Team Serrins/Springfield

Painting

2009-11-05T08:39:00.000-08:00

Last week the kids did some painting on the back deck. Lest you think they're going through a Goth period, I'll say that they're using the paint from Asher's one-way sign so it's all black and white. Actually Asher and Rachel worked together to make a very beautiful painting that looks almost like storm clouds. I will post it when I get a chance to take a picture.

And here's a picture of Chiara in the skirt Rachel knitted for her. It's quite beautiful and intricate and Chiara's obviously having fun.

Halloween Pictures

2009-11-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

We had a very good Halloween Saturday. Rachel got three pumpkins at the store but neither of the kids really wanted to be involved in the cutting so she carved them herself but under Chiara's direction. She choose a two-tooth Jack, surprise-face Jack, and Moon & Stars Jack for Chiara who loves the moon and will chant "see moon" in the car or in her sleep.

I took the kids out trick-or-treating to a few houses but we went early and a lot of our neighbors were out at parties. Asher choose being a one-way sign weeks ago and was very amused that kids kept calling him "one-way" as in "Hey, One-Way, where you going?" as if it was his name. Chiara insisted on being a kitty cat with a purple ribbon so although we didn't want to reuse Asher's costume, it made sense since we already had the cat costume and it fit her to use it.

Boo Bash at Austin Children's Museum

2009-10-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to the annual Boo Bash - a Halloween party for homeschoolers - at the Austin Children's Museum. Asher was a one-way sign and Chiara was a kitty cat with a purple ribbon. Hopefully we'll get some better pictures on the real camera this weekend. These are from my phone:

October Pictures

2009-10-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

Asher and Chiara playing trains or puzzle together:

Or roaring...

Jenni and Asher reading his Periodic Table book:

Chiara dancing:

Asher, Chiara, and Rachel playing on the trampoline. Chiara is wearing one of the sweaters Grandma Susi made. I think that this one was Hannah's and Nina sent it but perhaps it was Ezra's. I can't remember anymore but really appreciate everyone sharing.

Chiara vogueing in the hat Rachel knitted for her:

Asher asleep on his Solar System: Earth and Lightning McQueen car (you can't see it) in a fortress of pillows and still wearing his glasses:

Skating at Alissa's Party

2009-10-05T05:11:00.000-07:00

Like the pictures from Inks Lake, these pictures were taken on the cell phone so they aren't great quality. This weekend we drove down to Houston to go to Alissa's birthday party. Happy 10th Birthday, Alissa! She had an ice skating party and Asher has wanted to try ice skating.

First Alissa and her friend helped him and then Norm skated with him. Asher went around the rink once and only fell one or two times. He had a very fun time.

And Chiara enjoyed the pizza!

By the way, Alissa and Mitzi made the scarves for party favors.

Camping at Inks Lake

2009-09-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

We went camping this weekend at Inks Lake State Park. We made our reservations on-line a few weeks ago. When we arrived we bought a State Park Pass. My understanding was that the pass basically is purchased for a car/carload but the ranger who checked us in was insistent that it's on an individual and that I can't use the one on R's car so I actually bought the pass +1 which was $75 rather than $60 for a year. Online we chose a site that said it was "walk-in" and the ranger seemed like he couldn't imagine that was what we wanted but I said it was.

On the way to camping:

The site was perhaps the most awesome camp site ever. Our space was large enough to put up 4-5 tents. It had a picnic table and a fire/bbq pit, and extended all the way down to the water as you can see. And we actually had entry points on the water to swim. Now of course, that meant that other people went through the bottom part of the site to get to the water but it wasn't the main entry point so it wasn't too trafficy. In the last picture immediately below this, you can sort of see where the car is but it was 100 feet! Awesome.

The view from the rocks on the site:

Here's Chiara playing in the water (on our site):

The water entry point:

A few photos from our Saturday hike:

And finally the injury report. Ash got cactus in his hand and lips (from chewing on his shirt sleeve). I bet her stays on the path better next time. Chiara fell off the bench trying to get away from a fly or get it to get away from her.

Catch-up

2009-09-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

The Saturday before Labor day weekend we went camping with the Levines at Buescher State Park. It was a quick but very good outing. Chiara explored while we set up the tent:

A few group shots including Rachel, Chiara, Asher, Jonah, Alissa, and Mitzi:

And Jonah gets something to eat while Asher hides his head.

Saturday we walked into the office to find that Chiara had stolen my Ipod from where it was charging and was attempting to listen to some music:

And Rachel finished knitting Chiara's baby blanket. Can you tell Chiara loves it?

