Swimming Lessons With Auntie Mick

I've been wanting to do swimming lessons for Brianna for a while, but never pulled the trigger. So when my amazing sister called to say they checked out the local swimming pool and asked if we wanted to join them next time for a little swimming lesson, I said yes! She used to be a lifeguard and taught lessons, but I guess it never registered in my head that she did until I saw her in action. Brianna listened and followed instructions really well. It didn't take very long and she was bobbing under water on her own and doing an assisted back float.

Thanks to Michelle for helping B gain more confidence in the water. Although she never wanted to do it during lessons, she now jumps in the water saying, "I want to do it by myself!" Then without hesitation she jumps, reaches out and kicks back up to the top. And of course Carl is right there jumping as soon as she's up!

So when can we get back in the water for more lessons??!!

First Outdoor Picnic

It is wonderful to have summer finally here and be outside again. We were thankful, after a lingering winter, to have our first outdoor lunch on April 26. In general, I'm not one to eat outdoors (I'm getting better), but Brianna was being so good and asking so nice that I couldn't help but say yes. We got out the little table and they immediately pulled their outdoor chairs up to it to eat. I hadn't even had food ready, but they were willing to wait! I think we were all in desperate need for some sunshine! We ate and giggled our way through lunch then it was time for nap. B & C were reluctant, but who could blame them - the sunshine was beckoning!

Mac, Mac...

Carl loves his cousin, Baby Max! When Carl says it though, it sounds more like Mac. We were happy to help out when my sister called and asked if we could watch him for an afternoon while she went to a meeting. Brianna and Carl were already down for a nap when he arrived, but they were excited when they woke up and saw he was here. There is no stopping them from being as close as possible to the little guy. He will get SO much attention from his older cousins... at least while he's still baby "Mac."

I even got a chance to pull out my baby sling and cuddle with Max while I got some work of my own done. He was so peaceful. It was just too bad Carl didn't really like the sling that much. Brianna loved it, but Carl only wanted to be as straight as a board and that is not much of an option in the sling. Oh well, I was able to cuddle with this little cutie!

 

And later that evening... 

...your guess is as good as mine!

Creating a Masterpiece

Small cardboard boxes double nicely as small houses for little hands to color on! We opened up our crafting box and got to work. Carl even got in on the fun with his Cars stickers! Brianna was super excited to see me pull out all of the fancy stickers, scissors, and some crazy tape that she could use on her creation. Usually when she creates something, either a picture or otherwise, it goes through a series of "this is for..." Daddy is the normal go to recipient, she likes to tell him that he can bring it to work. The house however, did not go to daddy, it went to Gammie's house! Had I put a little more thought in the construction of the house, it could have worked nicely as a kleenex box cover. Alas, it was just a house, but a mighty fine afternoon art project.

Dentist and a Blizzard

April 11th, Brianna and I had our regularly scheduled dentist visit. I was a little worried it wouldn't happen since when we woke up it was an Aprilwonderland. We left early to be sure we arrived on time. Just as I arrived in the parking lot I got a call from inside that said my hygienist was running behind and about 30 minutes out. I decided to wait and hope it wasn't that long!

She got in a came straight out to get us. The kids were doing great already, and continued to do well while they waited for me to have my teeth cleaned. Once I was done, it was Brianna's turn to show Carl how it was done! She did amazing just like her first real visit. Next, Carl got a turn in the chair. He got to put on the superstar sunglasses and test out "Mr. Tickles" and "Mrs. Thirsty". I would say he was a little less than enthused to try everything out, but he had his sister right there to keep him calm.

I love our dental hygienist! She is spectacular and patient and great with kids, even after a white knuckle drive through the snow. So grateful!

Long and Short

I can't bear to cut off Carl's hair to all one length. I like the long on top short on the sides look (I thank the teenage boys at church for their style pointers). So back in early April when it was so long that it was reaching his eyes and over his ears, I took the clippers and did my best at a new cut. He sat still for most of it but soon got ants in pants and wanted to be done. There was still some touch up that needed to happen but that could wait. He was digging the bathtub mohawk!

Sad to say, last weekend, we cut most of his hair off to start "the look" over again. I'm not a pro and don't use scissors well so we cut it off to start out the summer and next time, when his hair grows out a little more, we'll be able to do the same. It's crazy how a hair cut can make them seem so different, yet add so much personality!

Anytime Fun

Brianna and Carl love seeing and playing with Gampie! He is such a good teaser, reader of books, popcorn maker, and laughter igniter. Plus he has a super unique car-cycle that he takes the kids around the block in. Thank you dad for everything you do for us and for B&C. You never fail at drawing out smiles! We love you!

New Boots

I was out one morning looking at the thrift store and I found this really cute pair of boots. They were super cheep so I grabbed them and brought them home. Brianna couldn't wait to put them on and wear them! It was still cool outside (crazy April weather) so we found a nice outfit to wear. Brianna is always hot so the sweater didn't last long, but the boots stayed on forever! Where's the stables? We need to go for a ride!

Cindy Lou Who

We were playing one afternoon, as we normally do, but on this day Brianna had some seriously awesome hair going on. All I could do was think about Cindy Lou Who...

Then Carl wanted his picture taken, here's his attempt at saying "cheese." He kept creeping closer and closer to the camera. I'm glad I took the photo when I did or I would have had fingers all over!

From This... To This...

From Winter...

April 19, 2013

to more Winter...

April 23, 2013

To Spring! (kind-of)

April 26, 2013

Trying Kale

It's always good to introduce new foods to young, relatively accepting children. Recently we tried a variety of new vegetables, one of them being Kale. Jon found a recipe to make Kale chips, so we whipped some up. They were delicious - even the kids thought so! Brianna is good about eating any and all veggies, but Carl on the other hand, prefers to stick with what he knows, and that's not vegetables. Kale chips, however, went over really well. I think it was the word "chip" that threw him off! He gobbled them down and asked for more. We also tried rutabaga fries with similar success. Again, the word "fries" is extremely useful!

Early April Walk

Carl William, you bring me such joy! I love your smiles that you share so generously. 

For Cousin Justin

Cousin Justin went to a garage sale, saw this puzzle and thought of Brianna. She was so excited to just get mail, but then we opened it and saw really cool puzzle with Winnie the Pooh on it. Thanks for thinking of us and a very Happy Birthday to you!!

He Was So Quiet

I was cleaning up toys one afternoon and noticed something peculiar on the windowsill ledge. I asked Brianna if she did it, she replied, "No, that was Carl, Mommy!" Oh... he was just so quiet and content I never checked to see what he was doing. (thankfully nothing crazy or dangerous) Turns out, once I watched him later that day, he was using the ledge as a street and was pretending with his cars. He is growing up so fast!

Brother-less Scavenger Hunt

Brianna and I often do fun things together when Carl is still napping. It's a perfect time to paint or play something we know Carl wouldn't enjoy, or at least stay interested in. One afternoon before Brianna woke up from nap I set out a little learning scavenger hunt. It was to help her focus on counting and help learn numbers. I set out like objects in varying numbers all around the upstairs. She loved it!

It only took her one set until she picked up on the idea and asked me to stay on the blanket so she could find everything by herself. P.S. don't you love her outfit!!