My kids got skills.

I must say,

It's true.

Besides runnin amuck at uncharted speeds,

My babes have been showing some great sides of themselves lately.

Lauren got a camera for her birthday and has an ever improving eye for a good shot.

Taken by her:

A lover of all things pink or purple.

Aprons, My little Pony, Babies,

And her little sis.

She is a real spicy gem to have around...

Avid scooter enthusiast,

and ideal roller derby scrapper.

That's my 'baby doll'.

Then there's man cub.

My softy with a phrase for every occasion.

Here's what he's been saying these days:

"Night time is my favorite time of year"

while we were cuddling on the couch he gazes into my eyes with a sigh:

"aaahhhhh, my huge mommy"

This morning during story time he looks at my face with a startled expression:

"Mom! DO you have a pirate tooth???????" (He noticed my silver filling for the first time. )

In his loudest screechiest boy voice

Plus, he is newly an off road two wheeled biking fool:

And Claire.

Specializing in creatively disobeying.

Walks through the house singing out:

"Oooh Mom!!!(long winded) Where are you????

Her brother taught her this:

Pay special attention to her face at the end .

Be sure to scroll down and turn the music off.

What did I tell you?

Pretty good right?

The Budding Corn Dog

There's not much more to say about Claire other than:

She is ALWAYS happy...... even when she's hungry

She's always hungry

She is super squeezable

And her face lights up when Daddy gets home!

She looks exquisite in yellow

I was lucky enough to catch her "mid laugh"

When I was pregnant with Claire, we took forever to name her. One of us would come up with a name the other one wouldn't like. The kids came up with temporary names of thier own. Silas wanted "Rifle Gun" Lauren wanted "Corn dog". Corn dog stuck long after she was born. Although that season of her life was short lived (being called Corn dog), It is a fun memory for us all.

She is the sweetest baby you'll ever meet and has the looks to match.

As I said theres not much to say about her other than shes cute and happy. What more could you ask for? Someday I'll have more to say as this flower blooms!

P.S. Daddy's favorite thing about Claire is that her hair is lomg enough to brush the whispies out of her eyes!

"Low-wen"

This little cupcake introduces herself as "Lowen". From this she will repeat herself and break it down for you to, "LOW-WEN" And then, if you don't understand and say "Oh, Lauren!" Your not worth her time.

She's a sweet little pistol with fire in her heels. I thank my lucky stars that I don't have to work because I would regretfully miss so many "teachable moments".

Isn't she sweet?

Lauren is all girl. She is all about the dress and painted toenails. I am contemplating not buying anymore pants because if she had her way she would be in her "Flicka" skirt 24/7. One of the things I love about her is that when she is wearing a dress, she truly believes that she is a princess. And what a pretty princess she makes!

She is definitely ALL THINGS PINK!

She is a HILARIOUS dancer and can shake her grove thing like there is no tomorrow. Unlike my homebody Silas, she is my sidekick and goes where I go. It is so much fun having a shopping partner and daughter all wrapped up into one!

Lauren has this special thing about her: No matter how much spice she puts out, she still melts her daddy's heart into this oblivion that covers all her wrongdoings. This is her scapegoat for many of her crimes.

Sometimes, its like looking into a mirror. I think "I was going to say that!"

Despite her flare, Lauren is very self conscious. She has to build her trust up before she lets down her guard. She has a delicate nature and if your not careful, she'll ease up and proceed with caution. She is likely to go unnoticed when her feelings are hurt because she expresses it in a withdraw from this person's company. My prayer of desperation is that I would not unnoticingly say things to hurt her and cause her to withdraw herself from my company. It is easy to do and I am trying to become more aware.

The best thing I have learned about Lauren is that I absolutely LOVE having daughters.

Lauren, I love you honey more than you know. Lets go paint those toenails.

Hello, I'm Silas

Lincoln log trick

I thought I would share a little about each of my Pieps. This is my first born and only son, Silas. He is a contortionist, always testing his body to see how many Lincoln logs he can fit in his toes, how he can manage his new jump from the couch to the mini trampoline, and has an obsession with tying our bathrobe ropes in special (tight!) knots to anything with a handle.

He remembers funny things that capture his interest and is very observant.

He's a lover not a fighter and when he does fight (his Daddy) he takes cheap shots from behind and then runs away.

He is a people person so when your sitting anywhere, he will most likely be glued to your lap talking closely to you with his dog breath (watch out because he reeks of boy), and asking you "What if" questions (i.e. "Mama what if I..........?")

He has a huge and charming smile, great sense of humor and is a delight to be around because he is so entertaining.

Someday, he wants to be a Police officer, He would do well because he is a great protector, problem solver, and peace-keeper.
I think he will make a great daddy and husband someday because he is so patient with his sister-even when she doesn't deserve it. In fact its hard to discipline Lauren for doing something wrong because he will interrupt and say:"Its okay mommy, she can hit me like that. It didn't hurt." Or "She can have that toy, I will find a different one." He blows my mind sometimes with his patience and generosity. He's the kind of boy I hope my daughters find as husbands, because he is very much a leader and provider (all by nature) and yet so yielding to the silly requests of his sister.

He loves to make Claire laugh, and don't tell anyone, but I think he is Claire's favorite!

I am so glad he was my first Piep, he was the perfect addition to our family of two, and I have so many treasured memories of being alone all day with him as a babe!