Dress Up

Caroline is into imagination and dressing up. It is a fun stage to watch and I love hearing her dance, sing, and act like a Princess. Today she came out of her room from nap time wearing this. She completed the look with my make-up while I was out of the room (I am not encouraging this aspect of pretend and after the scrubbing she got in the bath, I am hoping she'll steer clear of my toiletries).

did she go for the cheap stuff? no, the stuff I save for special nights or when I get dressed up...

can you almost hear her giggles?

Happy Half-Birthday Sam and Emma Kate

Yesterday marked 18 months for Sam and Emma Kate. The are a year and a half old...already! I am enjoying this stage of life with them. They are starting to talk more (both say "Mama", "Daddy", "doggie", "More", and "Meow"). Emma Kate also says, "Caroline" and "brother". We are blessed that they are good sleepers and eaters and although there are some sibling quarrels, they love each other. Emma Kate's communicating with Sam via biting has started to subside and they seem to understand that the person who has something first gets to play with it. We go to the pediatrician on Thursday for their 18 month checkup and shots and I look froward to seeing how much they weigh and how tall they are. I am amazed in how far we have come since bringing these two tiny people home from the hospital. I feel honored and blessed that they were given to us and am so very glad to be their mother.

nothing wrong with pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!

Nonna and Papa visit

We had a ball on Saturday! My parents came up and we hung around the house and in the backyard. It was nice for them to see how much the kids have changed in just a month. As usual, the day came and went too quickly and before we knew it they were gone...come back soon Nonna and Papa, we love you!

The only one we got that day with both of my parents in the picture

The Moose

Loving her pigtails

The girls and I

with Caroline

calling out to Papa for him to come play

Emma staking claim to her car

THANK YOU NINA!

My grandmother's friend, Nina, is always sending this kids neat things. Bunnies, dolls, outfits, and today dolphin backpacks. These are too cute....stuffed animals that are also backpacks. Nina, you were so thoughtful and the kids and I am so thankful. I should note that Sam also has a dolphin book bag, but insisted on carrying his around under his arm like a football and wouldn't sit still long enough to get a good picture...he likes it though, and that is what matters!

Meow!

This is more of a subdued performance (I think the camera threw them off) but I had to get the girls on film doing the cat calls as they listen to the Laurie Berkner Band music. They really get going sometimes with the cat noises and I usually end up laughing so hard, I cry! Enjoy (meow!)

p.s. we were parked and in the drive way for this matinee

The March 28 Club

Luke, Sam, and Emma Kate, were all born on March 28 and it has been really neat to see them grow together and interact with each other. It's also nice to have a friend to bounce ideas off of and question about milestones and other motherhood issues that is going through the same thing at the same time...how fun!

Getting pictures of them is getting increasingly more difficult as they want to go in three different directions!

Hello Spring

She may not be actually reading the words, but she sure does remember the story! This is a book Caroline checked out at the library the other day and has read it to me every night since.

Dinner Partner

Look at this sweet little face...I am lucky enough to sit across from Caroline at dinner and she was so cute last night, I had to grab my camera.

Beautiful Weather

peek-a-boo

a kiss or a bite...I am not sure and he doesn't seem too sure either

ladies first

soccer star like Daddy

Caroline was pretending that they were the backyardigans having a snack after the show...I love the imagination stage

somehow this became HER car...no one really challenges her (would you?)

Sam can climb up and slide on the playground all by himself

look how tall he is getting!

no barefeet in the grass for this cutie

full of life

I am going to start a photo collection of "moose on the table" shots...

I love the light in her hair

I can almost taste fall...my favorite season by far. Summer is too hot around here and I feel like we spend the majority of it indoors (unless we are at the beach). This past week has been cool enough to play outside everyday without being yucky and the kids have loved it. Yesterday, Matt was watering the grass and that added to the fun for the kids. What a great week, after a hot summer, I am ready for many more days like this! These pictures are from over the last few days.