Computers & Sibling LOVE

The kids have a new awareness about them. I think we have officially entered a new phase of development. Between the pretend play & the ability to actually focus on something that requires brain energy to figure out for longer than a split second, the results are interesting. Not only that but they are completely affectionate towards one another & us. They are constantly asking for hugs when they need comfort & stick up for one another or simply just enjoy cuddling together.

I managed to snap these pics the other morning, right after the kids got out of bed & were waiting for breakfast. I couldn't believe what I saw! Ian & Sofi totally cuddled up together playing w/ their laptops. Mind you, these laptops have not held their interest longer than a few minutes at a time but now that they 'get' what they are suppose to do w/ them, it is a whole new world of discovery!

Now tell me this isn't what all mommies dream of?!?


Could they be more comfortable? Ok, could Ian not be any more comfortable?


Really enjoying it!


Gabi decided to get in on the action so she got her computer & climbed up on the couch.


The changes happening are indescribable. Seeing 3 beautiful babies develop right before your eyes, discovering new things & letting their imagination run wild is an experience I wouldn't change for the world. What a special time for us & the kids!

Babies, babies, babies...

We've hit that age. You know, the age they start pretending. It is the cutest thing ever to watch the kids give their "babies" food, milk, take them for a walk, try to change their diaper, wrap them up or put them in time out. Yes, they put their babies in time out. Wish I knew what the babies did to get put in time out b/c I have perfect angels & they NEVER get time out (haha, wink-wink...that's a little white lie).

Here is a very cute video of the kids walking their babies around in their strollers.



They have also recently started playing w/ their kitchen. They played w/ it before but not for it's intended purpose. They would hide things in the refrigerator, oven & microwave but now they actually wash dishes, wash their hands, put food in the microwave & cook on the stove. Not to mention, before bed, they put their milk up. What a change in the past month or so!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Don't even ask how long this took.
Cuz, it took a while.
But we will do anything for our Daddy!

Happy Birthday!
We love you!

Astrid, Sofia, Gabriella, & Ian

Hot Date ~ Cirque de Soleil

Todd's b-day is tomorrow & to celebrate, we went to see Cirque de Soleil on Saturday, as a surprise. Unfortunately, the surprise was taken out of the equation. See, Todd NEVER reads my Facebook & I happened to post about the events that evening. AND? He read them. Dumb-dumb.

Either way, he was totally stoked. We went to a new restaurant called Merche. It was excellent! We really enjoyed ourselves. The food was so good. Like really, really good. After dinner, we went to the show.

I'm going to be honest, I was a bit disappointed when we drove up & didn't see the big tents. That is the ONLY way to see a Cirque show. Not to mention, the venue was on school district grounds so pooh, no more cocktails for the evening.

BUT, as much as that was a disappointment, the show was excellent! We saw Alegria, for the second time. Todd took me as a surprise in 2003. The show was very different. Good but different. The music, the same but the acts were not what we saw before. That is the amazing thing about Cirque shows. Everything is different.

Along the way, I took pics w/ our camera as well as my new phone. Much better quality than the last phone I had.

Me all dressed up & feelin' good! It isn't every day that I get to put makeup & a pretty dress on. I wanted to look hot for my man!


Todd & I leaving for the evening. Thankfully Tio Ian & Tia Jessy were babysitting so we could enjoy the night.


The view from our seats :)


A standing sign you could take pics of or in front of. I love this show!

We LOVE our Daddy!

Todd is the most wonderful father known to man. Seeing him be silly w/ the kids & enjoying them is priceless. Today was all about him. It was fun signing the card & even better, bringing Daddy his presents. Everyone got a special breakfast by Mommy. Daddy even got to take TWO naps today!

The kids all ready to walk in to give Daddy his gifts.


Ianchito being a cheese ball.


The kids were so excited! It's like they really "got it" this time. They knew the presents weren't for them & were so cute giving them to Daddy!


Gabi was totally excited!

Reading his "Daddy Certificate".


One of several attempts at getting a decent pic of Daddy w/ the kids. HA!


Watching Mommy cook breakfast while watching Handy Manny. They really dig that show!


Daddy eating breakfast w/ the kids. No, we don't have a table for the whole family to eat. Yes, we are working on it.

Oma :)

My mom's mom...Oma, is 85 years young. She is battling Alzheimer's & most days, she struggles to remember the kids' names. BUT, when she is here, she has so much fun w/ them. They love to sit in her lap. LOVE it.

Honestly, I think she loves it just as much, if not more. Something about the elderly & the babies, right? They have a connection. Instant. When Oma & the kids are together, it is magic. I'm so very glad that the kids can play & know their great grandmother b/c that isn't the norm. Not this far in life.

What precious moments!

Sofi & Oma sitting together, happy as can be!


All the LOVED hanging out in the chair w/ Oma.


But I think Oma & Gabi had a special conversation going.


And isn't this the cutest picture of Gabi...EVER?


What a blessing to have Oma w/ us still!

We HEART Stickers

I'm not sure if there is much to say.
The kids love stickers.
Mommy, not so much.

Why?
Because I find them everywhere
they aren't suppose to be.
On our wood floors.
In their cribs.
On their foreheads.
In their hair.
On the baby's head.
Stuck to the leather couch.
Let's not forget the cabinet doors.
Oh, & my fave,
places not to be named.

Don't ask me how they get there.
I wish I knew.
Scary.

Cheesing for the camera.
Actually, reaching for the camera.
With stickers on the forehead.
HA!




Going crazy over stickers & crayons.




Sofi's obsession.
She's so proud.