Denver Bound

Ruth will be in Denver until Sunday. Here's hoping it is not too cold. The blog posts will return next week.

Just Like Mommy

For the last few months, Abby has been stuck in a mommy-centric phase. Everything we do, she wants to do "just like mommy." Here are the results of a recent afternoon spent playing with model magic clay. Actually, she didn't do too badly trying to copy mommy's "sculptures":

An Afternoon with Gammy

It is always a treat when Gammy comes around, and Abby eagerly looks forward to her Tuesday visit. Usually, Tuesdays are reserved just for the two of them, but occasionally Benji gets in on the action, too. Here, Gammy does double duty reading to both kids:

It's all fun and games until somebody gets smothered with girl-kisses:

Drool Monster

Apparently, he is getting another new tooth (on the bottom). Hard to believe, but he is actually drooling even more than usual.

Visitors from the North

Last weekend, Chris, Annmarie and Patrick came to visit from New York. Benji was a little perplexed by his older cousin, and kept trying to crawl after him. Unfortunately, as soon as Benji started to move (very slowly) in his direction, Patrick would see something interesting and take off. Poor Benji, but at least he could see what real crawling should look like.

We had a great visit. which included a trip to UVA's main grounds (see if you can spot the Abby in front of the Rotunda):

And a trip to Monticello:

The girls enjoyed a great tour of the mansion, but unfortunately screaming babies forced all the men-folk outside. It was a fun field trip, although a little cold so we headed home soon after the tour. Here is Abby wearing mommy's coat for warmth:

Fun in a Hammock

Crawling Into Corners

Now that he can move around, he is finding new and inventive ways to get himself stuck. He especially likes going under the secretary.

Early Valentine's Day Dinner

Last Thursday, Kevin and Abby planned an elaborate early Valentine's Day dinner, complete with flowers, appetizers and dessert. Abby was very excited about being included in this plot:



Of course, the part she was most excited about was the homemade banana cream pie for dessert:

Another milestone

The first time that Electra has scratched Benji. Luckily, he did not seem to mind.

Punky Brewster Beware!

More interesting outfit choices from the world of preschool

My First Haircut

I decided it was time for a trim above the ears. He kept trying to grab the scissors, which made it difficult, so I had to give up before I got all of it, but I think it came out alright. Ok, you can't tell much difference, but the sideburns are gone.

The Fuzz Hangs On

For the last week or two, Benji's hair has started to lie flat, particularly in the front. It still stands mostly up when it is first washed, as here, but these may be the last glimpses of his wild hair days.

Happy Valentine's Day!

With Love-
Ruth, Kevin, Abby, and Benji

Ready for Dinner

I am not sure what sort of meal she thinks we are having tonight.

Look What I Can Do!

At long last, Benji has finally started to make some forward progress. Not consistent or far, but he is definitely crawling a few steps here and there (mainly when we are half turned away) to get an object that he wants. If he sees that we are looking, he often sits back down and starts to just whimper for the object, but we are trying to resist his pitiful cries so that he will get it himself.

Despite his resistance to crawling, he has taken to other "big boy" activities with gusto this week. Here he is pulling up on his leap table:

Enjoying a ride in the swing

And riding on his giraffe:

First Sign of Spring

After a few days of warm weather, we were thrilled to find this crocus growing in our backyard. Abby in particular is taken with it, and has taken to proclaiming "Punxatawny Phil was wrong!" I think she is in for some disappointment when the weather turns cold again next week. Hopefully it will be a short-lived last burst of winter.

Playdate

The weather was unseasonably warm this weekend, and we were able to get out to the park. Abby insisted on short sleeves, which actually turned out to be the appropriate dress. We met up with friends Graham and Georgia and headed out to Greenlief Park, where Abby enjoyed chasing the toddlers around.

Mr. Preppy

Aunt Kathy got me these jeans and sweater for Christmas. I am all ready for my shot at GQ.

Clue, Jr.

This game is Abby's newest obsession. She would play every day, five times a day, if she could. Unlike the original Clue game, which is a murder mystery, in Clue, Jr., you have to figure out who ate a piece of cake before dinner, at what time, and with what drink. Abby always dissolves into giggles when she figures out which figure has the cake crumbs under it.

Princess Playdate

The much anticipated playdate with Penelope finally happened. They played princess, of course.

Egg Yolk

The food is seeming to get progressively messier.

Snow!

To Abby's delight, we finally got real snow last night. She and Kevin went out to make a snowman first thing. Sadly, there was only about 2 inches on the ground, so they had to make a very miniature snow person.

Counting Our Blessings

The theme in Abby's class this month is blessings. To that end, each child was asked to make a poster with their parents, showing how their lives have been a blessing to us, which is basically just a chronology of their lives. Abby undertook this project with zest, and is looking forward to her turn to "present" the poster to her class, complete with an oral presentation and q and a session. Here is how the poster came out: