Our shoes have still not made it back into the house

Our church playgroup made plans to visit a dairy farm several weeks ago. One of my children LOVED it. I'll let you guess which one.

Here is London and Noble's dairy farm adventure:

Can you feel his apprehension?

He's still not so sure... "Where are we, why are we here, what IS that smell and for cryin' out loud, why are my pants rolled up to my knees?"

And he wouldn't even consider getting close enough for a picture with this little girl.

Fascinated and fearless.

London and Noble found the farm to be captivating, a little smelly, fascinating, muddy, surprising, intimidating, really smelly, amazing, slightly worrisome, muddy, and of course, completely fun.

Afternoon snack

Snacks are best served outside, in a chair (or bumbo) and preferably with a friend.

London's Spring Program

Every spring London's preschool class puts on a little program where the children sing, recite poetry, your know, your typical spring program stuff.

London was dying to go on. She couldn't wait. Every day it was, "Is my program tonight?" "Are you sure it isn't tonight?" "What if you forget and we miss it?" .

Well we didn't miss it, and London did a fantastic job. Really. Ask me about it sometime and I will tell you about what an AMAZING performance she gave and how she really held it together, really.

There's a good reason Noble is trying to escape...
And there it is.

They really do love each other, and now I have the photo to prove it.
Daddy's beautiful little girl.

And I'll leave you with this final expression:
I feel the teenage years fast approaching.

Easter morning '11

You can tell that when I post pictures from Easter two weeks late that I am either: a) catching up on laundry or b) reading an actual book or c) doing both

Getting ready in the morning, I whipped out the camera a little late, but there they are.

After lunch we had ourselves a little indoor easter egg hunt, it was pouring outside.
London was a big help to her little brother....
even though he thought the best part was shaking his bucket so that the eggs noisily flew everywhere. Boys.....

A prize for superb Easter egg hunting.

Oh, and London was a little unhappy that the Easter bunny didn't visit this year, (poor girl only received treats from her mom and dad, plus both her grandparents). James explained that the Easter bunny was the most fickle of the holiday gift givers, and that he was sure that next year he would make an extra big effort to visit her.
And yes, I'm enjoying my book very, very much.

It's unlikely the Easter bunny will be visiting this house on Sunday

Noble made it very clear what would happen if the Easter bunny stepped foot on our property this weekend, and it isn't pretty.

You give a two year old free license to decorate 'his bunny' however he wants, and this is how it turns out.

I'm trying to figure out where all this animosity is coming from.

He may still be angry about the flowers some punk bunnies ate in our garden.

London's bunny was much more approachable.
Even though she opted to use toilet paper instead of cotton balls. Here's to creativity!

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary how does your garden grow?"

To which London (taking upon herself the role of Mary in the musical that is her life) responds, "With roses, day lilies, those white flowers, tulips........." (and it continues, as you will soon discover).

James, London and I decided that London (and Noble's) playhouse could use some color and life that only a garden can bring. It was a little chilly when we started, but London can be quite the worker.
A little water, a little sun....
....and a few flowers eaten away by a gang of vandalizing backyard bunnies......

....and the addition of some rose bushes with help from Papa, Honey and Elizabeth.....

and we have a vibrant, blooming garden. And a very successful little gardener.

Mastering the art of smiling.

Good thing London is here to help.

And speaking of London, those shorts she's wearing have been 'put away' for the last three summers, and somehow they keep showing up. It's a real mystery, how they suddenly reappear and also how London gets them on (the tag reads 24 mos.).

Beautiful girl.
Remember the song I mentioned at the beginning? Well, here it is. Enjoy.

If you need a waver, he's your guy

Noble and London LOVED riding all the mechanical animal/vehicle rides around Branson. This one was no exception. As you can tell, what started out as lassoing (for Noble) turned into a wave that looked like it was made for a parade float.

That's my boy.

And as a bonus you also get to hear my dad say my middle name...ahhhh...feels like old times.