Since the fall, when we started up with a new gymnastics routine for Amara, I pick her up on Thursday after school, we grab dinner, and then to class (at 6).
Sometimes it's varied--a friend will meet us, we'll need to run an errand, etc. but for the most part, we eat inside at McDonalds (her fav) and then off to the Cheer Center.
This week, I decided to mix it up for her. I asked her if she wanted to try something new--and we headed to Donatos. She was thrilled to see the case in the front brimming with salads and promptly picked one. The gentleman rang us up and handed Amara the cups--and she scurried off to fill them.
Happily, she realized the drink station was MUCH lower than McDonalds, so I was thrilled she could do it herself. I showed her how to work the ice lever and she has so excited to try the pink lemonade too!
She helped me with the straws and napkins and then our breadsticks were ready. She dug right in and we toasted 'to a fun king and queen day at school, to dinner, and to a fun gymnastics class.
After our meal, she helped me clear, making several careful trips to the station behind her, emptying trash that I carefully staged for her.
She was beaming with excitement from all the new things she got to do and try and help with and two other parties who came while we were there, also picked up on her energy and couldn't help but smile.
When we were done, she packaged up her tiny take-home box and we floated outside. It was starting to snow a tiny bit, but as I bundled her into the car, she asked if she could hold her box and drink (of course.)
Even though it's a rushed half hour or so, I've really come accustomed to, and enjoy my dinner alone with my big girl. We chat, laugh, talk about the weather and her life. She has grown up before my eyes, almost 5 now, and I want to capture her this way (in these moments) forever.
Little brother Shepherd turned one in March and the girls were super excited to celebrate with him. Amara and Gideon play together so well and Cora just jumps right in too :) After a long morning at flower class and the chocolate factory though, Cora couldn't hang, and went home for a quick nap with daddy.
Amara and Gid had a blast playing, eating cake, and just running a muck in the house. At one point, they were up in G's room, dropping goldfish crackers through the register, to the unwilling grandpa Kraft directly below the vent. You could hear them laughing and cackling upstairs--I have EVERY reason to believe that it was somehow Amara's idea. She loves him so much.
Shepherd opened his gifts with big brother's help and then went down for a nap--the day was exhausting for him and we stayed too long (the kids were having so much fun playing, I looked at my phone and realized it was after 4!!) but what a fabulous day to celebrate a special little boy and family. Happy first bday Shep!
We wasted no time kicking off our tour. The girls were more interested than ever this year to watch the process...I attribute it to one of their favorite episodes of A.N.T. farm where the main characters do a Lucille Ball-style factory mishap...but they could just be interested ;)
(We are finding it harder and harder to get one photo of the two of them looking at us at the same time)
Amara particularly liked the process of the wrapped buckeyes shooting off of the line into boxes. I admit, the machines are fun to watch--and it's always nice waving to the folks on the floor who always seem eager to engage with the girls.
Daddy offered to run to the back of the factory and get the car, but the suckers from the gift shop didn't make it till he got back. The girls busted out their twisty rainbow suckers and stole some alone time, while I tried to snap a pic from afar. 
We have been going to the kids club "flower class" as we call them for just under a year now. I think Amara has done maybe 4 or 5 of them and we have loved every one. She knows Connells' Maple Lee on Stringtown as we pass as "the flower shop" and we all love going in there--especially when we can see our buddy Melissa (Blaies Barker)!
We knew this would be a short class, since the project was an already potted hydrangea bulb, so we took Cora in with us, to pick out some flowers for Aunts Kristin and Kira--to our surprise though, they offered to let Cora do her own plant, and she was beyond thrilled! She jumped right in, following in Amara's footsteps and taking direction like a pro.
When she was done decorating, it was time to color. She took all the crayons out of the basket and selected her colors scientifically--while Amara dove right in to coloring. She's really into it lately and even her teachers call her "the artist."
After just a few brief minutes, we were ready to go, decorated baskets in hand and ready to take on the rest of our morning. We had lovely planted bulbs that I'm sure the girls will love to nurture, decorated with eggs and bows and of course their pictures. Can't wait till the next summer class--and THESE will be the first new plantings at the Denton road house, super special!
I know 
On a snowy (or sunny) day, there's almost nothing Amara would rather do that to go spend time with grandma or grandpa and just be with them. Nothing special, no zoos or build-a bear, just exploring, learning and loving.
She 
...not to mention LATER in the day we were surprising the girls with Disney on Ice (surprise!) so we got right to work and I think as usual, Susie ended up with some amazing shots.
Amara looks much older than i feel like she is in this one :)
But this one captures their beautiful smiles and personalities perfectly!
Our little Cora Bee is 2, and I think her sweet little face and attitude is going to take us all by storm!