Terrific Two!

Simone Elizabeth, our little spitfire, is officially two years old.  On Friday when I picked her up from school, the teachers told me that she turned bright red when everyone sang the birthday song in her honor.  Not knowing what to make of this, when we got in the car, I asked her if she liked the Happy Birthday song.  She responded "yes" and then said "mama sing it".  So I sang.  Then she said "again".  So I sang more.  Then, she said "again".  I am sure you can see the pattern.  We have established that Cullen's favorite part of birthdays is the cake (frosting) and ice cream.  We now know that Simone's favorite part is the "Happy Birthday" song.

Simone started her second birthday with an early morning present gift opening.  Her most memorable gift came from her big brother.  Dirk and Cullen went on an outing to Toys R Us and he picked out a pink Minnie Mouse Cash Register (kind of random) as the perfect gift for the birthday girl - and Simone loved it!  We had some family over for a birthday bbq and the obligatory cupcakes and ice cream.  We set up the water table for the kids to play and before we knew it, Simone was actually swimming in the water table in her party clothes.  When Dirk saw the scene, he professed this will be her first and only wet t-shirt contest.  After that, she spent the majority of the party in her diaper.  Afterall, it was her party so she could do what she wanted to!

A dinner date with Grandma-the-Great

Tracy has coined Grandma Ione with a new nickname.   Yes, she is a great-grandmother, but that title alone sells her short.  "Grandma-the-Great" basically says it all.  She comes from hearty stock and is a wise sage.  She also has quite the impressive legacy (you'll have to ask Dirk what the grandchildren and great-grandchildren count is on this side of the family).  Mimi and Bobby hosted a delicious Mother's Day BBQ complete with brats, kraut and beer.  We also tried for a few family photos - it's not always easy to get everyone looking the same direction in time for the quick click of the camera.

Moore Pictures Please

On Mother's Day morning, the whole Moore Family (all 45 of us) gathered to take a family photo with our matriarch.  It all started when Marie Moore (a.k.a. Wowee) met Thomas Moore (a.k.a. Bumpa) 60-some years ago.  We feel very blessed that Wowee is still in our lives.  I'm not sure if it was more fun for the big cousins to catch up or the little cousins to meet.  Everyone clad in their denim and white came together to pose for various family photos.  11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren surrounded our dear Wowee.  We are so lucky that we were able to come together celebrating the Moore family mothers old and new.  It such a special day and the photos will be cherished for a long time.  Thanks to Lindsay, John and Nini for putting the plans in place.

Body Movin'.

In honor of Adam Yauch (MCA of the Beastie Boys who passed away of cancer at 47), we had several Beastie Boys dance parties this weekend.  Cullen's favorite song so far: "Brass Monkey".  I think the best anthem to describe Cullen and Simone is "Body Movin'".  Always on the move, Cullen has recently discovered the fun of bowling.  Although he has never stepped foot in an actual bowling alley, our hallway serves the purpose and he sets up the colorful plastic pins over and over again.  His biggest challenge is not the gutter, it's hurricane Simone knocking the pins over before he has a chance to throw the ball.  Our little Simone has developed a love for art.  Anytime I ask the kids what they want to do, she responds "color!".  Her artistic streak is in the genes (thanks Grandma Liz!).
 

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