Who ever said fishing is relaxing has never been fishing with my children. Don't get me wrong, I love to take the kids to the lake, mostly I just like taking pictures of them at the lake, but lately they are entering a new phase I don't really like. It's the no-listening phase, and it's really driving me crazy. I have a feeling this phase will last into adulthood. I will tell them something and they will look directly at me while I'm talking and I will ask did you understand me, they will reply "yes", then I will ask them to repeat what I told them, and they say "I don't know". Or I will repeat their names over and over and over and......nothing. They don't even glance in my direction. AAAHHHHHH!!!!! Anybody else with this problem? I'm sure this is normal for their ages, but I'm not loving it. My kids are very well mannered and sweet, but this is one phase I can live without! Thanks for letting me vent.

Yesterday Anthony and I celebrated nine incredibly happy years of marriage together. For our anniversary he bought me the camera I have been wanting forever. Here are some pictures I took yesterday with my new toy.




Connor and Charlotte's first snow cone!

Okay, so I'm stealing the idea for this post from a message board I belong to. The question is what are 13 things (why 13, I don't know) you can't live without. Here's my list in no particular order:

1. Camera (I think this one is actually #1)
2. Video Camera
3. Chapstick
4. Lotion
5. Car
6. Computer - email, blog
7. Disinfecting wipes (Lysol brand) - okay, I know I'm a bit of an environmental person and disinfecting wipes are bad for the environment, but I'm also a bit of a germaphobe and the germaphobe part of me takes over the environmental part of me.
8. Pepsi
9. Heater in winter, A/C in summer
10. Dishwasher
11. Naps
12. Quiet time in the evening
13. DVR

So, the question is what is on your list of 13?

Here are some things you may not know about me......

*I love astronomy
*I love taking pictures
*I love strawberries, more than any other food
*I wanted to be a veterinarian
*I still want to be a veterinarian
*Tulips are my favorite flower, followed by hydrangeas, both were in my wedding bouquet
*I love the pregnant belly, although I have no desire to ever be pregnant again
*I love to laugh so hard it makes my face hurt, Anthony is good making me laugh like that
*I love to exercise
*I love to read celebrity gossip magazines, although I pretend not to care about them
*I love the smell of fresh cilantro and Charlotte's hair after a bath
*I love to sing in the car, who doesn't?
*I wish I were smarter
*And taller
*I genuinely care about the environment
*People who don't recycle drive me crazy
*When I was younger I wanted to dance on Broadway
*I'm a germaphobe

A huge, gigantic, enormous, colossal congratulations is in order for Anthony!!! He got the promotion he has worked so hard for! We are so very proud of him. This congratulations is a bit overdue, but I wanted to make it known how proud we are of him!

We have many different species of birds here. We have blue jays, robins and some other birds I don't know the names of. I really like watching the birds, but the problem is they poop! Today Connor got a new robot toy. He took it out to the backyard to play with it, and within seconds a bird flew right over him and pooped on his toy. He wasn't upset about it, but that's pretty gross. What are the odds of that happening? Isn't it supposed to be good luck if you get pooped on?

We spent some time at the lake today. We didn't catch any fish, but we had fun anyway. It was a beautiful day, about 82 degrees. Here are some pictures from our day.

I can do it all by myself. That's what Charlotte told me this morning when I tried to brush her teeth. I let her do it, then I helped her. It takes longer, but I guess it's time for her to learn.

Anthony convinced me to check out Ikea for furniture for Charlotte. WOW! It's so much less expensive. For a dresser and bed it's about $1000 less expensive than the other place we went to. I know the quality won't be as good and I don't get to chose what color I want, but for the savings it may be worth it. Something to think about anyway. This is what I found.

It's time for Charlotte to get out of her crib and into a big-girl bed. Yesterday we went shopping, and boy, did we find some cute things! We went to a furniture store somewhat like my favorite, Pottery Barn Kids. This is what we found.

Today was such a beautiful day it was a waste to stay indoors. We decided to take a walk to the park and get some energy out! The park is a short 0.4 mile walk from our house. It's such a pretty walk. Here are some pictures from our park trip.

Today, I took Charlotte to the doctor for her 3 year well-child check-up. We were in the waiting room and the kids were pointing out the office staff. They kept referring to the nurses as the doctor, so I explained that they are the nurses. Connor continues to point them out by saying, "There's the nerds". I guess he misunderstood me, but it made me laugh quite hard because he was serious. I guess he doesn't know what a nerd is! My kids are the best at making me laugh!! By the way, Charlotte is doing great. 50th percentile for height and weight. The doctor says she talks really well, and is happy Charlotte can count to 15 and knows her ABCs. She had to get her Hep A shot, and didn't even shed one tear!!

Today my sister-in-law, Monique sent me this ultrasound photo of Charlotte I had emailed to her while I was pregnant. I thought it was funny she sent it to me on the same day as Charlotte's 3 year check-up. She's not three yet, but will be in just two days. I still call her 2 and a half!! I'm not ready for three yet.

Can you see her face in the photo?