First Haircut

Some of you may remember the trauma that was Em's first haircut. For those of you who don't, let's just say Mommy was neither ready or willing for Em's locks to be chopped, but it happened anyways. As a result of that event, I've been reluctant to even consider cutting Cooper's hair. It's really pale blonde, so it hasn't been a big issue. Besides, you couldn't see the feathers, even when they did start to grow! Lately, however, they've been more than a bit noticeable. While I'm perfectly fine with curls on boys, I'm not fine with curls on boys that make them look like girls. It's just my opinion, and Coop's have gotten him mistaken for a girl (not sure how). So Sunday was a sunny afternoon and Todd didn't have any pressing business and we did it. A stool was taken to the backyard and the deed was done! I'm still trying to get used to the feel of little prickles on my neck when he snuggles. Cooper loves to just sit for long stretches of time and enjoy the tactile experience of his head now.

Look on the left and you'll see the telltale curls I'm talking about. I know many of you think I'm nuts, but in person, there were MUCH more of them to be seen!

Daddy doing the honors.

Proof, again, that he had hair... and it was long... and needed to be trimmed down a bit.

We left a bit at the top, mostly because he was getting too squirmy to safely attempt the whole military-buzz, but he likes the difference between the two lengths, and I think he's cute no matter what!

OshKosh B-Gosh!

Nearly two years ago, Em received a package from her Auntie Em in the States. There were all kinds of goodies any little girl would love: red sparkly dress shoes, fun shinny chartreuse ballet flats, dresses and one fabulous pink with white stripes overall skirt from OshKosh. It was too big for her at the time, but I stashed it away. I was reminded of that skirt when a friend, who was moving, gave me a whole slew of her daughter's baby clothes. In the massive bag of clothing was a pink with white stripes OshKosh overall skirt!

So I brought the new clothes home. Took out Em's outfit and sure enough, they're the same! I have always loved the idea of dressing sisters alike. Maybe it's because I was always the younger sister and wanted to be EXACTLY like Hilary. Who knows. But on Sunday, I pulled out both skirts and had the girls sit for a few pictures. I love the result!

Harper Laughs

I realize that I've been slacking. There's something insane about being outnumbered by small kids, but I'm loving every minute... well, okay, not EVERY minute. But, every mom has her moments! For the record, this IS indeed a laugh, not a cry. Harp just has her own sense of style, and I wouldn't have expected anything less.

Durban: Part 1

Renovations/repairs to our flat, three kids and life left Todd and I in desperate need of some down time. A friend suggested we use his vacation flat down in Durban. Now for most of you, a vacation in July at a beach house seems ideal but here, it's the middle of winter. I was exceedingly happy to learn that the weather down at the coast was much nicer than in Joburg. Cool, not freezing (or below!) and mild. The worst weather we had, actually, was one windy day. The flat was amazing. Very kid-friendly and right on the beach. We didn't do any swimming, but the kids loved playing in the sand and our daily walks by the water. The best part? For the first time in 6 years, Todd and I remembered our anniversary! I felt so proud of us :)

Each morning, Todd got up with the sun and would take pictures. I chose to stay in bed as long as possible, but when I did emerge, he'd show me the sunrise. It made me feel like I didn't miss anything.

Todd and Em loved running through the shallow waters. Cooper had an incident the second wave he walked through (he's short and it wasn't- oops) so he wasn't as inclined. But, he did love participating in the action safely from Daddy's back.

You will rarely see pictures of me on here because 1)I'm usually the one taking the pictures and 2)I generally don't like the pictures of me that are taken. This, however, is the exception. Harper was enthralled by something moving below her (my feet) but that's okay. Gives me a chance to show off her pinchable cheeks!

Todd waiting for Em to come running to him.

The kids loved writing in the sand. The ride to the coast was about 8 hours, so they'd watched more than their fair share of "Word World" and the likes. At least they put all that screen time to good use and practiced their letters in the sand!

3's a Charm

We have been out of our flat for a bit now due to renovations and that seems to have thrown me for a loop more than the kids. But, I've found the camera, once again, and am back taking pictures. Let's see how long that lasts! I received an email from a LINKS church asking if we had any pictures of the family. Oops. I had to admit that we haven't, in the 10 weeks we've been a family of 5, taken a single group shot. So, we gathered the troops and set about to get a picture. There are times when I miss those free 8x10 offers from Sears or Penny's, and today was one of them. But, in our defense, we wouldn't have the time to go to one of those places even if we had one available! So we stuck the kids next to a wall (look familiar for every school/Sunday School photo ever taken??) and then had a neighbor get all of us together.

Ignore the scratches on Cooper... and the growing bump. He tried to be a brick-layer this week, but realized he couldn't lay bricks with his head. The scratch I can only imagine came from a friend or sister. The bump, alas, was his own fault when he tried to more closely examine my church shoes and bashed his head with the heal. Sometimes, we wonder about that child, but mostly, we remember that he's 100% boy. :)

At some point this week, I took pictures of Harper in one of my favorite hand-me-down onesies. She decided to have big sister's 'tud during the photo session, which cracked me up.

The ever classic passport picture shot.

Growing Up and Out

There has recently been an overall growth-spurt in the Leslie household. Harper, in the last two months, has grown an inch and a half in length, and packed on almost 5 pounds. Cooper, while not inclined to grow in length like his sister, has been stowing his food away like a bear just before winter. He now weighs the same as Em, who seems to be the only one not outgrowing clothing by the day. I was sad to find that my favorite outfit for Harper was, alas, totally useless as her toes were having to be shoved into the feet and her sleeves had magically transformed to 3/4 length overnight.

Cooper has just gotten thick. It's like he watched a rugby game and decided he wanted to be like those boys. Good grief! Everything is thick about him, including his trunk. Aunt Hilary was great and sent a good deal of clothes with my folks when they came this time last year. His pajamas, however, haven't faired as well the rest of his wardrobe. I've been trying to keep up with some fleece pants for him, but we've been out of our flat and the kids are determined to not have all three nap at the same time. Thus, the other night I was obliged to go to the cupboard and get out Em's old pajamas.

Todd and I were rolling on the floor laughing because both girls, if put in boy's clothing, are just as cute as a boy as a girl. This one, however, is all boy... no matter how poofy the sleeves or how pink and purple the hearts might be, there is no mistaking him for anything other than a boy in girl's clothing. I still say, if it keeps him warm, I really don't care, but I'm sure these pictures will surface, say at a wedding or graduation perhaps, and Cooper will feel very differently than I!

Big Brother

There is a major difference between Em becoming the older sibling and Cooper. Whoever says boys and girls are the same has obviously never been to my house! But, we're getting there. My brute-of-a-toddler is learning that he can hurt his sister with all his lovin' and he tries really hard to be sweet. It's rather heartbreaking to have to correct him for trying to play catch with her (balls being hurled at my 7-week-old's head, yikes!!) or give her big bear hugs.

Yesterday, Harper spent most of the morning either in someone's arms or her car seat. So, when we got home, I put her on the floor and we Babygarden-ed it until Cooper woke up. That was when the real fun began as he was getting smiles and bubbles from his little sister like he was the only person in the whole, wide world she wanted to see.

I shamelessly used Cooper to get said smiles so I could get pictures.

The girl is trying so hard to giggle, but, alas, she's just not old enough. Soon, all too soon...

Coop going in for the kill... er... kiss!