Everyone Loves Turtle

This is from our visit to Cecilia's house in August.

Sunday Times Crossword

First Soccer Practice

Max came out with his own ball. Can you imagine the melt-down otherwise? EVERYONE with their own ball but him. He played with Tim the entire time.



Is there anything cuter than little kids learning to do jumping jacks?


Here they are running some drills. Yes, that IS Mel following orders and working well in a group.


Pretty pooped (or bored). I think she learned this move from our cats. When suddenly overcome with fatigue (or boredom) lie down right where you are.

Family Photo

Braves Vs Reds

At The Varsity waiting for our food. Check out the ears.




Max eats cotton candy for the first time. Not impressed.


Kids realizing what their mother already knew -- baseball can be boring.

Mini Beefcake

Luna Moth Caterpillar

This juicy fellow probably got knocked out of a tree after a recent storm. He is the size of Mel's hands! What I didn't photograph was the copious amounts of sludge it spit at us in self-defense. It did not stop us from picking him up but did leave an unfavorable impression of the fellow. We let him go that evening.

Max's Birthday Party

Which is Meg's head?






I'm just glad someone stopped him from eating the candle.

Soccer

Melina starts soccer on Tuesday. I hope her enthusiasm lasts until then. Here she is in her PJs trying out her gear.

First Day of School

Nuts to the photo shoot. There are lollipops in here.


Max's very first day in school. All the kids did great. No crying.

Sentences and Stuff

Melina made a Valentine's Day card in August. She wrote out "I lov yoo too" all on her own. The last "o" got washed out from a spill.


"Camping" in their room. Like the coordinated bedding?


How a 4-year-old child takes up an entire king-sized bed.

The Elusive Ginger & Sophie

Two very sweet cats we are "babysitting". Their caring owner travels a lot for work and is looking for a new home for them. They will get plenty of attention at this house! We're making sure they do well with the kids before an official adoption. Not too comfortable around the kids. (can you blame them?). Most of their day has been spent in hiding.


Unrelated to the cats is Max stealing and wearing Melina's underwear.


So today was a milestone for Ginger, the more skittish of the two. Ginger, probably sensing Max was taking a nap and therefor not a threat, ventured about the house in broad daylight (gasp!) and even played with Melina (GASP!). Pardon the low-quality video...


Oh, wow. Even worse uploaded than the original. I swear there is a cat in this video. Look for shadowy figure in lower right.

Curly Mess

Who knew this happens to curly hair when brushed? I guess we're only combing when wet.

Villa Rica Hot Air Balloon Festival

We drove out to a hot air balloon festival yesterday. Max was running on fumes (no nap due to a cough). When he is tired he gets very high-strung and physical. Tim took this video of him cutting a rug.


Here we've just arrived. Max was half asleep and fully scared.


Mel, on the other hand, was very happy.

Calling the Nurse's Bluff

Mel had to get a hearing test at the doctor's today. There was no way to convince her that 1) it would not hurt, and 2) there would be no vaccinations on this visit.

When the nurse arrived Mel demanded to know if she was going to give her a shot. The nurse assured her no. "But you have those band-aids on your shirt!" (When giving vaccinations, the nurses peel off one side of each bandage and stick it on their shirt, so they can quickly cover up each shot prick with a band-aid.) These were leftovers from a previous patient, so the nurse took them off and threw them away to prove there would be no shots... only then was Mel satisfied.

Mel Shoots With Her Camera

Argiope living on our porch.


I suspect this one was taken by Max.


Argiope living in the ivy.


Melina's self-portriat.

He shoots...

Surgeries

Melina, inspired by Tim's post-surgery x-ray, draws up her own version of Tim's foot. Tim couldn't be more proud.


Melina cuddles up with Max after his surgery. Mole is all gone.

Mel's Bug Play

Bug camp this week culminated in a performance starring all the campers. Melina played the role of a butterfly. The boy who played a grasshopper was pushing and poking her to which she yelled "That is not a way to treat a butterfly!!".



Max supports his sister start to finish during this number...

Happy Birthday Uncle Dave!

Thanks Um-dum Dave (Max's pronunciation) for coming over with bagels. And for playing ball with Max (note how he slides into home). And taking both kids to the park with Tim. We love celebrating your birthday. Happy 32nd!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

More Random Pics

Max listens intensely while Mel talks with leaf hopper on her finger.


Trying on mommy's shoes.


"Seep" with "gat".

Cat Dolls

These cats and clothes (with accessories!) were made by Grandma. Thanks, Grandma!

Creative solution...

...to holding your blankie while hands are busy mowing.

Spring Trip Up North