James the architect

So, James is a LEGO freak. He will build all day if you let him. Apperently his dad was the same way when he was young. I will update often with various works that probably are not worthy of the Pritzker Prize, but are pretty darn cool for a 1 year old.

The above work is titled:

"Bridge With Two Flags" by James Palanca

James was given over 100 LEGO pieces to choose from during the creation of "Bridge With Flags" but he chose only 3 pieces, a bridge and two flags to create this masterpiece. Please note the fabulous choice of color and amazing demonstration of symmetry.

More works to follow...

I am a messy eater

James enjoys a full sensory experience at meal time. Here are before and after pics of James eating Indian food last night. Oh, just a side note: James is back to sporting the "do" (cute guy hair) -thanks to mom, a razer, and a wiggly boy.

Keira loves her feet!

Keira is loving her feet lately. She keeps grabbing them and playing with them. So cute :)

4th of July morning- parade

We walked to Webster Groves Parade this morning. The weather was beautiful and there were a lot of people out. James was in awe during the parade with all of the bands, horses, bubbles, clowns, sirens, etc. Keira even enjoyed looking aroung at everything. We got a ton of free stuff (free gymboree classes!), candy (great), and James ended up littered with politition stickers. Now everyone is sleeping. I think we will blow up James's new pool, take a swim and later walk to the bridge (like 1 minute from my house) and watch the fireworks! Will update soon....

Keira loves her Bumbo!

Keira love her Bumbo. We put toys on the tray and she will pick them up and hold them. She is also getting so close to rolling, belly to back and back to belly (strange). Anyway, James swam in a little pool at my parents today and his diapers sort of blew up. It was cool.

Block Party

So, I organized a block party which we had last night. It was fun and a really great way to get to know "the people in your neighborhood". Although James was entertained by various neighbors, his favorite activities included pulling out ice cubes from the beer bucket and giving them to people, digging for treasure in the neighbors sand/dirt box (he found a really cool, really old silver spoon), and eating chocolate brownies (like 3 or 4). Keira loved to smile and coo at people-she was in her sling the whole time! I think we may have another block party around Halloween time (bonfire, movie projected onto garage door, spooky activities and food, food, food). Anyway, as soon as Ben gets home (last day in pain -oh, I mean ON pain services) we may go to the lake with the babies....

June 26, 2008

We joined friends Sonya, Jen, Nicki, Brea, Marji and kids for a play group at Sonya's home. We enjoyed, it was nice seeing friends. James took a nice nap (he was pooped) and then it was off to Jen's to watch So You Think You Can Dance. Well 2 or 3 hours later (after several phone calls, running after James, poop, feeds, poop, spider catching, and running after James), the show was not done and the babies were upset so we went home. Somehow, it was still somewhat enjoyable. We will have better luck next time. James is teething and drooling like mad this week. Not so much fun....

June 23, 2008

Wow, another week gone and I have failed to blog. We had a busy week with work and play. We went to the Botanical Gardens twice, Forest Park twice (once for the babies to play and Ben and I to get some exercise, and again for a graduation dinner), the St. Louis Club once for a chief resident dinner, and had a night of sushi making with Ben (yummy spicey salmon rolls). Keira is cooing a lot this week and scooting all over (on her back), and James is mastering the art of walking! This weeks mishaps include a nasty little bird poop incident at the Botanical Gardens (Jen and Hailey would agree that it was not pleasant), Keira soiling our couch during a diaper change last night (note- try to use changing station more often), Keira soiling her bath water last night (no note on that), and me not putting the lid on James's sippy cup tightly (quite a mess, will not do that again).

June 15th 2008

Ben and I made sushi last night. It was quite an experience, fun actually. Ben got to assemble a cool inflatable play gym and ball pit for father's day- HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Anyway, we (the kids and I) took our usual walk to Starbucks this am. Hot!! We are looking forward to lunch in a few minutes with our friends Jonas, Carly & Sammy.