Spring? and Samantha's new tricks

This is what our week was like . . . by Wednesday, we were enjoying the high 40s, even 50! (see the girls sitting in their chairs outside) But, Friday arrived with snow, which continued through the day . . . just a couple of inches. Hopefully this is our last play in the snow for this winter. Even Samantha got bundled up and went outside, though she was not nearly as thrilled about it. We'll see what this week brings.

This is Samantha on Sunday afternoon . . . yep, ready to go. She can move her feet forward and is working on how to get her torso and arms moving that direction. Right now she moves very well backwards.
She loves to hold her toes! I have nearly given up keeping any socks on her feet . . . (except for the socks Aunt Emilie and Uncle Chris sent for Christmas - thanks! We keep those for the cold days.) She was sitting in the boppy; the next thing I know this is what I am looking at. By the way, she has outgrown that outfit (Thanks, Chapas!), which is definitely one of my favorites.

Five-Month-Old Samantha

Five-Month-Old Samantha is really fun, especially when she's well-rested.

She can roll over (from her tummy to her back). When she's on her tummy (her favorite) she pushes herself back and can turn her entire body, on her tummy, in a 360 circle. She likes to raise her legs (like a candlestick, according to Anna Kate), hold on to her pantlegs, arch her back and look at what's behind her (twisting her neck in an awfully uncomfortable-looking position). She growls, laughs, smiles, jabbers . . . She has the biggest belly! She is sitting in a high chair for feedings now because I was sure she was going to propel the bouncy-seat off the table. She seems very tactile - she touches and holds onto everything, especially hair and even faces. It's really sweet. She chews and naws on teething rings. She is busy!

Happy Five-Months, Samantha. We're really glad you're a part of the family.

Easter!

Easter morning, Easter baskets . . .
The girls got umbrellas - a princess one for Anna Kate and an Elmo one for Lucy. My (somewhat failed) attempt at getting a picture of the girls together. It was the end of a very good day but still the end of the day . . .
Samantha wore my favorite dress. It was given to Anna Kate when she was born, and she wore it for her first Easter. Lucy wore it for Aunt Emilie and Uncle Chris' (very great) wedding, and now Samantha wore it for her first Easter! (Look at those eyes . . . can you believe them?)

Coloring Easter Eggs

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Our neighborhood Stewart's gives free ice cream to customers wearing green. So we all chose something green this morning and after naps/rests, walked to Stewart's for ice cream before dinner! The girls both had mint chocolate chip. The sun was out; as you can see, we actually got a table by the window/front door! We all enjoyed our ice cream and still ate dinner!

Spring??

We really want spring to arrive. We're trying to usher it right in . . . Last week, the girls and I made Rice Krispies treats bird nests. Anna Kate really enjoys helping in the kitchen and got right into it, pressing the treats into the muffin pan. Lucy decided (after having oil put on her hands!) that she was not interested in helping. Lucy loved eating all of it, even sneaking one of Anna Kate's "bird eggs." Anna Kate only liked the birds eggs, after all, so I still have the nests waiting to be eaten! It was really fun, though!That's Anna Kate's nest, filled with eggs . . .
Samantha couldn't enjoy the birds' nests, but she did decide she likes to chew on the stacking cups!

Warm Weather

On Monday the weather was "nice." In the morning, it was in the high 30s, no rain or snow. So, at Anna Kate's suggestion, we ventured out for a walk before lunch. The girls both chose to "ride" around the block. Samantha was in the baby bjorn. We all enjoyed being outside, even if we're still wearing jackets and hats. In the afternoon, I noticed on our weather station (Thanks, Kathleen!) that it was 51!!! We got ready quick and went out again - this time with doll strollers - while dinner was in the oven. This time, we ran into neighbors (so good to talk) and saw lots of puppies!
Anna Kate is learning how to write her letters and their sounds. She is a quick learner! Here's what I discovered on the easel the other day:
There are lots of letters on the page, but ANNA is clearly written a couple of times! I can't believe how quickly she learns and remembers and how much she is growing up!