Summer! Finally!

Today, Robert (with help from Daddy) went through all of his toys and picked out everything that was a "baby toy" to give to Baby Claire. As a reward for his generosity, we took him to Toys R Us and told him he could pick one toy. Robert chose a pool. Since it was hot out (and finally not raining!!), we set it up after lunch. Robert was thrilled.

(Please disregard the baby doll floating face down in the background of the pics. I know. It gives me the creeps, too.)


"Swimming":Dancing:
Bending:
Yelling at his toys, "You not go near the hose!"
Here he is reprimanding "Fisherman Pete" for going near the hose.
"Take a picture of me for Regular Grandma!"
When Claire woke up from her nap, we brought her out to try the pool. Robert explained the rules to her: "No splashing water, and always have a grown up with you."

We dipped he toe in, and found out quickly that she was NOT A FAN.
I took this picture to prove that she can cry.
So Daddy went in with Robert instead.
Mommy and Claire just watched.
I guess this is an ankle-deep version of water polo?
Photo courtesy of Robert:
Claire was much happier sunbathing on a towel. Just like Mama.

Father's Day, 2009

(OMG How cute is she?)
Claire and Mommy getting ready for Father's day (photo credit: Robert)
The best we could do for a father's day picture. It is so hard to get them both looking at the camera and not looking dumb.

Daddy and his little girl.
Because of the terrible weather, we moved the picnic inside. Luckily, the roses love the rain.
Claire and Pop-Pop:
Pop-Pop and his grandkids:
Father's day!

Flag Day!

On June 14th, Chris got out the flag and brought it outside. Robert spied him and said, "Daddy, why you have that flag?" Before Chris could respond, Robert's face lit up and he got very excited. "Is it FLAG DAY?!?!?! YAY!!!!" Good job, preschool.

Getting Ready For Bed

Bed time after a busy Saturday. Robert took his bath first...


...while Claire lounged in her bathrobe and slippers waiting her turn.
Robert put on his jammies, and buttoned them up all by himself. (Yes, it is May and those are Santa jammies. Just try to pry them away from Robert. I dare you.)Robert helped Mommy give Claire her bath.


Then Daddy started reading Claire a book.




"Daddy, I want to read it to Baby Claire!"
"Goodnight, little cow sitting on the moon. Goodnight, mouse."
"Goodnight, oatmeal. Goodnight, mouse.""Goodnight, three bears sitting on chairs. Goodnight, mouse."

"Goodnight, mouse."


"Goodnight, balloon. Goodnight, Mommy. Goodnight, mouse."
"Goodnight, stars..."
"Look! The mouse! Goodnight, mouse."
Peanut hates us and wants us all to go away and leave him alone.

A Fine Spring Afternoon

It stopped raining and turned into a really nice afternoon today, so we spent some outside time as a family. Claire couldn't stop smiling.
Daddy and Peanut went with Robert as he rampaged around the neighborhood on his trike.


Robert, Daddy, and Peanut, about to get hit by a car.


Still smilin'.
After all of the tricycle adventures, the whole family went for a walk.

Robert the wildlife explorer ventured into the wild to observe some native fauna. Or, he stormed into the weeds to see the neighbor's chickens.
"Here is a flower for you, Mommy!"


We told Robert we would go as far as the yellow sign before turning around. Here he is touching the sign.
On the way back, Robert suddenly announced that he "have to go pee-pee!" and dropped trow right there on the side of the road. What you can't see here is that this is actually right out in the open at a busy 5-way intersection. Sigh.

Some of Mommy's early flowers:

And back home again, doing some yard work. Rest assured, our lawn has been thoroughly bubble mowed.


Still smilin'.