Anna loves oats!

Anna had her first solid foods this past weekend. She loved them and Laura helped!

Happy (Belated) Earth Day

Laura learned a special song for earth day - "We Recycle".

I've tried my best to translate the words from Laura to English.

Busy Weekend

A Saturday in the life of Laura & Anna:
7:00-8:00 Wake up and eat life cereal or bottle
8:00-9:00 Anna nap with Mommy while Daddy and Laura join the neighbors picking up garbage around the walking path.
9:00-9:30 Snack - Strawberry bars.
9:00-11:30 Visit Gorillas, Lions, etc at Como Park.
11:30-12:30 Lunch at Chevy's in Bloomington.
12:30-2:30 Nap / Draw on bedroom floor using 'Alternative Media'
2:30-4:00 Play at the park with daddy
4:00-6:00 Go to Carnival fundraiser at the high school, then visit the cousins and play at their house.
6:00-7:00 Laura made her own pizza with Daddy and ate.
7:00-7:30 Play
7:30-8:00 Bathtime

And I wonder why I get worn out?

Back to some photos:

Anna in her carseat.


This is fun!


Gimme the flashing camera!


Sisters?



Ok, you get ONE smile for the camera.


Laura showing off her shades at the zoo.


The tiger was right next to the fence (usually they hide out as far away from people as possible), I think he was hungry for tourist.

Laura, nap time is NOT art time.

Well, another adventure in parenting. This afternoon I put Laura down for nap. She wasn't especially tired, but she knows the rule is she has to stay quietly in her room. She can read books, tell Bunny stories, or rest, as long as it is quiet.

After a while of quietness, I peeked at Laura expecting to see her cozy up to her pillow and bunny. To my surprise she was very diligently working in the corner of her room. Painting the carpet. With poop.

Dad: Laura, what are you doing?
Laura (Innocently): Playing
Dad: What are you playing with?
Laura (Less innocently): Poop.
Dad: Are you supposed to touch your poop?
Laura: No...... Laura go on timeout chair?
Dad: Yes


(1 diaper change & 2 minutes later)
Dad: Laura, do you remember why you got a time out?
Laura: Because I was playing...('The Smirk' coming on, and very emphatically) with my poop.

Emily did most of the cleanup and I finished off the stains. I think it looks pretty clean.

Basement Ready For Action

Well, I've pretty much finished up the basement. All looks good, and Laura LOVES running free downstairs.

Looking back at the stairway.


Looking at the window into the 'Art Nook'.


The entertainment corner.


The whiteboard that covers up the access to the water softener.


Looking back at the pocket door access to the storage room.

Now that's just showing off Laura

Last night we went to a restaurant to get some dinner and Laura was in full charm mode. Since she's a big girl and likes to "do it myself" she ordered for herself.

Friendly waitress: What would you like?
Laura: Grilled Cheese
Friendly waitress: Would you like french fries, fruit, or applesauce?
Laura (Quizzically): I want fruit AND grilled cheese!

At that point Laura won her over. Later Laura told her about dyeing eggs (You dip them with a spoon) and the waitress gave Laura a special treat on the house: An ice cream sundae. Laura ate the cherry on top and a couple of bites of the whipped cream and said "I'm done". She didn't care for the whipped cream, but Dad made sure the sundae didn't go to waste.

At one point she showed off her counting skills. Sure anybody can count, but Laura always has to show off a little.

Hoppy Easter

Laura and the gang had their Easter party this week. They dyed eggs, put stickers on them, and had a plastic Easter egg hunt with raisins in them!

Ok, I'm not a complete grinch and let Emily put some M&M's and jelly beans in some.

I found them!


Here's an egg.


I got a whole bunch. They are heavy,


Laura got to dye all sorts of colors. I was amazed that she didn't break all of them. She did really well.


A pink egg.

You let them sit a while in the blue water...


Laura's being very careful, notice the intense concentration.


Then you put stickers on them! So much fun. The best part is that you eat 'em!