Windows!

At long last (well, not that long I guess since we haven't even lived here three years yet), we have replaced all our windows. Most of the windows seals were broken as were the screens. We are so, so, so happy to have windows and screens that do what they're supposed to do!  

And, of course, once we had new windows in we couldn't stand to put our old nasty (and I do mean nasty) blinds up. So, we spent a good portion of last Saturday shopping for blinds and installing them. Through this process we've learned a few more things (as we always do during home improvement project) - none of our windows are standard size, none of them are exactly the same size and there are not many blinds you can purchase from the store that fit our wide windows. But, we did figure out the majority of the rooms at least!

This is a view of the new windows in the front. The front of the house doesn't have windows frames like the back and side of the house, so this is the only view that doesn't show our new covered frames. (I'm also pleased to announce that - so far - our weed block in the front flower beds is working! Now we can start to fill it up with the good stuff!)

We didn't know what we were going to think of covering our large wood frames, but we actually love it!

Chuck E. Cheese will never be the same...

Lily was off school on Friday (and I was off work), so I decided to take her and William out for awhile. Since the weather was kind of dreary, we decided to go to Chuck E Cheese. (By the way, the Ellisville location opens at 9am on weekdays - who knew???) 

Lily and William spent quite awhile playing this game where you throw balls at the screen and get points for hitting the targets (which results in tickets.) This is probably the best game that Chuck E Cheese offers in my estimation, so I didn't mind pumping the tokens in to this one.

William discovered that he could (unassisted) climb up into the tunnel structure they have, which was pretty exciting for him as he usually has to rely on Lily pushing him up into it. Here they are in the "dome" (unfortunately you can barely see William.)

This is Lily on her way out of the slide telling me that William just pooped while he was up in the structure. Awesome.

This is William sliding down after said pooping. Double awesome! (But at least he looks happy!)

The above sequence of events led us to a 1/2 hour stint in the restroom to get Sir William cleaned up as he's currently potty training and did not have a diaper on. If it hadn't been so disgusting, I probably would have laughed more. As it was, it was still pretty funny. Lily threw her arms in front of the bathroom door, keeping it blocked, and exclaimed (to no one in particular), "Don't come in here - my brother pooped his pants!" After many, many paper towels, being literally up to my elbows in poop, and washing pretty much every surface in the bathroom (including William), we emerged in clean clothes and not much worse for the wear. 

Unfortunately, a little while longer, we had another accident - this time a wet one, thankfully - and I decided we had had enough of Chuck E Cheese for one day. I've never been so glad to shower (and have an even greater appreciation for all the parents that do this on a daily basis.)

After our wild adventures at Chuck E Cheese, we dropped William off at home and Lily and I went to explore the brand-new American Girl store in Chesterfield. 

This is Lily giving her "surprised" expression in front of the store with her doll, Kit. 

And here she is on a couch inside with Kit. 

The store was pretty ridiculous, as are most American Girl stores I've been in, but it was fun to get to explore one with someone who is so into them! And I got a special kick (and pang of sadness) from watching the 5 adult hair-stylists doing the dolls' hair at the "salon."

And my favorite Lily-ism from the day came when she was getting into my car and told me she didn't want to sit in her booster seat. Here's how the conversation went:

Ingrid: You have to. It's the law.

Lily: It's the "law" (eye roll). For how long?

Ingrid: I think you have to be in a booster seat until you're like 10 years old or something.

Lily: If you think I'm going to sit in a booster seat and embarrass myself when I'm 10 years old... (trails off, giving me a look of death.)

Love that kid. 

Doggie Easter Egg Hunt

Usually Ryan and I hide eggs at Carl and Kathleen's for the kiddos on Easter, but this year we decided to do it at our house. Lily was so fast at finding all of them I didn't even have a chance to take pictures of the indoor human hunt, but after brunch we went outside and did an Easter egg hunt for the dogs. I'm not sure which one the kids liked better! (But I know which one the dogs preferred....)

William didn't totally comprehend the idea of the dogs opening the eggs themselves, he preferred to open them for the dogs. Tuesday appreciated his efforts. (On a side note, Tuesday and William seem to have a great love for one another - neither can be kept away from the other.)

Tuesday giving an egg the evil eye.

And they're off!

Irie has perfected the art of cracking the eggs open.

Tuesday waiting oh so patiently....

The many faces of Emilia

Emilia is at one of my favorite ages (pre-mobile, but full of expressions and interaction!) While I don't have near the number of pictures of her as I do of her siblings (mainly because Lily and William usually grab me by each arm as soon as I walk in the door), I got the chance to capture many of Emilia's expressions the other day. Gotta love those eyelashes and that smile!