The Algeras

We've been spending these spring days hanging out at home, for the most part. No big happenings. The kids love playing with each other - I love the picture of David giving hugs to Sara in the laundry basket. Doing laundry with two helpers is almost a futile effort. Dave has discovered the fun of messing up piles. Sara eggs him on; "Go Davey, throw the socks!"

Sara loves being able to be outside more often. Her sidewalk chalk is almost gone, helped out by me driving over it one evening. She likes hopscotch and random running around the house. She really likes Grandma and Grandpa's big backyard and going to pick rhubarb in the neighbors garden "just like Peter Rabbit!" David likes to sit on his blanket, rolling around and attempting to crawl and just babbling at the world.

Dave had a doctors appointment bright and early this morning. He needed a reweigh after not gaining a whole lot of weight between 6 and 9 months. I think this was mostly due to him being sick with no appetite the week before his 9 month appointment. He definitly made up ground this month, packing on a pound and a half to bring him up to 17 pounds 14 ounces. He is a bottomless pit with a wide open mouth and loves his food.

Our big project today was a "big cave" for Sara. Every kid needs a sheet and blanket fort! David was not allowed in her "own cozy bear cave". I was allowed in for the sole purpose of book reading and then I was thrown out.

In the afternoon Sara and I baked a rhubarb pie. We snitched rhubarb from Steve and Lauren's backyard. They've moved, but said we could raid their garden. I've never made anything from rhubarb before, but Sara sucked down a small piece and proclaimed "This is so yummy pink pie! It's my favorite." Ben says it's excellent, although there are very few baked goods he does not love.

Right now Ben is being tackled by both kids. David is crawling up and over Daddy and Sara is zerberting his stomach. There is a whole lot of giggling going on. Dave is the cutest happy baby and he is always happy when he's getting into things.

Ha ha!!! Ben just lost some poop roulette. Those giggles were actually signaling a blowout. I'm watching the haz-mat operation from afar. Dave is having teething diapers and plenty of them. He just attempted to escape from Daddy with his little bare buns in the air, but Daddy is onto his tricks and he is safely covered up now. Ben even managed to save the pjs!

Ben has been making very good progress on the boat. Check out his blog for some updated pics! Hopefully we'll be on the water by mid summer.

I nearly forgot last Saturday's happenings! How could I say that we have no news? Ben ran the rerouted, cold and rainy River Bank Run in 1:58:38, meeting his goal of under 2 hours. He was thrilled, and still had enough energy to take the kids to the parade downtown. Sara jumped up and down most of the time because she was so excited to see floats, bands and horses. David fell asleep halfway through. He really can sleep through anything.

It's time to get the kids ready for bed. I suppose I should help Ben out and get Davids last tanking up in. He eats a bowl of cereal and nurses for bedtime snack. Last night he consumed two bowls for Grandma and then proceeded to sleep through the night. Maybe I'll try that tonight, or maybe it's just the special Grandma touch. If that's the case, you should come over every night, Mom!