Barringer Grandparents Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Barringer came a few weeks ago and I realized I hadn't posted these pics yet. Of course, more zoo photos (I think I now have like 6 zoo posts. Because we go. all. the. time.) We loved having you here! The kids sure miss you.

Finally Friends

Luke was none-too-pleased with his new little sis when we brought her home. Most days I was home he would ask if we could leave her places or leave her in the car. She's finally at the age where he actually, now, really likes her. I wake up most mornings to Evie laughing hysterically because Luke is in her room jumping in her crib, making faces or putting on an stuffed-animal show. She adores him and no one can get her laughing like he can. I know some day (probably soon) we'll be in more fighting, yelling, "you touched me" and "stay on your side of the car!". But they're so much fun together right now.

Back to blogging

Computer troubles + a few really busy weeks = no blogging time for me.

But I'm back. And we've had a lot going on I needed to post about.

Father's Day

We went hiking with some friends at this nearby, gorgeous park. Luke hiked over 3 miles with barely any complaining. Evie enjoyed the ride plus was oh-so-proud of herself as she got her own Twizzler. Both kids hitched a ride with Daddy (aka our pack mule) for awhile. It was beautiful weather and a beautiful day.

Graduation

We had our residency graduation on Thursday night. It felt a little anti-climactic as I still have 2 months to go (remember when maternity leave sounded like a great idea?). It was a great evening. I love the people I have worked with for the past 3 years. I was grateful that my parents were able to come. It's hard to believe I'm almost at the end of this long, long road. And I have really enjoyed it.

1/2 Marathon

I ran a local, small 1/2 marathon on Saturday (if you look really hard you can see me way in the back). My best time ever - 2:00 and 8 seconds. So close to my goal time of under 2 hours (though I bet I was right on 2 hours as I started a little ways back at the beginning). And I WON my age group. Granted, there were probably 8 women in my age group (there were only 50 people running it). But it was a nice course and a beautiful day. And I was pretty darn proud of myself.

Finally - Evie can walk! Her first steps were for our day care provider and I about 2 weeks ago. She gave up on it for a few days but can now get around pretty well. Yay! And Luke learned to "golf" (we took every body mini golfing). He had a great time. And Evie figured out she can stick an entire golf ball in her mouth.

No Water For You

Luke tagged along with the boy scouts on a trip to the fire department. He listened very intently, nodding, following along, raising his hand to ask questions and making appropriate, intelligent comments.

Like this one. I think they were talking about where the truck holds the water:
"Water? My parents don't let me have water." {long pause, shocked look on firefighter's face} "Because I pee in the bed. Yeah, I pee in the bed."

You should have seen the other guy

Or, well, the other stool.

Ken was playing with him and his face got a little to close to the sharp edge of a stool at a friends' house this week. Frankly, I can't believe we made it to almost 4 1/2 without needing stitches. Actually, a little skin glue did the trick just fine (one of the perks of my job -- at least we didn't have to wait for 3 hours to get it fixed). The best part? That Luke has spent the last 5 days telling everyone we see (friends, random clerks at supermarkets, waitresses) how "Daddy was playing with me and he spun me upside down and hit me against a stool. But it was just a little cut." I guess I'll be expecting social services any time . . .

Updates

Weekend:
- Four kids in a bathbub + one parent is daring.

- Minnesota is lovely when spring finally hits (solid 70s for the past few days)
- Running a 9 mile run without sunscreen when one got fried at the zoo the day before isn't smart
- I love garage sales around here. Tons of nice kids clothes and toys for cheap. It's like a shopping-lover's paradise.
- I stink at golfing. Driving the cart is the best part. But it's still fun to go with your hubby even if you score double par.
- Guitar Hero completely rocks. Even better with two guitars.

Luke:

- Enjoyed "watering" Evie in the bathtub
- Can sing all the words to "I have a family here on earth" (his favorite kids' primary song). In front of the primary. In lieu of one minute of a two-minute talk. He was sosososo proud of himself. And we were pretty proud of him too.
- Was caught saying this, to his four-year-old cousin, with vinyl tunnel pointing straight down a four foot drop onto corner of wooden toy box: "Hey, Kevin! Get over here! Dive head-first down this!"

Evie:
- Hung out like this (see above) at the zoo all afternoon.
- Had her 15 month check up today and weighs in at a solid 21 lbs 11 oz. That's 25th % folks. And 10th % for height. And 75% for head.
- Added "tank - oo" (thank you), "ah don" (all done) and "wing eee" (spring me! i.e. get me out of the high chair!) to her repertoire of words

Problem

Dear Mommy,

I do not have enough hair for pigtails.

You keep trying anyway.

I think you might have a problem.

Love,

Evie