leave her alone, so Olivia has to be firm." Last Friday, Daddy did a great job duplicating the mask so Annie could scare Harry away. Of course, Harry wasn't scared at all and continued to plow through Annie's toys.

St. Patty's Pipers

Annie is pretty excited about holidays (probably because it usually means new toys, clothes and/or sugar of some sort) and they just seem to keep coming! I told her she had to pick out something green to wear for St. Patrick's Day (the day we celebrate daddy's peeps). She picked a green shirt AND green pants so she looked like a little green bean! She also carefully picked out a bright green sweatshirt for her brother. We hooked up with the Dangs (Annie's buddy Deuce's family) at a neighborhood pub for a beer. Its tradition at this pub for a full-on Irish pipe band to come blowing, and drumming and dancing throughout the pub - Annie and Deuce thought it was fabulous! It was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.

Annie & Deuce

We've been fortunate to meet some great people in Boise including Annie's best buddy, Deuce! We've been getting together with Deuce and his mom Katy since last fall and the two of them are really starting to have fun together. Here they are playing in Annie's couch "fort." They also love to sing and dance together at the city library's music time. We trade off making messes and sharing snacks at each other's houses - I think they both like eating each other's snacks best. Harry sits back and takes it all in - of course, he's almost as tall as Deuce who turned 2 on Mardi Gras (which was a really fun birthday party!) I'm sure the 3 of them will make quite a team some day.

Busy!

I can't believe its been a month since our last entry. We have been really busy. Ma B came out for a nice visit just in time to see Harry start to crawl. Not only does he crawl everywhere, but he pulls himself up on anything taller than his head and cruises around wherever he can find stuff to grab onto. After a month of telling him "No, No" when it comes to electrical cords, Jelly's dog food, and various other dangerous or disgusting things he tries to put in his mouth he might be catching on (at least he doesn't just give that little mischievous grin and go for it; he usually contemplates whether he's going to be naughty or not for a few seconds - just long enough to move him somewhere else). Omi and Opi were also out for a visit and had a fun, yet exhausting, time keeping up with both kids while Grady and I took advantage of having babysitters. I found some office space to rent and have been taking on some Idaho clients which meant we had to start looking for a nanny. Our new nanny, Bonnie, started last week and both kids seem to adore her. She'll have some big shoes to fill given we were so fortunate to have Nanny Jackie and Nanny Allie in Utah, but we are really excited that we found someone so qualified and so quickly. Annie is pretty much a non-stop chatter box and makes us laugh out loud daily with the stuff she comes up with. And, man is she a bossy-cow (wonder who she got that from?) Example: at dinner time she tells you what to take a bite of next: eat your salad mommy; eat your beans daddy! We're getting ready for our trip to SLC and then off to Seattle to visit our friends Kellie, Rob, Alex and Belly!