Ethiopian for five please

Today was Patti's ideal type of day - beautiful weather, fresh fruit and veggies from the farmer's market, successfully running errands, actually getting things done at home, working in the garden, ice cream sandwiches with Will. Then we tempted fate by going out for Ethiopian at our favorite place with the entire family...

Turned out to be perfect. The girls fell asleep in their car seats and didn't wake until we were paying the bill. Will was a hoot picking his favorites off the plate with his injera, and flirting with our waitress (we have to admit that he's very, very good). Will has always been fantastic at this place, though, and we have looked forward to having tonight's meal for months so it was a real treat. That the girls didn't put on a show only made it more perfect.

Will dabbles in a little of everything but his favorite is the kik alicha (yellow split peas). We turn the platter so that they're closest to him on the table and he's happy as a clam.

Earlier in the day, the girls napped on the chair together. They're too young to sleep on their tummies so we never leave them that way unattended but they sleep so peacefully that way that it's hard not to take advantage of it. Plus, they're just so darn cute together.

Will Will

Will is alternating between super sweet and super naughty lately. He's been waking up hours earlier than normal, not cooperating at the table, not wanting to nap, hitting Patrick, and crying about all sorts of things. His new favorite thing is crying "Pop go away!" because Patti's dad was here weeks ago. Will got up early today and saw Patrick getting ready for work. He started sobbing "Dada go away blue thing white thing" (that's his scooter)...

In good news, though, Will has started using his booster seat. But only when he wants to use it.

We watched our neighbor's daughter the other night and she and Will had great fun blowing bubbles. Will is actually pretty good at it now.

Patrick found this little guy by our basement door tonight. Will was really excited when we found one last summer, but he wanted nothing to do with this one tonight. He kept hiding behind Patrick and he didn't even want to see Patrick carrying him. It's a Red-backed salamander, which are pretty common here.

The kids are alright

We are very, very, very tired and there's not much new to report. Stella and Maggie are checking each other out more often. They're also in a growth spurt right now and feeding every 2-3 hours...

Will has been pretty great this week (better than last week, anyway). As long as he gets some private time with Patti or Patrick, he seems to do a lot better.

Maggie ended up in Will's Jedi robe. Will got oddly possessive over it (see how he rocked it here).

Stella and Maggie have been watching the lion on their bouncy seats a lot lately. When not watching that, Stella has been checking out her hand.