Kaitlyn, my little swimmer

I was so proud of Kaitlyn today I almost cried. My little Kaitlyn, who 2 months ago was so scared of the water, swam about 15 feet on her front and about 5 feet on her back without any assistance. Ms. Margo, their swimming teacher, was as equally proud and asked Katie and Allie if they switched swimsuits because Katie was a better swimmer than Allie today. (Katie always wears the red polka dot swimsuit and Allie always wears the butterfly swimsuit.)  After Katie got out of the water I gave her a hug and told her how happy I was that I wanted to cry. Katie said, "Mommy don't cry.  You should only cry when you are sad."

2 days and counting

Today we spent the day getting ready and packing our suitcases for our Florida getaway. We are leaving on Thursday and we are all getting anxious to go.  Every morning Katie and Allie ask how many more days until we can go to the airport and fly away.  I have been showing them a lot of beach and ocean pictures and telling them all of the fun and exciting things that we have planned once we get there.  I can't think of a more lovely way than to spend our long weekend than in lovely, sunny, Florida with my 3 favorite people.

Allison's secret

Last night while getting the girls ready for bed, Allison told me that she wanted to tell me a secret.  My sweet little Allison whispered in my ear, "Mommy I love you."  It is these little moments in life that really warm my heart. What a great way to end my day.

Jackie and Isa go to kindergarten

This afternoon we played the game, Jackie and Isa go to kindergarten. My children just love to pretend play that it makes me think maybe they will be actresses someday. After putting on their jackets and grabbing their backpacks, they decided to head outside and walk to their pretend bus stop, which was at the end of our driveway.  While I stayed inside and watched from the front door they pretended to get on the bus and go to kindergarten and when they came back inside they told me all about their day.  I hope they will always be so excited about school.

Allison

Kaitlyn

Blue wrist bands

Tuesday was a milestone day for my girls.  They each passed the swimming test at the Y that allows them to swim in the zero entry pool without an adult.  By passing the test, their names are put in a database and each time we swim at the Y, Katie and Allie get a blue wristband which helps the lifeguards identify the kids that can swim on their own. It is also a cool thing because it gives my girls confidence in their abilities to swim, we can go to swimming lessons early and practice before lessons, and it helps me motivate my girls to get out of the house and get going on some cold Tuesday mornings.  Way to go Allie and Katie!

Goofy Katie

I have often pointed out my children's wacky sense of style and here is yet another picture showing off Katie's fashion sense.  She was coloring a picture for me wearing a crown, ear muffs, mittens and a princess ring that she had slipped on her mittened thumb.  Oh my, goofy Katie!

I could eat this all day long...

Lately Allie has been really enjoying and understanding food and telling me what she likes and what she definitely does not like.  Yesterday here is a sampling of what she told me:

Mom I could eat Peanut Butter Cheerios all day long.
Mom I could eat yogurt and peanut butter all day long.
Mom I could eat honeydew all day long.
Mom I could eat Special K bars all day long.
Mom I could eat banana bread all day long.
Mom I really don't like cottage cheese.
Mom I really like chocolate cake but I really don't like chocolate frosting.

Super cute words from an adorable little girl!

Lebanon Hills

On Sunday, after weeks of cold temps, the weather was finally nice for some outdoor fun and we couldn't have chosen a better place to enjoy the beautiful afternoon, Lebanon Hills Park.  After a bit of a struggle to get all geared up and into our winter attire, we headed to the park and rented some ski sleds.

Katie

Emily and Karen joined us as we followed the trails and made a trek into the woods.

Allie

As we made our way back, we crossed a lake where the girls had a blast making snow angels, snow men and being silly.

Allie

Katie

We finished our afternoon off by warming up by the fire in the Visitor Center.  What a fun way to spend a snowy Sunday in Minnesota!

Happy Valentine's Day

My favorite holiday of the year is Valentine's Day and this year was the best Valentine's Day ever! How can you not love a day that is filled with red, pink, hearts, chocolate and lots of love? Katie and Allie had lots of fun addressing valentine cards for all of their friends and making cake pops and cookies.

We had a great time visiting Grandma and Grandpa and buying treats for all of those that we love so much. As we were picking out treats for Daddy at the store, Katie and Allie huddled together and whispered a secret to each other. Then they asked me to close my eyes and they each picked out a chocolate lollipop for me. I cannot count the ways that I am so blessed.

Yellow Polka Dot Bikins

Today we got a package in the mail from Old Navy. I ordered some new clothes for our Florida trip and the girls immediately wanted to open up the package and try on their new clothes. Aren't these 2 girls so cute in their new yellow polka dot bikinis?

