fair enough

She won! In this game of chance, she happened to snag the duck with the word "win" on it!

first time

second time

Instead of throwing Schuyler a party, we found one ten times better than we could ever put together: The Saltus Fair. She had a BLAST! She spend about oh an hour in the bouncy castle while her dad watched. She then decided to mount the gigantic bouncy slide (where she had to be helped up the steep ladder/stairs to the top. The first(!) time she when up there she came careening down to her waiting parents. The second time (pictured) she decided she was just going to chill out at the top so he dad had to climb up and go get her down. If you look closely in the bottom photo, you will see a pirate themed Auntie Ardleigh in the yellow shirt taking a picture (she was also the one with the great idea to come to the fair).

the innocent little brother

happy birthday

baking

Schuyler and her mum making "cuck-cakes" (as Schuyler calls them) which, as far as i can tell, pretty much involves getting on a big sugar high and laughing as you eat all the frosting. I try to freeze these days in my mind and carry them with me when i'm doing something boring at work. Great times. And great cuck-cakes.

three whole years

Schuyler. Three years!? How can that be!? You seem to be enjoying your present from your mum and dad (the vespa-ish tricycle above) and just about everything else in life. You've only recently been introduced to the wonders of chocolate and you approve. You're hair is finally long enough to put into a pony tail and we should probably sign you up for a hair cut soon (and a first Dentist visit). You've gotten over the fact that your little brother is still hanging around and you really love playing with him (and he loves being played with). You say things every day that make us think and laugh and confused ("Lucy... Jonathan, my daddy, is Kim's baby"). You throw the typical toddler tantrums over silly things and you shows boundless enthusiasm for things we've forgotten (wow, seeing a turtle in the water IS actually pretty cool). You are pretty... um... determined, I guess is the word for it. You are funny. Every night you make me tell you what's happening tomorrow and every night you tell me that you don't want us to go to work tomorrow and every night that makes me sad because i love hanging out with you (although i also like the break). You're such a little girl now even if you pretend to be a baby and babble and crawl just to get attention. Having you (and Charlie) was one of the best decisions we've made. I can't wait to greet the future with you. We love you, you little scamp.

the royal wedding birthday party

[Below] Schuyler gives her dad a "smile"

[Below] The line for cake.

[Below] Schuyler is ready to rumble.

[Below] Athena takes care of Charlie.

Schuyler's birthday pretty much coincided with an event of almost as monumental proportions. Schuyler hasn't really watched any television (outside of clips on the iPad) but she got a full dose of the royal wedding all morning before work ("Daddy, why are the [the choir] boys wearing dresses?") and got to see a real live prince and princess.

In honour of the event, Lucy threw Schuyler a Royal Wedding party complete with crowns that the kids made (Schuyler's has a big 3 on it for her birthday), cucumber sandwiches, strawberries, and cake. Daddy got to sneak out of work to spend quality time with his daughter... unfortunately, she barely registered his presence which is probably a sign that she was having a pretty good time. Further evidence: She was half dressed by the end of the party and ready to go swimming.

hosing him down

bucolic

Trystan and Schuyler explore Spittal Pond with Lucy. One of the many reasons we love her.

a play in two acts

Schuyler starts to read to Charlie and Alex (the doll)

then decides to show them both how much she really, really loves them...

in kind of a "Of Mice And Men" way... watch it, Lennie!

Let's start again...

but Charlie takes an interest in the book...

too much of an interest for Schuyler's liking

so she puts him in his place much like a mother dog would to a pup

until she gradually...

grudgingly...

shares...

the bunny was here

After a wonderful Easter Egg Hunt at Scarrington, Schuyler found the Easter Bunny had made his/her way to her house. She enjoyed it so much she concocted an Easter Egg hunt for her dad:

"Daddy, I hid an egg for you. It's behind the television."