Naptime

Mary Jane has not always been the best of nappers.  Some days she'll just sit there, read books, sing, and lie in her bed for 90 minutes and then come out and act like she's napped.  But oh, Mommy and Daddy know she has not napped.  There's just that crispness of spirit and patience that a napping girl has.  But that's quite alright... sooner or later she'll drop that nap anyway.

But today Daddy decided to take control of the situation.  He lied down beside Mary Jane and they both fell asleep.  Silly girl never had a chance.  Well, Daddy doesn't know how long has was asleep before this sneaky picture was taken by Mommy.

Note: Daddy is being covered by Mary Jane's favorite elephant Sanjay.  He's in charge of making sure she gets to sleep.  Good ol' Sanjay.  One of the guys.

Denny's or a Park?

Here Betsy is looking quite bored.  She's either at a local park or she at the nearest Denny's waiting for her Grand Slam to arrive.

Bunnies Unhappy That Children Get More Attention Than Them

The bunnies are furious that the children get to sleep in Miss Jill and Mister John's bed and not them.  They want their warm TV time as well and they don't seem to be getting any.  They feel like they are literally left out in the cold with mere food and water.  Even that gift of a Purple Castle in both cages seems fleeting.  "Where's my apple cider?" queried a quite irritated Cookie Sue.

No responses yet from the adults.

The bunnies wish the girls could spend a day like them.

Hiatus

Oops, I've been away for a while.  Sorry about that.  But life, vacations, illness, laziness, idleness, and (fill in any other appropriate noun) has kept me from my appointed duties.  I shall add more pictures shortly.

Jack is now five months old and he can roll over.  He has the ability to hold a bottle for at least a few seconds at a time.  Oh, that's a huge milestone for parents.

Betsy Jo is speaking with greater clarity... although that low mumble voice she does in the morning can be unsettling at times.

Mary Jane is now three and has had a big cake for her party.  Yes, Deborah the Zebra was there to keep an eye on it. 

Really, more pictures and posts to follow.  I always wish to have more posts than the previous year but sometimes... life just gets in the way.  Kind of like a big truck passing another truck on the 10 East when we're trying to get to Phoenix.  They pass even though they know I'll be stuck behind them for an extra five minutes.  Hey, I have crying children in my car!!!

Wait, I'm ranting... I best be getting back to grading now.

A Very Happy Family Friend

Connie was quite happy yesterday.  She was a bit irritated that Miss Jill and Mister John started the UCLA/U$C game two hours late due to sick children they were putting to sleep.  But the game itself was splendid for her.  Lots of touchdowns and lots of sacks by her favorite Bruin, linebacker Anthony Barr.  Everyone else is on the Myles Jack bandwagon.  Not Connie!  At least not until next year when Barr turns pro and Jack is still around sacking, intercepting, and running for short TDs.

Bunnies Not Feeling the Thanksgiving Love

For some unknown reason, the bunnies at the Erb household are not too thankful.  It's that time of year when the humans seem to be thankful for things but the bunnies come off as mildly unappreciative.

The bunnies nailed a seven-point plan on the back door, in much the same manner as Martin Luther did with his 99 Theses so long ago.  Mister John took a look and wasn't sure what to think of it:

The girls are not so happy to swap sleeping locations with the rabbits.

1. Allow more hopping time in the back yard for rabbits.
2. More time inside the house while the little children sleep in the cages.
3. More insulation on the cold winter nights.
4. Satellite TV.
5. Finely engraved carrots.
6. Free towing.
7. More stuffing and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving Day.

Miss Jill is unsure about some of these (Mister John is perplexed at #6) but maybe compromises are to be had.

Cookie Sue thinking about her demands.

Girls, Guys and Tea

This weekend Mary Jane and Betsy wanted to have some early morning tea.  Along with them were Paul the Panda, Phone Wolf (always known for his love of iced tea), and Lyle the Crocodile.  They all sat there and enjoyed their tea and scones for the morning.  Cheerio!

A True Family Photo

Now that is a family photo.  We used the letters of our last name -- which are situated high up in the living room -- and allowed our little ones to hold them for a precious birth announcement photos.  Jack was about a month old (maybe younger) for a sequence of photos for his birth announcement.  Betsy has a quiet smile about her and Mary Jane's hair is tossed about like she's her father!

Best photo ever... of course if my last name were Johnson, I might think otherwise.

Girls on the Farm

 A few weeks back the girls went to Underwood Farms and had a great time riding on the tractor as well as picking berries and sitting on pumpkins.  Tis the season for pumpkins!!!

 Jack is hidden underneath my sling.

OK, maybe too many berries for Betsy Jo Jo.

Too Cool for School

Nothing says Hollywood quite like Betsy and Mary Jane.

Note: it's been a good season for our rose bushes.  I really do need to take a picture of them as they have blossomed something fierce.  Ah, nothing like the smell of roses in the front yard.