Running Bulls

You should have seen these little bulls run when we got to the cousin's house in Virginia. Can't keep 'em penned up forever! So first stop, The Battle of Bull Run! Perfection. Cannons to climb on...

Wide expanses to let it all out...

And a good long walk to talk shop. Somehow My cousin Brooke and I have managed to live parallel lives. Kids the same age and husband's with the same niche professions. Love it.

The only way we could coax this crowd back in the car...

...was Cafe Rio baby! 

So So So Delicious. 

Just can't get enough.

To Virginia or Bust

Spring Break Baby! This crowd loves an adventure. 

Especially if it involves hour upon hour upon hour on the road.

It was a commendable 15 minutes after Dunkin Donuts before Superkid asked,"how much longer?" Tad waited at least 30 minutes before he piped up and said, "Pops you should just stop at the first hotel you see. Can't we just play in the hotel now?"

That's when Grandma's cup of electric joy came in handy. With 2 ipads, 2 laptops and Dad's iPhone there was plenty of mind numbing entertainment for everyone!

No worries... I was a kill joy and did read an entire book about George Washington's breakfast. 

So we got a little education too!

I Flinched First

We've had it pretty good around here. Since Pops has moved his office home and I was out on maternity leave there have been two of us to man the scene and no plausible reason to take 5 Toads out into public solo. The honeymoon had to come to an end. I'm back to work and it is time to buck up. Question was, who was going to crack first and take *all* the kids out? We all knew it was going to be me. But I was determined to put it off. Just not as determined as Pops!.

Abz handed me a card the other night advertising the Town's Art Show. I saw that it was that night and started about 45 minutes before. I shook my head and gave her a definitive "No.". Pops was out meeting a client. I heard some buzz between the kids a couple of minutes later. Turns out both Superkid and Abizella had art selected to be in the show. Ugh. Definitely "NO." became, "Okay everyone, grab your shoes, wash your faces, and Little Chief put some pants! Get in the car and buckle up!"

I can't believe we walked in and straight ahead of us was Abizella's piece! Wahoo!

Sadly, we never found Superkid's piece. But Superkid was very understanding of the obstacles we were up against, namely every proud parent in town and our own feisty toddler. We bobbed and weaved through the crowds, Superkid snapping pics on his iTouch, Abz waving at her little friends, the baby snoozing, Tad wrestling LC for control of the umbrella portion of the stroller and LC fighting his brother on one front and performing a Houdini act on the other. I knew our time was up the minute LC busted out of his stroller straps. A memorable trip. And actually I am glad we journeyed out. I'm proud of my little Toad's and the look on Abizella's face was worth it all.

Weighing In

Pops took baby Tiger (trying out this handle) in for his 2 month check up, and (drum roll please)...

He came in at 11.15 lbs. (doh!). Not to compare kiddos, but that is more than 3 lbs. lighter than the chubbiest baby Toad at the same age! Look at those scrawny thighs! Shameful. That ranks him in the 30th percentile! It is obvious we don't sit around feeding the baby every time his eyes open these days. But no worries, this one is off the charts when it comes to sweet baby yumminess!!! We'll get to work fattening him up and he will meet his genetic potential soon!

Bonus Points: Which Toad tipped the scales at 14.35 lbs. at 2 months?

Born to Bjorn!

The only thing cooler than having a Baby Bjorn...

Is to have kids to shoulder the load!

Cinnamon Roll Sunday

Mmmmmmmmm!!!

It just isn't General Conference without sticky fingers and and a sugar buzz!

Nothing like a nap to help soak in all that prophetic goodness.

Sweet dreams!

The Great Hot Tub Conference of 2013

Pops had this *great* idea this year. Why not listen to General Conference in the *HOT TUB*?! 

I married a genius! He set up the iPad and stereo and the rest was bliss. The cool New England Spring air and the bright blue sky were absolutely splendid. Who knew you could get a sun burn in New England in April?! Just lovely.

We were all feeling so relaxed, spiritually uplifted and unified as a family the only logical thing to do in between sessions was to strap on the bikes and hit our favorite path.

It seemed like the perfect day to get those training wheels off of Tad's bike. Pops pulled off the superfluous wheels while I dug out the knee and elbow pads. Tad took one look at the pads and said, "I'm not wearing those! Pads are for wimps!" He gets that from Bampa whose Phrogbottom philosophy is, "It is better to die than to look bad." In the end, Tad opted to look bad and strapped on the pads.

Too bad Tad had a flat tire and joined the rest of us pedestrians.
Superkid and Abizella rode circles around us.

Everybody enjoyed this fabulous old fallen tree. Oh how we wish we had this in the back yard! ...although Pops would make quick work of it in the fire pit.

It was a lovely day for a walk!

...and a snooze!