Melanie @ Work

Earning her salary

She marched right over to Ronald and hung out there while I ordered and got the food

On Tuesday (March 27), I made the mistake of letting Melanie sleep in, and I took her to school late.  She was in rare form when we got to school, and would not tolerate being left.  I decided to give into it, and took her to work with me.  She went to both of my offices, and we got lunch at McDonald's.  She had MANY highlights to share with Daddy later that night.  It was such a tiring day at work for her that she was asleep before we got to I-65 on the way home!

Fun at the Park

How high can I go?

Getting a little warm

Checking out the baseball game

Just a random day at Lions' Park, but I wanted to post a few pictures that I liked....

Zoo Fun!

Melanie was so excited to get her face painted, and I couldn't believe she sat still long enough!

There is a first time for everything - Joey LOVED the "up and down" horsie.  This follows his last trip on a carousel, where he was visibly shaking, just sitting on a bench with Daddy

Getting ready for a train ride!

Waiting for the dolphins, "panting" like a dog

Two worn-out kiddos on the way home from the zoo

Fun at Gigi & Poppy's

We weren't really going swimming, but Gigi bought a lot of new swimsuits for the summer, and Mel was excited.  The leg marks are from a trip to Charlie & Sammie's the night before, when she was on Daddy's watch.

Playing "rolly ball" with Poppy

Joey doing his best to keep up with the girls on Eastwood Drive

Aunt Julie with the kids

Taking bets on who is going to crack their head open first.

Driving around the McClellands' back yard

A new favorite Frankfort activity - rolling down this slide and down a steep hill

Fun for everyone!

We've been making it to Gigi & Poppy's about every weekend in March, so the kids are enjoying new adventures.  I was shocked to see both the kids go down this backyard "car slide" next door to my parents'.  They were both way more brave than usual...They love it, and have been back on repeat weekends!

Sprinkler Fun

Warming up

Bubbles are so fun!!

I know I've had multiple posts about it, but I just can't believe this weather in March!  Melanie wasted no time warming up to the backyard sprinkler; she had a blast. The fun continued into the night, with a shower.  Showering is now Melanie's new favorite activity, and I'm sure it's because it's so similar to a splash park!  As for Joey, he can't get enough of bubbles.  That in itself is fine, but usually the bubbles end up spilled everywhere....Oh well, it's "summer"!!

Random Outdoor Photos

Flag-waving - A family sport

If Jeff is drawing, it's probably a snowman with a top hat.

Melanie coaching Joey on his drawings?

Unfortunately, the flag did not help Purdue topple Kansas in the NCAA tourney.

Theater Workshop

The girls are ready for some acting!

You might notice who the girls are NOT paying attention to.  

A rare moment of following directions

Hanging out on stage

Love this action shot - they're "playing pool" (rolling balls) at Laura's house

We walked to the park, and Molly was the "big sister" while Mel was the "baby sister."

On March 17, Julie did another children's theater workshop at the Frankfort Library.  She focused on an Indiana author, and the "older kids" (and Molly!) acted out the book, and then the kids were able to get on stage and learn acting out emotions, etc.  It was another fabulous event, made crazy by Melanie & Molly, who were not so good at following directions.  I think they were a little too excited to see each other!!  We stole Molly for a couple of hours after the program, and went to lunch at Laura's and then for a walk to the park.  Julie does such a great job with the kids of Frankfort!

Feels like Summer!

Riding Bikes

Joey the Speed Racer

Chilling on the front porch

Collecting pinecones

Monkey Joe's

Melanie has been to Monkey Joe's more than a half-dozen times; however, Joey has never been.  Due to naps, the number of hands I have, etc...He's always missed out.  Well, we decided to go last weekend, presumably so Julie and Suzi and I could spend some time together.  That didn't happen - but at least the kids had a good time!   Joey seemed a bit uninterested at first, but once he figured out the lay of the land, he really got into the Three-and-Under area.  He did try one of the bigger attractions, but a bigger kid literally had to pick him up and hand him back over the wall to me.  Melanie loved showing him around, even though she was doing so illegally (since she's now OVER three!!)

Mel with Sponge Bob

Both the kids removed their bracelets.  Thankfully I saved them both, or they might still be at Monkey Joe's.  I love their security system!

Let's all pile on here!

Whoa!  That's what happens when we all pile on one!!

Melanie's Favorites @ Age Four

I read a cute idea where each year on the child's birthday (it was suggested to start at age 3), you ask them the same questions, and you can build a scrapbook from their answers.  Well, since I don't scrapbook, and would never be able to do anything creative with the information, I'll post the answers here!  Welcome to the inner mind of a Four-Year-Old.....

1. What is your favorite color?  Pink
2. What is your favorite toy?  Gymbo
3. What is your favorite fruit? Oranges and strawberries and blueberries and grapes.  I like all of the fruits.  I do like apples.  I forgot apples.
4. What is your favorite tv show? Dora, Mickey, Strawberry, Word Girl, World World and Clifford (editor's note:  I started recording "Word Girl" for her and she won't watch it.  She hasn't watched Clifford in months)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac & Cheese
6. What is your favorite outfit? A dress for summer
7. What is your favorite game? Baby tag.  I did it outside with Joey when we played on the wee.
8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks and gummy bears and graham crackers and cookies and cake and cupcakes and ice cream
9. What is your favorite animal? Giraffes, zebras, monkeys, sharks, dolphins and a fishy.  And the choo-choo train (apparently she thought the question was "what is your favorite part of the zoo?")
10. What is your favorite song? "How Do You Praise Thee Lord"
11. What is your favorite book? Doctor Seuss, no, Hop & Pop.
12. Who is your best friend? Courtney and Miriam and Lily.  Lily Hochstetler.
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Cheerios.
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Monkey bars at the park
15. What is your favorite drink? Lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? What's that mean?  Oh, Christmas.
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My puppy and my Cookie Monster (editor's note: Cookie has slept with her maybe once.  She cannot sleep without her "puppy" (which may have been Lucas' at one point)
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Toast
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? editor's note:  since her birthday had already passed, I'll just say she wanted pigs in a blanket on her birthday.  I didn't re-ask because I didn't want to open that option....
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Postmaster (editor's note:  ??)

Mel was out before we were 20 minutes into the trip home.  Both kids were cashed

Daddy treated Mel to a bubble-spa to get extra clean when we got home.  Joey was pretty peeved he had already had his regular bath upstairs. 

Storytime.  Kids were both asleep before 7:30pm when we got back from GWL.