Some jumping and hopping...summer style!

The kids tried out potato sack racing during Fountain Fun Days in downtown Norfolk.

They played in the fountains as well.  Jason's office building is the tall one in the background...across the Elizabeth River.  The kids identify it by the red crane on top.

Then Ellyn practiced hopscotch in the yard.  It's hard to see, but there is a red outline on the grass.



I think she learned her hopscotch technique from JJ during his Superhero Academy training.    A local library held a program for young kids and we signed JJ up - it ended up being really fun for all of us! 

Ellyn chose to get dressed up as well. :)

 Superheroes had to knock down a "brick" wall...

 leap through obstacles...

 

save a baby by running over "fire"...

 and lift "boulders" over their heads!

Super JJ passed the Academy with flying colors...and capes!

Opening a big package...with a little excitement!

The kids opened a package from Grandma and Grandpa T...very exciting stuff!  The doll bed was mine...a gift from my grandparents when I was little.

Ellyn is screaming "popcorn" for all the packing material.

JJ yells "science" when he hears that projects are in the package he is holding.

Ellyn considers whether or not she might fit into the bed for some snoozing. :)

Thank you for all the fun Grandma and Grandpa T!!

Ellyn Marie's Video Debut

Ellyn is now pulling to a stand, standing and taking steps while holding furniture or toys, lowering herself to the ground, and crawling...all at 8 months old! Yikes - we'd better look out :)

Zoo with Mommy and Grandma

JJ had fun at the zoo on Mommy and Grandma's day off. He loved his private ride on the train and liked riding a panda on the carousel. He was concerned before we got going that the bench in front of us on the carousel would get in his way when riding the panda, but luckily the bench stayed just enough ahead of us for the ride :)

After the zoo we stopped for lunch and JJ had a "Big Bird" - a Nutella sandwich on a pita. It apparently exploded all over his face, but he enjoyed what he got into his mouth.

More Boy Pics

JJ recently enjoyed "riding" Uncle Evan's dog Xena ("Zanah" per JJ). And only a 2 year old boy sleeps with every single toy he can get into his bed with him. It's hard to tell in the picture, but there are at least 4 vehicles, 2 action figures, a book, some stuffed animals, a train, two tigers, and a bear in bed with him. It's a wonder he ever falls asleep!

Boy Boy Boy!

JJ is 10000% boy - he'll tell you that he's a boy and he shows it in his every day actions! He loves to play in the huge dirt pile behind our house (or any dirt), dump water on his head to make mud, and then strip to naked in the garage before being allowed in the house - and even then it's straight to the bathroom for a scrub down :)

Our Goofy Prince

JJ made a crown on the PBS Kids website - we printed it and put it together - after adding an expander to make it fit his big melon :) He picked pink and I think he wore it well!

Exploring the Woods with Daddy

JJ, Daddy, and Lillly love to explore the woods near our house. They see deer, birds, chipmunks, frogs, ducks, geese, hawks, maybe a crane, and an even an otter in the nearby pond - very exciting for all 3! Recently JJ came home on daddy's shoulder with his head bobbing onto daddy's head - walking in the woods can be pretty tiring :) By the way, these pictures are of the boys (and dog) on their trek across the field from the woods to our house. The woods are in the background.

Easter 09

JJ enjoyed finding his Easter basket - and luckily the eggs leading right to it helped him find it fairly quickly! He now knows all about "chocolate" :) Hiding and hunting eggs with Lynzi was a blast, and Uncle Evan is quite the reader!

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Boots in the House

I'm not sure what the obsession with boots on in the house is - but he makes it look comfortable!

Playing Nice with "Baby"

JJ practiced putting "baby" down for a nap. He'll make a great big brother - if you don't count the manual closing of the doll's eyes ;)

Two Year Old Humor

I'm taking a "picture" of mommy taking my picture. "Cheeeeeez"!

I love wearing mommy's headband while playing - good thing daddy's not home! I also like to pick out clips and pretend to put on mascara :)

Mommy told me to pick out a couple of books to take to grandma and grandpa's house - but she forgot to tell me what "a couple" is!

I'm shoveling snow...onto the driveway and randomly around the yard!

"Hiding" :)

The artist is busy at work! So serious - and he did such a great job!

I LOVE playing outside - even in the snow! I would stay out there all day - shoveling snow onto the sidewalk and driveway, climbing snow piles, looking for the neighbor girl...there's just so much to do!

Books can be used for a variety of things - reading, stacking, etc.! Mom's book by Jodi Picoult looked pretty good, but didn't have enough pictures for me, so I added it to the pile. Then "boom" - they all fell down with just a little help :)