"cutting flowers"

Amara has been practicing and getting REALLY good at using her scissors lately.

One evening at dinner, Amara had asked for her scissors, and I asked why--"to cut flowers with."  Of course--she must have cut flowers at school today, right?  That happens a lot.

She then disappeared--again, not alarming, as she will frequently make a trip to the little girls room, or to wash up during or after dinner, but after a couple minutes, I called out for her and didn't hear--

About that time, Amara came walking into the house FROM the garage--and immediately I knew what had happened...she went to C U T flowers!  As she proudly walked into the kitchen with her three daffodils, I couldn't help thinking about what she said "I want to cut flowers."  She'd told me exactly what she was going to do, then went and did it.

She handed Eric and myself each one, and said the third was for her.  I got a glass for her flowers to have a drink, explained that the next time she should ask for mommy or daddy to help her, and we placed the flowers in their new home.

That will forever be "one of those memories" for us, I'm sure.

quilting

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 dug around and found a great little store near work and took a 7 week class to make this 'log cabin' pattern quilt and I'm very happy with it.  Not only that, but now I know the basics of how to make quilts myself and I can begin to give back, and also to pay it forward.

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.

Early spring

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.

First concert

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...

Last night, the girls and Eric and I went to see Marina, Kiki, Twist, and Shout, otherwise known as the Fresh Beat Band, at the Palace Theater.

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.

We waited till the day of the show to tell Amara what was going on...so the day started off as Pajama day at school...then we raced home to change, only telling her we were taking her to a big surprise.  When we told her we were seeing Fresh Beat, it was clear she didn't get it, but she kept asking if this or that in the car on the way there was "the big surprise," it was sweet.

We finally got to the Palace garage just shy of 5:30.  We walked in and it was kids everywhere--with glow sticks, and T-shirts, and food :)  Eric and I had decided we would likely only stay till intermission but certainly not till the end of show (with Cora especially).  We got Amara a purple Kiki and Marina t-shirt and her glow stick ($40) and went in to find our seats.

We were in the 2nd row of the louge, great seats!  The show was a little late to start which made for some fidgety kids, but when it started, they were great.   They kids all loved hearing the familiar songs.  Cora yelled and bounced along, Amara just starred at the stage almost star struck.  They sang favorites like "friend like you," "bananas" and the crowd favorite "freeze dance."  It was a good mix of funny snippets from the TV show and songs mixed in with insanely fit dancers.

At intermission, Eric and Amara grabbed some M&Ms and water to tide them over--and Cora and I people-watched until the 2nd set began.  About 2-3 songs in though, it was clear we should go.  We listened to "Loco Legs" on our way out into the cold, and talked about the city at night on our way to the car.  Because we were the minority leaving (I did see some others) we enjoyed a quick ride home and straight to bed.

As Fresh Beats always say "What a great day."

First ballet recital

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.

Cora's 1st bday party!

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 had a great party with lots of fun and laughs and a sweet little one-year old birthday gal.  Happy Bday little lala.  We love you!

COSI: Cora's first birthday!

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.

We had a great and fun birthday trip for Cora (even with her poor birthday cold) and can't wait for the next one!  OH--and Beanie and daddy got in the tornado closet thingy--winds up to almost 80 mph!  She was so funny with her hair all blowing around!