Swimming

This is Grace at swim lessons.  And yes, she is always that happy when she is there.  In fact about two hours before lessons every Tuesday and Thursday she packs up her things and starts asking me "how much longer before we have to leave."  Yes, swim lessons are good.



But, what wasn't good, was not having the appropriate bag to to pack our swim stuff in (or trucks in Jackson's case).  So last week they picked out some fabric and I made them each a swim bag. 



They are pretty big, but I wanted them to be able to fit a lot of stuff in them (towel, suit, goggles, extra clothes, etc) in hopes that they would be motivated to carry all their own stuff this summer when we go to the beach (since my arms will assuredly be all filled up with that little darling up there).



If swim lessons are any indicator on that, it should go pretty well.  Even though Jackson packs his bag full of about 25 pounds worth of trucks each time we go to Grace's lesson, I haven't lifted a finger.

Memorial Weekend

Highlights of our weekend...
~ Having our friends over to grill
~ Playing at the pool with family
~ Going into Stillwater for the afternoon
~ Eating lunch at one of our favorite places
~ Dipping in the river

Little By Little

Weekend Highlights

~ Toes in the grass
~ Paper bag kites
~ A visit from Grandma Sam
~ Planting
~ Fence building
~ Last year's squash for dinner (and I still have one left)
~ My family making me/us lunch (and cleaning up)
~ Nora giggles
~ Reading "A Giraffe and a Half" (over and over and backwards)
~ Ice cream bars
~ Sleeping in, and then going back to bed, but still being up by 8:20
~ Garden progress

This Year's Gardening

I have very slowly been picking away at our gardens.  While we were way ahead on kale, potatoes, peas,and lettuce (already harvesting lettuce actually), everything else is behind.  This week I have been trying my best to get out there in the five minute increments I seem to have these days.  It is just so hard to keep little Nora a part of all the action.

I've tried gardening like this... which works for awhile (and only if it's not too sunny, windy, hot or cold)



And this... which also works for a(short)while.



But none of it buys me the long chunk of time that I really need.  So today I hired a very willing and happy (Grandma Lee) baby holder...



And finally I got some work done.  24 tomato plants, 12 broccoli plants, watermelon seeds and a lot of tilling to be exact.  There is still so much more to do but I finally feel like I've made a dent in it.





And of course, I have to keep reminding myself that this isn't a normal year.  Whatever doesn't get done is okay.  I'll just keep working at it (in slow motion) with my two little helpers.

First Tooth!

Four Months

Wow this little babe is a happy one.  And it is so much fun to watch her personality slowly unfold.  Such a smiley, laughy, "talky" little girl she is.  Of course she is most in love with her big brother and sister.  They can make her laugh like no one else.

Colorado

It was a really great trip.  The kids did awesome on the plane.  I will never forget their excitment as we took off that first time (Grace actually let out a "woo-who" which made the whole plane laugh).  We got to meet and spend a lot of time with Ryan's new found relatives which was so much fun.  There were a few hikes in the mountains and some time at Ryan's aunt's beautiful home in the foothills.  There was a (short) trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, some elk sightings, a neat children's museum and of course a lot of time in the pool.  And the last night of the trip ended with a pizza/dance party complete with live music.  It was all pretty great.  Although I think little Nora was ready to be home. 

Mother's Day Blessings

My two favorite Mother's Day moments...



1) Swimming with Grace and Jackson this morning and playing "dolphins" at the hotel pool.



2) Nursing Nora to sleep tonight at home safe and sound.

We're Off

Our Girls...

Just like our boys...