Books

We spend a lot of time reading at our house, so I thought I would share some of our favorites this week.  I let the girls choose what we're going to read most of the time, but then I always have a few that I'm pushing. :)

Caroline is loving:

Rainbow Colors Peekaboo! (This girl just loves peekaboo, especially now that she's figured out how to turn the pages herself!)

Ten Little Ladybugs (She loves touching the ladybugs.)

Good Night, Gorilla (I love that this book doesn't have a whole lot of words, so a lot of it is expression and gasps, which she responds to a ton.)

Elli is loving:

Summertime in the Big Woods (Based on the Little House books. I can't wait to read the real ones with the girls!)

The Best Kind of Kiss (Spoiler Alert! The best kind of kiss is Daddy's kiss, so this was a special one to read while Daddy was out of town this past week.)

Mommy is loving:

Bear Snores On (I love the rhythm of this book and especially all the onomatopoeia.)

The Miracles of Jesus (I always enjoy the artwork of Tomie de Paola.  This has been a perfect lunchtime book for us.  I've been reading Living the Christian Year, and I think this will be the perfect book to read during the season of Epiphany next year.)

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Sad Sad Sleepy Sickies

 Oh goodness.  There is nothing more sad than a sick baby girl, am I right?

Caroline had her first real fever this weekend. Such a sad, sweet little sickie.  Saturday night she spent most of the night snuggled up on my shoulder as I rocked her. 

 Sunday, when she wasn't singing slow sad songs with her head down, or lethargically leaning into me;

 She looked like this.  Poor baby.  What a sad, sweet little sickie.  Breaks my heart!

And also my back a little bit, but that's nothing when she just wants me to hold her so she can nestle her hot little head into my neck.  Poor baby.  Let's hope tomorrow is less sad and sick but just as sweet.

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Snapshots

The less glamorous moments are worth capturing as well.
From my phone:

1. Elli's into Bucky the Kat  2. first pigtails! 3. coffee from one morning minus the one Daniel took with him. don't judge.  4. happy to be playing at the park!

 1. tea party of sorts  2. friends in town  3. sister kisses  4. training

 1. a little exploring  2. cutest little nudist (censored of course)  3. new favorite music  4. my constant kitchen companion

1. love this little one  2. practicing her pumping  3. easter dresses!  4. post bath snuggle bug

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Spring

 Yesterday was almost hot.  Like 85-degrees-tempted-to-turn-on-the-air hot.  Which was nice for one day, but I am not quite ready for summer!  Thankfully, the heat was short lived and today is a gorgeous 62 degrees.  Elli and I got out to smell the pretty purple flowers on our mountain laurel. 

Mmm, I am loving our home in springtime!

After my run this morning (nine weeks until the half marathon!), we just had to stop at the park.  Caroline was absolutely thrilled to be out of her stroller and play with big sis on the swings and in the tunnel.  What a fun summer we are going to have!  But for now, I'll enjoy the spring and the last few months with a non-walker.  :)

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Rain

 I love rainy days.  Love, love, triple love them.

Yesterday the clouds were so dense we needed our lights to read books by in the afternoon.  

This morning, Caroline and I rose to a morning filled with sweet rolls of thunder. 

Today I got to go on a drizzly run (my favorite).

I'm in a good place today.  The air drifting in through our open windows smells fresh and clean.  My jeans are still damp around the hem from my dash to the mailbox.  A warm cup of green tea feels cozy in my chilled fingers. More importantly, I am reminded of God's provision for our bodies, our hearts, and our souls.  Like water to my thirsty soul, He blesses and fills me.  My mind and heart find peace, nourishment, and hope.

Thank you, Lord, for making it rain.

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1

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Snapshots

The less glamorous moments are worth capturing as well.
From my phone:

 1. sleepy sweetie  2. hours of entertainment  3. movie night  4. I was kind of amazed at Elli's coloring

 1. "I need my sparkly gloves, Mommy." 2. So much for packing neatly  3. happy traveler  4. train ride

 1. blow drying the buddies hair  2. early morning snuggles with Daddy  3. sick little girl  4. ice cream to celebrate two awesome travelers!

1. Our valentine from Cara 2. smoothie  3. cowgirl princess  4. "organizing" the puzzles

 1. I could hardly run I was laughing so hard 2. playing a game on her leapster.  scary how quickly she picked it up!  3. bookworms  4. Pooh was taking a nap with his "buddies"

 1. Elli found the potty seat and promptly began to potty train her buddies  2. "moooo"  3. flowers from my love  4. "I'm standing, and I can't get down."

 1. oh, we love this  2. going on a trike ride in costume  3. a random assortment in my car  4. I frequently find little collections like this around the house.

1. more sister reading time  2. working on our solids  3. Elli drew a D for daddy  4. can't keep this squirmy worm seated

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A New Experiment

 Well... we are going to try to grow some things.  I hope this will be a success story, and if it is, it will all be due to Daniel's green thumb.  Mine is decidedly not.  Can greenness can be learned? 

So, here's what we already started inside:

Here are the plants we will plant in the ground sometime in March.  I'm really hoping the edamame turns out!  Yummy.

This was day one for our indoor seeds.  Let us hope there will be some green sprouting up soon!

 I think we are all pretty excited about the new family project, even Princess Dora.  :)

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