craft time

nyla and I kept ourselves entertained yesterday while bobby napped.

bird show

our local library had a bird show and nyla loved watching them do neat tricks.  bobby was impressed for five minutes then I had to take him outside.  good thing toiny and thandiwe were there to stay with her while I let bobby burn some of his neverending energy supply.

night one, bob out of town

so far so good, but with a few moments when mommy wanted to pull her hair out.  kids got in good park time after dinner and now are winding down with popcorn and a tv show.  the it's off to bed with bobby.  nyla gets a little xfactor with mommy then she's sleeping over at my place.  earlier today we prepped our new fish tank for the two guppies our neighbor gave us.

...and after class

I had to give both of them a shower, nyla because she does after every class and bobby because he wants to do everything his big sister does.  good thing I had a spare set of bobby clothes in the car. and of course on the way out, bobby takes a stinky poo.  I changed him on the grass out in the parking lot for fear we had worn out our welcome at the gym where the pool is located.  :-/  so far, a standard day.  and I wonder why I am sweaty all the time.  dance class for me tonight to get some me time before bob goes out of town for a conference.

while nyla has swim class...

bobby plays angry birds.  hami could not babysit today.  it was pretty challenging to keep him still.

bobby tries to swim

in the tub

fried rice

bob suggested I repurpose leftovers, package them up and serve them as something else.  he thought fried rice would be a perfect way to do this.  boy was he right.  onion, carrots, peas for veg.  egg and leftover rotisserie chicken bits for protein.  days old rice I was about to toss out for starch et voila, just the kind of easy one pan (or, in this case, wok) dish I can whip up.  gobble gobble go the kids!!

nyla helps mommy chop

she cut this big bowl of zuchini for our veg soup.  such a good helper.

through the woods

crazy kid used to just pick at plants but now he insists on going between all the shrubs and plants in our neighborhood.

school picture day!

I asked her for a real smile and she said 'i cant just smile like that'.  such a lee!

bobby just wants to have fun!

just wanna, just wanna, girls (and bobby) just wanna have fun!

bobby plays angry birds

all the time on the ipad.  he is very serious about his game.

playdate with thandiwe

our neighbors are back from africa and nyla is especially happy to see her friend, though bobby keeps calling her name as well.

random stuff

tomatoes from hami's yard, first pumpkin purchase of the season.

rootin tootin cowboys

don't we look super tough in our pink hat?

bobby at little gym class

nyla wins tallest tower contest

my first curry chicken salad

made this at bob's request.  not bad.  I have been trying new recipes lately but it is sometimes difficult to find items that the kids will eat.  yesterday, I made a crock pot lasagna that bob said to put on the regular rotation (hurray).  nyla really liked it but bobby thought it was just ok.  everyone's a critic!  ;)

nyla swim class

we go every tuesday and for the past few weeks, no other kids have been coming so she has been getting private lessons.  she is getting really good, swimming without floaties, diving for rings and jumping in with no fear.  she is currently learning freestyle.

getting ready for swim class.

nyla takes a picture of mommy.  she makes me pose!  when she grows up, she wants to be "a fashion" or help rescue animals.

berry washer in training

it takes so little!  bobby spent a good half hour at the park washing, stirring and sorting these tree fruit.  not sure what they are...a mix between mini apple and micro pomegranite?  I bet gdad would know.  oh, and feel free to leave comments on the blog, everyone!

These are a few of my favorite things! (Bobby - 18 months)

My new toy: Thomas the Tank Engine wooden train starter set. "ChaChooo!"

My favorite books:
"Monst!" (Monsters)
Mr Brown can moo (just to get to the part where he does knock knock)
Kisses

Food:
"EGG!" - I love to crack eggs and cook them in the pan. I also love to peel boiled eggs.

How I count:
"One, two, two, two"

Some of the words I say these days (I am a great talker):
"Cyowd" - Cloud
"Sky"
"Tuck" - Truck
"Butt" - Bus
"Harm" - Farm
"Wa Wa" - Water
"Goh Goh" - Meat (usually beef)
"Boogah" - booger
"Tatch" - Catch (usually as I hurl something with you)
"Pip" - Chip (which I love to eat! Any kind of pip will do)

People I know and can name:
MaMa
Dada
Nana
Hama
Haba
Baba
Shue
Don't worry if you are not on this list. I am sure I will be able to identify you soon!

Q&A:

How are you, Bobby? "GOOD!"
How old are you? "ONE!"
What's your name? "ONE!"

diggin for gold

ask him not to put his finger up there and he does it even more, usually laughing at me!

sick kids equals horizontal kids

at least for a moment...

chasing geese and ducks

at berryessa library pond

another masterpiece by nyla

the building is a barn, with little windows where the chickens can learn how to fly.  there is a bee, tree, hen, four leaf clover, lake, crescent moon, clouds and stars, and grass.  she made this to make me feel better since I have a cold.  super cute.

putting the kids to work

gotta earn those chicken nuggets!

baked with love

banana muffins for the kids.  maybe a few for mommy, daddy, hami, and any aunties who are interested.  and lo, the kids love em!