Showers Likely

We had a playdate last Tuesday that doubled as a baby shower for The Animal Family. We love this family, and we're so excited for the arrival of Lester's two baby sisters.

I have been on a mission (for two years) to get a picture of Jonah's friend, Lester, smiling. He's actually a smiley kid, but very hard to capture on camera. His "big brother gift" finally gave me the opportunity to catch that smile! Thomas the Train does it every time.

The last few months our boys have straggled into that super possessive stage. And they are so wound up and excited to see each other at the beginning of the playdate, it takes about an hour of banging into each other, tripping over and falling off things, stealing each other's toys, and major whining before they settle down. Then all of the sudden it's peaceful cooperative playtime. I think next playdate we'll just have the boys run 5 laps around the block before playtime begins. Boot camp style. Hut, 2, 3, 4!

Made for each other

Curious Grace + Audience-Loving Jonah = made for each other



Jonah was playing with the water hose Tuesday, and kept "accidentally" spraying Gracie and Mama. So, the girls moved inside. Jonah tugged his "bathtub" over to the glass door and put on a great show for Gracie. She was the perfect audience. Laughed at all his tricks.

Beautiful Day

Nap strikes are a major patience killer around here. Grrrr. Jonah knows this is a red button for Mama, even though I try to keep calm.

Several weeks ago, on an excellent day for a nap, I put him in his bed, shut the blinds, turned on his sleep CD, and closed the door quietly. Jonah did not go to sleep. No. He chewed through the dry wall on the ledge of his window. When I opened his door to let him know it was "quiet time" not "bark like a puppy time", I saw the flakes of dry wall on his mouth and all over the floor. I was livid. Jonah's eyes opened wide and he stammered, "I jes got to go to da baphroom!". Like that was a good excuse for making a snack out of his window sill.

As he was sitting on the toilet, doing his business, I watched him studying my face, trying to predict my reaction to his new distraction-tactic. (I'm sure steam was shooting out of my ears.) He propped his chin in his hands, elbows resting on his knees, feet swinging in front of the toilet, and said, "Mama. It sure is a beautiful day."

Curly Top

I brush Gracie's hair while it's wet, and the longer it gets, the more it seems to want to curl. These are the little volunteer curls on the back of her head. Love 'em!

9 months old

Gracie turned 9 months old last week! She's 17 lbs and 10 oz of raging curiousity. I regularly find her in the dogs' water bowl, splashing in the toilet, crawling through the dog door, or, lately, maneuvering her way through the shelving under Jonah's train table. I've taken to calling her Stinker Bell. If the shoe fits!

Easter Sunday

I've been reading so many blogs about sick babies who need prayer. Today, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to God for my healthy babies.

I'm feeling thankful for the big things...

Thank you, Lord, for sending your son to die on the cross in our place. Thank you for defeating death. Thank you for the chance to teach Jonah and Grace about your love. Praise be to you, God, for my healthy family.

And thankful for the little things...

Thank you for beautiful things to dress Gracie in. Thank you for Jonah's enthusiasm over today's egg hunt, even though it's his 3rd one this week. Thank you for tee ball in the backyard, Sunday afternoon naps, and beautiful sunsets in the evenings.

Hippity Hoppity.

We went to our playgroup's annual Easter egg hunt this morning. But, before we left the house, I couldn't resist snapping some photos of the kids dressed up for the hunt.

The Easter egg hunt was a hit, as usual. And Jonah is finally old enough to understand the concept of finding as many eggs as you can, THEN opening them.

The kids gathered at this drainage grate and discussed for quite a while what might be lurking down there. Then they walked along the cement border of the park several times. All the moms were amazed at how content our kids were without any playground equipment. Their imaginations are in full bloom.
So fun to watch!

Here. Play with Lucy.

Jonah moves Gracie around like Olivia moves her cat...


















Watch the expression on Gracie's face when he moves her. Cracks me up every time.

Granny's Gift

Gracie's middle name is Florine, named for Michael's much-loved and missed Granny.

That being said, Gracie does an adorable thing with her ankles when she's excited. If the dogs are playing in the floor or Jonah walks in the room suddenly, Gracie rolls her ankles, making little circles in the air with her toes. It's so adorable paired with her ear to ear, open-mouthed grins.

Last night, Michael suddenly remembered that Granny used to sit with her feet up on the couch and absentmindedly roll her ankles. I love knowing that Granny passed that sweet little bit of herself on to Gracie.

Cuddles

This rare moment (in our house full of wiggle worms), brought to you by Tinkerbell, the movie.

Dressin' Up

Family Pictures

If you want to see a preview of our family photo shoot with Alisa Joy in Lubbock, go here: http://www.alisajoyblog.com/

I love, love, LOVE them!