Princess, Pink, and Worms

Why have there been so few blog posts? Well, we've been spending all evening outside until it gets dark wearing out the kids.

Laura loves her Princesses. Every day she is someone else, on this day, she was Rapunzel.


Anna loves to have her hair 'pretties' in her hair. Keeps the darn stuff from getting in her eyes while she is digging for worms.


Laura is always around in case someone is sick. Keep in mind, she's still a princess doctor, hence the tutu!


The kids love to have picnic lunches and dinners in the back yard. I don't mind either, since the crumbs and spills seem to clean themselves.


Both girls planted flower gardens this year. Here's Laura's. She was a little more gentle transplanting the flowers. Anna, well she is a little more aggressive and planted the roots and stems in different spots for a couple of her flowers. But, some survived and she's been picking them.


Anna loves freedom. Having free reign of the backyard without boundaries (besides that pesky fence) is her dream.


This past weekend we took the girls to the Pinkalicious play. It rained on the way there, so we even brought pink umbrellas.


The girl cousins came to, so it was pink everywhere. Being that I lost my 'man-card' about the time the 2nd girl came (ok, well before that), I was fine with being around so much pink. And as much as they like pink, the are equally happy digging through dirt looking for worms, so I take comfort in that.

Hoppy Easter 2011

The girls really got into Easter this year, with making eggs, bunny ears, and 3 different egg hunts.

Laura knew right away when she woke up that there were some Easter baskets to find.


Mmm. Chocolate bunny. Or so we thought. She took one bite and said "I dono like it". then I read the box and the Easter bunny brought us 'Chocolate Flavored Candy' which is certainly not up to Anna's high quality standards.


After much searching, Laura found it.


Easter can be a big exciting day, so you have to be properly prepared. A good Yoga session to start the day helps. Here's the runner pose.


Downward dog


All stretched out, ready for the day.


Of the the prized possessions in the Easter basket were little bubble machines.


They made a ton of bubbles.


Grandma Becky and Grandpa Bud hosted an Easter Egg hunt. By this time the kiddos were old pros at the egg hunt.

Anna insists she to the same as the big kids.


Even if she can barely carry the bag.


Laura was determined to find as many eggs as she could.


She got a bagful too.


Ah, the Easter loot.

Cinderella

Last week, Laura and her preschool put on a production of 'Cinderella'. It was fitting that our little princess Laura played Cinderella. She had a lot of fun, and even practiced a few lines at home "But I WANT to go to the ball!!!!"

Laura passing out her autograph.


The mighty castle.


Notice the costume change as now she is at the ball.


Anna is getting more & more independent. Fiercely. Here she demanded to dress herself. She chose a swimming suit and rainbow leggings. Later in the day she militantly demanded that I not put her in a diaper. She said she was a big girl now and would be using the potty. And she did! Only a couple accidents for the rest of the weekend.


Laura showing off some Easter eggs she dyed. Anna ate hers instead of dying it.

Springtime is in the air

Well, FINALLY, spring is in the air. We were able to visit the baby farm animals at the zoo in the morning, and go to the park in the afternoon. The kids were a happy pair.

These kids actually LIKE to be brushed.


Ahh, back on the swings. They were in their element.


Anna getting ready to go down the slide after she crossed Laura's "Troll Bridge"


Down the slide she goes... Notice the little daredevil in the background.


As part Spring's arrival, we had a hot dog picnic in the living room to celebrate the Minnesota Twins' opening game. Thisis the ONE day a year that dad permits the kids to eat in front of the TV. Of course the game was not a strong performance by the good guys, but the kids had a lot of fun.


This morning Anna insisted on moving her learning tower in front of the sink. I didn't see the harm in it, and she quickly began to do the dishes. THIS IS A GREAT DAY. Pretty soon I can have my little servants doing all sorts of chores. Notice the attention to detail, I can see our dishes will be sparkling and the whites will never be whiter once Anna takes over.


The kids back in the park... A happy day.

Waterpark!

As we reach the end of a long hard winter, we took the girls on a spring break adventure to the Edgewater waterpark in Duluth. It's not exactly the same as going to a spring break in Florida, but we don't have to get on a plane and we can go on our own schedule.

Here is the whole family relaxing in the pool.


Today we put the kids in their life jackets today, Laura loved the freedom of going around the pool all by herself.


Zoom Laura. Zoom!


Laura really has the hang of scooting around the pool.


Anna loves the water. She's not quite as adept at zooming around the pool, but she sure has fun!


Anna making a break for it out of mommy's arms.


The swimming Gillespie Girls.


Here's an underwater shot... Because we can.


Afterwards, we warm up in our room!

Why I am nice to Emily...

The secret to muscle tone? No, its not training for triathlons or even lifting weights. The secret is carrying a 2 year old around downtown for an hour while daddy runs a race! Emily makes a great 21st century Rosie the riveter.


Now back to regulary scheduled pictures.

Here is Anna's Valentine's day breakfast.


Anna wearing her high fashion ensemble.


Laura's hair is just long enough to pull it back into a ponytail. She looks like such a big girl!


She even got some bobby pins.


Grandma Becky and Grandpa Bud are loaning us a very special light... Mickey! They knew how much both kids like Mickey, so they were excited to share it with us.

Happy St. Patty's day

First off, I am sorry I've been lax in my posting duties. Between a long winter, shoveling, rhinoviruses, and a general lack of excitment, I have barely taken the camera out. As spring springs, that will change. Today's adventure: Haircuts!

Anna really wanted the camera for herself.


Laura chillin on the couch waiting for the latest leapster download.


Anna got a nice braid in her hair when she got her haircut.


Hi Anna, I like your haircut!


Hoo hoo! MICROMODS!


Laura is very happy she earned those leapster points in order to get some new micromods.


Meanwhile, Anna is hopping around the house.