Playing Outside

On days like we had yesterday, it's hard to believe that in just a few short months (and hopefully no less) it will be too cold to play outside for more than an hour or so at a time (and even if it is not too cold, unlikely that we will last outside for longer than an hour).  

On days like today, it definitely seems a lot closer as we bundle up with hats and mittens and the wind drives the cold into fleece lined sweatshirts and we try not to play in the shade.

Regardless, since there is no snow and it isn't freezing YET, we are going to try to spend as much time as possible outside as long as we can.  It's going to be a long winter indoors!

Ellms Field Trip

Yesterday was MiniM.E.'s field trip to Ellm's Farm with school.  Just like last year, it was a cold, rainy day.  As we were driving separately (this year no one rode the bus), MiniM.E. informed me that she didn't want to go to Ellm's with school.  Even though it is one of her favorite places.  We arrived in the cold drizzle of the morning and between trying to get two kids' winter attire on, wrap the baby and remember important things from the car like the probably necessary snacks, drinks, and dry gloves we were the second to last family to arrive.  Not my usual pecking order.  But no matter.  

MiniM.E.'s teacher did a great job getting the kids excited to be there despite the weather and as the drizzle subsided and it warmed up a little, we all had some good soggy fun. We picked pumpkins from the pumpkin patch:

Rode on the hayride, pulled by a tractor with GIANT wheels:

Saw some animals:

And did the corn maze and the zip line.  It was a pretty short field trip, but we stayed after for a while to do the jumping pillow and the zip line a few more times.  We even met up with a friend on a field trip from her school!  It was all going well until MiniM.E. slid off the jumping pillow because her socks were wet and hurt herself, claiming she couldn't even walk anymore.  As much as I would have liked to carry her, my smartly chosen bag that fit a water bottle, snack and extra diaper left me carrying three jackets, two hats, five sets of mittens, and two pumpkins (one that was the biggest in the patch!).  Definitely no room for a 35lb. 4 year old.  The injury turned out to be less intense than I thought when MiniM.E. insisted she was okay for a few more times on the zip line and she was also able to make it back to the car (not without whining and dragging and clawing and hanging the whole way there).  I didn't think it would ever happen, but I think I am just about ready to be done with Ellms for the season!

More Ballet, Walking Practice and Playground

Yesterday MiniM.E. had ballet after a week off because of Columbus day.  Like anytime we have a break from something a little stressful (usually involving not being with Mommy), MiniM.E. was not overly thrilled about going even though she almost cried last week when we didn't have it.

But even though she was anxious as we arrived, she bounced into the room with the other girls and had a great time.  With LittleL.G. to entertain while we wait in the hall its tricky getting photos without a baby banging on the door distracting the dancers, but they were too cute not to watch for a little while.

Back in the hallway while we were waiting, LittleL.G. was practicing her walking.  She's getting pretty good! (Ignore my ridiculous grin and clapping!!)

Today, we wanted to enjoy the nice weather and went back to the new playground in Milton with our friends.  LittleL.G. practiced some more walking and the big girls climbed and swung and went down the huge slides.

A Weekend of Birthday!!

We started birthday weekend (actually, it was more like birthday week since LittleL.G.'s birthday was Tuesday) Thursday on MiniM.E.'s actual birthday.  Gram was there to celebrate, but it wasn't our "big" celebration, in fact, there wasn't even any cake.  MiniM.E. got to choose the day's activities so we had ice cream for breakfast, went to the TreePaad, had breakfast for lunch and she had plenty of time to play with Gram.  Both girls opened their birthday presents from Mommy and Daddy when Daddy got home from work.

new camping chairs

MiniM.E. was so excited because ALL she wanted for her birthday was an American Girl Doll, and she finally got one after months of waiting!

LittleL.G. was most impressed with all the paper lying around for her to tear into confetti sized pieces (which I am still finding all over my house).  She loves the toys she got now, but at the time I think she was a little bewildered by the whole experience.

We didn't do a cake celebration because Thursday was also Daddy's birthday, so we went out for his birthday dinner while Gram stayed home with the kids.

On Friday MiniM.E. had school and we did some preparing for the weekend party.

