Running and Hopping and Dancing- Oh My!

Some videos of the kid.

First showing off her running skills- her run makes me laugh so much!! :)

And here she is hopping and dancing with Grandpa before the Hospice Walk a couple weekends ago.

Evie Talks

I've mentioned that Evie is struggling with her expressive language at this point- she's in speech therapy and is showing progress, so we're confident that she'll catch up quickly and we're so glad we got help for her early. But sometimes I get caught up in worrying about how little she says, and I forget to enjoy the way she communicates now. Because all too soon she'll be jabbering up a storm, and I might miss these days. :) So as Evie ventures into the world of words, I wanted to document some of what she says. This evening while I was combing Evie's hair before meeting, we had this conversation....

Evie: Pa-dee, Pa-dee, Pa-dee!
Mommy: What are you saying Evie? Potty?
Evie: No.
Mommy: Are you saying Party?
Evie: mmhmm. Pa-dee!
Mommy: Oh cool, what kind of party?
Evie: Pitty (her version of "pretty") pa-dee.
Mommy: That sounds great, a pretty party! What will you do at the party?
Evie: Ride!
Mommy: Ride? Ride what?
Evie: *makes gallop motion*
Mommy: Oh! Ride a horse?
Evie: mmhmm!
Mommy: Will there be food at this party?
Evie: Yea- na! (her word for "snack")
Mommy: Perfect! Who will be there?
Evie: Daddy.
Mommy: Who else?
Evie: (serious face) Daddy.

So, a pretty party with horseback rides and snacks, just for Evie and Daddy. Sounds pretty cool huh? She's got some imagination. ;)

May Bonfire

This is admittedly late, I kept meaning to blog and then forgetting. But we had a BBQ and bonfire at the the house a few weeks ago, and the kids had a blast running around the yard, filling up on s'mores, and searching for the perfect marshmallow roasting stick in the woods.

Daddy was pretty enthusiastic with the fire at first, it started out a little big ;) But the kids were very good listeners about staying back until it was safe to roast marshmallows

Ruby and Declan, on their 467th graham crackers

Riley enjoying a s'more

Logan REALLY enjoying a s'more 

Ruby and Evie having a tickle fight in the wagon- so cute!!!

This kid cracks me up

Here's Evie down by the creek, throwing rocks into the water. And after each throw, she cheers herself on with "woohoo!", imaginary high fives, and fist pumping. I was cracking up watching her, I love it! :)

Evelyn Clara: 24 months old

AKA two!!! Oh man, she is growing up fast. :) And yes, I know I am way behind on this post, but with Eric's grandfather passing away and then Evie getting the dreaded stomach flu that's going around, we've been pretty busy around here the last couple of weeks. So, on to the photos!!

2 Year Facts
Evie's favorite foods: pickles, black olives, yogurt, grilled cheese, pancakes, cookies, juice, and broccoli
Evie's favorite toys and activities: Mr. Potato Head, her play kitchen, balls, playing in the creek, jumping on the couch (or anything else she can jump on), taking care of her baby dolls
Evie's favorite shows/movies: Fresh Beat Band, Doc McStuffins, Cars, Toy Story 1,2, and 3
Evie's favorite books: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Colors, First Words, A Day at the Shore, Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?
Evie's favorite songs: "Drive My Car", "These Are My Glasses", and "I Know a Chicken" by the Laurie Berkner Band, and "Hot Potato" by the Wiggles

When Grandma was here for a visit, Evie received a tea set from an aunt that she loves. Since then she's been super into drinking tea, and anytime anyone is drinking it she immediately asks "tea?" in this super cute high pitched voice. Who can say no?? :) So she's been drinking a lot of tea lately (her order is decaf with lots of milk and sugar). She's gotten surprisingly good at drinking out of an open cup over the last month or so, she rarely spills if she's paying attention.
Evie's language is starting to improve, she's getting better at trying to repeat words that we say, and has added some new words to her vocabulary. We're still working on two syllable words, she's only got a couple of those down. But we're working with a speech therapist now and I hope to see some more progress soon.

Evie's sense of humor is really starting to shine, she understands when things are funny now and does things on purpose just to get a laugh. She's a happy girl, still very friendly and outgoing with everyone. She loves other kids, especially babies whom she always wants to hug and kiss and hold. She's pretty stubborn too, occasionally carrying on about something or other way longer than I expect her to. But overall she's very easygoing and laid back.

Evie is definitely a nature girl, which is so exciting for Eric and I to see!! She loves to be outside, to play in the dirt and run in the grass. She doesn't mind getting dirty and she loves bugs. She also loves loves LOVES water, and since the weather has finally warmed up we've been down at the creek behind our house a lot. She likes to look for fish, throw rocks in the water, climb around the banks, and pick flowers. It's hard to get her away from the water she loves it so much.

Evie is also quite the daredevil which is fun (and occasionally scary) to watch. ;) She loves to jump on anything, and since we went to SkyZone a couple times over the winter, trampolines are her favorite. She has no fear, just loves to go as high as she can. She also jumps on our sectional at home quite a bit, and her mattress in her crib. She likes to go fast and high on the swings, and squeals "wheee!" the whole time. :) 

It has been an amazing two years, and we're looking forward to many many more!

Spring is finally here!

Just a few photos from the last week or so, we've had lots of rain, but also some really gorgeous days thank goodness- today it was nearly 80 degrees!! We are so happy to be able to get out of the house and play. :)

Also, sadly Eric's grandfather passed away this past Tuesday evening. He was a wonderful man who loved his family and we will miss him dearly.

Scolding the Ducks

Evie often lines her ducks and other bath toys up on the tub ledge and then knocks them in for fun. Well last night they must have been misbehaving, because Evie gave them each a talking to before they got to swim. She cracks me up. :)