Jack and Lily's House

The lot is being cleared. Lily is unimpressed.

State Fair, Part V

Sorry for all of the images, but this trip was too fun, and we got too many great pictures to leave them out. We carted some kidlings around in the wagon, saw some animals (rabbits, cows, horses, mules, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, camels, kangaroos, alpacas, cappibaras, did I miss any?), won some "prizes", saw some carnies, listened to 80's hits blared way too loud (I must be getting old), ate some bad food (giant turkey leg, fudge, cotton candy, fudge funnel cake, coke, and french fries), and generally had a good time. It didn't rain on us, nobody was bleeding, and the kids were exhausted when we got home. Parents too.
Hopefully the next post won't come from the Gastrointestinal ward at Duke University Hospital.

State Fair, Part IV

Perhaps Jack's favorite ride was the Water Bumper cars. He eventually figured it out and was bumping with the best of them. The spinning Traffic Jam ride actually went pretty fast. Daddy was leaning over and comforting a moderately unhappy JackRabbit, and Daddy realized that looking down while spinning rapidly makes for an unhappy stomach. Fortunately, emesis was avoided. Eventually, even the JackRabbit was having fun on this ride.

State Fair, Part III

All kinds of new experiences at the State Fair. Riding Caterpillar roller coasters (for a kiddie ride, it went pretty fast), riding a ride that beat Daddy half to death with it's intentionally bumpy ride (and child size metal seats), and standing in line.

More State Fair

As you can see from our trip to the State Fair, Jack is much more outgoing with things he's familiar with, like the playground equipment. (One of the other, bigger kids was very kind and helped Jack climb up to the slide). But when Jack is faced with unfamiliarity, like riding the circus train by himself, he's all business. He did manage a little Mona Lisa smile by the end.

A good time was had by all

We took the kids to the NC State Fair in Raleigh for an afternoon. It was a blast!
Jack had to have Lily serve as the "pinch-rider"; he liked the ponies, but no way was he getting on one. The merry-go-round was tentatively fun. He loved the flying dragon (he's beside Cindy where you can't see him). Lily was unfazed by it all.

Helpful Lily

Lily is so helpful. She helps Jack beg for food in the morning (dig Jack's "Thomas the Tank Engine PJ's!), she helps Daddy pay bills online, and she helps Jack keep abreast of the latest developments in the world of Wubsy.

Red Letter Day!

Jack's first time successfully "dropping the kids off at the pool." We'll spare you the artistic photo of Paul removing the evidence from Jack.

Bad parents

So, a few weekends ago, we went to the Hillsborough, NC Arts Council Handmade Puppet Parade. Hillsborough is a small, but very artsy-fartsy, crunchy-granola, little town. This parade was about what you'd expect. The puppets were very creative and well done, and the parade was fun. Some of the puppets were very large. We sat right on the street and some of the puppeteers would bring their creations right up to us, thinking the kids would love it. Not Jack! He was really scared. Particularly scared of a large lizard ("the dinosaur").
Later on at home, he was pitching a fit, and we told him "Better watch out, the dinosaur will get you if you don't behave." Instant good behavior. "Dinosaur no get Jackrabbit?", he said.

We're such bad parents... I guess it's no different than "The Boogeyman will get you!"

We'd love to hear comments on what your parents did to get you to behave.

Trip to visit Grandparents, Part II

Part II of our trip this past weekend was to Marion, NC. Again, lots of fun. Also, cows! Both Lily and Jack got to pet the cows, and Lily got a little ride. PBR, here she comes!

Trip to visit Grandparents, Part I

This past weekend, we went to visit both sets of grandparents. Lots of fun was had by all. Much wrasslin' and ticklin' and TV watchin'.

Life with Toddlers

Not much explanation needed here. Sometimes there's glee, sometimes there's pouting.

More Trains

The other thing that they have at the railroad museum is a model train area. Jack was absolutely enthralled, and he made several laps around it chasing Thomas the Tank engine! All of the other little boys were similarly engaged. Needless to say, he was pretty tuckered out for the car ride home.

Lily didn't really care too much for the model trains, but she did like to roam around. She even managed to find the one muddy spot.