Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Nice weather means LOTS of photos...

After I got back from FL we had a straight week of cold, rainy weather. Blah. Our spirits brightened when we got out of the house and went to Ashley's birthday party. The kids had fun running around and playing with friends. Here are the girls, clockwise from left: Maddy, Elsa, Violet, Lila and Ashley.


The next day was supposed to be cloudy with a chance of rain, but ended up being the first beautiful day since probably October. We headed to St. Paul and walked around Como Zoo.



Then we zipped over to Minneapolis for lunch at the Longfellow Grill. The kids ran around outside while we waited for a table. Lila did her Turkey Walk and made people laugh. It was going on 20 mins and kids were growing impatient, and hungry.

Our little Lake Street gang. Pink jackets and Converse only, yo.


Suddenly, a miracle occurred. After we were seated, the waiter brought by a bucket of toys for the kids. Toys that still had hot water drops on them from being freshly washed. Brilliant.


Nice Daddy let them order chocolate milk.


Later in the afternoon we walked around in the woods. Both kids did pretty well getting around in the brush.


Until...

Help, we're stuck behind a pile of sticks!


RARR! Lila and her wild face. This is actually how her face looks most of the time.


Monday was another nice day. After Tim got home from work, we headed to the park. Lila, as usual, wearing whatever goofy accessories she could get her hands on.


I'm special.


Elsa can't stand wearing footwear for very long. She hates wearing socks. Look how happy she is that we had some barefoot weather!


Hippo models one of the seashell necklaces I made for the kids. They're lovely until the girls realize they're actually wearing them, and then they want to trade, or fight over the purple one, or whip each other with them. But I'm still giving myself an A for effort.


Finally, the lovely view from our living room this morning. The girls, sitting quietly, reading and getting along. Just as good as any Florida sunset.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Back to reality

That was then...


This is now...

Got home early Tuesday morning. Just after breakfast that same morning, Elsa laughed maniacally and said,"I'm all done! Wash my hands, take my plate, wipe my butt!" That pretty much sums it up. Vacation officially over.

Before I left, I took a photo of the kids at school.


I also started putting their summer clothes into drawers, and they love wearing them. Hopefully it'll be good practice for the HOT summer we're wishing for.


Wasn't sure the t-shirt souvenirs would be very popular, but I was wrong. Before I could even wash her shirt, Elsa put it on and has been living in it ever since. She won't take it off, even for bedtime.


They also got some flavored lip balm. Watermelon was the first to get chomped into.


Then I gave them both a pedicure, just like the one I have.


While they were with Daddy they did a ton of fun things, including making costumes out of paper bags.


They also learned some new phrases. At dinner last night Elsa said,"Mom, you're really going to town on that!"

I ran across another good quote from earlier in the winter; not sure if I've shared it yet but will again just in case.

Me: Lila, you can't leave the table until you use your manners and say, 'all done'.
Elsa: She's going to be there all night!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Florida or Bust

5 hours until my friends arrive so we can leave for the airport! I'll leave you with some cute videos of the kids:

Lila and her "turkey walk", as Elsa calls it. What a ham.



Heard some commotion coming from the bedroom the other day and found this.



Lila has a tough time pressing the button on her flashlight, so she figured out a way to turn it on with her teeth!



Fare thee well!