Snow Storm

We had heard predictions of a snow storm for a few days, but as usual, the weather men over-predicted the amount of snow that came. However, Daddy and Amelia got snow days which means lots of playing, crafting, hot chocolate and easy bedtimes. Then we were surprised with a delay the next day so more snow fun could be had. 

We let Austin out early to see what had come.

She prefers to be inside watching.

Measuring the snowfall later in the afternoon; we ended up with about 7 inches.

Letting the kids go play on the deck while Daddy suited up.

Sledding is the highlight of large amounts of snowfall.

Watching our driveway get dug out.

We've been digging into our giant craft bucket Christmas gift. 

Later in the afternoon, Daddy stayed inside with Colleen so I could sled.  The joy on their faces makes it all!

And She Walks!

Colleen has been on the move with her rolling 'wounded bear crawl', and cruising, but she took it up a notch this Sunday by turning around and walking to me without any coaxing! I exclaimed to Daddy, Amelia & Austin that she had walked, and Colleen turned around and took a few more steps for them. There was much rejoicing and excitement in the house (the siblings don't realize how much more she will be in their space now!)  A video has been impossible to capture thus far, but we will keep trying.

I thought this was a funny moment. I had put on a show for the big kids to watch; Colleen comes out of the kitchen and stands up in their faces, trying to engage them. They are completely ignoring her, and she is oblivious to the screen behind her.

Wearing the sweater that Mommy knitted for Amelia in 2012 (ended up too small!).

No wipes box is ever safe.

This is now prevented as often as possible.

Like those who came before her, Colleen has begun the daily emptying of Mommy's fabric shelves.

Well, she actually empties any and all shelves at her level.

We pulled out the container full of fabric strips for her to play with - she has mostly ignored it, preferring real wipes or real fabric.

We had wondered if Colleen would be a late walker since she crawled later; but she ended up walking the same week Amelia did (first week after 11 months). Austin walked the week before he turned 11 months. I guess our genes produce early walkers! Now we're off to more child-proofing.

Colleen - 11 Months

Eleven months. Where does it go? This girl is all over the place, never still, full of joy and smiles anytime you look at her. This month's photos were not happening without assistance since she was VERY aware of the number stickers, the toys nearby and how Mommy was sitting on the floor just a foot away. Crawling into Mommy's lap is always the #1 priority.

The entertainment

Finally allowed to crawl to me!

She is a cruising machine, now into all of her siblings' activities. "Take it to a table" is our new parenting mantra.  She thinks they are hysterical, giggling everytime Amelia plays "peek-a-boo" or Austin jabbers jibberish for her. She loves to watch them dance around. She understands and occasionally uses the signs for sleep, more, eat, milk & all done. She's still a Mommy's girl but grins and flirts with Daddy when he gets home from work.  She loves to figure out how things work, load and unload baskets, and squeeze into every tight space that she can fit into.  She hasn't been sleeping great, definitely wanting to party with whoever will be awake with her in the middle of the night. And her appetite is still all over the place; we never know if she's going to ignore our food offerings or eat thirds. Funnily, Amelia & Austin were both self-regulated vegetarians at this point; but Colleen devours meat over other items on her tray. 

It's been an awesome and crazy 11 months!

Healthy! and Out and About

We finally had our whole crew healthy for an extended time! So we were able to start March off with fun activities. 

My phone camera stopped functioning right after we arrived at the Maple Sugar Festival at Duke Farms. It was below freezing this day (around 17 degrees with a strong wind), so we didn't participate in the outdoor activities much. But the kids did have fun in this race to carry their buckets with a yoke, fill it full of plastic eggs (fake syrup) and then run back to the starting line.

(seen with our friend Jack)

At the evaporator, Amelia was asked to shoot the temperature gun.

There were ton of other fun activities - tree stamping, storytime, learning about insects that affect maple trees, syrup tastings and a Curious George video.  Definitely a repeat event in warmer weather.

Miss Faith (our babysitter) goes to a ballet studio that was hosting a free trial class, taught by their ballet honor society students. Miss Faith was recovering from wisdom teeth removal, so she wasn't able to attend. But Amelia & Austin had a lot of fun at the trial class.

(Note: Miss Faith told us to come wearing regular clothes. All the little girls in their tutus were super excited so they dressed up for the class.)

A surprise visit by the Chick-fil-a cow is always awesome!

Both kids moved up a level in their swim lessons! They have shown super-fast progression and I've been so proud.

Ishita and her mom had come over and given me a lesson on how to prepare roti, an Indian flatbread eaten daily in their home. We didn't get any good photos of the lesson, but some days later I tried to make it on my own. 

Blowing up like a balloon = success!

Amelia & Vibhu with their Lego car presentation.

Austin has finally mastered the monster feet.

One morning I was puttering around upstairs and heard the kids call me to come see their tent. They did a pretty good job on their own!

Uncle Stevie & Aunt Lori sent the kids some silly cardboard mustaches. We had fun with them!

You can't tell from this photo that she was so cranky that Mommy tried the back-Ergo carry for the first time. She loved it and immediately was cheerful.

Two minutes before this, they were fighting over everything. Offer a book-on-cd (Children's Bible), and they peacefully listen for the next 20 minutes. Success!