Susie Jarvis had posted a note about needing kids to "model" for some stock photos she needed, so of course I offered up ours :)
Her photos are always so beautiful and amazing, but there are some in this shoot that just capture her age, her spirit and her sweet being.
She rarely plays with this doll (even though it was for her first birthday) but Susie had asked her to do a few shots with it.
What do you get when you tell a 3 year old who you repeatedly tell NOT to climb on the furniture to CLIMB on the furniture? Smiles and laughter!
This was exactly the pose Susie had asked for, cracks me up. I'm so glad we got these photos, there are almost 30 in the set, and hopefully she asks us to do this again in the future--just so lovely, our first modeling shoot and big, little girl.
We ended up with an extra cake from Cora's party (long story)...but we decided to put it to good use--at the photo shoot. (Photos to follow) We wanted to capture it before it was destroyed!
As daddy was cleaning up from the photo shoot, Cora decided to be her usual charming self and help out. Could anyone deny that smile??? and trust me, the charming personality is right there behind it.
She loves her babies (ok, well, Amara's babies, but still...)
(playing with baby)
...not sure what this one was, but I thought it was sweet.
A rare but much valued hug with my two (tired) girls :)
We have enjoyed this session of WeJoySing, despite the speed bumps. We struggled with the late class times, which we turned into an opportunity that we loved. We all started going to class together and it was so much fun! Cora didn't get all the 'baby things' she would have in her class, but what she didn't get, she gained in listening and getting to do things as a family.
Some of the time Cora just takes off and does her own thing--Amara was doing the guitaro with Mrs. Kelly, and it was apparently too boring for Cora--she just took off around the room to make her social rounds for the night. We think we are taking the session off this next time, to reevaluate all our classes and start letting Amara choose--but we hope to get Cora back in her classes soon :) 
One thing we have not been short on this season is outside time. I'm pretty sure if Cora could choose, she'd be outside 100% of the time, and her choice? to walk.
She has this rhythm about the pat, pat, pat of her little Robeez on the sidewalk that just makes me smile.
While Cora is walking, Amara is busy jumping with her new friend Addision (Addi) from 3 houses down. She is 9, very much like Garhett, and has taken a shine to Amara. In fact, inside of a few play times together, she was teaching Amara to ride her bike!
In a moment of neighborhood play time, daddy busted out the t-ball set, and all of us took turns. Nothing like the 8, and 10 year old boys hitting from the pink and purple Step 2 t-ball set. I played outfield with Cora and Amara kept her friends supplied with water and snacks :)
Once she got the bat on her shoulder, she has a really good swing, and surprisingly, a great throw as well! She does the point and step perfectly and is much more on target than most 3 year olds I know...I hope she likes to play ball (selfishly).
Amara has been practicing and getting REALLY good at using her scissors lately.
After Amara's visit to Children's Hospital in the fall, I decided I was going to make quilts, and was dedicated to do it. When Amara checked in to her hospital room, on one of the scariest days of her life--someone had made a quilt for her and it was waiting for her. She found comfort in it, literally and figuratively, in a time when we all needed it. Whomever made that for Amara, took their time and love to make something for her--and I want to give back.
I don't expect Amara to get why this is so important, but I can only hope that she will learn why I'm doing this--taking time to make these for someone else, that we'll never meet, and that she'll understand and encourage me to keep going.
Spring came on so early in '12--and I think it was only modified by the fact that we had such a mild and fleeting winter on top of it (have you seen any snow pictures at all this year??) As soon as it got warm, it's gotten hot. It's been in the 80's in MARCH!
But, never to miss an opportunity, we dusted off the play shoes, and strollers, outside toys and sunscreen, and we've been hitting the parks and sidewalks as much as we can. We love being outside! I never had any sidewalks growing up, so I love getting out and enjoying our after dinner walks, afternoon play sessions, and everything in between.
Let me reflect by saying, I don't remember what my first concert was. I remember going to see Tom Petty with Tim in high school--and I'm sure I went before that...
Eric and I were so excited to take them, I am pretty sure we were more revved up then Amara was. Over the last few months, Cora has gotten into the musical aspect of it as much as Amara had, so we decided to take her too.
After 6 long weeks of rehearsals, the class was ready for the finale :) Grandpa Jahn came up and surprised Amara to see her final performance.
Eager parents Matt and Amanda watched with little sis Mikayla :) The room was packed and with the nice weather outside, we were antsy to get started.
Mrs. Tammy gives some final instruction on how to jump gracefully and use your long legs...then...
execution!
Practicing the dance--all the girls were ready to show off all they had learned.
I think this is a great example of when focus starts to drift--I don't think any of these two girls are doing the same thing at the same moment!
Coming back in all together for a song and dance at the end of class.
And receiving a neckace and her certificate at the end of class.
We were so lucky to have Cora's family together for her party on Sunday! Grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins and Sarah's family all came together to celebrate her first year! 
We had snack foods she enjoyed too--namely the fruit and rollups, that Amara helped me prepare, and were a big hit!! (Especially the pink fluff fruit dip).
Cora was quite the little hostess! She toddled around to greet all her guests, flashing her crooked smile and immediately demanding attention!
There were a total of 5 kids 4 and under, Jonathan, Amara, Gideon, Coulter, and Cora, and the 5 of them really enjoyed each other and played well. You don't think about there being that many cousins already but sure enough, we have a little play group!
(Her beautiful cake!)
Cora was dainty with her cake--I remember my mom saying I didn't like the cake on my hands and I don't think she did either--well, that, and she was still feeling pretty icky from her cold. She did take some swipes of icing though and shared the penguins and polar bears with her cousins and friends. Though she didn't tear into the cake, she snagged several bites from folks during the party.
Luckily, big sis Amara stepped in to help with presents. We played with a few of them, but she was more interested in the kids--and that was just fine.
After a few hours, she was wearing down. It was quite funny, as Amara was ushering folks out the door, she rushed upstairs to draw a bath for us (we heard the water going) and we got to break in Cora's new whale bath toy right away.
(Showing Coulter how the new plane works)
(SO much packaging!!--especially when I just want to play!)
(Sweet bib for the special occasion)
We started a tradition with Amara that Eric and I take her birthday off and we go to the zoo. We enjoy it so much that we decided to do the same thing with Cora--but since it's February, that COSI was a good option.
We headed up near opening time and it was already getting packed. This year, her birthday happened to fall on a Friday, so it's always packed on a Friday--but she enjoys people watching, so we were ok.
We headed upstairs to the kidspace area, a default for us--that Amara is probably close to outgrowing, but Cora was amazed with. She went down the slide with me and pushed wheelbarrows around, played in the water tables and put her mouth on just about every toy in the place.
After only an hour and a half or so, the girls were worn out. We headed out of there to grab a bite and get home for naps.
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