here comes the wedding girl

This weekend, while grandma and gramdpa Young were visiting, Amara disappeared upstairs for a bit. Eric had gone up to check on her and caught her in the middle of her big debut.

She hustled him back downstairs and within a few seconds, Amara appeared at the landing of the stairs in all her glory. She had put on a dress, and was wearing a sequin shirt around her neck as a scarf. She was carrying a stem of some type of flowers that she had brought home from grandma Jahn's the night before.

She announced herself "here comes the wedding girl," and we all smiled at her confidence as she made her way down.

Eric met her at the bottom of the steps--at which point we all gathered around and she started to get a tad shy. 

I thought it was super sweet that she called herself the 'wedding girl' and took this all upon herself--she's not much of a dress-up person, so this was all especially sweet to us.

Cora joins the JumpBunch!

In the middle of winter, it seems as if the kids never get enough play time. I was thrilled to find the JumpBunch! class through parks and rec, that gives kids exposure to different sports--when they can't get outside to play.

Classes were on Saturday mornings at 9:30, right after Amara's swimming--so it worked out perfectly...and since Cora used to go to the red barn with us for Amara's class, we hoped she'd be thrilled to finally get HER chance to play.

The first week, they took turns with pool noodle javelin darts, had an obstacle course, and played with silly snakes (that were like rubber resistance bands) by stretching them, standing on them, and just horsing around.

Whenever she could, she'd make a break from me and run to where daddy and sister were.  (a little distracting)  but we had a good time!  It's a 6 week session to get exposure to different activities and make new friends. I think she enjoyed having her own class in the red barn after always watching Amara's class there.

quilting for cousins

With 2 upcoming cousins joining the Young family this Spring, we decided to get busy and welcome them in with our latest hobby.  I found this cute log cabin pattern for Kristin--then finding out they were doing sports, Eric and I got busy finding the perfect fabrics.  We got lucky with some of them, but still had to order the hockey and golf fabrics online.

Eric helped with the fabric layout (he's REALLY good at that) and I got busy assembling the quilt.  I was back and forth on how to quilt it but ultimately decided on stitching it in the ditch, so make the fabrics the star--not the quilting.  I gave it to her at her Lancaster shower last weekend and she seemed to really like it.

Steph's quilt was a new pattern too-- a modified rag quilt pattern we found on Pinterest.  I picked out some soft flannels with help from the ladies from Quilt Beginnings and again, Eric helped me with the layout.  The girls saw it lying around and wanted to keep it--so now we are working on flannel rag quilts for them too.  Steph said some of the muted colors will match baby girl's room, so I'm super glad it will work out for her.

I like that E's nephews will have personal gifts to welcome them home, and hopefully they enjoy them for years to come.

Hannah cheering

Amara has seen a few cheerleaders at her gymnastics class as well as on TV lately, so we decided to take her to see Hannah cheer at one of her games.  

We headed to the Washington C.H. game one Saturday night, and of course, the girls headed to the top of the bleachers.  We stopped and got flowers for Hannah--it was her 16th bday just a day or two before, so Amara was giddy to bring the pretty tulips into Hannah before the game.

The basketball game didn't keep the girls attention much, but Amara did enjoy watching Hannah during the game :)  We stayed till just after half time, and then headed home.  It was a fun excursion for us and hopefully a fun cousin visit for Hannah :)

Enjoying the snow!

After recovering from the bitter cold days outside, the girls decided to play in the snow around the house, and skip the snow hills for a day.  Cora pushed her toys and explored around the garage with familiar things while temps teetered around freezing--making it not quite so bitter cold out.

Even bundled up though, Cora wasn't interested in staying out much more than maybe 20 minutes--and even then her nose and cheeks were cold and rosy and her fingers were cold through her mittens.

Meanwhile, Amara was taking in all the sites of the snow with the beautiful sun, exploring and specifically hunting for icicles.  We didn't have a ton--just the way our house sits, we don't get a lot, but she found some.

She actually found enough small ones that she started a bucket to collect and carry them, but was quite upset that I wouldn't let her bring them in the house.  The short play times outside are the more fun ones-vs the big trips that almost always disappoint, but I hope they get a few more chances to play outside this winter!

Kylah's 1st birthday party!

Little cousin Kylah turned one over the holidays.  Heather and Randy were busy getting things moved in their BEAUTIFUL new house--but we were thrilled to be invited to baby girl's party in January.  Cora kept checking in on Kylah--and would come to us frantically if Kylah was getting the least bit upset.

When it was time for cake, Cora got up close and personal with the birthday girl.  Kylah enjoyed her little pinches of icing VERY much, and Cora waited intently for her chance.

The girls had a blast playing with the kids, and Amara particularly took to playing with Jordan.  They helped Kylah with her presents and really had an enjoyable time with the whole bunch.  Happy birthday Kylah!!

Amara's lessons with Ms. Krista

After group swim lessons last fall, we quickly learned that at this age, the kids spend more time sitting on the wall, waiting for their turn--than swimming.

We decided to go with private lessons, so she got some one on one time, to really learn, and got to have the whole time to herself. She did well with that format over the summer, so we wanted to continue it.

Amara took to Ms. Krista right away, she's a special ed teacher at Buckeye woods, so she's super patient and great with kids.

From the moment the lesson started til the end, Amara was smiling ear-to-ear in the pool with Ms. Krista. It was AWESOME to watch--see her take to it, and listen, and push herself.  

Amara was walking down the stairs to her, then jumping in, and soon swimming all on her own.  The two of them giggle, laugh and play for 40 minutes every Saturday and Amara really is enjoying herself.

It's great to see her confidence growing and before we know it, she'll be taking off and not looking back!

Amara's (self) hair trim

I knew it would happen.

Amara LOVES scissors...and has.  I knew she'd cut her hair at some point, all kids do--just didn't expect it tonight.

We'd had dinner and I was playing with Cora.  Eric was clearing the table (enchiladas, mexi-rice, and strawberry shortcake...I knew Amara didn't have the best night and she was kind of sad at school this morning, so I was trying to cheer her up a bit.)

I don't know when it even happened, but the next thing I knew, Amara's cute little side-braid had a very angular slash through it.  She cut it below the rubber band, but it still took a solid 2 inches off of it.  Ironically, today was the first day she's let me braid the front part of her hair in days--so it was in a perfect little bundle all lined up for her.

Deliberate and quick.

I asked her when she did it, how it happened, when it happened.  She lied. (she's certainly in a lying moment right now...)

She finally confessed to having done it (shocker), showed daddy where the scissors and pile of hair was, and took her 'medicine' as we lectured her about scissor safety.

For now, the scissors are away.  All we could find--I know there are more stashed because she loves them so.  Eric wanted to give her a second chance, but the big gash she took out of her hair scared me.  Those (BIG) scissors had to be close to her face and I don't want it happening to her (or anyone else) until she understands the dangers better.

I don't dare take a photo--lest I appear to give this topic more drama than it already has...for tonight.

Scissors--time out.  Fail. :(

New Year's Day: 2013

We rang in the new year like we did last year (pretty much)...around the house in PJ's but with a little playing, a little cooking, and a lot of fun.

Johnathan and Amara chatting (from Mrs. Sarah)

Mrs. Sarah sent us this cute excerpt she overheard between the kids. I have NO idea where she has compiled this theory, but it made me laugh for sure!