LittleL.G. enjoying her chair

Saturday we had a small party for both the girls with fancy cakes and a big tent and lots of balloons (per MiniM.E.'s request).  Originally she also requested that the party be just us, but with all that work we had to have at least a few extra guests to make it worth it, but we tried to keep it small so the girls wouldn't be too overwhelmed.

Unfortunately, the day was super chilly and windy (but no rain!!) so most of the party was inside and we didn't make much use of the tent and balloons.  At least they looked pretty from the windows.

The highlight of the party was definitely singing and cake.

what are we all waiting for?

why are all these people singing and staring at us?

 

let me help you with that

It was so cute to give LittleL.G. her smash cake because MiniM.E. has been so excited about it since we started talking about parties months ago.  She couldn't wait to watch LittleL.G. go at it.  I was hoping (mostly for MiniM.E) that it would be a little more exciting than MiniM.E.'s first birthday smash cake (which she did not smash but offered to us in the most adorable way), and it certainly was.  

YES! CAKE!!

post cake "cake dance"

 MiniM.E. is at the age where present opening was the most important part of the party.

After some of MiniM.E.'s friends left, LittleL.G. took a book break with Aunt Donna

Sunday MiniM.E. and LittleL.G. had a few more small gifts and opened their big gifts from Gram and Grumpy.  They are two spoiled little girls.

And to top of Birthday Weekend MiniM.E. had her "just us" party with a cake that she decorated all by herself.  She loved every minute of her 4th birthday.

Today she woke up so sad that it was all over and "all the fun people are gone and even Daddy has to go to work!" *sigh*  But after talking about it, she realized that even though sometimes we feel let down after big, fun events, it's better to have all the fun and feel disappointed it's over than to not have it at all.  I think she's already looking forward to birthday #5.

Happy 4th Birthday MiniM.E.!

I couldn't believe LittleL.G. turned one two days ago, and it is almost as hard to believe that MiniM.E. is already four years old!  

Happy 4th Birthday!!

You are my brilliant, compassionate, funny, wiser-than-your-years, four-year-old.  It has been an incredible four years watching you grow and learn.  Every day you experience everything with your whole self, and while days when you are sad or frustrated are hard, it is so rewarding to see you completely filled with joy or excitement or pride.  Every day you teach me something new about you, myself or the world around us.  I am so proud of you for the little girl you've grown into and I can't wait to keep growing with you.  Happy Birthday, MiniM.E.!!

A Field Trip and A Birthday Party

Yesterday we had a very busy morning.  We started out at the State Park for a school field trip where our nature guide led us on a walk and we all learned about how to use our five senses to explore nature.  The best part was choosing crayons from a bag and finding things in nature that matched the colors.  MiniM.E. got pink the first time and it was really tricky! Not a lot of pink in nature.  But she finally found a leaf that was pink-ish and was so proud of herself for finding something that was the trickiest color. 

It was a long walk for little legs and MiniM.E. got tired towards the end (and a little complain-y) but we had a good time- what a neat idea for a field trip!

While the rest of the class stayed to play at the playground and have snack, MiniM.E. and I jumped in the car to drive down to Ellm's Farm for a birthday party.  We were a little late since we had the field trip at school so we didn't have as much time to play as MiniM.E. would have liked, but she got to do the zip line a few times and we went on a hayride and picked out pumpkins and got to ride the moo moo choo choo.

While MiniM.E. was sad to leave, knowing that Gram was going to be at our house when we got home made it better!

Happy First Birthday LittleL.G.!

I can not even believe that I am writing this post.

How can it be that a whole year has gone by?  It has to be the fastest year of my entire life.  And of course, the best yet.  How could it not be since I was fortunate enough to have spent it with two of the most amazing girls in the world?

LittleL.G., happy very first birthday.  You have added so much to our family the past year with your adorable giggles, sweet and compassionate personality, and for your ability to make us all laugh when we need it most.  Your sit-down-dancing has got to be one of the cutest things on the planet, and my heart melts to see how much you love your big sister.  (And she loves you too, you know- more than anything!)  It has been an amazing experience to see you grow into your own little person and we can't wait for what the next year brings.