Family Fun

DJ grows and changes daily. He is such a happy baby (most of the time). He is starting to move a whole lot more and enjoys playing on the floor. As you can see, so do Daddy and Sister!

A Budding Photographer?

Grace has recently discovered the digital camera. She loves to see the pictures that I have just taken. When she asked if she could try, I reluctantly said yes. So, I put the handle on her wrist and off she went around the house.


Some pictures are good, some are bad, some are fuzzy, some are.... well.... interesting, but they are HER pictures. She even took a picture of me at the Philadelphia Zoo a few weeks ago AND got most of me in the frame!!

What do you think? Will she be a world famous photographer?

The Fruit Battle

Most of you know that not only to I have 2 children, but I watch 3 others. Two are just babies, but the other three are toddlers/preschoolers. Everyday for lunch the 3 oldest get an identical lunch. They are required to eat everything on their plates, especially if the want dessert. Two of the kids may give a little trouble, but they will eat. The third child however is very STUBBORN!!!! Now I won't mention who it is, but his mother and I know......

We have epic battles lasting an hour or more. He says he doesn't want it and I say he must sit and eat it.... you get the point. You may be thinking, maybe he doesn't like the food. No, that's not it. He's eaten it before. He just doesn't WANT to eat it.

So the question is. What do I do?? Continue with the insanity of sending him to bed or not giving him anything else to eat until he eats the food on his plate, OR do you have a better idea. He can't have special treatment as ALL the kids need to eat their fruit, but I am open to ideas.

Needless to say I am a tired mom/daycare-mom who is looking for ideas to help make lunchtime easier. Thanks for reading and responding!

Trip to PA - part 3 - the Final chapter

Each morning we were there, I'd feed and dress DJ then take him over to Gramps. DJ is at his best in the morning, so he LOVED being with Gramps. Gramps also LOVED showing DJ off to the other residents at Peter Becker (the community where he lives).





This is Marion, Gramps' oldest sister. She's almost 95!!!! We have a picture of her holding Grace at about 10 months old. Marion loves the babies and enjoyed cuddling with DJ.



Maybe this is a sign that DJ will be a piano player like Grampy (Dom's dad). You never know!!









Our last day in PA we spent with Gramps and brother's family. We had a great day. That evening, my most of my dad's family came over to meet the new babies. Grace loved the swing set at my brother's house!












The Cousins: Grace, DJ, Joshua, Elise, Brady






Gramps with his 5 great-grandchildren!!!!!



The morning we left I wanted to get a picture with Gramps and Grace and DJ. DJ cooperated.....






But Grace didn't....




We left Gramps' a little after 9 AM. It was later than I wanted, but I thought we'd still get home at a decent hour. That is until we were in traffic for 2 hours before we got out of NJ!!!! There had been a bad accident and they were still cleaning it up. Needless to say the ride home was a rough one. DJ and Grace were not happy the last 2 hours. We got home around 6:30 PM. Everyone was tired and grumpy, but a good night sleep helped.

Even though the car ride was tough, I am so glad we went. Grace has so many memories and the light in Gramps' eyes was priceless!!!

Philadelphia Zoo - trip to PA - part 2

Last Friday, we went to the Philadelphia Zoo with my brother and his family. I have not been there is over 20 years. It was neat to see all the wild animals that Grace LOVES! She was thrilled to see the lions, tigers, pumas, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, etc. Her favorite part was riding on the carousel. She had to wait an extra turn b/c the animal that she wanted was taken. It was worth the wait to see the smile on her face.

THE PARK - trip to PA - part 1

After a nine hour drive to PA, we were worn out. My brother and his family drove over and met us (including my Grandfather) at a restaurant close to where he lives in Harleysville. Afterward, we decided to go to a nearby park to let the kids work off some energy. Daylight was short and the air got chilly, but the kids enjoyed running, swinging, climbing, and sliding! Gramps enjoyed his Great-grand kids (he has 5 now!!!!).