Monday, December 31, 2012

Party Like It's 2012




Mommy had the Critter up and out super early today, with a special trip to Perkins Restaurant. In addition to picking up a free pie, courtesy of our realtor, the Dynamic Duo enjoyed a breakfast of "Sprinkle Pancakes." Delightful!!!

If we have to dive over the Fiscal Cliff, this is surely the way to go!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Many Faces of Chase




The Little Engineer did a bit of experimenting on this pin board at the Museum of Science & Nature today, within the body and nutrition exhibit. Yes, those are all his faces. Note that the second figure from the left is his body and head from the side, nearly prone. Creative, indeed!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Play Date Smackdown




In three hours of playing "together," we managed to capture this one instant of Ace and Parker when they weren't wrestling over a truck or taking each other's food. Being friends at age 3 is a complex affair.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Blossoms of Light




Frigid temps couldn't keep the family away from the annual holiday lights show at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The spectacular-ness was intensified by special glasses, which turned every point of light into a star, a snowman, or an elf.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Daze






Never let it be said that Ace isn't living the life. Christmas Day brought so many presents, the last one wasn't opened until well after dinner. This crane truck was a particular hit, but it was among many wonderful gifts that delighted him all day long.
Thanks to everyone, near and far, who made his Christmas so special.

Monday, December 24, 2012

'Twas the Night Before Christmas




Mommy puts the Critter to bed with a classic (a gift from Grandma & Grandpa last year) as we all await Santa's arrival.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Ride 'em, Cowboys




Two days before Christmas and the weather turned warm. After digging in the Sand Park, Ace ran into Caleb and challenged him to a horse race. Yee-haw!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Las Posadas




While we didn't participate in the full procession along the candle-lit walk from house to house, Ace did get to feed a sheep and pet a donkey at the end of the Las Posadas celebration in our neighborhood this evening.

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Little Hydrologist




Ace did a bit of sciencing in the tub and was delighted with the results.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Bat Mobile




Automotive engineering takes on the Bat Mobile. Here, Ace checks the exhaust temperature. Everything is in tip-top shape for some superhero action.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Sick Day




When both Mommy and Chase are sick and haven't been out of the house for three days, all rules regarding screens go out the window.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Blanket




Ace and Mommy enjoy an afternoon game of hide and seek under the comforter.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Lunch Date




Best buddies, Chase and Jamey share a little lunch together in between fighting over who gets to play with the fire truck.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Christmas Cards

As our Christmas tree twinkles in the background, Chase admires the beauty of himself on this year's installment of the Dyer-Payne Holiday Card.  Nope, he never gets tired of seeing how great he looks. 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Fish Head




At the Children's Museum playground today, when informed he was in a fish's mouth, Ace started wriggling around, yelling, "He's eating me!"

Friday, December 14, 2012

Waterfall




The Critter enjoys a special bath in Mommy & Daddy's tub tonight.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Bicycle Built for Two




Chase looks mighty proud to be peddling this princess around. She must have fallen for the stripes.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Speedy Delivery

Mommy did all the work of writing them, but Ace took responsibility for putting a few dozen holiday cards in the mailbox tonight. He could just reach.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Monday, December 10, 2012

iPad




After a long hiatus, Chase was allowed to play with the iPad. Luckily, Caleb was around so the little tech geek could show off some of his favorite apps.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Snow Removal

Although there wasn't much accumulation (forcing Daddy to transplant some of the snow from his car to the construction zone), the Little Engineer needed two vehicles to properly handle the clearing of the sidewalk on a very chilly Sunday morning.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Eight Crazy Nights

Ace uses the shamash to light the first Hanukkah candle on his Menorah, which he made at school. Aside from a light scalding from molten-hot dripping wax, we had a wonderful start to the Festival of Lights.

