Confession

Yes, I have a confession: I corral my children.

What would you do if your almost 3-yr-old had to pee (besides pee outside)? And when all three of them headed toward different edges of the swimming pool? You see my reasoning, I'm sure.  You can just go ahead and expect to see that gate in the background of all my summer photos this year.

So, anyway. We finally got a chance to pull out the twins' birthday gift -- a water table that will provide hours of entertainment for the three kiddos. The only mistake I made the first time was putting it on the grass....you know how toddlers are weird about grass touching their feet (see proof below).  And it probably didn't help that we haven't mowed the backyard yet...

So the next time we put the water table on the front porch for the whole neighborhood to see my corralled children, and yesterday I got asked if I have a daycare. Nope. Just my own kids. They sure are cute though!

Trike Bike

I picked up a brand new Radio Flyer tricycle for Sydney at a garage sale last weekend, thinking that it would be fun for her to pedal around on until she learns how to balance her 2-wheeler.  Unfortunately, while I've seen her pedal other trikes, she just doesn't have the hang of pedaling on just any bike yet (including this one)!  And steering is a whole other issue...

Looking cute as she gets on the tricycle for the first time

Trying to figure out how to get those winter boots to reach the pedals

Goofing around and acting like she knows what she's doing

More concerned with the bell than with learning how to ride the thing

Wondering when they'll get to go for a ride on that back step

Clean Up, Clean Up

Learning to eat with a spoon requires patience from me by way of one of my least favorite "Mom jobs."  Post-meal cleanup.  Bleh.  And now because of some pesky ants, I really have to give everything and everyone a good scrub.  If I could just hose off the kids, the chairs, and the floors, I would be fine.  Summer and outdoor eating can't come soon enough!  I'm just happy that these two seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves:

Lovin' Tubby Time...and Each Other