Project 365, Week 13

March 22

Quite possibly the hardest part about being pregnant. Did I take my vitamin or didn't I? I try to take it when Avery remembers hers, but it doesn't always happen.

March 23

One cool chick.

Shaun and the girls came with me to my pre-natal appointment. Of course the girls were very interested in it all and the doctor helped engage them. I'm so thankful for routine, boring visits.

March 24

Daddy took Avery to "help" clean up one of our apartments so I quickly had to find a project for the left-behind, distraught Amanda to "help" with.

March 25

Perhaps a bit ambitious, but I went through Jackie's top ten book list and ordered all that were available from surrounding libraries (my Netflix, as Shaun calls it). Today I walked to the library and brought home my loot. I'm starting at the top and working my way down and I'll try to not neglect my family, house and work while doing it.

March 26

Amanda's first hair cut. Auntie Bethany does this for a living and is very talented. I just had her trim up the jagged edges a little.

March 27

Homemade pedicures...sandal-ready feet.

March 28

All packed up and headed off to Florida.

Sara is hosting and she got a link with lots of other projects.

Decorating Easter Eggs

Yesterday my sister invited us over to get a jump on our egg decorating. There were eight cousins crowded around the table having a grand 'ole time being creative...or not. We all had fun being together doing something special and only one cup of blue dye got spilled (by the littlest). In all they did eight dozen...egg sandwich anyone??

Avery, Amanda, Allison, Trevor, Juliet, Colombo, Madison, Nathanael

Whirly Twirly Wednesday

For maybe the first time since Shaun gave me my camera, I wasn't into taking pictures today. It might have had something to do with the fact that Avery wanted to sit on my lap. She has a bony bum, which I can deal with, except now her brother is taking up a good portion of my lap and so both girls spend the time I am holding them squirming around trying to find a nook to get comfortable in. Just a few more months, girls, despite what the lady at the register thought.

Parent Observation Day

Avery's dance studio had an open house yesterday for all the parents. They practice with the door shut, so this was the first time I had a chance to see the class in action since we switched dance schools. I was totally impressed!

Its a class of 3 & 4 year-olds but control and decorum are taught and expected. They are instructed to always be aware of their bodies...what position their feet are in, where their hands are, head up, back straight, smiling, etc. The music is classical and the instructors are gentle. It seems to be everything I was looking for.

We pulled her out of the last place because we were not happy with the level of excellence that was expected. Although we have no aspirations of her being a professional dancer (well, maybe I sneak in a dream of seeing her perform the Nutcracker at the Wang Center in Boston...) but I think its good for them to grow up learning their best is expected.

Anyway, she did great and seems to really enjoy it. The teacher always comments on how well she handles her body and how advanced she is physically. Nice to hear, since my own athletic sense is non-exisitent. Good job, Avery!

Project 365, Week 12

March 15
Shaun and I were the Sunday school teachers in the 2 & 3 year old class.

March 16
We live the simple life, so Avery getting a new booster seat this week was big doins'

March 17
Uncle Nathan closed on the house that he and his soon-to-be wife will be living in. We went over to check it out and the girls made themselves right at home.

March 18
Avery and I made our first attempt at planting seeds. We did mostly flowers, but there were some tomatoes and herbs in there, too. I have to admit I'm a little skeptical that anything will come of that dirt and tiny seeds, but we'll see. For learning purposes, I hope we get something.

March 19

UCONN is in the NCAA Tournament, so that is the perfect occasion to have popcorn in the middle of the afternoon. Eating popcorn with Amanda while watching TV is speaking her love language...her father's influence on both counts.

March 20

My book arrived! I went to Blurb.com and made the 2008 portion of my blog into a hardcover keepsake book. I've made books for the last several years in different ways. In 2007 my book was 28 pages. 2008 was 156 pages. My mom's birthday gift to me was money for this purpose, so that put a big dent in the cost. It's not perfect, but I'm happy to have all those memories easily accessible. I'd be happy to hear how you have kept your blog for posterity...any suggestions?

March 21

Bobbi's birthday was a couple days ago, so we went to spend some time with him while my mom is in Colorado.

Sienna's nephew turned 1 and we were invited to the big bash. There was plenty of food and games for the kids...they had a great time.

There was a decorate-your-own-cupcake station set up with every topping imaginable and this is what Avery came away with.

Sleepover

The girls had a very short sleepover with their cousin Madison. Even though it was less than twelve hours, it was still very exciting and made it hard to fall asleep last night. Avery was still singing Madison to sleep when I finally drifted off at 10:30. So I was surprised when I heard them up at 6:30 am. I stopped them on the way down the stairs, and tucked them back into bed.

As you might imagine, nap time was a little harder than usual because they were over-tired. When I told Avery it was time to get ready for her nap, she started whining and complaining. Amanda, who always tries to stick up for her sister, like when I'm torturing her with a comb, looked at me and quoted, "Do to others as you would have them do to you".

So, should I be upset because she was being disrespectful, or should I be pleased because my two-year-old is quoting scripture to me in context??

I wish she'd quoted me some scripture earlier this week when I was acting crabby!

Whirly Twirly Wednesday

Just checking herself out in the mirror...

There was a new girl in class who clung to her daddy's leg the entire time. Amanda was staring at them as he was trying bribe and coax her into participating.

Still staring, wondering what all the fuss is about

Little Girls

I kept my camera handy the other day, because it seemed like the girls were especially busy. So here are some random pictures from one day. (I say random as if everything on this blog is not...who am I kidding??)

This is how they like to spend their mornings...watching a "kid show", usually Mickey Mouse, while eating their breakfast. Have you ever seen a more beautiful, delicate princess? She's so proud when she's able to put her own clothes on. She also likes doing her very own puzzle, just like Avery can.

Avery is getting so excited about our trip to Flordia "in a couple weeks ago". She and I went through a couple bags of clothes that have been passed down (what a blessing!) and found some nice warm weather clothes. She has distinct opinions of what is fashionable so we sorted through the clothes and found some that fit and that we both liked. I brought down the suitcase so she can pack as many times as she wants to in the next couple weeks. I'm trying to not be too bothered by the mess it has created.

I know it happens in more families than not, but I can't help but wonder...where is our little guy going to fit in with all of this pink girliness??