Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: All Four in Less than a Minute

  

This is a pretty good summary of life with two little ones!  Enjoy, and check out everyone else's PHFRs over at Like Mother Like Daughter.

 

 

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: A Walk in the Woods

Pretty

I love the woods. Like Anne Shirley, I don't think I could live where there are no trees. I also love that we have some nice trails about a five minute drive away. Anthony, Katie Rose and I ventured out for a ramble this morning. Katie Rose was snugged up in the Moby wrap, so she didn't get into any of these photos, alas.

So here is one I snapped of her this morning.

Happy

Anthony is a good little hiker.  The trails are a bit strenuous in places for a two-year-old.  Lots of fallen trees to clamber over, tree roots to step around, and stone steps like these here.  Of course that all adds to the fun for him, and he is so proud that he can do everything all by himself!

 Funny

So this isn't really humorous.  More curious.  The ground all around these tree roots has eroded away, leaving the roots completely exposed, reaching across a pit about four feet deep.  This was the best picture I got, because I have a toddler who is certainly curious!  It's amazing how complex the network of roots is.

Real

A tired out little boy!  We walked about a mile and a half.  He's sound asleep now.

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real

  Pretty

This year I made Valentines for our families!  They will probably all be surprised to receive these, since the long-promised Christmas cards never came.  We had cleverly decided to buy cards a few days after Christmas last year, but all the ones left were decidedly secularized.  Only one even said "Merry Christmas."  That one had a pretty picture of a Christmas tree, but the inside message was lame.  I said, "Oh, we'll just cover it up with a cute picture of Anthony.  That's what all the aunts want to see anyway."  Well, that proved too difficult to get done before it was embarrassingly late to send cards.  That is, after New Year's.  So Valentines it is.

The level of sitting still required to trace his hand would never have happened if the little guy hadn't been feeling sick and just wanting to sit on my lap. But as it was, he had a good time with Mama's sound effects for going around each finger and getting his finger all gluey to put it together. The idea came from Money Saving Mom.

Happy

Breakfast makes me happy.  Especially when there's Nutella.

Funny

 I made the bathroom all sparkling clean last night while Ryan took care of Anthony for a little while.

Later, the little boy was in bed, I had a clean bathroom and fresh towels.  Fresh flowers and candles made the ambiance.  It was just like a spa! 

Well, almost. :-)

Real

Poor boy.  Although I must confess, I am enjoying the additional snuggle time.

Pretty Happy Funny Real #3: Anthony edition

These photos are mostly from the fall, so this is a catch-up and a cuteness post all in one! Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

PrettyLooking out of the window on the Strasburg Railroad, on a day trip with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop. We saw lots of prettiness on that trip, such as:

Lovely! Makes me even more ready to move out to a farm.

Happy

Doesn't look like it in this photo, but he really liked the leaves!

Having fun helping Mama and Daddy pick them up!

And just able to reach the top of the bin!

Funny

On the train with Mom-Mom and Aunt Teresa.

Anthony's Halloween costume. Trick-or-Treat was so much fun this year! Anthony quickly figured out he'd get a big reaction from people if he said, "Oo-oo-oo." He's kind of a ham.

Real

Tired little traveler, asleep on the plane home from visiting Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop.

Already lounging on the couch with a book! Hmmm, I wonder where he learned that one?

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: #2

~Pretty~

Progress on the highchair! I really like the bright red! I sanded the most worn parts of it, but Anthony would be in high school by the time I managed to strip the entire thing. So spray paint it is! I was inspired by Rosie on Like Mother Like Daughter. She did the same thing to make a really sweet highchair for her little boy. I'm still in the process of sanding down the tray. I want that to be stained and poly-ed rather than painted so I can scrub it well all the time. Even that little piece is taking me a really long time to sand.

~Happy~

"Mama! I'm going pee-pee in the potty!" That's exactly what is happening in this picture. You'll just have to take my word for it, as that little drape of t-shirt is what makes it legal to post this photo. We've been encouraging Anthony's interest in the potty. He does do very well and he's so proud of himself! I haven't figured out out-and-about pottying yet, as public toilets are just too big and, well, gross. He really does need a potty seat with that tiny behind, but carrying one with us seems rather impractical especially since we walk a lot of places, and, well, gross.

~Funny~

Ryan was reading the paper Sunday morning and not really paying attention to Anthony and me. (You know, "Hun, should I make pancakes or waffles today?... ... Ryan?" "Sure.") So I drew our family on his toes. He didn't really react to this until the coffee you see in his hand was at least half drunk.

~Real~

This is how the housework really gets done around here! I do give Anthony the dustbuster and let him crawl around with that for a few minutes in the afternoon sometimes while I am doing my quick spruce-up before dinner. Yes, I have found yet another way for parents to use technology as a babysitter! But he likes to think he's helping, and soon enough he will be!