Tractors

 Nate and Asher love having this tractor still in our yard. The other day Nate informed me that he might want to get one someday. He casually looked up the price of a good used one. I have no idea the cost and was thinking you know maybe five thousand. Nate told me a good used one was going for about forty thousand. Can you guess my response? I can promise you, we will never own a tractor.

 Boys and their toys.

 Piper is enjoying all the new toys around the house.

Dex wasn't a big fan of the tractor or the toys. He is trying so hard to figure out this crawling thing.

Asher is 4!

Asher turned four a few weeks ago when we were up in Pennsylvania. We had a little party up there and we had his big party this past weekend. I decided to do a construction party. Our neighbor is a contractor, and he let us borrow a backhoe. We got a big pile of sand and made a construction zone. It has been raining for a week straight, so we weren't able to do the entire party outside. The kids had a blast in the rain and we headed inside for food and gifts. 

 In the sand I hid lots of constructions cars (thanks to ebay). The kids had hats and shovels to use for working in the sand.

 Pipes had a blast.

 I realize now that I don't have any pictures of Asher in the sand. It was hard to have the camera out when it was raining so hard.

 Once again I ordered a cake instead of making one (it really reduces stress that way). I also set up a build your own sandwich station.

 I love how every year Bennett is right in front of the cake.

Asher I can't believe you are four. You amaze me everyday. You are curious and so stinking stubborn (I wonder where that comes from). I see so much of your daddy in you in the way you have to take apart everything to figure out how it works. You love being around your friends all the time, and it melts my heart to see your play with them. You have more energy than I would ever imagine possible. From the moment you wake up until you go to bed you never tire. It's like watching a tornado in action. I love you more than I ever thought was possible. I can't wait to see all the changes this year will bring.

Feeding Dexty

 Dex started rice cereal a few days ago. He was not impressed with his first experience.

He later informed me that when he is tired he doesn't like to try new things. Yesterday I waited until after his morning nap and it went much better. He ate about half his bowl. Now I have three little monkeys to feed everyday.

Katie Scarpati's Wedding

 Little Miss Piper was in another wedding last weekend. One of my best friends from college got married. This wedding was way less stressful than the last one. Only having one kid there made a big difference.

 She has her little Miss pouty face on in this picture, but don't let it fool you. She was quite the ham the entire night.

 She did such a good job walking down a very long aisle. I sometime forget how little she is for her age. The little boy is only six months older than her. She just looks so tiny to me. As soon as she got to the top of the aisle Nate took her away so she wouldn't be distracting.

 Here is the lovely Katie with her handsome man.

 Piper spent the reception climbing up and down the stairs. In this picture she is singing her ABCs.

She is quite lady-like as she walks down.

Dexter Doodle

 Since Asher and Piper have started school Dex and I have a lot more time together. It has been so nice. Most of the time I put him in the bumbo and move him from room to room with me as I get things done. I do make sure he gets lots of tummy time.

He is such a happy little guy.

First day of school

 The kids had their first day of school last week. They were both so excited to have new backpacks and go. What they weren't excited about was me trying to get a picture of them both together.

 They had to run and show our neighbors their backpacks.

Both kids are doing awesome so far. On Piper's first day I dropped her off and other kids were crying, but she walked right in and didn't even want to say goodbye. I'm so glad my kids love new experiences and do great being around lots of new people.

Visiting Pennsylvania

 On one of the days when we were up in PA I took the kids to York College (where I used to go). It was really fun seeing them run around and check out my old school. I loved watching all of the students' reactions. They weren't used to seeing tiny people.

 Asher found three caterpillars in the garden. He invited them to his birthday party. He also decided we needed to being them home with us. They are currently in a jar on the table, and are now cocoons . Asher calls them racoons and is excited for them to turn into butterflies.

I know I have been miss slackypants about blogging these days. We were up in PA for about ten days and as soon as we came back school and soccer started. It's been busy. Right now Mr. I'm not tired is passed out on the couch and Piper is still in her crib so Dex and I have a few moments to actually post something. I have photos to post, but for some reason blogger isn't letting me get to them. I'll try to get them up tomorrow. In the meantime I'll leave you with an Asher quote.

We really try to enforce the no bathroom words policy in our house. Asher is actually pretty good about listening to that. Yesterday I changed Piper's diaper and put it in the trash can. A few moments later Asher went over to put his yogurt container in the trash. He looked at me and said "Mommy it smells like bathroom words in there".