After I told the girls that we were taking a trip to Florida in a few weeks, we have been pretending to go on lots of trips, with Jackie and Isa :) We can hardly wait to actually go!

Allie's habits

I would have to say that over the course of the last month Allie has virtually stopped putting knots in her hair. She will say things to me like, "Mommy today I didn't knot my hair," or "Mommy I didn't put any knots in my hair at school today." She will still suck her fingers but that habit has greatly decreased as well, just mainly sucking them at night when she is falling asleep. Tonight we went to a friend's house for a dinner party and there was a moment when she was a bit uncomfortable and she immediately went for her hair. As I was putting her to bed at night she said, "Mommy I just put one knot in my hair tonight but I took it right out after I made it." I am so proud of her! It is interesting to note that she is becoming so much more self aware of her habits. My little Allie is growing up!

Wisconsin Dells

This last weekend we took a girls trip to the Wisconsin Dells.  It was one of the most relaxing and rewarding trips that I have ever taken.  It was so much fun to spending time with my girls and my besties, Karen and Emily.

We left Friday morning and arrived at the Dells around 1 PM.  As we unloaded the car, the girls put on their swimming suits and patiently waited for all of us to get dressed for an afternoon of swimming fun.  We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge which turned out to be a perfect choice for us.  After swimming for about 2 hours we headed back to the room to get ready for supper at the Lodge restaurant.  That evening at 8 PM the hotel had a pajama story time.  The hotel lobby turned into a magical animal kingdom with talking animals and animated Native Americans.  All of the children were mesmerized by the story and loved the fact that they could give the characters Willy and Violet the Wolf a hug.  

Saturday we filled our day with a morning swim, lunch in the room, an afternoon swim, dinner out at the Great Train restaurant, and pajama story time.  Of course we had to find time for an ice cream break.

Our favorite pools at the hotel turned out to be the wave pool, the lazy river and the family hot tub. Kaitlyn, Allison and Emily did so much swimming that bedtime again was a breeze.

Sunday after swimming for the last time we headed back home.  The weather was very frightful but Karen, the wonder woman that she is, got us all home safely.  Thank you my dear friends for an amazing weekend away!

Swimming lessons

Last Tuesday marked the mid week session of swimming lessons at the YMCA for my girls and as you can see from their report cards, they are really becoming some good little swimmers!

We love our teacher and I could not be more proud of my girls.  Katie is swimming on her front by herself and is still a bit hesitant on her back, but she is making great strides on being more comfortable in the water.  The big accomplishment last week was swimming a full lap on their front and back in the big lap pool (using bubble belts.)  A big boost to their confidence was being cheered on by a group of older ladies doing water aerobics in the same pool.  Way to go Allie and Katie!

Allison

Kaitlyn

Polite words

Yesterday I could not believe that these words were spoken by my children.

I was sweeping the floor and Allie said, "Mom let me help you sweep."  At breakfast time both Katie and Allie said, "Mom can you please get me a spoon?"  I was getting dressed to shovel the driveway and Allie said, "Mom can I help you shovel the driveway?"  At suppertime Katie said, "Mom I will set the table for you."  And at bedtime I only had to tell them one time to take a bath.

I love my polite children and I hope this phase continues for a very long time!

Mom you are a great doctor!

Last night in a matter of a few seconds, Kaitlyn and Allison both injured themselves.  Allison ran into Todd's finger and really hurt her eye.  After calming down and putting some ice on it, she quickly recovered. Kaitlyn somehow scratched herself and after tending to her needs and trying to make her feel better she said, "Mom you are a great doctor!"  What a nice compliment from my darling daughter.

Double trouble

Lately around bedtime, Kaitlyn and Allison will do anything but get ready for bed.  I wish they would find this energy and creativity during the daytime but the minute I say it is time to brush our teeth the games the silliness begin.  One night around 8 o'clock as I was sitting in Allie's room waiting for them to come and read books, instead of putting on their jammies, they walked into the room looking like this.

Another night Kaitlyn decided to empty out my underwear and sock drawer and she entered the room wearing my socks, underwear and bra!  I have to admit I wanted to laugh, but I had to do everything in my power to hold a stern face and tell her that wasn't appropriate.  Kaitlyn and Allison can double the fun but they can also make a lot of double trouble!

Katie my ladybug

Kaitlyn still loves to wear her ladybug costume that she wore trick or treating when she was 1 year old.  She can hardly get her head in the hood but insists on wearing this silly costume.  As I look at her beautiful face stuffed in her hood, wonderful memories rush through my head.  If we could only bring back time.....