Rainbows and sun and fun

Doesn't everyone need a random picture of a peacock?

Rainbow fun

(look for pictures in the next blog)

I dug out the ol' sunshade pool to put on our deck. Today is surprisingly hot!! (woohoo). The girls were very excited to help me inflate it... (I used a pump, not my lungs otherwise I would be unconscious on the floor!)

Lots of splashing happened. Including the camera... :( (but it is fine now)

And... well, I thought everyone could use a random picture of a peacock. (Greater Van Zoo. We went there some weeks ago. First by Uncle Coo-Coo and then when my parents were down- Lots of fun!!)

There is no doubt...

This was Madeline's idea

Don't worry, they are clean ones... at least I think so... ;)

Yes, there is no doubt that we have fun...

May Day Celebrations

"Y'arrrrh! Ye stole me gold..."

The Firetruck
On the way home... zzz...

waiting for the parade to begin

balloon "doggies"

The rain, the clowns and the horse poop could not stop us. We went to the parade today, just down the street from our house. Stew left far before us to get a good spot- under the shelter of the large trees on Glover Rd. It was a good thing too, the streets were lined with families.
There were leaping gymnasts, glittered horses and sword fighting pirates. There were marching military bands, accordian ensembles and square dancers. So much more. I believe it was the largest parade I have ever attended. (I lived a sheltered life in a little town).
Afterwards, we had "the best picnic ever" (words of Madeline) and then caught the end of the Maypole dances down by the Fort. It was there that a kind lady gave Madeline a free ticket for a kiddie ride. She was THRILLED to ride in the firetruck.
Kettle corn and the rhythmic bumping of the stroller was enough for our little teddy bears to fall asleep. Jenna finds great comfort in cuddling those she loves... Madeline does too, but she has to be asleep first...!!

Happy Mother's Day to me

I love to take pictures of them looking up at me

Future Gardener (above)

Madeline loving the sprinkler, Jenna not so much (below)

Mother's day was yesterday, I know. But I always feel special when the girls and I are doing something which doesn't involve crying, but laughter instead. Yesterday was nice ( received my mother's day hugs plus a nice lunch), but we didn't really have time to play. Between church, nap time and a parenting seminar, there was no chance. So, when I saw the sun was shining instead of the rain pouring, we hopped outside as quick as we could.

National Pony-tail day

It's not actually a real day. I just made it up- but I think it should be a real day. Our day was pink shirts, blue jeans and pony tail day. I wanted some "nice" pictures of the three of us. My ideals were high. I should have known by now that this is not a simple task. I realized quick into the "photoshoot" that it would be a short and frustrating one... so we went outside to play in the sprinkler and dig in the garden...

The Great Bed Switch of 2008

Madeline has outgrown her junior bed. She is too long. We were not able to purchase a twin for her until our tax return came. So she is officially a BIG girl in her BIG girl bed. She was starting to look so BIG in her jr bed, that is until she climbed into her new bed. Her body looks so small, so much extra space that will eventually be filled- not soon I hope!! She looks so small- then she looks at you. Her eyes bright and gleaming with delight. She wiggles and wriggles and kicks her feet up and down, side to side between the softness of the new sheets. Her smile so wide, so toothy. She is a big girl, she is ready for this. She is ecstatic holding onto the idea that she will soon have "gramma's bed" (a headboard that my grandfather made for my mom when she was a little girl). It is nice to be able to climb onto her bed and lay beside her to read a story.

Jenna needs to learn how to sleep in a real bed. She has been in a crib for 21 months give or take. She wasn't the type of kid to try climbing out- and we would never allow that kind of activity anyway. We wanted to make sure that her muscle tone was enough to be able to climb in and out of a bed before we put her into one. She still has trouble climbing onto the couch and it takes her a while to get into the bed, but she does it and is SO proud of herself. I switched her over today. She looked perplexed as I disassembled the crib but since she was familar with the junior bed from being in Madeline's room, she wasn't that anxious... until it was nap time. She had a hard time falling asleep. I went to check on her when I knew she was asleep only to find her laying ontop of the pillow- lengthwise.
I think she likes the idea of being able to climb out of her bed... this may prove to be problematic... tomorrow morning...we'll see...
She went to bed well tonight. She looks so sweet cuddle up with her blankets. I noticed she looked to the side of her bed a became a little anxious because there were no bars... just a net siderail. I don't hear her... I think she is sleeping... Madeline on the otherhand... I should go...