magic beans

Today we found "magic" beans.


At least Peter hopes that they will grow a large beanstalk.
(Can you guess what book we've been reading a lot of?)

Really, they are just amazing pink and purple beans in grandma and grandpa's backyard. 

Which, for our five year old, Hannah, whose favorite colors are pink and purple -
what could be better?

They worked tirelessly retrieving these beans from the pods
and delighting over every big one they found.

 

The plant responsible for these awesome beans. 

Part of our stash of what is formally known as Scarlet Runner Beans.

Unfortunately, I learned they turn grey when you cook them.
But we are taking some home to plant our own beanstalk.

I wonder what will happen...

corks

We seem to know a lot of folks who are getting engaged right now.

And of course, we want to celebrate with them!

So there have been some champagne corks laying around our house and leave it to the kids to find them.  (Matt delights in popping them off, but not necessarily in picking them up.)

Peter discovered one and asked if we could paint with it like we did before.
(sidenote, how does this kid remember an art project we did once last Fall?)

This afternoon, Abigail was taking a long nap.
So out came all the paint, corks (I'd saved for the past year), smocks, paper and creativity.
And the kids set to work

 

   

Hannah really got creative this time around with cork painting.

Her serious art/mommy is taking lots of pictures face.

Our dining room table is now covered in drying works of art.

Anyone want one?
(Hannah loves to share.)

quotable kids

Alongside entertaining you with cute pictures of my growing kids.



I thought you might enjoy some of their more recent quotes (I know I sure do)

Abigail's catch phrase for everything is "ma-ma"
when she's standing up in her crib and wants to be picked up "ma-ma"
when she's hungry "ma-ma"
when she wants attention "ma-ma"
unless of course she wants her water cup, then she signs milk..go figure. :)

Peter is growing by leaps and bounds in language, communicating not only what he needs
but also what he's thinking about.  

 such a handsome boy

Last week while watching the 49er game with daddy he exclaimed,
"Oh no, those guys in white were mean...they got a timeout!"

When he fell down and cut up his knee, his first thought, was
"I'm not going to be able to run fast with 'uke (Luke) at school"

Tonight I told him a stern "No!" when he hit our dog, Toby...to which he replied,
"You can't say that to me.  I'm never going to play with you again.  I'm only going to play with Karis (his buddy)."
I definitely had to turn my face away to keep from laughing.
  

Hannah is developing now in two languages (crazy!).


In English she loves trying to make a joke.
You know the joke, why was 6 afraid of 7?
because 7, "ate", 9.
Well, Hannah is constantly trying to rewrite it -
"Mommy, why was two afraid seven? 
because 7, white, one...ha, ha, ha.."

In Spanish, she is developing quite the little proper accent:
"not azzzzzul mommy, it's asssssul."

And of course, she has some Spanglish!
"Mommy, I need my mochila (backpack)."


They are also growing together.

Peter and Abigail are developing quite a precious love for each other
(when he's not tackling her to the ground.)

total delight

sweet hugs

Hannah and Abigail are becoming more sisterly. 

 matching dresses and matching poses

They are both adjusting to Abigail on the move and delight in trying to "save" Abigail from the many perils her curiosity may get her into. (even though, their saving often ends in more peril)

I wonder what new things you are getting into and what funny quotes are making you chuckle!

celebrate

Today was cause for celebration.

Today marked the end of the first full week of school for our family.

Hannah spent 5 days in Kindergarten.

her classroom is on the right

obligatory first day of school picture
(this was the only one she didn't look totally wide-eyed and frightened)

she rides her bike to school each day
(she was all smiles on day two)

in her classroom, listening and understanding nothing because it is all in Spanish
(don't worry she's learned a lot since day one and now dances around the house counting in Spanish and rattling off the colors.)

Peter spent 3 days in preschool.

first day of school picture
(he was all smiles until we attempted to get in the car to go and then he ran back into the house screaming that he was not going to go to school, "I jus want to 'tay at home with mommy")

his cubby poster
(all his favorite things to cheer him up when he feels sad)

his buddy Karis
(who thankfully is in his class and makes each day something to look forward to)

And for the most part we got them there on time and without many tears.

That deserves some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and glasses of milk!
(and some crazy faces)
  

Oh, and if you're wondering how Abigail is doing in all this...

She's standing up

 

eating lots of food

and still smiling away.

 

london

oh hello,



I thought before I moved on to sharing about all the current adventures going on in our family I would back up and post a few pictures of our marathon day in London.
(no we didn't run 26.2 miles but we came close to walking it.)



I had never visited London before so we packed in seeing all the major sites in one day.
(okay, there's a lot we missed and I look forward to going back)

We started at the Tower of London

riding the conveyor belt over and over again to see the Crown Jewels.

 

 

We got a great view of the Tower Bridge.

And Matt tried out his sharp shooter skills.

 

Abigail spent the whole day in our Ergo carrier, sleeping, smiling at other tourists
and taking in the sights and sounds.

Our next stop was to ride a double decker bus to St. Paul's cathedral.

And then on to a boat ride down the River Thames.

 

I saw the The London Bridge I sang about as a kid.

We got off the river to see Big Ben

and Westminster Abbey.

 

 

 

 

After much searching and literally walking in circles,
we found a yummy Indian restaurant for dinner.

On this trip Matt discovered a love for almond Magnum ice cream bars.

 Our last stop was Buckingham Palace and we just happened to be there
for the changing of the guard.
(Can anyone tell me why there are "guards" and armed "guards"?)

Whew!  

Tired and with sore feet we got back on the underground.  

Back to our hotel.

And then flew home!