Imitation

 Mae has been wanting to wear Etta's sunglasses the last few days. Etta has been quite generous in her sharing. I have a feeling that when we are in Montana in a couple of weeks Mae will be using some of her spending money to get some "just like sister's".

And if you didn't know, this is the way all the cool kids wear their sunglasses. My kids learned from the coolest kid on the block. Uncle Erik.

"I wear dem like dis mommy. Like Uncle."

Isn't she just growing up right in front of my eyes? Be still my heart.

And this is an illustrating pic from February 17th, 2013 when Erik and Grandpa were in town visiting before Russell arrived. What cool kids!

Bike Ride

 We have been walking to our Tuesday evening community group for a while now. I sometimes carry Russell in the back pack but the girls usually walk. It is about one mile to our friend's house. Etta does very well, but Mae is usually done at about the high school. (Which is one block away from our house...)

The weather has been nice so the girls have been riding their bikes a ton. Etta learned how to ride last summer without her training wheels and can "ride faster than cars drive" (according to her). [As a side note: Jackie told me that teaching Etta how to ride her bike is one of the proudest accomplishments of her life to date. Love, love, love our village.] And this spring Mae has figured out how to get going without a push from mom. Makes me life way easier!

It was very pleasant last night so I decided to let them ride their bikes the mile to group. Good idea in theory, way more bending over to push Mae's bike than was comfortable for me. But it worked. We got there safely and it took about the same amount of time that it would have if we walked. I think it will get faster as they get more comfortable on their bikes and more aware of watching at corners etc. We walk the bikes across all streets and they have to get off to get down off of curbs and back up. But they love it and I am glad they like to do it.

Good Russell pic. Mae, "The sun is hurting my eyes mommy!" Etta is a trooper and is starting to look at the camera more - when she is supposed to.

Mae finally bit the bullet and squeezed her eyes shut. I had to include this picture even if it is similar to the one above.

It felt like Russell was trying to climb out of the backpack the whole way. His face was just about even with mine. He loves being outside. I keep telling him if he learns how to walk he can spend MORE time out with his sisters.

They are so cute and my heart is bursting with love for the little people they are becoming.

Problem Solving

Russell is very interested in how things work. How they go together. How they fit in to the world around him. The girls might have been like this, but I don't remember them being quite so interested in the actual mechanical workings of things. Russell will sit for a long time trying to figures things out. He gets a serious look on his face and works things over until .... until he gets bored and moves on to something else. :)

How. Does. This. Fit. On. Here?

I see you peeking on me mommy.

Okay, I can take a break for the paparazzi.
(The smile? It makes me melt btw.)

Safe!

We took a trip to Costco yesterday with Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve. Mae found a life jacket for this summer. Now she can go boating and be safe!

Day #5

Lent

 Again this year I am abstaining from Face Book for Lent. It is a good break for me and refocuses my time and energies.

I decided though, that it is also good for me to get a snap shot each day. Gets my camera out and requires that I really observe the world around me and pay closer attention to my children. So I am going to get a pic a day. I may not update the blog daily, but I will do my best to get pictures on for every single day.

Since Etta is at school half days now, there may be a lot more pictures of Mae & Russell. What can you do?

Day 2: March 6th

Playing tea party/kitchen/food toys. Mae likes to pretend and Russell likes to put stuff in baskets and take it out again. They really enjoy playing together. (And yes, the two of them really have the exact some hair coloring.)

Day 3: March 7th

Okay, maybe they don't always like to play with each other. Mae often prefers to play solo. She will go in the music room to look at books and doesn't want Russell in there ruining reading them too.

But they usually fall into a game of peek-a-boo. It's Russell's favorite activity and he will play it any time, any where with anything.

Cheese mom!

Day 4: March 8th

Russell has been waking up earlier and earlier every day. I was actually very excited for the time change because it bumps him back to his "normal" wake up time. But yesterday (Saturday) he woke up with the sun. So while I was making breakfast he got to go on his first official dog walk. A habit with our family. Etta now walks a dog, Lena, but still refuses to pick up dog stinkies. [BTW ... it's totally spring here!]

A Village

It takes a village to raise a child. Here is just a small sampling of ours:

A rare picture with mommy. And all subjects are facing the camera and smiling.

Lewiston Grandmas. Grandma Cathy and Great Grandma Barb. Bob said, "Wow! My mom and Grandma are really looking alike!"

The kids best friends in the world. Rachel, Marz and Jackie. My kids are so lucky to have such wonderful role models in their lives. Respectful, responsible, loving girls willing to give an evening to go to a one-year olds birthday party.

12 Month Annibirthery!

Russell Edward is 12 months old!

It has been a quick year. I can't believe that he is already one. It seems just like last week that my dad was here and I thought Russell never would arrive.

He is a very happy baby. Not yet walking, but very very mobile. He is inquisitive and playful. Will wake Mae up in the morning just to have some one to ignore. Flirts with girls & women and studies big boys and men.

His heart is with his mom but he is friendly to most everyone. Loves to eat but when he is finished he is finished and whatever is left ends up on the floor.

I am very excited for this summer and getting him outside and to the playground. The three of them are going to love be out and having each other.

He is truly a blessing to our family and fits right in!

Ha Mom! I won't straighten my legs and you can't make me!

You can't even make me stay here!

Canned smile. Already?! He's only 1!

There's my Russell Boy!

Etta at one.

Mae at one.