OK...That's More Like It

Just in case you thought I was getting too full of my home-making self, here's a dose of reality:

MORNING AT THE GREERS

Yes, my nine month old is watching Elmo. It takes about 15-30 minutes for the coffee to kick in around here. Even these folks know not to mess with me before then.

Yes, my two-and-half-year old can barely peel her eyes away or keep her finger out of her nose long enough to take this photo.

Yes, she was promised 'snacks' in exchange for this cheesy toddler grin.

Yes, he's always this happy in the morning. Just like his Dad. Lucky me.

Sadly, I can not even take credit for the matching jammies. Dad dressed them for bed last night. What a different house this would be if they had a morning-person mom. Maybe someday. Now Christopher's laughing his head off.

Who Are You...And What Did You Do With Stacey?

A real shocking situation around here today:

1. Just made a batch of lemon bars (using lemons from our own tree, no less) in preparation for a visit from our pastor tonight. No...we are not in any trouble. We are helping with a search committee thingy.
2. Whoa, add that to the list. I'm part of a search committee thingy.
3. I have defrosted and am currently marinating meat for dinner tonight. Yep, a full three hours ahead of time.
4. There is laundry on a clothes line in the back yard. And it's even ours!
5. If there was a hidden camera in the house, it would have caught me doing a full "Barnyard Dance"...in the bathroom...with Simon in my arms...with Millie on the pot...with shouts of encouragement to Mils thrown in between dance moves. All shame has left me.
6. And now, with some time to myself I am covering my graying roots with a home solution on my hair.

It's a drastic turn of events for the girl who only recently donated her very favorite 'power suit' and can still remember what it smells like in the Senate cloakroom (bad cologne and wood cleaner). My dad is now laughing his head off, thinking of my complete lack of 'domestic skills' during my 20's. I often wonder how I scored such an amazing husband...he must have seen some small glimmer of potential. And now here I am...responsible for keeping at least two other humans alive and happy on a daily basis. Pretty crazy stuff. Pretty awesome, fun stuff.

The Sleeping Beauties...
(photos were taken just a few minutes ago)

Millie's trying out her 'new big girl bed' (inflatable toddler bed) in preparation for our vacation at the end of May. She'll need to sleep on it for three weeks, so we want to get her good and ready. She loves it, thank goodness!

Little Brother

Took our guy for his nine-month check-up on Friday and I'm STILL surprised by the results. Well, first of all, the well-visit turned into a sick-visit when the doc diagnosed him with a slight bout of pneumonia. I figured...with the hacking cough and fever and all. So we're handling that and he's feeling much better.

But what surprised me were his stats: 17 1/2 pounds and 28 inches. That's 10-25%ile for weight and 25-50%ile for height. How in the heck did that happen? I feel like he's eating tons of good food. I'm sure he'll appreciate the increase that's now coming his way.

Happy Birthday Casey!

Our sweet girl, the best dog in the world, turned NINE years old the other day. That is just so hard to believe. She's as beautiful and gentle and squirrely as ever, dancing around the kids, wagging her whole body when we come home to see her, barking at the mere rumble of a UPS truck coming down the block. I often find myself wishing that I could just live my whole life with this dog...I want her to be around forever.

We celebrated the big day Casey-style...with food. Mils sent me on a special mission to find special hats for us to wear for the party. Couldn't track those down but found a crown that seemed to work. We got some cupcakes for the humans and I made a special cake for the bday girl -- chicken, eggs, cheese and green beans. Delicious. Seems like Millie enjoyed the party, too.

Happy Easter!

A few shots from our Easter celebrations...

First to church and then home for baskets and brunch:

Oh, I love this picture. These two really do love each other.

Mils is looking for her Easter basket. It's hidden behind the curtain.

Duh, Millie. It's right there. It's so obvious. See, I've already found my basket.

Easter Egg Hunt #3: At the Roy's house with friends from church and small group.

Hunt #2: With some of Millie's friends at their church event.

Hunt #1: On astroturf, at a military-sponsored eggstravaganza.

Does the dress...or should I say 'mini-dress'...look familiar? It's last year's White House Easter dress getting another outing. I am a bit neurotic about buying things big. Finally it paid off!

Hi Cuties!

Triathlete & SUPERDAD!

Christopher had his first triathlon of the season this weekend, and he chose an intimidating race to kick off the season. He did the SuperFrog/SuperSeal triathlon here on Coronado Island. It's organized by (and therefore filled with) Navy Seals. But I've got to tell you...Christopher totally held his own. No, he more than held his own. He ROCKED it. He set a new PR (personal record) and looked like a superstar doing it. I am so proud of him.

Meanwhile, Jules and I were in a contest all our own with the kids. We juggled strollers, snacks, diapers, naps, meltdowns, you name it. The way the course was laid out we were able to see Christopher many times during the race which made it so much fun for us. And wait 'til you get to the end of these photos...makes me tear up just remembering it.

Wearing Daddy's neoprene cap

Watching Daddy transition from swim to bike

This is the one that gets me...he's carrying BOTH kids across the finish line with him! After completing a killer triathlon! They announced the kids' names as he crossed the line...people were going nuts...I was crying. It was awesome!