Do we really need a pet?

We've been debating getting another pet. One that Jack will not be allergic to. I wonder thought, with all of this in our backyard, do we really need one? These ducks make Kate insanely happy. They have the opposite effect on her dad - he can't stand them messing up his new dock!

Thank you Grandma & Pop Pop

Grandma & Pop Pop sent Mom a birthday present.... they also sent Jack a new little car (the white one on the end) and a Thanksgiving bear for Kate.

Jack LOVES his new car. The picture above is the cars' family. Jack told me his car was crying and needed a mommy, daddy and a gags (pronounced like it rhymes with 'dogs', this is his new name for Kate). We quickly remedied that & all was well.

Jack was quiet playing in the hall while I made dinner. I thought he was reading, this is what he was doing. Pop Pop, you'll understand.... :)

SeaWorld & A Scooter

Today Kate & Jack went to Sea World. The weather was perfect - cool- and, because we got there as they were opening, we enjoyed some time at the park with no lines. We rode the Polar Express and even saw some polar bears and walrus. The highlight of the day however, were the slides at the kids area. The carousel came in a distant second....

We hadn't even made it out of the parking lot to head home after lunch before Jack was asleep...


Kate soon followed ...


Later, after naps & a visit to Aunt Mia's, we played outside. Jack has a new scooter - even Scott took his turn riding it. Kate, stuck with the wagon...

Photo Editing; Remove Red Eye & Remove Crying

In an effort to get my blog current, I was quickly editing some photos to remove the red eyes that plaque my children in almost every shot. Sometimes, the red is so much that the red eye function can not even cover all of it... While working on the photos I discovered something missing from my suite of photo editing functions...

"After"photo first;

Before editing. What was really going on;
Kate had been playing happily on the bed with her brother just minutes before the failed attempt at a group shot

Don't you dare take my lotion or my paci Dad!

Enough already Mom - I don't like the flash!

Look at me... I'm SPIDERMAN!!

Hey Hollywood!

Practicing Stunts...

Kate masters the swing & Jack the flip

oops... this crash landing was not supposed to happen. Dad's quick hands saved the day!

Flip!

Kate speaks...

Well, she doesn't really speak. She says momma, dada, duck and up. BUT she can sing the chorus to "Old McDonald Had a Farm" like a champion. She had her entire preschool teaching staff in stitches today as she serenaded them with "EEEE -I- EEEE - I - OH" over and over and I do mean over again. She's no slacker when it comes to dancing either, she's the complete package. Watch out American Idol!