Cousins

Our girls have two cousins in town and we love to be with them! Most recently C & R started swim lessons and it was a huge hit for both of them. Perfect because they probably wouldn't be enthusiastic about it at all if they were taking swim lessons by themselves. But together...they love it! A win-win for everyone. And next week the Connecticut cousins are coming! Can't wait.

From Corinne's Mouth

Just lately I have been taken back by listening to Corinne talk and express herself. She's always been verbal and talked in sentences before she was 2, but it seems like her conversations have gone to another new level. She has a sense of humor and likes to joke now, too. So here are a few quips from C...

"Oh, Mom. You're not perfect anymore." This after I gave her an answer about something that she wasn't too pleased with...it was her way of "striking back". I had to laugh and assure her that she was correct in her conclusion.

Another day we were going to pick up her best school bud to bring her back to our house to play (in and of itself a very big deal) and I made a wrong turn when the street I was looking for snuck up on me. I had to turn around and Corinne said, "Oh, mom, do you have a map?" I told her no, but I had directions to her friend's house. She replied with, "Mom, did you turn the wrong way? That's so crazy! You're hilarious, Mom!"

Who's Who?

I admit...not really fair to ask you to identify Ellen and Sophie on this one. But a fun challenge, right?! Ellen has been a bit better about letting me put her hair up lately, so people tell us that it is really hard to tell the girls apart when they both have a ponytail. I'll give you that. But we really don't think they're identical despite how many people tell us they must be. (Tired of trying? it's Ellen on left and Soph on right)

Easter Party

Our first outdoor egg hunt this year was at Brett's brother's house. Lots of kids, a beautiful day, great food/family/friends, and more candy than we need! (We went to an egg hunt at Corinne's school a weekend or two back but due to weather it ended up being controlled chaos indoors...today was much better!)

Another Linus?

Sophie has loved and protected her beloved purple blanket for months now. She literally doesn't like to go anywhere without it and won't let Corinne or Ellen near it. But lately Ellen has taken a similar interest in her pink blanket. And she has been SO tired lately. I'm convinced that Ellen never gets the sleep she would like because Sophie wakes up first all the time, and consequently wakes Ellen up. But just lately I've caught Ellen laying with her blanket as if to beg for extra sleep, though I can't figure out why she's so tired all of a sudden. Perhaps it's because she's growing? Tired from playing outside so much? She is also getting more teeth and took a good wipe out last week at the park. Or maybe (I secretly hope) she is so tired because her brain is working overtime getting ready for a speech explosion!! That would be AWESOME. Ellen says fewer words than Soph, which isn't many. And it's driving all of us to more than a little frustration at times.

We came in after playing outside today and I told the girls to take of their shoes (as we always do when we come home). The girls don't have a problem doing this when they're riding in the car--in fact they've been known to take of their shoes and socks on car rides. But they always seem to conveniently forget how to do this by themselves once we get home. So you can imagine my surprise (thankfulness!) when we came inside and Ellen not only took off her shoes when I asked, but she then proceeded to neatly put them on our shoe tray in the sunroom. Woohoo! Sophie got one shoe off by herself (as you can see she's still working on the second one). But I realized later that I think this is noteworthy. Perhaps a minor milestone. Cause for celebration, actually!

Chalk Art

That first picture is my chalk likeness after Corinne traced me...she later added my eyes and nose and mouth. Hehe. The girls had fun decorating the patio and Ellen is hoarding again in the last photo...this time it's chalk she's stockpiling.

First Trip

This was our first trip to the zoo this spring as a family and the first trip back is always so exciting! Even though we know the zoo by heart and still generally do and see the same things. There's just something about a new season there. We had a terrific time and Sophie, especially, wanted to get right up close to all the animals with her big "HI!" Ellen relaxed in the wagon most of the trip. Corinne did not pull the wagon for long, contrary to the above photo. But we are big fans of using the wagon at the zoo...Ellen and Sophie are so not stroller girls. The weather was terrific and the animals were pure entertainment that morning. We are so thankful that it's officially spring!

Personality.

Just caught a moment or two of some personality. A slice of life for you. Ellen's facial expressions make me laugh (she's in blue).

Still Here

Yes, we're still here. Not much new to report though, other than sickness swirling through our house for February and a bit of March. Hopefully we're on the mend and on the right track to brighter days! Come on, spring! We're ready. (Sophie w/ pigtails and blanket)