By the way, we also decorated the Christmas tree tonight. We're interdenominational.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Oh, Christmas Tree




Chase gets into the spirit while helping Mommy to decorate the tree.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Driven




Ace was on a mission as he commandeered this hot ride at Great Play today.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Green Goblin



We don't normally put Ace's freaky IKEA nightlight (yet another quirky Grandpa Fred gift) three inches from his face, but such are the lengths we must go to when we realize, after we've put him to bed, that we don't have a single photo for the day.

Nonetheless, this one turned out pretty cool.

A Day Late




Wait, Mommy forgot to do CAD last night! After making dinner, cleaning it up, bathing Chase, and putting the little guy to bed she simply forgot. Here the guy is waiting patiently at the dinner table for Mommy and Daddy.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Swinging on a Star




Ace takes to the high bar this afternoon at Daniel and Sophie's birthday party.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Christmas Comes Early




With Grandpa in town, the family headed out to buy a Christmas tree (very exciting!) and a new TV (VERY exciting!!!), even though the weather felt more like September than the first day of December. We're so glad we had an early holiday celebration with Grandpa!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Dinner Conversation




Ace and Grandpa discuss the benefits of a diet rich in macaroni and cheese.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

My Bike, the Trike




Check this beauty out -- the bike too. Chase takes a spin around the "gym" at school while Mommy attended her first parent-teacher conference.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Jailbreak




Much of the house was off limits as the rugs dried following this morning's professional cleaning (yeah!). So, Mommy and the Critter busted out to Little Monkey Bizness, where he locked himself up.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Here Comes the Batcar!




Chase and Mommy race the Batcar around while waiting for Daddy to come home.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Uh-Oh, Where'd It Go?




One of the many things Chase enjoys doing at the pool is blocking the water fountains then exclaiming the above question.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Super Elmo




Ace gets amped before the start of Sesame Street Live. Elmo inspires!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Climbing to New Heights




We explored a new playground today, which The Critter, who has become suddenly interested in climbing, greatly enjoyed. There are enough climbing structures at the "Dinosaur Park" to keep him busy for quite some time.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Marbulous






Mommy and the Little Engineer accompanied Daddy on a brief visit to SOAR today, where Chase checked out some of the cool toys he'll get to use when he comes here as a student in a few years.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thankful






Although we miss our families back East we are so thankful for our family in Colorado, especially the Cassetta-Waxmans. Tonight, before we sat down to a delicious vegetarian feast, we were serenaded by Sam and Caleb's African beats.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Fall Lawn Chores, I Defeat You!




Ace made quick work of our yard tasks today. The shrubbery has bowed in submission.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thanksoween? Hallogiving?

Six hours after school ended, Ace was still decked out in his Construction Worker costume as part of the Thanksgiving celebration at his school.


Monday, November 19, 2012

Running Amok

This is what happens when Mommy gets sick and leaves Daddy in charge for the day.

While Mommy tried to sleep off a fast-moving illness, the Critter got an unexpected Monday with his pop, who had little pop left in his step after a day of two-year-old activities.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Zootopia

Ace and Daddy had a typical trip to the zoo today: we rode on the carousel & the train, played in the termite cave, and (pictured here) dug in the sand box.

No animals were sighted during the visit.



Saturday, November 17, 2012

Imitation




As Ace and Mommy read a bedtime book about kitties, they do their best hissing imitation.

Friday, November 16, 2012




After music class today, Ace took to the sky at the Turtle Park.

Location:Flying High

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Little Reader




Late this afternoon, Ace declared he wanted to read and quickly emerged from his room with a favorite library book. He wanted no assistance, insisting that HE would read it. Which, of course, he did, embellishing the text with plenty of truck sounds.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

On the Stairs




Ace and Jamey enjoy an afternoon racing cars down the slide at the Big Dipper park.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Hello Out There!




Chase calls to all of his friends at Lil Monkey Bizness this afternoon.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Block Heads




The three guys in the household pool their brainpower to build a pre-bedtime tower. It oozed testosterone.