Preparing for our move...

We've been enjoying our time here in Virginia as we prepare for our upcoming move back to Indiana.  We've been packing and packing and packing---the house seems to be filling with boxes.

In fact, this post is presently being written in the midst of a power outage caused by a thunderstorm passing through the area.  This wouldn't be a big deal at all if not for the fact that every flashlight and candle we own is presently in a box somewhere....

Anyways though, I digress...

 

Between packing boxes, we have found time to have some fun -- like hanging out at Fairfax corner and letting North run around in the fountain.  (Before getting wet, he informed us that this was his "best undershirt" and he hoped to keep it dry--where does he get this stuff?!  Anyways, his plan lasted about 5 minutes.)

 

 

 

 

 We also grabbed lunch at Dogfish Head AleHouse where North got his face painted like Wolverine

 

 

 While the face paint was cool, when we got home he said it was itchy and so Alan told him he could wash it off and opted to let him do it by himself.

 

 

 

Clearly that went really well.

We've also found some time to hang out with friends, old and new...

 Like Tallulah - who is about to become a big sister

 And Baron and McKenna!

 

I can't believe what big kids these 3 have become in the past 2 years.  I remember when we first moved in and met them -- all three were toddlers!

 

 And North continues to be a great big brother.  A few days ago he crawled into the pack and play to lay in the bassinet next to her and keep her entertained - so sweet!

 

 

 He's also had fun snuggling her on our bed.

 And daddy has been home this week - North and Quorra have loved it -- here they are both piled on him!

Writing

Lately, North has been working on how to write.  He's getting pretty great at his name.

The finished product!

And for father's day he wrote a special message to text to Alan. <3

Hulk Hogan

You may have noticed, we're pretty big fans of fake mustaches.  We've recently purchased a pretty fun set of famous mustaches (we'll surely break them out again and have more fun photos soon) and let North choose one to wear.  It was such fun, we all took a turn.  Below are the future blackmail photos.

Sharing the mustache

It's a good look. I know

Birthday morning video

Here's a video Alan shot of North the morning of his fourth birthday.

North turns Four!!!

North is now FOUR years old!!!  He's getting to be so big.  He's such a sweet kid and such a help to me with his little sister while Alan is out of town.

For his birthday he got a day of doing whatever he chose including watching TV in mommy and daddy's bed in the morning while opening presents, playing with the presents he received, lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's, a visit to Udvar Hazy to see the new space shuttle (Discovery which replaced Enterprise), playing in the fountain at Fairfax Corner, and a pancake dinner at IHOP.  Fun times. Here are some photos from that day:

 

 My sweet four year old starting his birthday morning.

Climbing around in Chuck E. Cheese's

Looking at airplanes!

Visiting "Discovery"!

Always a favorite - the Mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Splashing around in the fountain at Fairfax Corner

 Wrinkly fingers

North also got to celebrate his birthday at Anju's, where Quorra now spends the days with him.  He had a lot of fun getting to celebrate with his friends.  The evening before his party at Anju's we stopped by the party supply store to get treats for goody bags.  We had quite a bit of fun shopping and choosing items.

North enjoyed trying on the novelty sunglasses available.

He also had a fun time playing with mustaches.  They were included in his goody bags but by the end of the day, he had lost his--Alan made his a replacement out of red cardboard.

 Eye patches were another item that we included in the goody bags

Celebrating his birthday at Anju's!

 

 

Palling around with his buddy Damien

Posing for a photo with Gitika, Damien, Abby, and Alana

 

Now that the weather is warm he also gets to splash around at Anju's each day!

Aside from his birthday and fun times at daycare, we've had lots of fun lately hanging around home with Quorra.

ring pop mouth

 playing legos

spider man!