Sprinkler Fun

We spent Memorial Day with Michael's family. It was a hot one so Michael's Mom suggested the kids bring over their swimsuits and run in the sprinkler. I never know how much they are going to like the water. Let's just say that neither of them love taking a bath. I am glad I grabbed my camera as we were walking out the door at home because I got some cute pictures of the action.

Miriam ended up having a lot of fun. Simon... well we aren't real sure. He did a laugh/cry sound the whole time. I think he liked it, but he didn't want to stay out very long. Simon might have liked it better if he could walk through it on his own.

Mount Vernon, one last time

On Saturday we decided to go to Mount Vernon one more time before our season pass from Memorial Day last year expired. We met up a guy that Michael works with and his family. We arrived early before it was too hot and didn't even have to wait in line to go through the mansion. We had a picnic lunch on the grounds, then went into the museum just when it started to get hot.

We really enjoyed being able to see Mount Vernon a couple of times over the past year. We probably won't go again for a while. Here is a flash back of all the family pictures in front of the mansion.

Memorial Day 2011:

December 2011:

Memorial Day weekend 2012:

(hmmm... Michael is wearing the same outfit... and Miriam is in pigtails again)

Modeling and Taking Steps

Today Miriam really wanted to try on her swimsuit. She also insisted that Simon try his on too. She was being so silly and cute, so I took a few pictures of her modeling her new swimsuit.

After that Miriam wanted to take pictures of Simon. I decided to try to get him to walk. Miriam snapped these shots... pretty good eh?

Remote Control

Like any other guy, Simon loves to hold the remote control.

Silly Faces

Simon is such a goofy boy. He doesn't really do what I ask on the video (as usual) but he makes some really silly faces. His facial expressions are pure entertainment.

Nooks and Crannies

Miriam and Simon always find the strangest places to play. It must be fun to be little and able to hide around the nooks and crannies in the house. Some of the favorites include:

Looking out the window

Inside the toy bin 

Stuck inside the toy bin

Under my new sewing desk

(Miriam is pretending to play iPad)

Training Wheels

We found Miriam a bike at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago. It didn't have any training wheels, so Miriam has had to wait to ride it. On Saturday, we finally got training wheels and a helmet. She was so excited for Michael to take her out to ride her bike. She is such a big girl with her princess bike and helmet. I don't know how well she will learn to ride this summer, but we are glad we bought a bike that will be big enough to last her a couple of years.

Mother's Day

 

We had a great day together as a family.

I am so glad that Mother's Day is on a Sunday.

I love attending church and celebrating women with my three favorite people.

I am so blessed to be a mother.

Happy Mother's Day to the wonderful women in our family!

(A special thanks to Michael's parents for a wonderful dinner)

Birthday Celebration

Before Michael came home from work yesterday, we went out and wrote him a birthday message in chalk. The kids had fun getting ready to surprise Dad.

As soon as he came home Miriam wanted him to open her card... well actually she wanted to open his card for him. She was just too excited to wait.

After she got that out of her system we could talk about my surprise. Michael's Mom lovingly agreed to watch the kids while we went on a date. (Our first since our anniversary in December.) She took the kids to Chick-fil-A and we headed to Fireworks Pizza. In Michael's words when asked what he wanted to say about our date, "we ate very delicious pizza". After we got back Miriam and Simon helped him open presents. (Rebecca and Mom joined us, but Dad was in NYC and missed the celebration.) He got some really exciting stuff including a wireless router and butane fuel. Michael's parents got us tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore so we look forward to that trip soon.

We finished off the evening with some homemade ice cream made with a vanilla bean (brought back from Mexico). It was so rich and delicious. Michael had a very happy birthday indeed.

Twenty Seven Years Young

Happy Birthday Michael.

I hope your day is as amazing as you.

I love you.

You are the bread to my sandwich.

thirteen months

Simon at 13 months:

I know when Simon is tired and ready for his morning nap. He always finds me and then wants to be held until I put him to bed. When I ask him if he is ready to go nigh' night he gets really excited. Simon does not like to be tired. Stranger anxiety has hit big time for Simon. He is more of a mama's boy than ever.

Simon is picking up sign language. However, he is more verbal than Miriam was. He repeats what I say more than signing. These are the words he says and knows what they mean (repeats correctly each time): Mom, Dad, Miriam, Ball, Baby, Bye, Banana, More, Bird. These are the words he knows the sign for: More, Eat, Milk, Please, Thank You, All Done, Dog, Airplane, Bird, Nice. 

Simon signing from Vanessa Bishop on Vimeo.

Simon has starting letting go of the furniture to stand. He won't take steps, but thinks he is pretty special when he is standing alone. When he is standing I hold out my hands and tell him to walk, he just sits down and laughs. He is also getting pretty brave by trying to climb. I can't believe how tall he is and what he can reach.

Simon sits with his legs crossed all the time. He has done this ever since he starting sitting. I think it is funny how he looks so relaxed sitting crossed legged.

 

Talk about an obsession with belly buttons! Simon loves himself a belly button.

This is what you get if you tell Simon to smile:

Simon always has to have two things in his hands. The two favorite things include: two matchbox cars, Miriam's salt and pepper shakers, Dora's baby brother and sister, and the blue and green stacking rings. Simon likes to wear hats and he will keep them on if you tell him to. We even got a comment at church this week how they were amazed he kept it on... even if it doesn't last all day.

Simon is such handsome guy and his personality is so fun. I love having our little boy in our family.

Why Mom?

I love being a mom to a three year old. The world just opens around them everyday. Miriam is no different. She has definitely starting asking "why?" A LOT. She is learning and growing at such a rapid pace, it is hard to keep up with at times. Here are some of her latest antics:

"Hey Mom, feel my arm. That hard stuff is bone. I just figured that out."

Mom: Simon you are a crazy boy. Where did you come from?

Miriam: We got him at the hospital.

"We can't have Family Home Evening because my bum itches." Two minutes later, "We can have Family Home Evening now because my bum feels better".

During nightly prayer: "Thankful for my family on earth. Thankful for the trees on earth. Thankful for our legs on earth. Thankful for our feet on earth."

Like I said before, I wish I had the chance to write down more... it just ain't happenin'. Miriam keeps us on our toes and we wouldn't have it any other way.