Good Friday....

as well as Random Friday.  iPhone download via 'categories':
Play dates:
Ryan, Griffin, Oliver, Reese (Marie opted out for a quiet nap, can't blame her)
Ryan, Reese, Jonah and Cameron (thank you Cameron for being the only one to cooperate)
Ryan, Reese, Tire Swing and Amelia
Outings:
Inaugural trip to the Farmer's Market
Gymnastics class
Grocery store with Uncle Terry
Reesey's first haircut!

Lake Time:
Goofing off
Doing 'laundry'
Since the pool isn't open yet, we resort to fun on the balcony
Hugging/Attacking

Fun at Grandma and Papa's
Grandma lets us have buckets of water and all her old spices so we can cook on the deck...clothing optional, Grandma and Grandpa are sooooo European
While the pool might not be open at the lake, it is open at Casa de Britt
Teaching Christopher healthy eating habits
General craziness
Indoor scooter riding...what could go wrong?
Reesey's tricks
My spaz-tastic amazing baby
Who has a fondness for markers
Apparently there are new driving laws in Missouri....permit at 3 1/2
Grant brought back his old toy trucks from when he was a boy....

A Night at the Museum

Okay, so it was a 'day at the museum' but who's counting..... Our play date friend Griffin (and his mom) told us about this cool deal at the St. Louis History Museum - on Thursday mornings during the month of April you could sign up to be part of the "April Parent and Me Series" - basically free run of the museum with tons of kid friendly activities and a snack.   All for $20.  For the entire month.  For the whole family.  That equates to just $5 each Thursday.  Deal-e-o my friends.  Deal-e-o.  So off we went this morning and considering I was out-manned, I barely was able to capture what I could with the iPhone so cut me some slack.
Star in your own puppet show (if you know my kids, you know this kept them entertained for all of about .5 seconds - running laps in this part of the museum was apparently way cooler):
This however did keep their attention, for a bulk of the time: in the craft area, they had taped down tons of paper and the kids went barefoot (or bear-walking as Ryan calls it) and would step in ink and then paint the floor.
This week's speciality was a petting zoo.....bonus points from the Stiff gals!
Reese and her buddy Griffin taking turns (and I use the term 'taking turns' rather lightly):
And I will leave you with a duel....

Bring on the trash.....white trash that is

We are those people.   Those people whose children like to play half-naked on the back patio.   Those parents who allow it.    Those moms who think to run inside the house, grab the camera and snap away.
White Trash via color:
Reese is the epitome of 'water baby'
If there were hose-toting, topless superhero tryouts, Ryan would be all over it....one can only dream
That is, until the water actually came out
Seriously, you could spray that water, full throttle, right at the lady and she'd simply belly laugh and ask for more....
Ryan would be sporting one of Reesey's new band aids....apparently her 'boo boo' was courtesy of some jousting gone wrong
White Trash via black and white:
saggy diaper?  check....

Birthday Festivities

Due to dad's travel schedule for work, we just celebrated Reesey's 2nd birthday this past weekend. Ella rebooked her ticket and it also coincided with the O'Neill clan invading the 'lou. Snaps to us for having the blind luck of switching her birthday party to such an amazing summer-like weekend. And most importantly, the lastest addition to the family, ole tire swing, was able to partake in the festivities and he just might have been the MVP of the party......minus the birthday girl herself.
"Most appropriate" gift award went to the O'Neills for blessing us with a pack of bandaids with such sayings as 'jousting', 'shark bite' and my favorite 'dance off' --- which if you know Reese and you have seen her mean dancing skills, a 'dance off' injury is not that far out of the realm of possibility.
Tire swing love
Ryan was channeling her inner Courtney Love when picking the accessories to the cute 'party dress' Ella brought her......tiara and rain boots
The bubble wands were also a big hit
Not so sure she likes the idea of 'sharing' with her cousin
Time for the good stuff....and obviously a new outfit
Thanks to all for making it so special!  Especially our out-of-town guests!!!