Mobility

These chicks are on the move!

For a week or so following her recent first-ever experience of getting a professional haircut (to remedy her own chop job), N's passion was playing hair salon. "First I give you a hairdo, then you give me one."  Even I had to admit it turned out to be a fun way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

On to Spring

Here's a sweeping glance of our family's February/March as it flew by on (mostly) balmy wings.

Which one is the real doll?

Backyard fun

New heights

Story time with Granddaddy

Bath time with Grandmommy

Sisterly snuggles

Lakeside excursion with Grandpa and Grandma

The artist in her studio

"Rest time" under the tree

Dishwasher in training

Game with Grandpa

H playing with Papi

Egg dyeing with cousins

Group break to examine treasures 

Pics from the Pile: January in Review

Last week, when I described to my husband how, some days, my life feels like a "nondescript pile of crumbs," he countered, "Well, at least it's not a pile of nondescript crumbs."

I hope the following fragments from my heap will add a descriptive spark to your day, dear reader.

My second annual attempt at Rosca de reyes (a.k.a. King's Day or Epiphany sweet bread), this time inspired by a Mexican cookbook bursting with colorful photos, turned out almost as festive-looking as the pictures.

H's blessing service at our little church drew an impressive critical mass of family members from both sides and painted warm memories all around.

One of my favorite moments was when the pastor carried H around to be blessed by each person.

Sister C and husband D spent a precious few days afterward, en route to three years of living and serving on another continent. That Sunday the gathered family knotted a comforter to send along for their receiving community.

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Cousins connected.

H enjoyed unwrapping a few gifts, including Grandpa's handmade truck, while showing off her new sitting skill.

Our chilly walk at a nearby (new to me) forest was a highlight of C&D's visit.

N enjoyed their company immensely.

 
Sister H brings out the music in my daughters.

Tea parties with friends keep the winter doldrums at bay.

H sits up proudly.

August

Now that CP's back to work, the girls and I have gotten out for walks a couple of times. Here, N takes the stroller. Yesterday, though, she opted to walk the whole quarter mile to the playground. These days, there's no end to how she surprises me with her grown-up-ness.

Compared with the July heat wave, August has felt almost fall-ish. To keep H from getting chilly on our final appointment with the midwife, I dug out the rainbow leggings that N had worn. They were a bit tight around her thighs. She weighed 10 lb 11 oz (going on three pounds' gain in five weeks).

N enthusiastically shares one of her passions--books--with H. N's current read-aloud is Little House on the Prairie. She enlisted my help to find all the books in the series that we have on our young adult fiction shelf and lodge them on the shelf in her own room, so that she can visually anticipate reading them all.

Thirty Days Young

Keeping Our Cool

Here's how we've survived the heat wave of the past few weeks.

Shedding clothes and taking lots of baths:

Hiding out in the basement (here N is playing "doctor," taking notes):

Working our tails off (well, at least some of us):

Ice cream:

Lots and lots of desserts, such as birthday cake, requiring ice cream accompaniment:

Sleeping (here, H joins friend M, 12 days her senior, on the sleeping baby train):

Tea parties: