quack quack

Late Saturday afternoon we went to Gibson Pond to enjoy the beautiful weather. We met the Zabrocki family there. Emma Jane was thrilled at the prospect of feeding the ducks. When we arrived, the ducks were way across the pond and we thought her first duck feeding might have to wait for another day. Luckily, the ducks decided to check out the other side of the pond and they swam right to us! Emma Jane and Kaitlyn thought it was pretty cool to see the ducks poke their heads in the water searching for bread. Vivian had fun being strapped to her daddy in the carrier and she didn't miss a thing. While at the park, there was a waterfall sighting, some swinging, and a game of redlight/greenlight with Kaitlyn. Lots of fun for us all!

copycat

I love reading other blogs, especially those that inspire me to be productive! I haven't had time to do anything creative lately since my kid-free moments are spent doing dishes or laundry. That's why I was so excited to see quick, inexpensive DIY projects on a friend's blog. (Thanks, Andrea!) I made a yarn wreath to hang as a mobile over Vivi's changing table in the nursery. It turned out pretty cute, I think. For a unique mantle decoration, I also wrapped a wooden letter S with yarn and added some felt and fabric flowers. Check out this fun kitchen table centerpiece, too. Hot glue a few coordinating plates and mugs together and there ya go! Quick, easy, and useful!

lucky day

We went downtown to Five Points for some belated St. Patrick's Day festivities on Saturday. Lily, Charlotte, and Miss Sara met us there for the fun. We caught the tail end of the parade which was a first for both Emma Jane and Vivi. Emma Jane thought it was pretty exciting, but, as you can see in the yawning picture, Vivi was not impressed. She did get into the spirit of St. Patty's Day by sporting a green trimmed bib with the initial S on it. Okay, so the S stands for Street, but it could be St. Patrick too! After the parade, we ate lunch and then wandered the streets taking in all the action. The highlight for the big girls was probably the green fountain. Although Paul spent most of the time corralling Emma Jane and Lily through the crowds, at one point Lily helped me push Vivi in the stroller and Emma Jane took a ride on Paul's shoulders. When the crowds started getting a little too thick (and rowdy!) we decided to call it a day. On the walk back to our cars, we passed right by TCBY where we stopped for a quick ice cream treat. Now THAT's luck!

new kicks

Look who's wearing kicks! Vivi likes wearing her big girl shoes. I guess she thinks she's going somewhere. Speaking of going places...this little one rolled over from belly to back for the first time on Friday! She does something new and exciting everyday.

a house full of girls

My sister Cindy and sweet little Izzy came to see us this past week. With all these girls, Paul was outnumbered 5 to 1! Emma Jane and Izzy are only 2 months apart. They had such a good time playing together. During their visit we took a trip to the zoo, the playground, and the capitol grounds. This was also Vivi's first time meeting her aunt and cousin. She gave them lots of smiles! We had such a wonderful time together and they are already missed!

snuggling sisters

The first words out of Emma Jane's mouth in the morning and after nap are "Where is my Vivi? Can I hold her?" Yes, you can, sweet girl!

sweet pea

Take a look at those thighs! The weather is FINALLY warm enough for little Viv to start showing off her legs. Don't ya just wanna pinch those rosy cheeks, too?

i wanna hold your hand

Now that Vivian is more alert, Emma Jane loves sitting next to her. Today I put Vivi in the bouncy seat next to Emma Jane who was sitting on the floor watching one of her favorite shows. I walked into the kitchen for a minute and when I peeked back to check on them, this is what I saw! Emma Jane had taken Vivi's hand and was sweetly holding it while she watched her show. As you can see from the last picture, Vivi thought it was pretty sweet, too!

little miss sassy pants

Emma Jane has become a little sassy recently. Okay, okay, if I'm going to be honest, she's been sassy for quite some time now, but her sassiness has become a little outrageous. Here are a few of her favorite sassy sayings...

"NO WAY!"
(this has replaced just plain old NO)

"But I CAN'T do it! I CAN'T!"
(imagine this said with a super whiny voice)

"I don't want to do ANYTHING!"
(when we offer options other than what she really wants to do)

"Just one more!"
(this applies to books, cookies, minutes, or anything that has come to an end)

"Please, please, please!!!"
(thanks to Olivia the Pig, she thinks that a triple please will truly get her anything she wants)

"No thank you!"
(although this doesn't seem like a sassy saying, it is when it's shouted in response to something she is expected to do)

So, do we give in to this sassy behavior? In the words of our Little Miss Sassy Pants, "NO WAY!"