future plumber

One of the things that absolutely cracks me up about A is that her...um...crack is *constantly* on display. Now, I know that most kids have this issue (big bellies, teeny heinies), but A's seems to be more pervasive of a problem than most kids. And, a long standing issue at that.

When we went to the Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia was afforded the opportunity to check it out! And, so can you!

 

This weekend, as I was rummaging through the 4T bin of clothes to find A a short-sleeved shirt that would cover her oh-so-cute Buddha belly, I also grabbed a pair of 4T pants. I figured maybe she just needed bigger pants to fix the problem. But, as we were skating on Sunday, Liz passed by and said,

"I love how A's pants don't seem to reach all the way up!"

So, not so successful.

Hopefully, the problem will remedy itself before she gets to thong-wearing age.

girls weekend

This weekend was a girls weekend 'round the Slacker house. John headed up to Providence to catch the first round of the NCAA tourney. He did this last year, too, and just like last year, the weather was gorgeous. This softened the blow big-time for me because, according to the basketball gurus, Tennessee was supposed to go to San Jose for the first round...so I was a bit bitter I wouldn't be repeating my March trip to Cali.

Anyway, the girls and I (and apparently 1/2 of the DC metropolitan area) headed to Clemyjontri Park on Saturday. The girls had a ton of fun running around (even though the Merry-go-round was closed). We also packed a picnic to eat there...which we ended up eating in the back of the car since I didn't feel like lugging our picnic to and from the overflow parking.

On Sunday, we headed into Arlington for a birthday party for my friend Liz's son Jake. An ice skating birthday party. Trying to navigate around the rink with 2 (well, 3 including me) non-skaters was a bit challenging. But the girls picked it up pretty well. E even tried to jump a few times...apparently she watched a bit too much Olympics. A had fun, too, but reached her limit. She turned to me at one point and said,

"I just wanna go to Miss Liz's and eat PIZZA!"

But even she skated without holding onto the wall!

All in all...it was a good time had by all the Slacker ladies!

change of season

This winter has been rough on the Slackers. In addition to all that snow we've gotten...we've been struggling with E and her feelings on SAC. Almost every day we would struggle with how she didn't want to go, and why couldn't she be a car rider or bus rider like [insert name of classmates]?

We pointed out how much fun she had when she was there. We tried to be more accomodating. I've rearranged my schedule so that she can be a car rider (and not go to SAC) on Fridays. Nonna has been picking her up one day a week (well, when she's not visiting Baby AJ). John's been trying to finagle his schedule, too.

The frustrating thing has been that E hasn't necessarily appreciated these changes. When I told her she could be a car rider on Fridays, it wasn't met with "Why can't I do it everyday?" And we're still met with resistance Mondays through Thursdays before and after school...and on the weekends...and at bedtimes. I would oscillate from being heartbroken (My Poor Baby Girl!) to annoyed (It's not like we're sending her to Boot Camp!) to flat out exasperated (#@)$#@(*$)*#@$).

But, the weather is turning around these parts. Each day has been warmer and sunnier than the last. When it's this pretty out...it's hard to be in a bad mood. Yesterday, when I picked her up from SAC, she was playing outside. I was met with laughter and giggles...not bitching and moaning whining. And, this morning was relaxed and carefree, I dropped her off at school as happy as a clam.

I'm not foolish enough to think that our problems are over....but I am hopeful that the beginning of Spring will be a new season for us all.

please touch mueseum

Last Friday, the Slackers headed up to Philly to visit our friends who live there. John had some work to do, and the girls and I played hooky to hang out for the day.

On Saturday, E, A, Maura and Maggie and Autumn and I headed into Philly to the Please Touch museum. The girls had a blast going through all of the exhibits, including the restored Merry-go-Round. And (shocker!) I actually remembered to bring my camera...so we have photographic evidence of the fun!

 

All in all, we had tons of fun!

the cutest one-year-old in the whole wide world!

A year ago...she looked like this:

And, now?

Happy birthday, Baby AJ! We all love you and miss you!

joke of the day

A: Knock knock.
John and me: Who's there?
A: Banilla ice cream.
John and me: Vanilla ice cream who?
A: Tootie [insert hysterical fit of laughter]

cutting class

We had a fun weekend that included a birthday party for the girls and John and I going to his company's (incredibly delayed) Holiday Party. John's Uncle Paul and Aunt Kathleen graciously offered to watch the girlies while we went to the shin-dig (it was an overnighter)...and fun was had by everyone!

When we got back late Sunday morning, it was fun to find how it had gone, and t hear the funny (and different perspective) that they had on the girls. Uncle Paul declared that E is already huge backseat driver. And Aunt Kathleen had this funny little story about A.

On Sunday morning, the foursome was headed to church. E and A were not happy about this...but, being the ever gracious hostesses, begrudgingly went. After mass began, A turned to Aunt Kathleen and said the dreaded seven words,

"I have to go to the potty."

Aunt Kathleen whisked her away to the bathroom. However, the minute they walked into the bathroom door, A turned around and said,

"I really *don't* have to go potty."

Imagine the excuses she will come up with in a few years when at 3 she's faking having to pee to get out church?