Tammi"s Tumbling Teddies

Reese started her gymnastics class tonight at an adorable place called "Tammi's Tumbling Teddies" in Buffalo. 

Reese went to the class all by herself, but told me to wait right outside the door (hence these pictures were taken through the glass door).  However, Reese had so much fun that I don't think she ever even glanced at the door for reassurance.

Tammi is an amazing teacher.  One of the parents told me that Tmmi is completing her masters in early childhood education and wants to start her own preschool some day.  It showed -- she was very energetic, well prepared with lots of props, etc. 

This week's theme was underwater/ocean.  Reese's favorite part was doing summer saults over a shark.  After class Reese told me, "But Tammi said he never bites!"

I'm thrilled that Reese enjoyed the class!  I can't wait until next week!

Bowling

We had fun bowling tonight with the Cipras.

Daddy started strong and got 3 strikes in a row!

After much trial and error, Reese and Grandpa figured out how to place the ball on the ramp in order to knock the most pins down.

As the game went on, Reese and Lauren got a little bored, so decided to become human bowling balls.

Teddie

We went to meet Todd's cousin Shawn and his wife Nina's adorable new puppy Teddie today.  Reese just loves dogs, and she had so much fun with Teddie (even though he scared her a little when he jump up on her).  He appears to be a wonderful, laid-back puppy.  Maybe we will get a puppy... in 10 years!

Here are the cousins with their babies...

Model

What can we  say... Emmy is adorable.  We have had numerous people (friends and strangers) tell us she should model.  :)

Community Center

This story starts out with fact that Reese refused to put on her clothes this morning.  The only think I could get her to put on was her swimming suit.  It was fairly warm outside, so I decided to go with it.

We headed to the Maple Grove Community Center to burn off some energy and play in the maze.  When we arrived Reese saw the pool, and since she had her swimming suit on, decided we should go swimming.  This was definitely not the plan -- I didn't have my suit along and of course had Emmy with.  Reese was adament that she needed to go swimming -- she greed to stay in the shallow part of the pool (that doesn't even go up to her waist) and there are lifeguards on duty.  Again (like putting on her swimming suit this morning), I decided to go with it.

And I'm glad I did.  Reese did great!  She had a blast going down the toddler slide 500 times, playing in the fountains, and interacting with the other kids.  Success!

I was nervous the whole time and constantly had a plan for what I would do if Reese fell in the water and needed help.  I was going to hand Emmy to the closest adult to me (I kept a close eye on who I thought would be best suited to hold her), jump into the water, and scream for the lifeguard (in that order).  Luckily that scenario never played out.  :)

After swimming, (Reese finally agreed to put some clothes on) and we went to the maze (our original plan).  Reese was very adventurous climbing all the way to the top by herself - very unlike her. 

Emmy also had fun playing in the baby area. 

Next time we go to the Community Center I think I'll bring my swimming suit... and another adult.

Funnies by Reese

Here are a few funny things Reese has said lately...

One night when she would not go to bed, Reese came into Emmy's room while I was putting Emmy to bed.  Reese told me, "I'm being very bad.  I'm not entertaining, I'm irritating!"  Well yes, that was very true.  Just go to bed, child!

One afternoon Reese wanted to paint on the driveway.  She said to me, "I was wondering if we could get the street walk paint out."

While Reese was at swimming lessons one night, our neighbor Heather took care of Emmy for the first time.  Reese was concerned and said, "But Mom, Emmy might be nervous!"  I'm so glad she cares about her little sister.  Turns out Emmy was happy and did great with Heather.

Clarabelle

Here's Emmy, just chillin' with her friend Clarabelle.

Needy Libby

For previously being a homeless or farm cat (we aren't quite sure), Libby has sure become needy. 

When we went to Austin for Easter, we were gone two days.  We left plenty of food and water for Libby, so didn't have anyone check on her.  When we came home, we found that Libby had somehow pried off the bottom of the door that leads out to the garage.  Geez, guess she wanted to get outside!

Another time I went to Austin for a few days with the girls.  Within 20 minutes of being home, Libby peed in a laundry basket full of clean clothes.  Guess she wanted to show me that she was pissed (literally) that we left her.  Geez, Todd was home with her after work in the evenings!

So, we have to give Libby lots of attention.  That ususally includes lots of holding, even with a baby in your arms.

Easter at the Lake

We celebrated Easter at the lake with the Haags a few weeks ago.  It was a very fun day, and I finally have a chance to post it on the blog.

Reese enjoyed her 4th Easter egg hunt of the year - this time both outside and inside!

She was very disappointed when it was over.

Emmy wasn't into egg hunting this year, but enjoyed her cuddle time with Grandma and Grandpa.

The kids always have a lot of fun outside at the lake.  Reese and Brayden, in particular, are becoming good buddies and are always up to something.  The two of them together could be trouble this spring and summer!

Beauty

Our little beauty!  I love her expressions in these pictures.  Thanks for the adorable outfit, Laura!

It's hard to pose for pictures when you're distracted by the crazy patterns in your chair.

Then our other little beauty had to join the photo shoot too.  :)

Daddy's In Charge

Daddy is giving me a break today to get some things done (like update the blog).  He took the girls outside to play.  We'll ignore the fact that he didn't get them out of their jammies before playing outside at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Emmy had her first ride in the outdoor swing.

