Fried Friday

I see posts on blogs by others with standard titles like Wordless Wednesday, Thankful Thursday etc.

These pictures were not taken today, but by Friday, I am feeling pretty fried so make the best of it!

Xavier (I am pretty sure) being a silly terrorist in the bathroom.

A Ghostly Gabrielle

Even Phoebe is Fried by Friday!

Not to be out done by the dog-- Xavier

Seriously FRIED and this was break week!

Never Fried and always ready for some fun!

Healthy Kids Day on a Rain Day

After a fairly lovely week-- weather-wise, this weekend is cool and rainy.

Boo-hiss.

I had planned to take the girls to the YMCA Healthy Kids Day today regardless, but because of the weather the even was held inside-- a little cramped and not quite as much fun as it would have been outside. Oh well, at least we had a fun activity for a rainy day and being real troopers, we all made the best of it and had a GREAT time!

Josie and Clara Rose enjoying a liesurely breakfast while watching, "Peep."

The Girls playing a game at the YMCA-- they had to carry plastic eggs from one bucket to another bucket.

The egg game was part of an obstacle course-- after the egg bucket they scooted along on scooters, which was a lot of fun!

"C'mom Clara Rose- we go dis way!"

Clara Rose paid attention to how Josie was doing things and followed along perfectly.

Our very good friend Angeline and her mommy met us at the Healthy Kids Day. Josie and Ange enjoyed sitting together in the book room while making a book marker with some ribbon and beads.

Clara Rose was pretty intent on her book marker. She put more beads on her thread than Ange and Josie combined!

After the beading activity, the girls went to another room where they each got a flower painted on their face. Clara Rose also got a tattoo on her hand.

The girls had fun at the water table where they were given a little pill shaped toy that turned into sea creatures.

"Wook Mommy! I got a dolphin!"

Next on the agenda-- a little gardening.

"Oh wook! We can grow a bean!"

Clara Rose wasn't sure about what she was suppose to do with her bean.

"Bury it Clara Rose! Then it will grow."

"I am going to take good care of dis magic bean!"

The girls are having a nice nap now. It will likely be a big YMCA day for us today as we'll probably go back this afternoon for the family swim.

A Day in the Life of Nothing Spectacular, but Fun All the Same

Here are some random shots of the kids playing outside one unusually hot afternoon last week.  Xavier was spraying the girls with a hose and Josie was yelling at him, "No Guh Guh! We're babies!"

"You wouldn't really spray me would you? Look how cute I am."

"Oh no! What Guh Guh doing?"

"OK, now it is our turn!"

I have been taking Josie swimming regularly all Winter and a few weeks ago we started a more formal Parent and child swim class. Josie is doing really really well and LOVES swimming. She can do all the skills required for the next class-- that is just for kids-- no parents, but she isn't quite ready to go without me just yet. So we are going to do another session of the current class and see how it goes.

Josie is also taking dance lessons at the YMCA. The class does tap, ballet, and acro. Josie likes it, but swimming is by far her favorite.

This weekend was a bit colder than last weekend-- more seasonable actually. So Wim and I took both of the girls to the family swim.

Clara Rose likes to splash around with her BaBa and pretend like she can keep up with Josie.

Josie is now able to (with 3 floaty blocks on her back): swim without a noodle-- stretching her arms out in front and using them to help swim, jump in by herself and pop up swimming, ride a noodle like a horse without falling off, twirl around in circules, blow bubbles in the water with her mouth while swimming; get in and out of the pool unassisted. She is starting to hold her body in more of a real swimming position as well.

Wim hasn't seen Josie swim for a few weeks now and he was really surprised at how much more independent she is and how well she is swimming.

She is really proud of herself and is now stating that she is ready to go in the deep end.

Ummmm, Mommy says not quite yet.

She has also said that she wants to be on the swim team. We have a few years to go, so we'll see what happens.

At her class last week I mostly stood in the pool to one side while Josie did her lesson-- almost all of it solo with the instructor. I am toying with the idea of trying to take her and Clara Rose to a family swim during the week-- just the three of us.

Easter Egg Hunt and other Happenings

It's been awhile since my last post and quite a bit has happened-- largely me returning to work and Clara Rose starting day care. I'll post the fun Easter Egg hunting pictures first and work backwards.

The girls were excited to wake up and find presents from the Easter Bunny. Josie was a bit upset when she discovered all her colored eggs were gone-- hidden by that Easter Bunny!

Clara Rose wasn't too sure what to think, but picked up on Josie's excitement and followed suit.

After a quick review of their presents, breakfast, and a change into their tutus (pulled on over their jammies) the girls were out for the hunt.

Clara Rose noticed eggs hidden by the fence and quickly pointed them to Josie.

Some of the eggs were plastic and had yummy treats in them. Josie Dong Dong wasn't wasting any time opening these eggs and chowing down.

More eggs! Under this bush.

And, the sugar kicks in-- Josie running everywhere to get more eggs.

Even with all the excitement, Josie still keeps her lil sis in mind and offers her an egg that she found.

"Here Baby-Momma, you have dis egg!"

Gabrielle pointed out some of the eggs that were more difficult to find.

All four of the kids.

Bakc inside, Clara Rose discovered jelly beans in some of her eggs. Suffice it to say that jelly beans are definitely a new favorite of hers.

Josie showing off her eggs.

Gabrielle donning the little girls's headbands and looking sweet.

Later in the day, the girls had a blast playing with their new bubble guns.

And what 2 to 3-year old isn't ready to play with sand?

All four of the kids working on their fencing skills. Gabrielle and Xavier are taking fencing lessons.

They have real fencing swords in class, but here at home we limit it to the nerf version.

Don't even think about touching her candy-pop! She'll fight to the death for it!

Switching gears---

Last week I returned to work-- so much for winning power ball!  Clara Rose began day care. I did take Clara Rose to visit with her new class several times starting a couple weeks before she actually started.

She wasn't too sure what to think on Monday-- Mommy wasn't home and Daddy was loading her into the car with Josie. Usually, she is with Mommy at the window waving bye-bye to daddy and Josie.

The girls walking from the car toward their school.

Clara Rose walking in the hallway from Josie's room to her room. She was mad at Wim because she wanted to stay with Josie in her room.

Not really sure what is going on.

"What do you mean your leaving??"

The pictures are deceiving. Clara Rose adjusted quickly to her new routine and likes her classroom very much. She did cry a little the first two days, but was fine afterward. She is happy to see me when I arrive but is having fun with her new friends.