Heather & Ali's visit

We were SO happy and lucky to have Heather and Ali visit us a couple weeks ago!

They came into C-bus to do some visiting, then head back up north to visit a LOT of family up there too. They came in on Saturday afternoon, and back to our place--immediately, Amara was in Ali's face trying to figure her out, touch her, etc. (she's not really around babies much) but then just as quickly, was content to try and sit in her carseat, etc. and more interested in Ali's "stuff."

I could tell Amara liked Ali--because in addition to her yelling "Ali, ali, ali!" anytime I mentioned her name--she was sharing her toys, and even tried to give Ali a cheez-it (clearly I stopped her, but you get the point!)

I like the picture of Ali "looking up" at Amara--like they are really sharing in the singing animal moment.

Ali was trying to crawl and I "think" catch Amara--but I think she was most interested in the singing dog, bear, and gorilla's she received for Valentine's Day.

We had a little sip-n-see for Ali and some friends and family at our place on Valentine's Day, so both girls enjoyed the balloons and decorations too--in fact, we STILL have them! Those mylars last forever!

They are hoping to come back in the summer--the girls will be SO different then! We'd love to get out to Scottsdale to visit too--we'll have to see :)

Suncatchers

On the weekends, Eric and I like to do those things we don't get to do during the week together--trips, classes, crafts--that kind of thing.

We stumbled across our package of suncatchers today (that we started last month and I think got put away with Christmas stuff) and decided to work on a few more.

It's amazing to me, in a short month's time, how much more hand control to squeeze, aim, etc. Amara has in drawing, painting, etc. and if I didn't know better--I'd say she was actually ENJOYING making the little bugs!

She seems like she is REALLY paying attention to detail and is obsessed with the caps and pens and different markers, crayons, etc. Though she still has a short attention span (Gemini), I have a feeling she has an artistic eye :)

Eating snow

Well, it's not really snow-cream (which, frankly--I'm o.k. with) but she likes it!

What better to do on a lazy Sunday morning than to eat snow, right?

I'm not even sure HOW it got started to eat the snow--but now she brings us a bowl and says ice, and we eat it with a spoon--now, mind you, she does enjoy a bowl of crushed ice from the fridge now and then too, so I guess it's not a stretch :)

It's not like she does it all the time, and I think it's pretty funny actually. It's practice for her eating with a spoon on her own, and she's getting really good at it too! Not to mention--she is ALL about the sharing!

Cracks me up.

Post-sledding

BRRRRR!

After a cold run outside, what better than hot cocoa and marshmallows, right? Well Amara can tell you--how about strawberries, peaches, apple pie, vegetable soup--just about anything nailed down! She was a little eating machine, to the point of it being comical--though, I should mention this was a swim-class day (earlier in the day) which I think always makes her hungrier...

Grandma Jackie was ready to go with the hot chocolate and marshmallows, even before we got snow-gear entirely off!

I ask you though, is that the smile of a kid having a great time or what?

We played for a little while--it's funny, even though she's there plenty, she goes to her toys like she hasn't seen them in years and it makes me smile (mostly because the toys she loves are largely MY childhood toys, and I think that is sweet)...but we didn't dilly-dally, because I had an idea she'd crash as soon as we could get her home.

Before we knew it, it was getting purple in the sky...and we had a yawning kiddo...once she went to sleep, I KNOW how soundly she slept, and we didn't hear a peep till late this morning. What a great day!

SLEDDING

What a beautiful day for sledding! Wonderful snowfall the day before, blue skies, not windy, low 30's, PERFECT!

At first she was having a blast immediately--but didn't really get what she was supposed to do...there was a lot of leaning over the side, grabbing a glove full of snow and eating it. After a few minutes, she picked up on sitting up, leaning back, and eventually started even holding on!

The snow was so perfect--just a little fluffy on top of a nice solid base--it still blew up in your face--but you could enjoy it and grab it too, perfect for a first-timer.

We had to make a few adjustments, but even with a wipeout or two, she just wanted right back on the horse and for daddy to go "more" and take off! Eric figured out smartly (after I trekked though knee high snow in the back yard) that Amara really enjoyed the speed of the tracks in the driveway, made by the vehicles--so the two of them really picked up some speed there!

Everyone got in on the action--the dogs were all there, jumping around, Grandma taking pictures and cheering her on, me pulling and taking pictures, and Grandpa and Eric taking turns pulling, taking video, and all of us laughing our heads off--what a great time!

AND AWAY WE GO!!!

Eventually, her cheeks were bright and rosey and we started getting worried about being so cold, so we headed inside. I wasn't sure if she'd cry and want to stay out, but with the promise of hot chocolate, marshmallows, and "boots and snow pants off," she headed for the door!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Pre-sledding

Anyone who has ever been sledding, skiiing, tubing, or ever participated in ANY kind of snow sport knows what a production it is to get ready. Layers, pants that you can't walk in, boots, gloves, etc. all at a break-neck speed, so you don't get so overheated you pass out, and oh, this is supposed to be fun, right?

Well, we decided we'd take Amara out to Grandma and Grandpa Jahn's yesterday after this last big snow--and we KNEW what a production it would be, so we had all our gear ready and were ready to roll the second she woke up from her nap.

We got down there and after pleasantries, got down to the business of getting ready.

Coat off (from ride over) new socks on, snow pants on, (zipped and buckled) coat BACK on, mittens, hat, balloons (she loves them--and I told her she could take them outside) and Grandpa to take her while I got ready.)

WHOOSH out the door...but wait! Glove check by dad. Are you SURE this is going to be fun?

TO BE CONTINUED...

Bathtime

Eric and I are playing with his camera, trying to learn more about photography and get better (considering we have such great subject matter).

He decided to try his hand at capturing some tub-shots with all the water, action etc., and he got some pretty good ones!

Though--I have to admit, Amara is PRETTY comfortable in the water. We're not sure if it was having her in swim lessons young, the daily baths, or just lucky (though she is her mother's daughter, so maybe I have rubbed off on her) but she'll spend anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes in the bath each night.

Recently, she's wanted to share stories or things she "can do" with daddy--so mid bath, she'll yell "dadddddddyyyyy" to him downstairs, and up he'll come. She'll point to the commode and say "sit," and he'll sit and watch her show off for him (see "Daddy and Bean post), tell him about her special soap--show him Tigger, Piglet, and Pooh, and all her other friends.

She's also recently started hiding or playing "find me" if you can call it that. She'll hide behind a curtain or blanket exactly long enough for you to ask where she is--at which point she'll pop out and giggle contagiously.

In fact--an issue I'm pretty sure a challenge not many parents face, is finding new bath toys. Rather than "regular" toys--we are always looking for new things for her for the bath--I guess we'll have to stock up on pool toys in the summer!