The Gang's All Here!

Henry, Jack, Camille, Jocelyn (and Hostess with the Mostess, Denise), Jillian, Amedeo, Jessica, Brooks and Brenna's to-be-named Uterus Monster.With pre-school and play groups and second babies getting the remaining members of the Mom's Group together is not easy! (The Mom's Group is for first-time mommas immediately after delivery, run free through the county for any residents and it runs officially for 8 weeks and then we're encouraged to continue meeting on our own. We met starting way back in March 08, and all the kiddos are January or February 08 babies, just look at them, and us, now!) Brenna read about a cool activity where you make frozen yogurt with a couple of ziplock bags some ice and some salt. Genius! Shake it, Kids!

They're only 3, so the moms did the bulk of the shaking, but it totally counts as a workout! Right?!

I just cut a hole in the inner bag filled with yogurt and let Jack squeeze out the frozen treat!

I'm shocked and pleased they all sat still long enough for a group shot!

Boo!

Year One Jocelyn-pumpkin, Jillian-lion, Cady-ladybug, Leora-bunny, Amedeo-bat,
Jack-dinosaur


Year Two

Amedeo-turtle, Brooks-bear (go Baylor!), Cady-cowgirl, Colin-tiger,

Jack-James Dean, Jillian-astronaut, Jocelyn-Eyore

Year Three

Jocelyn-sunshine bear, (Henry's monkey suit waited for him while he napped)

Jack-firefighter, baby Jessica-pumpkin, Jillian-sadie hawkins dancer,

Amedeo-lamb, Brooks-giraffe

Then Henry woke up and they became Henry as Monkey Man and Jack as the Firefighter!

I'm in denial.

The Carlsons are moving from the lovely MD to NC. Emily said it best, and has some great pics too of our little send-off party. We had a fabulous time at the Casa-de-Kentobean and we're very sad to see Lindsey, Cady and Kevin go but I see this as an opportunity to invite myself down south once in a while to visit my old grad. school stomping grounds and to visit my friends in a place with such delicious venues as: The Hibernean, Cookout and El Rodeo.

I will not say goodbye, I'll simply say see you later, alligator.

School's out for summah!

After two weeks of pre-pre-school our kids are now graduates! Brooks, Cady and Jack showed off their paper mache fish.

We took the tots for lunch and then treated them to ice cream. They thought this was the best idea EVER. I balanced the camera on the hood of Lindsey's car to pull of this shot. Everyone (even Henry) made it in the frame so score one for my mad camera skillz.

Jack hardly ever gets offered desert unless it's an oatmeal cookie the size of a quarter. There might be some subconscious guilt there because I compensated by getting him an ice cream so large he couldn't finish it.

Brooks enjoyed his yummy treat!

Cady can make even ice cream eating look innocent.

I asked Henry if he wanted some but he didn't answer so I dutifully ate it for him. Takin' one for the team.

most of these photos credited to Lindsey

Forgotten Camera

I cannot believe I forgot my camera.

Ok, so yesterday morning moms group got together; Melanie's not on bed rest anymore- YAY! Brenna was gracious brave enough to have us all over. Our children are all about 4 weeks apart they're is lots of mayhem because they've all discovered possessiveness and tempers; but they've also discovered how to play together- which is so stinkin' cute!!

So at one point Jack tumbles out of the riding car and I'm of course trying to breastfeed when this happens. He's crying and he's got a cut on his hand. I give him an all-powerful mommy hug and he carries on, my wayward son.

Later he decides that he absolutely MUST have some toy that's inside. Well since we're all outside and Brenna, being the smart mommy that she is, has designated certain toys for outside and others for inside so as not to carry the dirt back into the house. He's just beside himself, he tries begging me, and every other mommy there to please, please let him have the "tractor trailer- inside."

I am of course feeding Henry again while all this is unfolding. Finally I don't hear him screaming anymore, I breathe a sigh of relief, assuming he's calmed down, but just to be sure I attempt visual confirmation. I don't see him by the play set, or the sandbox, hmmm.... I don't see him on the deck...

Oh, wait, there he is shimmying into the house through the cat door. Emily scrambles for her camera but he's too quick; he's inside in an instant.

Group Party

I have to say, I'm so glad I have this group. (Jack is of course glad too as he talks about his friends all the time.) I'm going to give the 'what they're really thinking caption.' Because they have thoughts, and they love to share them. Fortunately, I'm fluent in toddler.

Amedeo: I'm a little nervous about hosting this many people and my molars are freekin' killin' me!

Leora: I'm a big sister. Wanna see my tongue?!


Brooks: Did someone put carrots in the carrot cake?!?! Are you people trying to poison me?!?!

Jocelyn: I'm going to stick my chin out until one of you fools turns on Elmo.

Andreas: Jack, let me give you the scoop on this big brother gig....

Jillian: I hear the babies grow in mommy's belly, but don't ask me how they get there... I have no idea!


Jack: Guys, they're about to try and take a picture of all of us, get in the cars, we gotta get the h*ll out of dodge!!

Cady: I'm way ahead of ya' buddy.


Andreas, Carsten, Jocelyn, Cadence, Jillian, Jack, Amedeo



Andreas, Carsten, Jocelyn, Cadence, Leora, Brooks, Jack, Amedeo

Birthday Party Review

We had a birthday boy.

He commanded his army of robots party favors.

We had guests: Charlie, Cady, Colin, Emma, Liam, Amedeo, Brooks & parents, Andrew and Lia.


We also had some adults. Though, frankly the idea that my friends and I are 'adults' is quite scary.

We had a robot, which Matt re-named the 'Abominable Snow-bot' (both because he thinks I wasn't maxing out my artistic skills and because it has been snowing LOTS around here.)

Jack was glad to eat him. Head first.

These cupcakes have eyes.

Mom, my food is looking at me...


Today was the Mom's Group Halloween Party. In attendance we had:

James Dean.

A Baylor Bear.

A Sheriff.

A Turtle.

A Tiger.

Eyore.

and Sally Ride.

Just for a quick review, this was last year. Jocelyn, Jillian, Cady, Leora, Amedeo and Jack.

And this is this year. Amedeo, Brooks, Cady, Colin, Jack, Jillian and Jocelyn.

As the party started to wind down things got a little, um, silly.

Nope, this wasn't staged. They just did this. Over and over and over again. They didn't even seem bothered by the adults hooting and laughing in the background.

Playgroup Cookout

On Sunday afternoon the Mom's Group rented a pavilion at Patapsco State Park for a little cookout gathering. We had really good attendance, and it was so nice to see so many of our working mommies again! There was a playground close by, which the kids enjoyed.

Jack and Jill climbed up this hill. Seriously, I'm not making this up.

When Mr. Wes busted out the bubble blower the tots were beside themselves! Ria already knows how to operate the blower so she took the lead on bubble making and popping.

Jack was amused by all the bubble activity, so was Jocelyn.

Amedeo was very pensive before launching a bubble attack.

Leora enjoyed it all!

Finally, Jack was mesmerized by fire. Grrrrreeeat.