A Special Visit

The weather is changing here, it has been low 50's and rainy...perfect weather to cozy up and watch movies during rest time. Our new favorite, Annie (courtesy of Phyllis whose granddaughter will be in an upcoming performance of Annie this winter)

Here are the boys during rest time on the gloomy day...

Andrew is so sweet to his baby sister...

Even though the weather was gloomy, we had a special surprise guest. Brian's dad, AKA Pappy, came to visit us!!....

While we were waiting for Pappy to come to dinner, the boys invented this game...

Bailey, the inspiration...

Tessa loves to play baby...

Tiramisu

We LOVE tiramisu!!!

Today we went to brunch at Brio, a new Italian restaurant next to Cherry Creek Mall. It is not our typical Elway's brunch but we thought we would try something new. We had a great waiter and it was actually a relaxing meal out!


We met Aunt Val, Emily, Allison and Auntie Madie. Emily did not spill the juice, but Val did!


Lexi was right at home with cousin Allison, she makes us so happy!

The Three Musketettes (not sure how to spell that- think 3 Musketers): Madie, Emily and Allison


Sitting next to our table was a tray of irresitable looking dessert cups! Of course they had tiramisu so we had to try it...perfect kid sizes.



Do you know about Andrew and tiramisu? The very first time Andrew was introduced to this yummy dessert (courtesy of Auntie) his eyes were the widest we had ever seem them. Now everytime he eats it he gets what we call "Tiramisu Eyes" (Uncle Jerry was a close competitor at Emily's wedding)

Here is Andrew NOT showing us his famous eyes...although he is about to break out in smile

Tiramisu makes me....

HAPPY....

SILLY....
and SAD when it is all gone....


The waiter brought the kids pizza dough to play with. We love when restaurants do this! Here are the boys being silly for an audience.

Because I Love You

Have you ever played the “Why” game with a toddler? It goes like this:

Kid: Why do you have the peanut butter out?
Mom: Because I am making you your lunch.
Kid : But why are you making lunch?
Mom: Because you will need to eat lunch at school today.
Kid: But why do we eat lunch at school?
Mom: Because ….(fill in the blank)
Kid: But why ….

We play this often in our house because we have two very curious three year old boys. And like many of you know, we could probably spend an hour going in circles- and sometimes we do. But over time, Brian and I (and everyone else who helps out here) have gotten used to saying one little phrase that can put an end to the game or not even let it start. We answer many things in this house with “Because I love you!”
So today, after a long breakfast the boys went to play in the basement. Zach made it down first and Andrew proceeded to yell this conversation with Zach from the stair well:

Zach “Andrew I am playing in the basement”
Andrew “But Mommy is going to make us playdough.”
Zach “But why is she going to make us playdough?”
Andrew “Mommy has to clean up and get things ready and then she will make playdough.”
Zach “But why is she going to clean up?”
Andrew “Because I love you”!!!

Oh, by the way we often use breakfast as a barometer in this house. (Remember yesterday, not good breakfast = very cranky boys at soccer).

Today all three: Andrew, Zach and Tessa (And I guess Lexi too) ate for an hour plus- which means we are going to have a good day- especially promising since we are taking all kids to brunch at a new restaurant to meet up with some family.



Love the milk dripping down Andrew’s chin while he is eating his second bowl of cereal and milk. (This is after waffles, ham, fruit salad and yogurt…very focused...full tummy and lots of growing food)

And After Soccer....

So later in the afternoon, we had to get the boys out of the house.  We called Missy, who (thankfully) came over and took the overtired cranky boys away so we could have some time with just the girls! The house was calm again and I could get some things done!  Like getting these photos and testing out a new camera...   

Tessa seemed happy to have the extra attention...she is very into the "fake laugh"- wish I knew how to attach sound.  

And Lexi was being her smily self....

First Day of Soccer!

Today was Andrew's and Zach's first day of soccer. They are playing for Skyline Soccer Club every Saturday morning at 9am.

Not eating breakfast made for some very crabby first time soccer stars...I guess there is always next time!

Andrew was on the field for a total of 20 minutes out of the whole hour. And they cried when the coach tried to teach them the game of tag.

100 Days and CAKE

Last Tuesday, September 15^th, we celebrated Lexi’s 100^th Day Birthday! This milestone tradition started with the boys. So on Tuesday, Brian came home and surprised us with a cake and of course we had to celebrate…any excuse to have a Mulberries cake- yummy!

Our sweet, always smiling girl is 100 days old- it happened so fast (and yet the days sometimes feel so long)