Practice

Our little three year old is a very busy girl. Between ordering Paxton around, trying on every piece of clothing she owns, running full tilt from one end of the house to the other, and singing nonstop at the top of her lungs all day long she generally keeps things interesting. A few days ago we heard the water running in the bathroom and came to investigate. The play dishes were getting a good scrubbing.

We'd like to think that she's practicing to help in the kitchen, but really she just likes to play in the water.

Three's A Charm

The Pandemonium Clan celebrates one birthday a month for the first four months of the year. The third month and the third birthday is for little Anya. In two thousand thirteen, she turned three.

Guess who likes Hello Kitty? And yes, that is a birthday cookie.

We had a little family party to celebrate the occasion, complete with a couple of clowns. Oh, wait. Those are her brothers. Two of the clowns look on while Anya proudly shows how many fingers she is.

What to get for a girl who loves pink? More pink! How about a fancy handbag, a fluffy tiara, and pink boa to compliment the tutu? Oh, and don't forget the Chicago Bears t-shirt. (She's not a princess all the time)

Did you notice the fancy wrapping paper around the big box in the back? Anya didn't either. But she's delighted by what's inside. Her very own doll house!

Thanks Cliff and Mary Faye for the panda book! Cue cheesy grin.

After Kenrick and Daddy assemble the doll house, Paxton and Anya get busy decorating.

Happy Birthday little Princess!

Squirrel Watching

With the (gradual) coming of spring in our parts, the squirrels have emerged from their winter quarters and are busily dashing to and fro trying to remember where they stashed last year's nuts and generally getting reacquainted with each other. Two little squirrels in particular seem to have taken up residence in our back yard and Paxton and Anya have enjoyed watching them from the library windows. They even named them. One is Sam, the other is Sally.

Twelve for One

Last month we celebrated Kenrick's 12th. T-minus one to Teen. Wow.

His birthday was on a Thursday, so he had a few friends over after school for some pizza and cupcakes.

Then later in the week, he got the cake (and candles) he really wanted. It's hard to blow out candles when you've got the giggles.

The big present this year was a mountain bike. One big enough to grow into. We picked it up at the REI in Chicago while we were up there last weekend, I don't think he's stopped grinning since. His feet do touch the ground, but just barely.

The official portrait:

The Pandemonium Four, February 2013