Oh My, Oh My, Oh Playgroup!

There were 26 of us at playgroup today. For the first time, well, possibly ever, no one was sick, out of town, or otherwise engaged and everyone showed up. Most moms now have two kids now (Susanne has 1.9; a few weeks later and our numbers would be at 27). By making playspace upstairs and down, we were able to do crowd control. Here's a picture with everyone but the photographer, yours truly.

Face Paint at KidsQuest Museum

In the last minutes before we left to go home for naps, we came across the face painting station at the museum. It started off with drawing a simple heart on Kyla's cheek, and then a sunshine on the other. Then Kyla (and Aubrey) took matters into their own hands. [Aubrey was so blue that her mother called her a smurf.]

The pictures are of the quality to can expect from a "free" cell phone camera.

Here, Kyla attempts to smile.

I couldn't let Kyla have all the fun. I grabbed the green paint and not-so-subtly editorialized Dwayne's current obsession with his beard. The great thing about the camera phone is that I got to send this shot to him immediately.

Yahoo! Roller Coaster Ride!

I bought a roller coaster off Craigslist and both girls (and their friends) have enjoyed it. But today, Kyla thought that Dolly should have a turn. I give you the happy results.

Weekend in Oregon

Kyla, Piper, and I left Daddy at home while we picked up Grandma and Grandpa Kruger in Puyallup and headed down to Oregon to visit my brother Brian, my aunt Sharon, my grandmother, and my friends Kim and Rob. The sleeping problems seemed to overshadow any fun that we could have had, but the pictures brought back the best of the weekend.

First, we visited Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the girls and I spent the entire 3 1/2 hours in the children's area. There was an area with loads of pretend food and kitchen and market. Kyla loved climbing up onto the wall and walking on it, balance beam-like, and Piper found the market part of the play area the perfect place to climb up after her big sis. Grandma claimed several new gray hairs during this time.

We dressed up as chipmunks for a family portrait.

Kyla discovered balls and air currents.

























The water playland made a splash!

We bundled up for the cold to play outside.

Piper's 11 months aleady!

At 11 months old, Piper is a pretty amazing kid. She is cruising around my holding on to furniture, and her first (and only) solo steps so far have been accidental--she stumbled a little bit when she was standing for a few seconds. She may not be walking (this week), but she's climbing! For anyone who thought Kyla's climbing antics would bring on heart palipitations, well, Piper will take 10 years off your life. I love it! I try to get a picture of each girls with Teddy every month. That occasionally happens, including this month.
The ferocious bear hunters are armed with a common whisk and vacuum attachment. Teddy looks worried.

Mama's girl.

Kyla the Dancing Queen

You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen

Dancing Queen, feel the beat, from the tambourine oh yeah

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life Ooo..

See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the Dancing Queen

Cooking Chaos

It is our turn to bring treats to church tomorrow and "we" have decided to make 4 loaves of banana bread. Kyla's job was to help measure and mix the dry ingredients.



























































Piper helped, too, just by offering enthusiasm and moral support.

Airing our dirty laundry

Piper and Kyla really enjoy each other! I put them both in the hamper to carry them back upstairs after starting the day's laundry. It turned into a giggle fest.

Happy New Year!

On the 2nd day of our brand new year, 2009, Kyla, Piper, and I hosted playgroup. Piper crawls through her tunnel and Kyla just dives into the food.