Birthday Party #1

Since we will be in Ohio on our birthday, we had a pre-birthday party in Jacksonville the weekend before. Two years old already! Here is Ella enjoying her cake in her too cool shades

Alex and Ella sit in the birthday throne (unfortunately it was not big enough to sit three - which was OK because Helen did not want to sit in it)

Ella in her boa, glasses and tiara at the birthday parade at the party

We had the party at a kids' gym - lots of cool stuff to play on. Here's Alex riding out on his "horse"

Helen and Ella got pulled behind the horse in the wagon (Helen declined her boa and tiara)

Ella enjoying herself at her party

Mommy and Ella

Alex trying to figure out who that other little boy is with a birthday shirt on

Ella swinging

Alex enjoys the swing too

Helen had a great time

Ella tries to throw the ball over the mat

Helen picking up the balls

Helen loved the ball pit

Mommy and Alex (it took Alex awhile to warm up to the idea of separating from Mommy and doing all the cool activities)

Getting Ready for Holidays

In the event that it eventually cools off here, we try on our coats to make sure they fit only to discover that it is so much fun getting to wear them and putting up our hoods!

Helen has found herself a diaper

Alex is very proud of his tower of diapers (and even pointed at the camera to get me to take a picture of it for him)

Last week we took them to get their 2 year old pictures taken. What a zoo. Before we left, I was determined to get a picture of them on the front steps for our Christmas card. Alex's face gives you an idea of how excited he was about the idea.

The girls were too distracted by the rocks and leaves to even think about sitting still

Helen hams it up for the camera

On Saturday morning mom lets us watch a little Mickey Mouse while we sit in our chairs

To prepare for our trip up north for Thanksgiving, mom got us new hats and we had to try them on to make sure they fit

An outing in our strollers (yes, it was 80 degrees out and the girls insisted on wearing their boots. It was actually Ella's idea and Helen was happy to follow. Who knew that two year olds had strong opinions about fashion?)

Last weekend we went to the zoo - and had lots of fun playing around on all the great exhibits

The highlight of the zoo for Alex was riding the train. He kept saying "Choo choo!!" the whole time. Here's Daddy and Ella on the train.

Mommy, Helen, and Alex. Helen was glued to my lap and was not all that thrilled about the train.

One Saturday we went out to lunch and the kids had their first smoothies. They loved them. Helen usually does not eat her fruit - but apparently if you puree it and make it cold that makes it OK.

Alex had no problem sitting still with food in front of him.

I was so proud of how well behaved the kids were and how nicely they sat in their chairs and ate their lunch. We can go out in public!

On Halloween, our multiples group had a playdate at the park. Here they are eating their snack.

Daddy helps Helen and Alex color while Ella walks up to check things out.

Helen finishes her snack and everyone elses

Go Gators!

Happy Halloween!

The Wizard of Oz triplet style!

Ella insisted on being the lion. She walked around for a couple of days before Halloween saying "my lion! my lion!" I bought the lion for Helen and the scarecrow for Ella but Ella was having none of the scarecrow. So the lion was big on Ella and the scarecrow was small on Helen. But neither seemed to mind! Ella even perfected her roar.

Helen was a happy scarecrow - whenever her hat would start to fall off, she would fuss and insist that it be on right.

Alex was a very serious Tin Man

Travelling in style - the wagon allowed easy access in and out for trick or treating

The lion is frustrated that she cannot get her candy open. It took them about two house before they figured out how this whole thing works. Then they were all about getting the candy - and eating it as fast as they got it. We tried to be good parents and not let them eat all of their candy right away - then that proved fruitless

Problem: I am an (almost) two year old toddler without the dexterity to open my own candy. My parents will not open it for me

Solution: Eat the wrapper and the candy

Result: Parents open the candy for me so that I will not eat the wrapper

The scarecrow managed to get a package of candy open and shoved as much in her mouth as she could fit

The Tin Man enjoys his first Kit Kat

When we got close to the house, Daddy had to make a run to get water (it was really hot!) and wet wipes (the get all the sticky candy off of our hands)

Helen loves the chocolate - she usually had at least three kinds of candy open at once

After a while, Ella had so much candy in the bottom of her wagon that she had to move her feet so that she could see it all

The Tin Man is practicing his "Thank you!"s - since he learned that he can get a lot of mileage out of saying it (i.e. more candy)

Alex is a typical guy - reading his magazine while he's on the potty

Ella gives Daddy a squeeze

Helen and Daddy

Helen is so happy that she can feed her own baby in her very own high chair