Happy 5th Birthday

 Chapped hands got the best of the birthday girl.Treasure chest search for chocolate coins.

Sister approved of the cake.

Swamp People

Today this sick kid insisted on either being naked or an alligator...voila.

She's a Star

Halloween

Safe to say she's got Halloween figured out.

This video fueled by 1/4 of a snack sized Kit Kat and 20 M&M's.

(sorry for the lighting)

A Mom Tries to Be Productive at Home

We're big on the slow cooker around here, so when I came across this experiment, I had to try it.

The goal: 9 sacks of food sitting in the freezer, ready to be dumped into the cooker and ready 4-8hrs later.

The inspiration:
http://melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.co.nz/2011/09/freezer-cooking-slow-cooker-meals.html?m=1

The implementation:
1) Veggies from mom's garden
2) Shopping at TJ's and Whole Foods
3) A few hours of prep
4) The baby tired of not being the center of attention

5) Taste is TBD!

A Feisty Late May

My last post was before my board exam...which I passed...a golden ticket good for the next ten years.

The reward was a visit from dear friends Scott, Palm, and Paul - all the way from Malaysia!

The highlight for you will be seeing Scott's photography. I'll let it speak for itself.

"Braf"

Having some fun with giraffe.

Snuggle zoo

Love some aunt Marnie

Yeehaw

Patriot's Day Sun

Summer in Boston came early, and this chick was prepared.

This chick knows how to have a good time...

What's better than an elephant pool?

Dirt.

Look everyone, I'm standing on it!

Easter Baskets

My Easter basket...

Naomi's Easter basket...

Aunt Marnie, you're so snuggly!

Caught a tiger by the tail.

A New Home!

Thanks to all for your encouragement, prayers, thoughts, and help. We're settled in our new place in Huron Village (West Cambridge), just steps from 2 toy stores, some fabulous restaurants and Mt. Auburn Cemetary (gorgeous). We're so happy here. It has extra space in all the right places - first floor living, a real dishwasher, disposal, space for a kitchen table freeing up the dining room for a play room, a toddler-sized patio, and two separate nooks for studying/working.

This chick had no trouble getting settled. She thinks she's royalty in this chair from Nana.

Baby of Mine

What a gift to parents in need of comic relief!

New Wheels

This sweet ride came in the mail yesterday & we put it together last night.

This morning, she was excited that she didn't even notice me say goodbye. (Note the still pink "I just woke up" cheeks.)

Impromptu snuggle break.

And tonight...safe to say she was pumped.

Yankee Cousins Part 2

Surprise #1 - Some snow for the California boy

Surprise #2 - cousin Riley, 10 mo, shows up with her mom (Wendy)

4 of 4 sisters (Marnie, Lindsay, Wendy, Julie) and 3 of 4 grandkids (Naomi 1, Luke 4mo, Miles 2.5)

Two busy girls, one happy Mormor

Mormor, her 4 babes and their 4 babes

Surprise #3 - the big California boy (aka Jonathan) arrives via red-eye

Grandpa, his 4 babes (3/4 of their dudes), 4/4 of their babes

Yankee Cousins Part 1

The Kelbers are in town!

Miles 2.5, Naomi 11mo, Luke 4mo

Auntie Marnie trying to engineer the shot with two tykes on the move.

3 of 4 sisters, 2 of 4 cousins

...and the patriarch

One great big happy birthday for Grandpa!