Backyard Sprinkler

Last week Daddy made a week long trip to London for business, business that included staying at a resort and playing golf, but time away nonetheless.  We made the most of the afternoon we had together before he left.  The weather was perfect and so he set up the sprinkler for the first time this year in the back yard. 

Janie wasn't quite sure what to think of this silly thing that squirted water in every direction.  She planted herself in one spot and decided to figure it out! 

Clara made calculated runs through the yard, trying to just get a little wet but squealing when the water hit her.  Eventually (and unprompted) she decided she would show Janie how it was done, grabbed her by the hand and helped her run through the sprinkles.  It was one of those heart happy moments for us!

Family fun in the SUN!

On Mother's Day, my sweeties all spoiled me!  When I got home from my Mom's brunch, they had baked a cake, made a nice sign and picked out some awesome gifts.  I felt super spoiled!  We enjoyed a nice afternoon at home while Janie napped, playing games and being goofy and then went to Redmond Town Center for the afternoon.  It was a beautiful day so the girls has a blast playing in the fountain!

I feel like one lucky Mama!

Sun Babies!

I just loved this shot of our sweet babies in their shades!  Clara likes to be accessorized, and Janie likes to be like Clara!

Farmer's Market Saturday Photos

20 Months... What a difference a month makes!!

At twenty month, we are THRILLED to report that our sweet Janie is FINALLY sleeping through the night!  AHHHH! 

The previous month may just have been the most challenging of our parenting experiences so far and it was really starting to take its toll.  Acquaintances were starting to comment about how tired we looked, I had a few mini breakdowns on friends, the whole family was a little lot grouchy, and we knew something had to change!  Honestly, we are not sure what exactly changed with Janie (it could have been that we were so tired one night that we slept through her fuss, or that whatever teething pain she was experiencing for months ceased, or the homeopathic drops we gave her once fixed whatever issue she had), but she started sleeping through the night!  Once it started we got TEN consecutive nights of blissful sleep.  She got sick for a few days, we traveled to Chehalis for a weekend, and then she settled back into this wonderful pattern.  YIPEE!  And with the sleep came a little more independence and a lot less crabbiness from Janie... and Mommy! 

Janie continues to talk (and sing) up a storm.  Her sentences keep getting longer and more complex, expressing her opinions and wishes.  "I yike to eat the cookie,"  "I want to read book on the chair,"  "I want to go upstairs... play with Clara."  Janie is at the stage where she will continue to say the exact same thing over and over until we do/acknowledge it.  No joke, she will say it like 20 times without trying to say it differently or add to what she means.  And while her use of speech is becoming more developed, I am not sure we can say the same think about her annunciation.  Many times we are completely baffled at what she is saying.  This is when the simple "Oh, that's nice" works pretty well. 

Janie seems to use this to her advantage.  She says something like, "I want to eat a cu-ca" to which we often will respond "You want what?"  She will keep saying it, over and over.  Then when we figure out what she is saying by repeating her, "You want to eat a cupcake?" to which she just replies, "Okay." (expecting the cupcake!)

Janie has also come leaps and bounds in her willingness to go to the gym childcare.  I have been trying for months only to get paged just after breaking a sweat to come get my hysterical child.  It seems that a well-slept Janie is willing to do more than before.  It still isn't her favorite thing to do, but she will at least accept an hour of it a couple times a week when ample snacks are provided. 

With some of the nice weather we have had, Janie (and Big Sister, Clara) have been enjoying lots of time outdoors.  Janie likes to play in the water table, blow bubbles, take wagon rides to the park and chase the kids around.  She wants to be doing exactly what the others are doing and has made several attempts to get on Clara's bike.  She has such a happy, adventurous spirit and just keeps growing up way too fast! 

Scout's 1st Lemonade Stand

We have been blessed with some wonderful spring weather in the PNW the past few weeks and have been trying to take advantage of each and every sunny day.  After reading some fun books on and playing a fun lemonade stand game with Daddy on his new phone, our little Scout kept asking to have her own lemonade stand.  (Also, in the Pinkalicous: Pink Drink book, the lemonade stand earnings are used to purchase pink gumballs.  This may have been a big motivation in our gals mind!) 

We decided to use Janie's "store" and found an easy pour container so that Clara could serve her guests independently.  She put some quarters in her cash register, did all the pouring and stirring to make the lemonade and then sat out front and waited, drank a few glasses of lemonade, ate a few crackers and waited some more.

Thank goodness for great neighbors, texting and social media! By 5:00 Clara was on her 3rd container of lemonade and had created quite a crowd that it turned into a mini Friday afternoon block party. It may have helped that mommy was spiking the adult lemonade! 

Our sweetie used her earnings to buy more lemonade and it looking forward to the next opportunity to set up the stand! 

Mother's Day Photos with C

The Issaquah Mom's Group had a fun event on Mother's Day weekend to honor the members.  A great photographer friend of mine, Renata Jirka, captured some fun moments between Clara & I.  Unfortunately the event was right during Janie's nap time so she stayed home with Daddy and it was a fun opportunity for Clara & I to share some one on one time.  I can't believe how fast she is growing up and what a fun kid she is.  I feel like such a lucky mommy to have such sweet little girls!

Our Little Dancer

Clara has been wanting to take a dance class for a while now.  I had originally intended to enroll her in the fall, but with school starting I wanted to ease her into her new schedule.  By Winter, I was still feeling a little overwhelmed with the weather, holiday & guild stuff on top of Janie's inconsistent schedule, and put it off again. Luckily, we ended up winning the first month of sessions with the Mom's group and feeling really guilty, I immediately got her signed up.  She was a little nervous before the first class, but luckily right as we walked though the door, she recognized her pal, Olivia and was one happy camper.

The class has a gymnastics potion and then the dance is split between ballet and tap.  The dance is by far and away her favorite.  She loves getting to change shoes and carry her special dance bag from cousin Ashley. 

Here in her sweet ballet outfit, she looks so grown up!  Her teacher at preschool calls her "the little lady" and she is right, Clara really is growing up to be a sweet little lady! 

Easter

 

We spent Easter in Chehalis this year.  We got there in the afternoon the day before and were able to enjoy the beautiful day in my parent backyard.  After dinner and a few treats from Grandpa, we got ready for bed and made sure to leave carrots for the Easter Bunny on our special plate.

Clara was pretty worn out from all of the outside play and still from out Disneyland trip so she slept in on Easter morning, at least compared to Janie who was up with the chickens.  (This year, that wasn't just a figure of speech since Grandma & Grandpa just got new pet chicks.)

Both girls dove into their Easter baskets and were excited about the candy and fun treats.  We really knew Clara was feeling 100% when she passed up on eating Easter candy.  She loved her movie and American Girl puppy.  Janie, on the other hand, was very interested in her candy and loved her new soccer ball from the Easter Bunny!

Hailey & Danielle

Eventually everyone congregated at Mom & Dad's for a delicious brunch!  It was gorgeous sunny day and with full bellies and tasty beverages, we were all in the bunny spirit!

Mom, Erin & Grandma Wanda

The Guys

Taylor being such a great big cousin to Janie!

Before long, it was time for the big Easter Egg Hunt!  All the kids are at such great ages and they all seemed to feed off of one anothers' excitement. 

Not the best expressions, but it was a big enough challenge to get all four to sit in one spot long enough to snap a photo.

 The moment was absolutely adorable!  Bendan came and grabbed Janie Bug's hand and walked her across the lawn like a little gentleman. 

And of course, sweet Andie in her Easter dress was pretty darn sweet!