Friends

Russell and Lena are pretty good friends. He likes her because ... well, I'm not really sure, but he really likes her. She likes him because he drools a lot and drops food for her to eat. He is always trying to get at her, pet her, trying to get her to play peek-a-boo ... she isn't super keen on his advances unless there is drool or food involved. After his nap yesterday she was at the window watching the world go by, just like she always has. (and Etta too! Check it out!) So I decided to try to get a couple of pics.

Hi! What? Aren't we cute?

What do you see? I see Pete in his car with his mom!

Oops, must have been leaking a bit. (Don't worry, he didn't fall off of the couch.)

Spring time

Yesterday Bob & the girls got outside and started some seeds. Bob has been really itching to plant this year and so he is starting some stuff inside. The girls are always ready and willing to dig in the dirt.

Jail Bird!

Etta has been wearing a lot of orange this week. On Thursday she wore a shirt that my mom had gotten her during our summer visit to Deer Lodge almost three(!) years ago.

It says, "Doing Time at Old Montana Prison".

If you look carefully at the picture, Etta is handcuffed to the chair.

*cough* *cough*

Etta's teacher is not really sure what game they have been playing during recess.

The aide decided this photo op was too priceless to pass up.

Real Kids Wear Orange

Thanks for the Syracuse gear Aunt Molly and Uncle Jim!

New Flock

A few months ago Grandpa Steve got rid of all his chickens. But now he has 16 new chicks! The kids and I had some extra time yesterday so we swung by for a visit. 

[I said, "Mae, Grandpa might not be there". She replied, "Yes he will. Grandpa Steve doesn't go anywhere".]

We headed into the garage to visit the flock.

Grandpa getting one close for Russell's inspection.

Some of the girls.

Mae's new chicken, Mary Louise. She named her herself based on this book. (But then we found out that one of our favorite friends is named Mary Louise. We just know her as Marz.) There is a marking on her head so that we know which one she is. Etta is going to name one Queen Elizabeth. She hasn't been officially selected, but if the chicken that is growing the fastest and is the biggest is truly a chicken and not a rooster, she may be it.

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.