Dad Home 24hrs...

So Austin found a slug in the grass and he's now been added to our aquarium.  Seymour.  So Geico  the crab, Seymour the slug, and he's weathering okay.  Although I don't know what to feed a slug so we'll see how he fairs.

Ash also loves to find dress-up costumes and put them on.  We found Tigger-the Halloween costume Austin wore when he was 2.  

So Daddy came home for 24 hrs.  He'll come back June 1st.    But when Dad was home its always a ritual to play with the police lights and sound the "whoop whoop."  It was rainy so we all got in the back of the ride and pretended we were agents!  Too cool.

Pink

While on the phone, Ash had gotten into hair color (thanks Pop) and smeared it through her fine hair, then hid under her comforter (pink bed) and touched walls (with pink fingers).  My jaw dropped and instead of starting with her, I just laughed and grabbed the camera.  I'm really trying hard to start to look at the big picture and not get upset with the everyday minutia of being a mom.  It's hard, but it's helping me cope with things a little easier.

JAX

My brother Christian and wifey Jodi in Boston just had their 2nd boy.  They named him Jax Diehl LaBarbera last week.  8 lbs 13 oz.  He does't have hair like his big brother Brigg.  Brigg obviously has a lot of love for his brother below.  Congratulations LaBarbera's!  

Cold Stone Ice Cream

A dozen roses always lets me know my love is thinking of me.  Thanks honey.

This past week for a preschool field trip we all went to Cold Stone Creamery.  It was a great field trip.  The kids learned how ice cream was made, got in the freezer, saw how a cake was decorated, the moms got creations, kids got to mix their OWN creations and then we were given MORE ice cream-the yummy new cupcakes at the end.  All this ice cream BEFORE 11am. Ooooohh.  So fun.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Ash and Annie are best friends and worst enemies.  The dog and Ash definitely have a love hate relationship.  

Love the pose!  I said Ash, say cheese and she totally did a vogue.  Today Ash just got a new stroller for all her naked dolls.

I want a cool cool cool cool rider!  A cool cool cool cool rider!  Last weekend Ashley got her first bike!  She loves it and rides to the bus stop and back everyday.  She feels a  new independence with it (and she's striving for independence in everything she does, everyday) so the bike liberates her a bit.  Nice.  

Spring Has Sprung!

The kids used to have a crab named Geico.  Then Austin left the cage open and Geico escaped and dried up.  Since then, the kids have wanted another hermit crab.  Then Grandma Toler sent us this picture of this coconut crab and the desire for another crab has dissipated.

Ashley had a playdate with a GIRL this week!  Her good friend Maddie!  This is the first time she's ever had a girl playdate!  She loved it.  

The weather this week was gorgeous!!! We thoroughly took advantage of the days we had with the temps in the 70's.  Running outside, washing the car, playing for hours and hours outdoors, gardening, you name it.  Here's to another week of pretty weather!  I'm ready for shorts, flip flops and sun.

Happy EASTER!

Moms Lemonade cake-yummy Easter treat.

Oh no!  The Easter Bunny left pellets on our floor!

Is this the real Easter Bunny?

Eat your heart out Thumper

Mall Easter Bunnies

We saw Peter Cottontail at Fair Oaks.  Then his brother at Tyson's Corner.  Then his cousin the Velveteen Rabbit at Dulles Town Center.  Verdict: Tyson's-the best mall bunny to visit.  We did do our fair amount of shopping this spring break.  Hey-we saved money on Disney, hotel, gas, food and boarding a dog.  We treated ourselves!  

 

Luray Cavern

On Friday on our Spring Break Stay-Cation, we hit Luray Cavern.

Very cool-stalagtites play a musical organ throughout the cave.

Anyone who's been to Luray will always remember the fried eggs.

Reflection-Dream Pool.

A Stalagtite poked my head!