So upset over a little piece of fuzz.

A recent fad among my friends is running half marathons.

Thank goodness I've never been much for fads.

Both Monica, pictured above, and Brooke, Piper's mommy,

ran all 13.1 miles WITH OUT STOPPING.

 

Good job ladies!

Just like big sister, Katie likes to clean.

How she does it while doing yoga, I'll never know.

Our Camillas are ready to bloom.

Emily has a magical way about her.  

She is so happy all the time.

Always ready to play.

Quick to say sorry when I explain she has been unkind.

And follows every sorry with "I skiv you."

Because she knows about forgiveness but doesn't quite understand how it works.

So you may have noticed that I have not been posting.  

Friendly reminders that I am neglecting my blogging duties pop up here and there.

Even my husband has requested more posts.

May the randomness ensue....

A stranger called the cops on me. 

Apparently she didn't see me sitting in the car with my girls.  

I confronted her in a less than polite manner.

No police were sent out.

The real reason I haven't been blogging is I'm too busy playing with the girls.

It is adorable how Katie tries to say words.   I understand some of her little jumbled sounds.

Katie doesn't stop moving. Her latest trick is starting the bath.  She tugs on her clothing hoping it will come off.  

She is a twirling pro.  A little music and she swings her head, flaps her arms and dances around the house.

A recent trip to the E.R. confirmed no broken bones, just a sore arm.

And I cut Emily's gum out of Katie's hair yesterday.

Emily is a chatter box. Telling stories about her friend "guy" who has a truck.

Her adult mannerisms are so funny. Except when I recognize her copying my annoying habits.

She overuses "so" in conversation and says "well, that's the news."

Preschool is awesome.  A new mom with a sweet daughter brings many new experiences to class. I love our group and art projects and hanging out with the moms and switching babies as we chat.

"So, well, that's the news."  I'll get back to posting soon.

Emily is four years old. 

I can not believe it.

So we invited some of the most fun and interesting people we know.

It was awesome that everyone showed up.

 Katie's favorite part was the bubble machine.

 A huge cake.

 One of our favorite people, Piper, dressed in matching Minnie mouse colors.

 One of our other favorite people, Aunt Heidi, dressed as Minnie Mouse too.

 Minnie had plenty of heart bracelets to share with the girls.

Dipped marshmallows smores with sprinkles.

It is so overwhelming how generous our friends and family are. 

We are so lucky to have so many people that love Emily and Katie.  

It is extra special to be friends with talented ladies.  

From a huge doll house designed specifically for our girls to a butterfly grow kit, 

a kite and other lovely things, we had a great day.

 Our weekly trips to the stables continue after the holidays.  

Our last trainer is now the stable manager so we  continued with 

one of our favorite Stepp Stables employees.

 Grooming Bobby Sox before the lesson.

As a teacher I pay attention to how adults interact with kids, namely my own.

Does the adult speak clearly?

Have reasonable expectations?

Provide guidance in a nonthreatening or demeaning way? 

What I love second most about E's lessons 

are the interaction between her and the trainer.  

She often chatters away about Halloween costumes or visiting the zoo.  

The trainers are amazing and have great working-with-kids skills.

In teaching, I follow the general principle that you don't do anything for a kid if he can do it for him self.

Builds confidence.

Perfect example:  Emily carrying the blanket that was over half her body weight.

Also building confidence in her riding skills, 

Emily tried trotting for the first time.  

It's a rough ride if you don't know what to expect.

She also practiced riding with out holding on and turned around in the saddle, twice.

She is ready for the circus.

We are planning a party.  It's going to be adorable.

I was bummed when I got sick 5 days before Katie's first birthday party. 

I didn't know it was going to be so bad.

I didn't get out of bed the entire week.

My sister came to rescue my almost starving children.

How many days can kids eat canned corn and peas?

I missed the Biola Christmas tree lighting that I attend every year.

and worse of all, I had to cancel the party.

But a girl must have a party so the following week we partied.

It wasn't as big but it was really fun and that's all that matters.

 

One of Katie's favorite spots.  Waiting for her 1st birthday party to start.

 

Opening her gift from Mom and Dad.

 

The table was decorated with The Hungry Caterpillar decorations.

I changed the theme two days before the party because I felt like it.

 

 

Auntie Rachel made Katie felt food. A huge hit with the girls.

 

The cake was fun to make and more fun to eat. Loved the rainbow. 

I couldn't taste it because my sense of smell has not returned.

Bummer. 

But everyone else seemed to enjoy it.

 

Of course, the Hungry Caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly. 

The end.