Happy Halloween

At long last, the return of videos! Enjoy the song and the holiday.

Getting into the Habit

Bill here...not a frequent poster to the Taggart Twosome blog, but I'm going to work on that. Here is one of my favorites from our trip to the California Academy of Sciences: Nicola and the girls watching the butterflies inside the living rainforest and hoping one will come land on them.

A Halloween Preview

Lindsay has gotten a lot of wear out of this dress lately. This picture is from a princess tea party she went to a few weeks back. She wore it again yesterday for a last-minute invitation to see Disney on Ice. She also says this is what she's going to be for Halloween. She's making it very easy on her parents!

Some things we've been up to lately

The girls have discovered the joy of playing beauty parlor together. If you are a lucky one, you will get to be a customer during your next visit.

We went to the newly opened Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park last week. There were lots of cool things to play on and see. Lindsay just told me the other day that she wants to go back to see the HUGE fish.

Life at the Jersey Shore

Despite a 103+ fever that wouldn't quit and developing pneumonia, Ella did manage to have some fun in the sun with Lindsay and their cousin Cece.

We did a lot of eating, drinking and playing...

Once we got the antibiotics into Ella, there was no stopping her. She wanted to peddle this thing forever!

There girls enjoying their last night in New Jersey in their grandparents jacuzzi tub (I don't think you are supposed to add bubbles to those things when the jets are on!).

More Family Fun Times

During a recent visit from Grandma Connie and Grandma John we played tourists at Stinson Beach and Golden Gate Park. Fun times were had by all...

The Life of Lindsay

Lindsay received a HUGE box of clothes from her cousin Cece who is conveniently one year older then her. Her favorite items are the new "twirly" dresses and fancy shoes.

A new type of entertainment: Lindsay requested a "cup of coffee" (i.e. milk) to enjoy while watching the cookies bake.

Lindsay has made a habit of bathing with her Barbie's. The task is not complete without a thorough hair-drying.

A Visit From Poppi

My dad came up this year for the annual Alameda Sandcastle and Sculpture competition. Our Man-Eating-Starfish did not win any official award. However, we would like to believe that if there had been a "People's Choice" aware, that we would have won.

Between playing on the beach, a golf lesson or two, and lots of walking around the Island in the warm sun, I think we tired Poppi out!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

A friend of ours gave us last-minute DELUXE seats to the A's vs. Red Sox game over Memorial Day weekend. We were literally in the second row--on the field (right off first base). Bill was making chit-chat with the Boston photographer sitting next to the box and we could see into Boston's dugout. I am not a huge baseball fan, but experiencing the game this way was a wonderful treat. It was also Lindsay's first major-league game. I think she was more excited about the giant ice cream sandwich she scored and being able to belt out "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" then she was able the actual game. But Ella was definitely into it, complete with her pink mitt in anticipation for catching a fly ball.

What's your favorite book?

Lindsay reading on the ferry.

Yes, you read that right. Deathwatch is one of Lindsay's favorite books these days. That and 1001 Ways to Save the Earth. The Deathwatch book she pulled from a pile of free children's books (um, what??) at a used bookstore. You should see the look on her face whenever I pull it out of my purse at a restaurant or doctor's office or generally anywhere she needs to be quiet and entertained for a bit.

Snowball Fight!

Pretend you are watching a silent movie (there is no sound off the camera video function). You'll notice Lindsay instigate a snow"ball" fight. It was all fun and games until snow went down the neck of the coat.

What Spring Break in Oregon Looked Like

Yep, in the five days we were there, it snowed, haled, rained (and rained and rained), was windy and sunny and cold. I think we experienced all the various seasons in those short days, except any summer warmth. The girls spent the first morning playing in their pajamas in a quarter of an inch of snow.

This is why people move to Oregon (not because of us, but because of the beautiful views, open lands and green landscape).

This is why people leave Oregon (not because of the cute kid, but because gray rain--or in this case, hale--is the norm).

This is what you do when it's gray and wet outside--a kids fun-zone complete with a body scooter board. Even the adults tried this out!

Or you make homemade pizza.

Or you pet the baby sheep at the sheep barns.

We were thrilled to see blue sky on our last day, which was spent in Portland. This was at the top of the new OHSU tram tower.

Kim, Deedee (two of my best friends) and I were pregnant all at the same time with the three on the right. Now Nicholas, Lindsay and Annie are all in various stages of The Threes. Even Ella and "baby" Davis got in on the fun. (Missing from the photo is Nathaniel, Kim's oldest).

The Flowers are in Bloom!

I swear, these photos were not as staged as they look. I simply asked Lindsay to smell the very fragrant flowers in the backyard and this is what we go. Not bad, huh?

Easter Morning

Lindsay was very excited about the Easter Bunny's visit to our house this year.

Lindsay eager for the annual neighborhood easter egg hunt.

Lindsay, Malia and Ava counting while eggs were re-hid (multiple times) in the backyard. We now have a new way to burn some time....just keep hiding eggs, or balls, or candy, or ??? over and over and over and over...

Lindsay Loves to Dance

There was dancing, there were instruments, there was uninhibited 3-year-old activity of all kinds. And the non-competitive intro version of musical chairs, featuring Ella as the DJ.

I love how little kids are so free, so oblivious to what others might think of their moves. It always takes me a while...and some cocktails...to get into the same frame of mind. Ah, youth!

Where's My Magic Wand?

7:00 a.m. the morning after Lindsay's 3rd birthday.

Mommy: Good morning Lindsay! How does it feel to be three?

Lindsay: Mommy, I need to find my magic wand.

Mommy: Why?

Lindsay: Because I need to turn myself back to two.

Mommy: Why do you want to go back to two?

Lindsay: Two was a lot of fun!

Later we found out that she wanted to go back to two because she wanted to suck her thumb. She had been telling us that when she turned three she wouldn't suck her thumb anymore. As much as we'd love to see her kick the habit, we told her that as a three year old she could choose whether she's going to suck her thumb or not. That seemed easier then trying to turn her back to two.

Get the Party Started

Lindsay turned three years old on Sunday. To celebrate, she had nine (yes, nine--don't ask) friends over for a dance party. This was Lindsay's first birthday party that included some of her little friends. At one point early on, she walked up and whispered to me, "Mommy, this is sure a lot of friends!" She had been talking about this party for months. And the anticipation and excitement of it led to a complete melt-down just 10 minutes before the first guests arrived. But after that, from the first song to the last, Lindsay and her friends shook their booties like nobodies business.

And this is what a three year old looks like at the end of her birthday!