ABCs

Amelia LOVES to sing and it has been so fun listening to her start to sing songs all by herself.

This is the best I could do ... she usually sings much better and louder. She also gets more of the letters normally. But here's a sampling of our singer... you know how it is once the camera comes out.

"Spring Break"

We are calling last week our "spring break." I use the quotes for two reasons ... (1) It was not springy. It was cold and cloudy, blah. (2) I watched my niece, Ellie all week because she was off of school for her break. We tried to have some fun things throughout the week that we could do. I think Ellie had a good time and I KNOW Amelia did.

Monday, we got the grocery shopping done and took a trip to the library. We did some crafts and brought out the Playdough. Amelia's first time ... with minimal attempts to eat it.

Tuesday, we took advantage of free Chick Fil-A breakfast and played there. Wednesday we visited their Great-grandparents for lunch. Thursday, the day with a little sun, we took a trip to the Zoo. Friday, we watched a movie and made cookies.

To end the week, James, Amelia and I met my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew at the Children's Museum. Amelia sufficiently wore both me and James out running back and forth.

Da and Bug checking out Dinosaurs.

Amelia's favorite place. The rainforest in the Dora exhibit.

Amelia loved having Ellie around everyday, but she always asked if Lincoln was coming too. Much to her delight, she was loving that she finally got to see her favorite, Linc.

holding hands through the museum.

It was a good week to kind of take it easy and have some fun. Hopefully Amelia isn't too disappointed when 8:00 rolls around and Ellie doesn't show up.

What's going on ...

1. we've been crafting. I've tried to find some cute projects that Amelia and I can do together. Sometimes it takes her a bit to get excited about things. We almost didn't finish this frog because she wasn't enjoying herself. (not going to force her to do it) But now, the kid loves her frog she painted.

Footprint butterflies? oh, yes, and she giggled when I painted the bottom of her foot. Cute!
2.Amelia has been as crazy as ever...

Papa introduced her to hats. Now, she loves having one on. Usually backwards.

reading... we've made library day a regular routine. We have had some problems with library rules though, the no running and holding mommy's hand isn't always followed... oh well.

Playing quietly and happily with her toys. Oh how I love this stage: she is engaging, playful, thoughtful, she talks and communicate very well, she loves being goofy and crazy and yet also observes her world and evaluates everything.

3. I have started mildly spring cleaning. It is amazing how a little sun and warmth makes you want to open the windows, air out the house, and make things fresh. We also did a little landscaping. I am not great at the whole landscaping, plants, flowers, garden thing. It always sounds like a good idea but I just don't know where to start, don't know much about gardening, and the like. I am someone who could maintain but not start from scratch. Our house, well, it doesn't have much and on top of that the front flower "bed" has rocks, not mulch. Even harder to work around. Any way, we replaced some heathery looking tall grass plants with some short green bushes... OH, it looks so much better.

4. Dill! I am loving dill lately. It is absolutely delicious sprinkled on roasting potatoes (or potatoes done anyway.) Dill dip, dill on tomatoes and cucumbers ... oh yes. Try it! Gotta love those fresh herbs. Maybe I should try growing my own ... or not? (see Number 3)

5. the Madness! We are OF COURSE enjoying the tournament. Although my bracket has been officially blown to pieces. (thanks Duke for showing up) But we are definitely cheering on Butler!

Amelia was asking so nicely to watch a movie and didn't seem to understand that the TV was occupied with important "bass-it ball" as she calls it. We improvised.

Did I go overboard? Thursday I might have sat in front of the TV 3 brackets lined up in front on me, highlighter in hand, TV switching between games, Computer on with another one ... and then I made these ... wowza ... that is intense.

5. And while Amelia's vocabulary grows daily, and mommy is eating her dill dip while watching basketball, probably avoided that spring cleaning ... Da has been studying... and studying. Hopefully, for the last couple weeks. So with a month left before his test, if he's not found in bed or watching some basketball, he's in the study. studying.

(love him. so thankful for his discipline, his dedication, and for providing for us. I have a wonderful husband.)

Plates

In an effort to add some much needed color to the entryway, I had this idea: plates. I found a few bright colored plates at Goodwill, along with the brown woven one. I also picked up some white plates and some ceramic paint markers and had Amelia add her own touch to our "wall art." Cheap, colorful, and eclectic, just what I was looking for. Amelia loves it that she painted some and likes to point out her plates.

Amelia's installments

On another note, I made some cookies for my brother-in-law today. And if you like girl scout thin mints, try this recipe. They are pretty good and pretty much like the real thing.

Cue the Ominous Music...

I'm not sure where to start, but we've been talking about it lately. So, we will see... I guess we will keep the conversation going and practicing sitting on it for starters. We'll keep you posted on any progress. Sigh... here we go.

the Newest Member of the Family

Lately...

We've had a busy couple of days here ... Too much to write a long post about such things.

Lets see, for Amelia:

A trip to the Children's Museum with Lincoln and Aunt Julia

Monkey Joes with our playgroup... a huge bouncy play land.

For me:

a shower for my future sister-in-law, an Oscar's party where I won best dressed!

Planning two showers in the near future, church responsibilities ...

For James:

studying, working, studying, fixing our ceiling stains, studying, and

we have been looking at new cars... could be one in the near future.

Anyway, there is a quick update on us. Maybe once we continue to gather our bearings from the last 2 weeks, I can write more. Until then ...