09.24.11 - Tree house and Grandma's house

It was the Smithsonian's Museum Day today, so we took advantage of the free admission to checkout Botanica. We'd never been there and we were told its Childrens' Garden was awesome.

And. It. Is.

Here, Angie and Nate stop for a portrait while climbing the tree house.


Nate spent a lot of time watering the flowers outside Grandma's house while Maddie was inside baking cookies with some other girls.


So many watering cans and so many flowers to water. Where to start?


Soon he realized Maddie was somewhere else and he went looking for her. It usually doesn't matter what Maddie's up to, Nate wants to be right there with her. I hope she doesn't mind!


As a result, he likes to play kitchen. Maybe he'll grow up to be a famous chef. Or at least invite his mom and dad over for dinner every now and then.

04.15.11 - Gonna need a bigger kitchen

Nate got to join in on the fun in baking cookies with Mommy and Maddie tonight. Oddly enough, I think he liked playing drums on the canisters more than he liked the cookies! I wonder if there will be room for Tommy on that counter, too? Looks like we're gonna need a bigger kitchen sooner than I thought!

03.31.11 - Sandbox

We used a portion of our tax refund to buy a couple of outdoor toys - a new wagon and this sandbox. So far, it's been a big hit. It's occupied Maddie and Nate for at least 30 minutes on two different occasions.

03.06.11 - Storytime

Nate laughs as his mommy makes a monkey sound while reading stories with him, Maddie, Harley and Tommy!

01.21.11 - Tackle Daddy!

Maddie and Nate had this great idea tonight ...

01.12.11 - Dinner to go

We didn't put the brakes on Nate's high chair and after dinner Nate pushed it through the living room. We think we'll be walking soon.

01.04.11 - Snacks

Who says we only have a two-butt kitchen? Looks like we got room for at least one more!

01.02.11 - Party Practice

Nate turns 1 next month so Maddie let him help open her gifts at her birthday party today.

12.29.10 - Hangin' out

So the story goes, Mom is trying to do some laundry and the kids decide to help. Yeah, you can tell how much laundry got done!

12.28.10 - Props

We are starting to discover some major differences between Maddie and Nate. For instance, if you gave Maddie a bottle, she'd lie on the floor and drink it. If you give Nate a bottle, well, it's hard telling what he might do. He might drink it, he might drop it on the floor and swat it under the sofa or he might us the sofa to hold it for him. Hey, Lazy Bones! Hold your own bottle! And quit playin' with your food!

12.27.10 - Learning to share

If only Maddie would share her toys as well as she shares Puffs.

12.26.10 - Christmas Day, Part II

The day after Christmas is always reserved for Gramma Karen and Grampy Keith. We gathered at their house where Maddie and Nate loved playing with all their new toys with their cousins Emerson, Savannah and Taylor. Keaton's around there somewhere. He might be hiding in one of those huge stacks of gifts!

12.24.10 - Christmas Eve

Today was our busiest day of celebration. First, we celebrated Maddie's second birthday with bagels for breakfast and pizza (her choice!) for lunch. Then, after naps, we headed to Nan and Pop's for Christmas Eve. Nate didn't care so much for this outfit but did like all the toys he got!

12.14.10 - Car & Driver

Nate's really likes playing with his new cars, one of which came from Brian and Emily. He likes to push them toward the end of the hallway, which is becoming a popular hangout spot with his sister.

12.10.10 - Music to our ears

Maddie and Nate play a duet on some musical toys at Nan and Pop's tonight. As usual when Dad's away shooting a wedding, the rest of the family seek refuge (for awhile, at least) at Angie's grandparents' house!

12.09.10 - Taste tester

Nate gets to be the taste-tester for a batch of alphabet soup Maddie whipped up while waiting for their mom and dad to whip up some real dinner.

12.05.10 - Pushy

When it comes to her brother, Maddie can be a little pushy.

11.17.10 - Full house

Fortunately, I think there's room for at least one more.

11.16.10 - Driving Miss Maddie

We went shopping for a new kitchen sink faucet tonight at Lowe's and Nate drove the car cart with Maddie. Although Maddie wasn't interested in it at first, she later walked over to one and wanted in. It was their first time to take one for a spin and they had a pretty good time although they're terrible drivers.

11.15.10 - Baby cages

Angie's boss in the library at KU refers to playpens as "baby cages." When you have two kids (and one on the way) you can't afford fancy baby cages so diaper boxes will have to work. :)