Cool shoes and shades

2009-09-04T04:16:00.000-07:00

Chiara loves putting on sunglasses - hers or someone else's. Here is she wearing her shades in the house. And here are her first pair of crocs. Actually she has two now - the other are a light green pair of Mary Jane crocs. Very cute. Rachel decorated these according to Chiara's request for butterflies.

Pictures

2009-08-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Rachel, Chiara, and Asher rearranged the toys and got out new books last week. Now Chiara's interest in the books is even higher than it was before. She will bring you book after book and say, "read, read" or "gain, gain" (again). Here I am reading her one of Asher's favorites from this age: Dr. Seuss's ABC book.

Chiara also likes to dress herself. I arrived home this day to find that she had adopted a rapper persona and was wearing a pair of too-big jeans backwards with nothing else on. Note her standing up in her high chair.

Dwayne, Michelle, Duncan, & Phoebe visited us this past weekend. Here are some pictues of the kids together.

This was a dress of Rachel's.

And finally, here are some pictures of school at Casa Serrins/Springfield.

More Park Pictures

2009-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

It turns out that Rachel took more pictures on her phone yesterday. Here are a few more.

I really love this last one of Asher.

Kids at the Park

2009-08-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

Rachel took this picture of the kids on the play scape on her phone. This was after a "bike-run" in which Rachel and Chiara ride leisurely on the bike while Asher runs and gives directions.

July Farm Trip Pictures

2009-08-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

We were supposed to visit the Farm over July 4th weekend but did not get to, so we went last weekend. It was a very good visit and we got to see the three goats that were born the day we arrived. But before we left, Asher had a chance to teach us all some of the dances he learned at summer camp.

At the farm:
Chiara loves to play "phone." Here the phone was for Mama. I can pretty much promise you it was Nernie calling.

And Chiara got her groove-thing on.

While Rachel mucked out the barn (yes, that's really a thing), Chiara took her nap. When she stirred, I picked her up and she slept on me another hour plus.

Asher played Rush Hour with Andrea and Sudoku with Grandma.

Mmm. Cheese

2009-07-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

One of Chiara's favorite foods (and words) is cheese. If she sees anyone with cheese she will start chanting "cheese, cheese" at them. The other day we were making some California Roll at the island and she climbed up into the Learning Tower and helped herself to some of the tub of cream cheese.

This is one of her favorite dresses (puppy dogs!). The other day she had it on and wanted to wear the hat but every time I tried to take her picture, she walked up to smile as close to the camera as she could. So I have a whole bunch of pictures of the pores on her nose or her two front teeth and these.

And Asher now has reading glasses. We got him two pairs because there was a special and he likes the way this pair fits better although I like the look of the other pair.

Independence Day Pictures

2009-07-05T07:05:00.001-07:00

Our Independence Day was pretty low-key this year. We were supposed to go to the farm but through a long story that I won't go into here, we didn't. That meant that we were able to attend LD & Joey's annual July 4th/Anniversary (11th) party. The party was fun although the crowd seemed somewhat smaller than usual. And it gave us a chance to dress the kids up. Nana Ina sent Chiara this very pretty dress (with a matching hat) a few months ago and LD & Joey brought Asher the shirt from Mexico last year (it has matching shorts but he chose not to wear them this year).

I really love these two pictures:

Assorted pictures of Chiara. I just kept clicking and she just kept closing her eyes or trying to grab the camera but I got a few good ones.

And then we tried to get Asher to pose with some pictures with his sister or with me and his sister or just by himself.

I think he's singing here but you can see the space for his two missing teeth.

Happy late Independence Day, everyone!

Pictures

2009-06-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some assorted cute pictures. This basket stands by the back door to hold towels to clean off dog-feet, balls, and other miscellaneous stuff. In this case, I guess the miscellaneous stuff was Chiara:

Chiara has her first obsession. Nernie. You know Nernie of Sesame Street. Of Bert and Nernie? We were at T@rget and saw this Bert and Ernie ball. If you press on the mouth of either side the ball says something or laughs and shakes.

Last week the kids wanted to do a craft so I set up the table to paint while Rachel was working. They were painting in one of those books where you just use a wet paintbrush and the color is on the page. Quite honestly, the books seems pretty worn out and not much paint was actually coloring the page, but that didn't seem to bother them.

And one day last week Asher, Chiara, Bumpy (the bunny), and I went to Wh0le Foods. We got what may be the only race car cart in the sore but it really made for an easy trip.

Beach Trip - Port Aransas 2009

2009-05-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

We went to the beach from Sunday to Friday of last week. We got a very good deal from A Laughing Horse Lodge for the off-season. We had stayed there before but not in the last five years. The weather was fantastic every day of our vacation and we went to the beach at least once and usually twice each day.

Here are some pictures of the space. It was a real lifestyle shock to fit into one bedroom/living room and a dining/kitchen area but we had a lot of fun. And every meal was a picnic!

