Happiness

Ahh, vacation! It is so relaxing. Everything is quiet and peaceful. As soon as you step outside all you hear are the waves gently lapping against the shore, the distant bell of a bouy, occasional breezes rustling throught the trees, and some birds chirping away.


When we woke up on our first morning here, the weather was lovely--mild, sunny, a light breeze. These cheery little blue flowers are popping up everywhere.



After spending a little over 8 hours on the road the day before, the girls were eager to get out and get moving. We took them out to try the new swingset first thing in the morning--Evelyn was still in her jammies!

With Ed's help, Matilda tried out everything thing. She climbed, slid and traversed tall bridges.

She was very brave giving it all a thorough inspection. However, she has now decided that the climbing is too scary. She's very very happy in the swings, and she likes to slide. Every time she goes down the slide she says, "it's FUN!"

Evelyn tried the swings as well.

At first she was pretty surprised:

But later she found it so relaxing that she fell asleep!

Matilda thinks the swings are an absolute joy.

After all that fun outside, it was time for a snack while Evelyn played with toys.

The lake was too beautiful to resist for long though.

Daddy took Matilda and Laddie and Romper out to see the beach.

The boys jumped right in and Matilda was happy to kick around; her swim had to wait another day though.

Evelyn can sit really well now.

She has proven her stability, so she got her first sink bath on the 18th.
She loved it! She played with toys and splashed and splashed and splashed some more!
Look at the chubby, blurry arm--she was just splashing away like it was her job!

Little Monkey

I should be posting today about Mother's Day, or Evelyn's baptism, or her six month check up... but this just happened and had to be documented. The other topics will be addressed in due course.

That's Matilda in the baby swing. For a few weeks now, she's been able to climb into the exersaucer herself and then yell, "Mama! I stuck!" when she's ready to get out. It's hilarious. But today, she climbed up into the baby swing by herself, leaned over to push the button to turn the swing on, and then picked out some music.

She definitely had a good time, and I have a feeling it's going to happen again. Luckily, she's not very heavy!

Art Appreciation

Matilda painted for the first time yesterday with her finger paints. It was pretty exciting for both of us. She told me all about the colors she was using, and then was amazed when orange and purple showed up on her paper. She pointed to them and shouted, "orange! purple!"

She made a rainbow and a more abstract piece and when she was done with each she said "it's a PAINTING! All done!"

I'm sure she ate more paint than she should have, and if you look closely, it's even in her hair, but she did have a good time and we'll do it again soon.

Matilda's art:

Evelyn also worked on a little project. With "ultra washable ink." Yeah... sure.

A Tisket a Tasket...

I swear she did it to herself rolling around on the floor! I just had to take a picture before I helped her out of it.

Fluff 'n' Fold

The girls "helped" with the laundry yesterday.

Cushy Tushie

You might ask, "how is it possible to make a baby as chubby as Evelyn any more squeezable?"
Simple, my friends. Put a soft cloth diaper on her tush!






Awww, I've got to go pinch her now.

Relaxation

When they weren't swimming, baking, or going on walks, there was plenty of time for the girls to just relax and hang out with grandma and grandpa.

Evelyn is such a little snuggler!


That's Matilda in her red coat enjoying the view.

Bathing Beauties

Evelyn went swimming for the first time on our vacation. Isn't she cute in her polka dot suit?



Matilda got in on the swimming and the polka dots as well

Vacation

Well, taxes are done, spring is here, and we had our first family vacation of the year up in Wisconsin.

I'll share some of the highlights over the next few days.

Here is Matilda making cookies with Grandma (oatmeal raisin!)

Mona!

Mona came out to visit and meet Evelyn.
She brought some funny gifts:


And lots of hugs and giggles.


It's been wonderful to see her and the girls have been having a great time too.
We'll miss her when she goes home.

Spring Dresses

Easter Morning

Random Silliness

I've been a bit under the weather and lax in my photo taking responsibilities, so all I've got for you today is some random silliness from the girls.