Sprinkler Time!

Although this past week has been unseasonably chilly, we've already had some pretty warm weather this year, and we've been in the sprinkler a couple times. I can't believe how different it is this year compared to last! Last year she stood on the edge, just touching the water with her hands. She liked it, but she didn't really get into it. This year, it was an immediate 180- running through face first with her mouth open, laughing with pure joy. So fun. :)

And here's Evie and Emma having a sprinkler playdate :)

My Little Gardener

Evie watering- we have a lot more flowers in there now!

This is my first year really having landscaping and a garden to take care of. I've never been interested in caring for a garden before, but something about this house we live in now makes me want to be a farmer. ;) And so far, I really love it- and so does Evie! We have a bed about 30 feet long along the front of our house that we planted flowers in, and we also have started a 6x8 feet vegetable garden. Evie has been a big help watering, she can use the hose herself now and loves to water the flowers. She also really enjoyed digging in the dirt when we were planting- we're still instilling the fact that now we're done digging. ;)

Digging in the veggie garden

Evie is such a little nature girl, which makes me so happy to see. I honestly was not much of an outdoors kid, but Eric really was and it makes me happy to see her enjoy being outside. Our home has about an acre of land, with some woods and a creek, and she loves to explore, get dirty, and talk about all the different things we see in the yard. We are really blessed to have such a great place to raise our family!

Enjoying Spring

Just laying on the front lawn, eating pretzels, talking about the sky and the flowers and the trees. 

Love this girl  :)

First 2013 Trip to the Zoo

I'm sure we'll be visiting the zoo a lot this summer since my parents graciously bought us a membership, but here is our first trip of this year- to see the new baby polar bear Luna!

Of course it was 80 degrees the day before, but when we head out its in the 50's and raining. ;) Oh well, it cleared up and turned into a nice day after all- and the rain made for some great puddles to jump in!

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!!!