Here's Chiara stealing my hat.

And Chiara stealing a bag and making it a hat.

We went down to the pier but didn't go out on it. This is the beginning of the pier before you go through the gate (and pay). Chiara is asleep but she looks all fallen over.

Asher's favorite part of Port Aransas was playing in the big shark in front of a store.

Posing

2009-05-16T06:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some cute pictures of Chiara from before we went to the beach. In the first few she is walking around on the deck eating a Popsicle. They are these Mott's pure juice Popsicles and they are very yummy.

Whenever Chiara declines sleep in the evening she likes to climb up on the coffee table (actually she always likes climbing on anything).

The other night Rachel was finishing crocheting this hat (which she designed) and Chiara wanted to try it on.

Asher's First Lost Tooth

2009-05-16T06:08:00.000-07:00

We left for vacation with Asher's front left bottom tooth very wiggly and thought he would lose it on vacation. Six days later, we returned with all our teeth still intact. A few hours later, he was messing with it and said, "Here's part of my tooth." It wasn't part. It was all. Now the tooth next to that one which was very loose is now really really loose. But he's lost his first tooth! Cute, huh?

So Big

2009-05-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, Chiara is so unbelievably big! We went for her 15 month visit last week (even though she's 16 months old). She is actually doing all the tasks on the 18 month checklist and she got only one shot so it was a good visit. She walks, runs, nearly jumps, and says 25-30 words and parrots an even longer list. Her favorites include: eating cheese ("cheese, cheese"), riding in the car ("car, car"), putting on and off shoes ("shoes, shoes"), going out side ("side, gate!"), and drinking water ("Bwah, Bwah"). She also likes taking off or putting on clothes (not necessarily her own), climbing into and out of the bathtub, and standing on the furniture ("get down, get down").

Here she is pushing and pulling Asher around on the deck:

And here they are snuggling on the couch while Asher eats carrots.

She also loves to ride the horsey (not pictured) and play the piano:

Weekend Pictures

2009-04-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

First off, here are two pictures of Mitzi and David after finishing the MS150 this weekend. Although the first day of the ride was rained out, it is a fantastic fund-raising event and athletic event. We're proud of our family for participating. The links to the right will be active until the middle of May if you just realized you wanted to donate to the cause.

Asher tabulates votes for lunch location:

And Chiara (wearing my favorite of little kid clothing - a romper) climbs up the toy shelf and onto the window sill. I'm sure it sends a mixed message but I couldn't help wanting to get a picture of her signing more while I said please sit down. You know she's thinking, "You said sit down. I'm sitting now." If you say "sit down" or "get down" she will say it back to you even if she doesn't do what she said. And if you say "sit down or lay down" she will incline her head like she's taking a nap.

Rollies

2009-04-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

Chiara loves to be naked. We have to put clothes on her for the purpose of taking pictures. In this case, we managed to get a diaper on her and she took it off the moment we stopped taking pictures. I felt like these pictures were tastefully modest but I bet they still embarrass the heck out of her when she starts dating or gets married or wins a Nobel Peace Prize.

Last night, after dinner Chiara started spontaneously trying to do somersaults (Rollies in our house). I don't know if she and Rachel have been working on them but she seemed to know what she was trying to do. She would laugh and clap after each attempt.

And here's a random cute picture of the baby in a produce box.

A Ride on Shoulders or the Totem Pole

2009-04-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday walking from where we ate lunch to where we parked our car, Rachel plopped Chiara on Asher's shoulders. Both kids loved it even if the baby couldn't balance well enough without Rachel's help.

Weekly Pictures

2009-03-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

Maybe this post is badly named since I don't really post pictures every single week but I couldn't think of anything better. I love the pictures of Chiara laughing and doesn't she totally look like she's weighing herself on the magnadoodle?

No obstacle (or need to get off the couch and walk over to the play table) is too great for Climby McClimberson.

I think this picture is Chiara eating her first bowl of cold cereal. You can't even imagine how excited Rachel is to have another cereal lover in the house.

Last week we let Asher pick out one set of PlayMobile toys (one island, two guys, a tree) so he could do more imaginative play. He really loved them so Rachel looked on Craigslist and found someone selling a pile of ships and islands and animals and accessories really cheaply. Here's Asher playing with some of the big haul and then you can see all his guys traveling all over Europe (as they do).

Dance, Dance, Dance

2009-03-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

Asher Swimming Lesson

2009-03-17T06:36:00.001-07:00

Asher is taking Swimming Lessons this spring. I'm not saying this is a great picture (especially since I took it through the window with my camera phone) but you can see him tied in a noodle swimming around following the instructor.