Monday, June 9, 2014

Easter 2014





Easter day!  This fell the day after Carla's birthday party so we were all pretty wiped out.  Two little munchkins woke up that morning with a bad case of the grumpies.  We had our Easter egg hunt first thing gorging on jellybeans and chocolate for breakfast, which looking back probably didn't help the situation.  It took over two hours to get dressed and out the door for church.  We missed the petting zoo and brunch and arrived 35 minutes late to the service so of course there were no seats left.  Frank and I stood at the back each holding a fidgety kid who fought going to the nursery.  By this point we lost count of the number of temper tantrums.  The kids were miserable and they had completely exhausted us.  All we could do was throw our hands in the air and give up.  We really tried our best but it was just not our day.  So we headed home for peanut butter sandwiches and early naps.

Here is a glimpse into the grumpiness.  I can't help but LOVE this series of pictures because it captures Carla and Joseph's relationship.  The sweetness and love they have for each other for overwhelming.  If Joseph is in distress Carla is there to comfort him.  And he simply adores her.








Saturday, May 17, 2014

Carla's 3rd Birthday Celebration

Our sweet baby girl is 3 years old!  Thinking back over the last year, there have been so many milestones, changes, and fun times.  Here's what's going on in her world:

  • Her imagination has exploded and it is a hoot to listen to her play with her dolls and toys.  She does more independent play and instead of me and Frank having to "talk her friends" she does the talking for them. For example, when she had pink eye there was lots of talk amongst her dolls if everyone's eyes are ok and if they need to play the "eye drop game," as we call it.  
  • She loves, loves, loves to draw spending long stretches of time drawing things like people with eyes and legs, spiders, swings, bridges.  She holds her pencil perfectly with her right hand and will be completely focused on her drawing.
  • At the playground we are amazed at how well she can climb everything without any help and she runs laps around the track.
  • Other favorites things are doing puzzles, playing dolls, playing doctor, playing bear hunt, swinging, baking, reading books, making up stories.  Her favorite things to watch are Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street, and Frozen.
  • Favorite things to eat - Cereal, macaroni and cheese, just about any and all fruit especially raspberries, hummus and carrots, spaghetti, pizza, yogurt.  She says her favorite vegetable is broccoli but doesn't enjoy eating it when offered.  
  • She's still a super sleeper going to bed around 8pm, waking up at 7am, with a nap from 2-4pm.
  • She has a kind heart and if someone is hurt, sad, or sick she wants to comfort them.  
  • She actually does pretty well with sharing things with other people and taking turns.
  • She can count, knows her letters, rhymes (with actual words and making up silly words).
  • She is potty trained!  
  • She definitely has her own style!  Frank and I gave up the battle of clothes and are just happy she's wearing anything.  Some days she wears pajamas to school and a dress to bed.  She enjoys wearing non-matching socks.
  • She became a BIG SISTER!  This really has been one of the most fun things to watch as their relationship grows.  She is fiercely protective of him.  If he cries she dotes on him, brings him toys, and sings "Hush Little Baby."  He is her biggest fan and she eats up his adornment by repeatedly doing the same things over and over again as he laughs hysterically.

Her 3rd birthday was a big celebration and we partied the whole month of April.  When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said, "Pink puppies, fairies, and bouncing."  When I asked her what flavor she wanted her cake she said, "Pink cake!" with a look in her eyes saying, "Duh!  Pink is a flavor!"  So that is what she got!

On her actual birthday she was served her birthday pancakes and we jumped at Jumpoline.

3 Years BIG!
She celebrated at her school and, of course, needed fancy cupcakes.


And then there was party day!













With how wonderful everything turned out, it's hard to even remember the first party being canceled due to Frank having the flu and and this party being jeopardized with her developing a fever the prior afternoon and me getting knocked out with a migraine the night before.  It's a miracle that this party happened and I have to give extra special recognition to Frank, my sister and her boyfriend, and my mom for stepping up to get everything done.

Carla's Official 3 Year Measurements:
Weight: 30 lbs (50%)
Height: 37.25 in (50%)

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Springtime

We've been spending as much time as possible outside these days.  We explored the Faerie Woodland Trail at the Zilker Botanical Garden.





There was the annual petting zoo at Carla's school.



We hiked the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve.  Joseph rode in style while Carla walked up and down our entire 1 mile hike all by herself!



We traveled with the Makis and the Bonzeks to Wimberley renting a house on the Blanco River for a weekend.




And, of course, we are spending as much time as possible at parks with friends and on our swing at home.







Sunday, April 20, 2014

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013.  What a busy, full-filled time of year!  There was a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Joseph was brave enough to pose.  Carla, on the other hand, passed on the opportunity.


Carla had a Christmas pageant at her school starring as a sheep.



There was gingerbread house making and eating.



We made cookies with the cousins.


We spent time with Frank's side of the family.


(Notice the Dads wrestling in the background.)
Getting ready for a night walk.

Two smiling Josephs
We spent time with my side of the family at my cousin's husband's ranch getting all those great grandkids together.


And then there was Christmas morning.