Tidbits from this Week

"Anna! You're quite the crawler!" (with hand on hip)

"Decay. Momma? Do you know what decay is? It's when something chaaaanges. Like a banana. Or an apple. Or a pumpkin decays."

"Momma? Have you ever been to Wisconsin? I've been to Wisconsin. When I was little I was there."

A Map

Kate was busy drawing and rolling up a piece of paper this morning. She came over to me and proclaimed to have made a map to Michigan.

"See? First you go up into the sky, and then you go down through the sky, and then you're in Michigan!"

The Penguins

We are sad that our Pittsburgh Penguins are done for the year, but we love and are proud of our Uncle Dan! Especially Anna, who in support of Uncle Dan wore these to bed last night...

Go Pens 2011!

Anna Is Crawling!

I have to admit, I sorta wish she had waited until we were moved so that I could concentrate on packing instead of chasing her, but it is definitely exciting nonetheless. Not only is she crawling all over the place, but she has started waving bye-bye, clapping and she suddenly has 2 teeth! More soon to come from the looks of things. Enjoy!!

Happy Mother's Day!

It just occurred to me that Mother's Day is tomorrow. This is honestly something that in my chaos I overlooked, which is odd for me because I love any chance to be in the spotlight over here. That said, as you might imagine, I've been distracted by the 1,279 things on my to-do list. Packing up your own house, while caring for two little ones, AND dealing with a baby with the flu (yup, she's had the flu for 7 days now) all at the same time is not good. Just really not good. And so, with all of that complaining and all of those excuses, this is my Mother's Day wish for the mothers in our lives...

May you have a beautiful day and lovely year ahead. Thank you for all of that you do and that you've done. Thank you for being a wonderful Grandma to our little girls. We hope that this move to the Mid-West allows our girls to see you more and develop a wonderful, lasting and meaningful family tie with you. We love you very much!

And look at that - I even saved on postage!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

One more thing (for today)

Kate just said, "I love my Grandma. And I love my Grandma Sloane. And I love my tennis shoes."

Classic.

Catching Up

Since Anna's bout with whatever that horrible rash was, I've been otherwise occupied... my mom visited for 2 weeks and on the last evening of her time here it was decided that we will be moving to the mid-west. I'm delighted, it's true, but admittedly we should have decided this upon her arrival so that she could help me prepare for selling the house! Oops. Now I'm on my own, but looking forward to this adventure...

This said, I failed to post Easter photos, and many other delights of the girls (first trip to the dentist). Enjoy! And if you're able, come over here and help me pack!

Rough Road

Anna has had a very rough go of it lately - although by her sweet demeanor you would never know it. Over the course of the last 2 weeks she has been in the ER - twice, Urgent Care, her regular doc - twice, and a health clinic. She has been diagnosed with RSV (who hasn't?), an ear infection (still has it), and has broken out in the scariest rash I've ever seen. Through all of this, we have had a lot of interrupted sleep and one night of complete sleeplessness, but other than those bumps, she has been a total hero. I thought I'd share this yucky photo with you, so you can gasp like I did when I woke up yesterday morning to discover this scene. Please know that it is clearing up nicely and that all will be well again very soon.

In the meanwhile, Daddy and Kate have been enjoying some great time together!

The Terrible Threes

I'm sorry, but the terrible twos didn't even compare to what we're going through with three. I'm just hoping that four somehow gets better than this.

A glimmer of light on my cloudy day...

K: I want to go live in a different house.

G: Where do you think you want to go?

K: Ben's house.

G: But you and Ben seem to fight over toys a lot.

K: Joey is nice.

G: Do you think you would like to live at Joey's house?

K: Sometimes he doesn't share with me.

G: I think you're going to find that this house is where you are loved the most.

K: Yeah, but is it the right size for me?

G: (bursts into laughter)

K: (joins me)

Friends in Boise

This is the painting I had commissioned for UB for his 40th. Our friend Tom Stack (www.stackmatic.com) painted it. It arrived yesterday. We love it.

Another Quotable

THREE TIME
KATE: Hey Mom, can I have some 3 (holding up 3 fingers) time?
ME: Three time?
KATE: Yeah! I LOVE three time!
ME: OH! FREE time!

ANGELINA
KATE: Some day I'm going to dance!
ME: Yes you are!
KATE: Some day I'm going to be just like Angelina!
ME: Yes you are!
KATE: Some day I'm going to be a little white mouse!

Quotables

Kate is becoming such a big kid. And, as you already know, big kids say funny things.

Today, while reaching for the top of the tv, but coming in an inch low: "I can't reach any higher. It's no use."

Yesterday, while playing with her Old Maid playing cards: "Look mamma, it's the Old Maid. She's a lady. Just like you're a lady!"

Catching Up, Video Style

A Christmas video for our personal archives. If you have a moment, enjoy. As you might catch on to here, I'm pretty excited about our new Mac...

New Technology

New technology, a couple of on-line tutorials, and here you go...

Finally, Anna gets some props:

Update Apology

I have so many pictures and videos to share, and I don't know where to start. We've had technical problems over here for quite some time, and the promise of new hardware and technology has made me put off sharing some great things out here. I felt I should at least share my excuse. I mean, clearly, there are tons of pictures of that beautiful baby and the brilliant big sister that you haven't seen. Just know that to be true! :)

A Merry Christmas, Indeed!

It is as though Christmas never happened before until this year. Kate finally grasped the concept of Christmas; lights, trees, elfs, Santa, reindeer, stockings, wish lists and finally, giving. What fun! Brad and I sat watching her with our own delight - while she tore into each and every gift with glee and happiness and then paused to say thank you and moving on to read each label carefully to understand that she was opening gifts for her AND her little sister.

Kate was blessed this year with two Christmas celebrations due to our trip to Michigan (see birthday post below). Between two birthday parties and two Christmas celebrations, it might be perceived that December was made for her personal happiness. We'll work on that next year...

MICHIGAN

HOME WITH DADDY

Happy Birthday, Kate!

Kate is 3. It's true. I know, I know,... hard to believe, but true! This last October UB asked what I would like for my birthday and I responded with, "a trip home." I knew it would be a large undertaking - now with a baby and a preschooler, but it was worth it! We traveled between Thanksgiving and Christmas, encountered numerous angels sent from above in various airports across the country who helped and smiled and gave me words of encouragement when I needed it most. We stayed for 3 weeks, and celebrated Kate's birthday with her Bylsma cousins. It was a big girl party, to include a movie at the theater and a slumber party! Good times were had by all, and Kate absolutely loved being chased around Grandma B's house by her older cousins. Thanks to everyone to attended and assisted! It was a great day and Kate had a blast. And thanks to Aunt Carlin, she now thinks she really is a princess.

Oh My!

It occurred to me this week that maybe Anna would like something new - the lameo bouncy seat has really lost its luster. And thus, the resurrection of the excersaucer! Check out Kate during her first ride 100 years ago, and then Anna below on her maiden voyage...

Anna wasn't sure at first, but then...

Happy Halloween 2009!

Kate was finally able to participate in Halloween like a big kid - ringing doorbells, calling out "trick or treat!" - the whole kit and caboodle. She asks for chocolate daily, although most of it was hidden away and ends up in UB's lunches. She doesn't like much candy, but she's a BIG fan of chocolate. Loves it.
For the first year I didn't hop online on 11/1 to buy next year's costume at a huge discount. I think I might have opinions on my hands soon enough, so we'll see what comes about next year. Goodbye roosters! Hello princesses...