What was I thinking?

So, yesterday I was desperate to stay on my running schedule but couldn't find anyone to watch the kids (I guess 30 minutes notice isn't enough for some people). Anywho I did some brainstorming and decided to borrow a double jogger and head to the park and run with my two children in tow...brilliant idea right? So, what if it was a little chilly, I'll just bundle them up. And, who cares if I've never run with a jogging stroller before, what could possibly happen? It's just four miles right...what?!?! The first two miles were actually a breeze (well a winded breeze), but then all hell broke loose just as I was farthest away from my starting point, my car and my sanity. Henry started wimpering so I slow down my pace and give him his pacifier thinking we're good. Well, three tries later no we're not. It must be the sun I think or the wind (I mean I am super fast) so I pull the visor down, but it's no good. The wimpering is now a sobbing. So, I supposed that it wasn't the shade afterall and lift it up only to pinch Maggie's finger in the process. Keep in mind I am still trying to jog through all of this. But, then in unison they both start wailing. I stop and give some kisses to Maggie's finger she seems to calm down a bit and Henry calms down a bit when we stop too. Things seem to be back in order so I start running again. And slowly but surely Henry starts to cry again and Maggie decides to join him in his "we've had enough of this forever trail" plea. I'm thinking their really isn't anything I can do for them here in the middle of this trail so I guess I'll just have to keep running and they'll just calm down...surely they'll calm down. Nope the entire two miles home I gave awkward smiles to my fellow trailblazers and received several man I feel sorry for her looks as we trekked on to our van. (Had I been timing this particular run I think I could have made quite a fantastic ranking in an actual race thanks to my two motivational sojourners). The crying however did not stop when we got to the car it actually got worse. Maggie was saying in repetition, "I need Daddy, I need Daddy" through her sobbing. Henry was crying like he had just arrived through the birthing canal. And, I was close to tears myself and I think I needed Daddy pretty badly too. I put the kids in the van as quickly as possible and the jogger in the trunk and booked it home. As we pull in they both stop crying. I get them out of the van, into the house and Henry actually starts to giggle and Maggie goes about her normal "baby business." The whole ordeal seems to be over and I breath I sigh of relief and go for my cell phone to call Tyler. It is no where to be seen. That's right I left it on the trail somewhere...ahhh! Thankfully my neighbor Terrence hadn't left to pick up his wife from work yet so he sat with the kids while I rushed back to the park and retrieved my vanished phone which hopefully wasn't dropped on mile two! Thankfully it was right in the parking lot where I dropped it in my mad flurry to get home. I realize that this is a ridiculously long blog post, for me especially. But, just remember as you see all these pleasant pictures on our blog that life actually does get quite out of control in the Dirk's home. I just don't post those pictures.

brother and sister

Dirk's boy version:

Dirk's girl version:

They resemble each other oui (read with French inflection)?

Four Months Old

Check him out folks...he's four months old! Where has the time gone?
It's time to start eating rice cereal. He looks a little concerned, but don't worry I explained to him that he's got to beef up because bathing suit season is right around the corner.
Let's get physical, physical...I can't help but sing that song in my head when I see this picture of Maggie in this headband. It's actually mine, my sister made it for me for Christmas. Maggie wanted to wear it on this particular day though and of course I let her.
Maggie was in a "let's put stuff on our heads" kind of mood that day. She also insisted that Henry wear this flower headband. I'm sure he'll thank her when he's older for this picture.
What little girl doesn't love dancing with her daddy? And what better way to end this posting?

cutest kids ever!

So, I don't have much to post these days but I wanted to post something for my valued readers to munch on so I added some pictures. This will have to do until something exciting happens (or blogworthy) in our home.
A couple of weekends ago my folks came for a visit and Henry got a fashion makeover by Grandma complete with mini-K swiss shoes.
Maggie also sported some rockin' fashions. This little number was mine when I was a wee babe. Mom made it and it is super cute...don't you think?

Cute kids in cute clothes that's all I got.

Nature Day

Saturday was originally going to be a very lonely day for the Dirk's family because Daddy Dirks was going to be at Presbytery all day (and was). But, thanks to a little last minute planning with the ladies of the Kulp house and Dyer clan we were able to execute a fun-filled afternoon at the Nature Museum.
This is the butterfly pavilion. The butterflies were very active because they had just been fed. They were all aflutter (is that one word?). You can see one if you look closely at this picture, it is on the pink blossom that Maggie is staring at.
Here is the whole group minus the mommies and Henry. And, they are actually sitting and looking at the camera.
Inside these little holes are turtles and in the glass behind the rock is a snake and a mink (not in the same cage however).
Maggie and Bennett enjoyed the play area in their smocks. You can see that Bennetts is really protecting her clothes from getting wet.
And, yet another area to play. We had a really fun time and we were even able to enjoy lunch outside at the picnic tables because the weather was so nice.
Drum roll please....ta da here is Maggie's Easter dress. Yes yes I know Easter is still a ways off, but I took on this sewing project and wasn't sure how long it would take me to make a dress so I started early. I have never sewn a whole dress before and so I am pretty excited about this little number. More pics to come this Easter... stay tuned.
And, whats a posting without pictures of the man in charge while Tyler's out. Here he is checking out his gamecock mobile.
And, here he is enjoying his swing.

Ode to Grover

This is for all you Grover lovers...

what's that white stuff?

Our annual one day of snow was today. We Charlotteans never know when it's coming but when it does it's glorious! Here are a few pics of the fun had today.

Maggie trudged through the snow and even did some sledding. I didn't get pictures of that because I was videotaping it. Sometimes it is so hard trying to capture ALL the cuteness especially when there is so much of it.
All bundled up...
Attempting to make a snowman, but the snow wouldn't stick together very well.
But, the Hunts successfully constructed a toddler size snowman and we were very happy to see it later on in the day when the roads were driveable (for a Southerner).
Umm...Mom do you mind if I stay inside it's a little too cold out for me.