McGrillis Gardens

Today is an amazingly beautiful day. Warm and sunny. I felt the need for a field trip! And I also wanted to check out a place to take some maternity pics for next weekend. Michael had a strong desire to continue spring clean up in the garage, so the kids and I headed to an old estate in the middle of Bethesda that has been turned into a public garden. It's beautiful and everything is blooming. It's not too big, so the kids weren't too overwhelmed with walking around, and tons of places to get pictures. Although, it was a little tough managing both kids while trying to get some decent pics. You'll notice more of Sadie since she was really into taking time to look around and check out the flowers. Skyler was moving before I could get him, and he was determined to do every path and finish in order to head home. Michael had promised Skyler he could help put our lawn mower together and Skyler was really excited about it. Here are some pics from today:)

Daddy and Sadie time this morning.

unedited pic...and I love it:)

Adventurers!

The flowers didn't do it, but the rocks totally had his attention!

Saturday Afternoon

Saturday was a major spring clean up...preparing for the new fridge set us off in a crazy spree of throwing out things the kids have outgrown, or that we haven't worn in past 5 or more years. A huge pile awaits goodwill. It's refreshing and cleansing....ahhhhh. The kids were great while we went crazy and loved playing with all of the things we found. But that afternoon they needed some fresh air, the rain left, and the warm weather arrived. Caught some pics of the kids on our walk:)

Sadie getting in trouble...she was told NOT to go on the grass...see the sketchy grate in the background? She is T R O U B L E :)

Skyler, happy he wasn't being naughty this time!

She loved loved loved the flowers. Stopped in to check them out on everyone's yard.

New Jersey!

We just came home after a fantastic week in NJ at Nana and Papa's house. It was really nice spending time there. The kids loved it too....so much, that Skyler cried for a good ten minutes after we left about how much he missed Nana and Papa. Sadie chanted their names with him. It was sad, but on the other hand, I loved that they LOVE being with my parents. We had passover, Skyler and Sadie played outside in the puddles and with the neighbors, we went to see a real mine (which Skyler thought was so cool that he was actually in a mountain...Sadie didn't last five minutes since the tour guide talked...she preferred walking!), and NYC. Skyler LOVED LOVED LOVED NYC. Loved the buildings and of course, FAO. We let him pick out any toy he wanted. A dream for a 3 year old. He was a trooper as I dragged him down fifth ave packed with a zillion people (including Sylvester Stallone). Ended up at Rockefeller Center watching people ice skate. Now Sadie...didn't love NYC so much. The people overwhelmed her and she was 'mad' that she couldn't walk. The poor thing would have been trampled by the insane amount of people. She walked a bit down Madison Ave...but it was exhausting making her happy. I think we'll wait to take her in when she's a bit older:) Here are some pics from the week. It was SO hard choosing what to post...

Skyler made this flower at school for Passover and LOVED it!

Winnie has always loved Sadie....

Skyler LOVED being outside, playing with the neighbors, and exploring the woods and creek. I had tons of flashbacks from my own childhood.

Sadie loved playing outside too....couldn't get her in!

Sadie with her Papa...

Ok, so these puddles...she was drawn to them immediately. For two days she was soaked from the knee down. But how could I possibly stop her when she had such a blast?

Naturally, Skyler was drawn to the puddles too...two messy kids:)

Headed back to the creek where Sadie learned the art of throwing rocks into the water. Saying she had fun is an understatement.

This is what she looked like by the time she was done....

Love this pic....

Skyler was a pro at the whole creek/rock throwing...

Passover with Nana!!!

Skyler went over to Sadie and grabbed her hand to include her with his group of friends. Amazing.....

memories.....

He LOVED the rocks by the creek. I literally dragged him off them to come home for dinner!

Rachel put Sadie in the swing...she had a lot of fun to say the least :)

Climbing rocks, pink cheeks, good friends that make him feel GOOD...what can be better?

King of the rocks...my little goof ball:)

Spring...to Winter...to Summer...To Spring....

The weather definitely can't make up it's mind! Talk about confusing my 3 year old with the weather of the seasons. We take advantage of the warmth while we can...while it's refreshing...while it's fairly gnat free....and while we appreciate sweating. We met our friends at the park the other day. It was 80 degrees and beautiful out. Despite the fact that Skyler is suffering in a major way from his allergies, the kids had a great time. Skyler hasn't seen Rebekah in forever, yet it's amazing because the minute they see each other, they don't stop talking. Dara and I were trying to figure out what they could possibly be talking about! But they talked, and smiled, and had a blast. The little ones tried to keep up:) Skyler told me he wanted to marry Rebekah when he grew up...and he needed a car to drive his family around. So serious at 3.

Fascinated by anything she can pick up...mulch, dirt, rocks, etc. She even occasionally experiments with how it tastes! I try not to think about what's been there before her little hands.

Happy girl in spring clothes!

LOVE THIS PICTURE!!! They all just ran around together...

Eliana....

I turned around after cleaning up lunch and this is what I found. They are trouble:)

Another moment I turned around and saw some sibling love:) But seconds later Skyler was pulling ugly doll out from underneath her! At least they look sweet...

So let's talk about Skyler and Sadie. Lately, they have really started playing with each other. In fact, they are always together, and always making trouble. LOTS of trouble. But together, they seriously are so happy. Skyler loves how Sadie idolizes him and sees how far he can get her to go until someone gets in trouble. Time out has become a joke because they sit together and giggle and make more trouble. Calming down? Impossible these days...they start each other up! Driving Michael and I crazy. But secretly? I love it...I love that they are close...and I love that they love each other. And I love how Sadie looks for Skyler the minute she gets up...I love how Skyler calls her "Sade". I love how Sadie points her finger at Skyler and says "Stop it, just stop it." Hmmmm, I hear myself in there:) I love how Skyler makes her laugh so hard she falls over. I LOVE THEM!!!!!

Brookside Botanical Gardens

Field trip!!! It was a nice day today and I spontaneously declared it a field trip day. I wanted to go to Brookeside and check it out for kodak moments. It was beautiful. The trees were blooming, they had just filled the fountains, and the spring flowers looked and smelled AMAZING. The kids loved it. They ran around the whole time and had a blast. Free, outside, and fun. What can be better?

(I'm not sure why these are so pixelly here...much prettier on my mac!)

Skyler is asking one of his zillion questions here...or explaining something...either way, this is 'so him'.

"Mom, what makes flowers smell so good?" Um, ask your dad:)

How cute is this picture?

Skyler fell off the rock and smushed a plant. He felt so badly, he panicked and asked to go home. Poor guy is too good....