Curious George and Friends

Kaitlyn and Claire agreed on a Curious George themed birthday party this year. Or, rather, Kaitlyn decided on a George party and Claire did not throw a fit about it! Unfortunately, Curious George is not "in" this year, so we ended up ordering plates, napkins and hats and making everything else ourselves. We made our own invitations and cupcake toppers, we decorated with crepe and yarn vines and construction paper leaves, and, most impressively, we entertained with awesome science experiments worthy of a curious little "monkey" and friends. Matt blew up soda cans, devised makeshift batteries out of coins and paper towels, and demonstrated magnetism and static electricity. The kids loved it!

Our Very Own Playground

The birthday excitement lasted all weekend as Grandma and Papa Kneen and Grandma and Papa Hartings came into town to spoil the girls rotten with presents, constant praise and attention, and a brand-new playset in the backyard. Not even rain, 50-degree temps and piles of mud could keep Kaitlyn, Claire and Jack from trying out their new fort, swings and slide! THANK YOU!!

Look Who's Five!

Incredible to believe, but we have a five-year-old in the house! Kaitlyn has been planning her birthday for months--the party theme, the decor, the invitation list, the favor bags, the cake flavor and decoration. Not a single detail was overlooked (much to my dismay some days!)

The morning began with a Krispie Kreme doughnut, complete with candle and song, and a box of two dozen mini doughnuts to bring into preschool. She was delighted to decorate a "number 5" necklace at school, which she proudly wore all day along with her "birthday girl" badge from Aunt Jen. For dinner, we went to the local brewpub, where we were seated in a private room as she dined on her "seashells" (aka mussels).

The Many Guises of Jack Hartings

Jack is all about setting his own agenda and his own style these days. From our quiet reader, to our cheerful doc, to our little mad hatter, to our pajama-clad driver, he is increasingly certain of what he wants to do. Gone are the days of him taking orders from his sisters...they just haven't gotten the memo yet!

Bubble Bath

My kids are going to kill me for this someday, but I just have to post a few of these pics. The kids wanted a "fun" bath, and since we don't go in for soap crayons and Crayola-colored water around here, we got out the bubbles. The girls had a blast blowing bubbles over their heads and catching them on their noses, fingers and toes. Pure childhood delight (until the albums come out in their teenage years!)

Let It Snow (A Little More Next Time)

We finally got our first real snowfall of the season (Halloween doesn't count!) Even though we only got about an inch, with a little extra ice on top, the kids had a blast sliding around. Kaitlyn spent most of the time throwing "snowballs" (more like ice chunks), while Claire went in search of the perfect piece of snow-dusted ice to eat. Jack just lay there like a slug...until the slippery snow sent him down the hill!

When Matt got home, it was even more fun, as they all took turns using him as a sled out back. Just imagine how much fun we could have with TWO inches!

The Little Tattoo Parlor

Step right up and get a free tattoo! Pick a design, any design: monkeys, dinosaurs, hearts and blobs (very stylized blobs, we might add!)

Grandma and Grandpa Hartings bravely agreed to be "tatted up" by Kaitlyn and Claire, who discovered my watercolor pencils in my old trunk. Before the girls were through, they had completely covered their grandparents' hands and arms...and theirs, as well! Thankfully, these are regret-free tattoos, which means that soon enough they'll have clean canvases for the next great masterpiece. Bison, anyone?!