She seemed to find the swing very relaxing, so Daddy simply covered her up when she fell asleep.  Not exactly my way of doing things, but both girls are very happy so I'm not saying a word.

Benefit

We attended a benefit for a 6-year-old boy from Rockford who recently had a kidney transplant.  We don't know the family, but have heard about them a lot through community events.  I feel like a stalker and read their Caring Bridge page almost daily.  Claus and his family have been on an amazing journey, and we pray their health and success continue.

The girls had fun at the benefit.  Emmy loved the room with the dance party -- lots of kids, loud music, and flashing lights.  (Doesn't Daddy look young in this first picture?  He definitely doesn't look like a 40-year-old.  You're welcome, Daddy.)

Reese had fun getting her face painted and buying nearly 100 baseball cards for Daddy.

Sleep Troubles

Our perfect little sleeper has been having trouble the past few nights.  She is having a hard time sleeping on her own and wakes up crying every time we try to lay her down in her crib.  Last night was the worst -- she only slept for an hour in her crib, then Todd and I had to take turns holding her while she slept.  I REALLY hope this is just a little phase.  Maybe she's getting a little cold, teething (she has been sucking on her fingers a lot lately), or (like we read online) experiencing some separation anxiety thinking we won't return if we leave the room.

We're going to try putting Emmy down more during the day, hoping that will help her "practice" for night.  But look at how cute she is... it's hard for me to put her down instead of snuggling during the day!

Little Gamblers

We enjoyed a fun game night at the Simonson's house.

The girls played a dance game on the Wii (notice Reese is demonstrating that fact that she's 3 years old by refusing to participate)...

Dressed up like princesses and fairies...

And learned how to gamble.  We played the dice game where if you roll a 4 you put a quarter in the middle pot, a 5 you pass a quarter to the right, and a 6 you pass it to the left.  What started out as a game for the adults, quickly attracted the 6 little girls.  Soon the dice were flying everywhere, girls were screaming, and everyone was getting competitive!  We felt a little guilty for teaching our little girls how to gamble, but figure it is just another life lesson.

Time Out

Who took our sweet Reese and replaced her with a little girl who throws 100 tantrums per day and constantly tests our limits?  Ugh!   I'm guessing some of this has to do with the fact that the novelty of Emmy has worn off, and she wants her mommy back to herself. But some of it is just the fact she's 3 years old.

I read about a couple different discipline techniques.  First I tried just giving Reese options for everything.  For example, do you want to brush your teeth or have Mommy brush?, Do you want to come eat dinner or go to bed hungry?  That worked sometimes, but she quickly started answering my questions with, "Neither, Mom."  So, we have now moved to  time-outs.  I explained the concept to Reese one day (while she was calm), and so far, so good.  I have put her in time-out 3 times, and she has put HERSELF in time-out 5 times.  It has only backfired on us once when she would not get dressed one morning, put herself in time-out, and refused to come out of time-out for 15 minutes -- just because she still didn't want to put her clothes on.  Ugh - she sooooo wants to be in control.

Here's a picture of Libby on our time-out mat.  I didn't want to take a picture of Reese during a time-out because I didn't want her to think time-outs are cute/funny.  We decided to go with a time-out mat instead of a chair because I didn't want her flinging herself out of a chair during one of those REALLY FUN tantrums. 

I hope this phase will pass quickly, but many of my friends tell me it gets better.... when they are 4  1/2!

Emmy's Tricks

Emmy has been up to lots of new tricks lately.

She rides in the Baby Bjorn...

Sits in her Bumbo (just for a few minutes at a time because her head is still a little floppy)...

And swings during her naps (The swing is the only place besides your arms she will nap during the day.  Luckily she seems to love her crib at night, so I'm not complaining!)...





Round Head

Everywhere we go, people comment on how cute Emmy is and her perfectly round head.  We even had a little Boy Scout come to the door today selling flowers, and he said, "Wow, she's so cute!  Her head is so roundish!"  If a 10-year-old boy mentions this, it must be true!

Crazy Shirt

Daddy put on his crazy Cracker Jack" shirt to watch the Twins game tonight.  I think he's trying to somehow bring the Twins good luck so they can actually have a winning season this year.  Emmy wasn't very interested in watching the game on TV, but thoroughly enjoyed looking at Daddy's crazy shirt.  We even hung the shirt up to entertain her while we did some chores around the house tonight.  Who needs toys when you have an ugly shirt around?!?

Another Easter Party

We had another Easter party today, this time with the neighborhood girls Ellie, Katie and Laura.

Reese is getting very good at hunting for eggs, and getting more and more picky about what is inside...

Reese waited very patiently for her eggs to dye dark.  She was so proud of herself!

Daddy is 40

Happy 40th birthday, Daddy!  We love you, old man!

We had fun celebrating as a family, but decided not to have a 40th birthday party this year.  It's very difficult to find time to plan a party with a newborn and we have already been attending lots of fun 40th birthday parties for friends.  So, save the date, we're going to have a big bash when Daddy turns 44 -- his jersey number in sports and all around favorite number.

Easter in Austin

We had a fun Easter weekend in Austin. 

The kids got all dressed up for church...

Ate a delicious meal...

Went on an Easter egg hunt...

Posed for pictures in their adorable matching dresses...

Formed a family band...

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After all that, it was time to relax, snuggle, and watch a movie with big cousin Jack...