#2

Maybe it was just the thrill of getting 2 M&Ms instead of 1. Whatever the reason, Charlotte decided to poop on the potty today. Next she'll be driving.

The "Structure"

I don't know what to say about this except that Nicholas carefully constructed this during rest time today. After this picture was taken, the area under the white step stool was filled in with treasures of various sorts, which also started piling up on all other available horizontal surfaces on the "structure" (which is what he calls it). He is very proud of this. I try not to focus on determining the purpose, of which there clearly is none. I think "process, not product" applies here. But I would like that step stool back in my bathroom...

Two's Company

Charlotte wants to be just like her big brother, and really wanted to sit next to him (and vice versa) this morning at breakfast. So we popped the booster onto the other bar stool and voila! Totally happy, almost completely well behaved children munching on their breakfast quesadilla and berry breakfasts. I think the high chair is officially banished to the dining room!

Easter Celebration

Bright and early, the kids were up and we headed downstairs. To our surprise, the Bunny had visited our house in the night and had left 2 eggs on the living room table - one for each child.

The eggs contained clues (and a few jelly beans) which led the kids on a house-wide hunt for their Easter baskets

Despite being really tired (or so I imagine), the Bunny managed to make some pretty good clues

Charlotte found one in her high chair

I think the clue that led here said something about wanting cookies.

With baskets located, we had some breakfast including a treat of little powdered sugar donuts. They're Tom's favorite, but Charlotte had never had them. She's for sugar in any form and certainly had her share.

Speaking of sugar, Nicholas mentioned to me last night - "I hope the Easter Bunny remembers that I love Peeps". I heard through the grapevine that the Bunny searched far and wide last night (3 stores!), but determined that Peeps were completely sold out in St Louis. Apparently there were stuffed animal (really cute) Peeps at one store and one ended up in Nicholas' basket. After all that trouble the Bunny went through...not one mention this morning. Ah well. The beauty of being overwhelmed with other things.

After a nice day (church, lunch at home, naps for both kids -yea!) we had a blast coloring eggs with Nicholas tonight once Charlotte was down. It was Nicholas' first egg dying experience. He took it very seriously. He was also glad that there was pink paint.

Tom provided some expert advise.

Happy Easter from the Kings!

Biking Fun for All...at Least for Most of the Time

We own a very nice Chariot child carrier for bike riding. We bought it when we had Nicholas...and used it all of 5 or 6 times. With a bit of nice weather this weekend, we thought we'd take our bikes to Forest Park and let Charlotte try it out, along with her new helmet.

She started out so happy.... She loves her helmet as you can see. I think it's because she has admired Nicholas' for so long!

Nicholas was certainly rarin' to go

It's such a beautiful ride through the park

A fantastic view of the St Louis Art Museum

Here's where we get to the not so fun part. Charlotte started fussing/crying about 45 minutes in and could only be consoled by Tom riding on the bumpy, bumpy, bumpy ground beside the bike path. She was laughing like crazy during those parts. We kept peeking back during the ride when she wasn't happy and things seemed fine. Yet when we were done, we realized a few things:

1) Her helmet was not so comfortable leaning back against the Chariot for a long-ish ride

2) There were some puddles (especially on the off-road parts Tom was doing to keep her happy), and apparently the puddles were splashing up onto the screen and through to her!

We could see why she wasn't totally enamoured with the ride. Perhaps an REI helmet fitting is in order...and a more conscious avoidance of puddles!

Charlotte perked up as soon as she was released, and she and Nicholas started running around the trees as Tom loaded up the car.

I'm sure she's laughing with him, not at him as he tumbles to the ground

Yep. He's laughing too.

With a few modifications, I think we'd be in for a great time riding bikes together. Nothing like wearing out Nicholas on an hour and a half ride!

A Chilly Night at Busch Stadium

Despite some low temps (at least there wasn't any snow!), we decided to pack up the family for a Cardinals game. We can't turn down great free tickets, right?

We huddled together with coats and blankets. I love Nico's intense look of concentration! He was very concerned that we have gotten some new players that he isn't yet familiar with. I'm sure he'll have their names and numbers down after a few games.

Charlotte and Nicholas were treated to a big pretzel. Charlotte dunked hers in Daddy's nachos and seemed to like it!

Seeing (and being frightened of) Fredbird earlier in the day didn't deter her love. Here she's yelling "Be-Bir!" at the mega screen when he showed up there.

We didn't make it the whole game (somehow I expected Charlotte to snuggle into me and sleep...that didn't happen!), but it was great to get out to the ballpark for the first time this season as a family. Hopefully more free tickets are in our future!

Gas Station Entertainment

You may think I've sunk to a new low in finding entertainment for my kiddos... Here's the scoop - FredBird, our beloved Cardinals mascot, was making a one-hour appearance at a new gas station convenience store that just opened by our house. We got a postcard announcing his visit. Nicholas was SO excited, and even Charlotte spoke of almost nothing but "Be-Bir" all morning. When we actually arrived, Nicholas ran right over for a FredBird hug. Charlotte screamed and snuggled me with all her might. She only THINKS that she wants to be around Be-Bir.

Apparently all local moms didn't come to this event, and mine were the only kids there! Nicholas soaked it all in, and was particularly taken by the live ESPN radio guys.

Nicholas was clearly comfortable from the get go. By the end (yes, we were there for almost 45 minutes!), Charlotte at least managed to give FredBird a high five. In my defense, it was absolutely the nicest gas station I've ever been in (so I guess their marketing campaign worked!), and if FredBird was there again, we would be there too!