Playing Outside, Part 1

Here are pictures of the girls playing and exploring in the yard. They absolutely LOVE being able to play outside. And this weather has been nothing but perfect! We found some feathers, sticks, rocks, leaves, AND even a wooly worm! This is part one of a few, we took A LOT of pictures!

Growing In More Ways Than One

Katherine is growing taller, smarter, sweeter...and ornerier by the day! But her hair is really starting to grow too! I was drying my hair today and brushed through hers. Here are some pictures of her longer hair :) Most of the time it's all over the place so it's hard to see how long it really is!

It's Been a While...

...but we're still here! The girls and I have been so busy with the move that I haven't even thought about posting anything to the blog. And I know there have been so many cute and funny moments that I could have shared...so as soon as I remember them, I will post them! For now, here are a few pictures I snapped today, just to show you how they've grown. I put together their play set for them (a VERY neat set from Step2), and I hope to get some pictures of them playing on it tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be, yet again, beautiful! This is absolutely the most wonderful season of the year!

Big Girl, Little Girl

Today, Katherine needed to use the potty, so she let me know. We went to the bathroom, took care of business, and were getting ready to leave when Sarah trotted in and said "I go potty too?" Katherine promptly replied with, "No Sarah, this is for big girls like me, you're a little girl, you can't use my potty!" Of course I explained to Katherine that Sarah would also be learning how to be a big girl soon.

Later today, I was trying to pick up some books and toys they had gotten out earlier. I told Katherine and Sarah that they needed to help me clean up and be big helpers. Katherine replied, "Oh Mommy, Sarah can, she's a big girl...but I can't help because I'm a little girl." I asked "Really? I thought you said you were a big girl," and she responded, "Oh, not anymore!"

Heck, she's like a policitian I know of...changes her position when it benefits her! :)

"You're My Favorite Uncle"

Katherine likes to tell Uncle John that he is her "favorite uncle" so I only thought it fitting to post a couple pictures of her with him. :)

Mommy Wannabe

Sarah loves to sneak my headbands when she thinks I'm not looking....so here she is, tickled pink about her new hair piece!

We Love the Bank....

...because we get lollipops! :) The girls enjoyed their "treat" from the bank, and as most children learn very quickly, trips to the bank are a good thing!

Time to Color!

We had Alexa here the other day, and the three girls spent some time coloring! It's one of their favorite things to do!

Our Pet Kitty

We have a new pet - a kitty - named Sarah. We had to trade in our little girl Sarah to get her though, but I found it to be a good trade. THIS Sarah eats her meals and follows rules, which is quite a change from the old Sarah. We couldn't be happier!

Okay, but seriously, Sarah thinks she's a cat. While we change diapers, while we clean up toys, while we eat, while we rest in quiet time.....a cat. She even comes with a "meow" and licks her arms (and mine if I'm close enough).

The fortunate part about this is that she listens quite well in "cat" mode, which has been a challenging area for us lately - and I can get her to eat her dinner (which she has been so picky about!) by using the standard "Here kitty, kitty" and giving it to her in small pieces that she can eat off of the table.

Now, she's only 2, and I am glad to encourage her imagination and role playing....but if she's still a kitty in a few months, we might need to consider giving Kitty away in exchange for the little girl again!

On another note, Katherine finds great pleasure in having a "pet" now - she is sly and gives Sarah the food off of her plate that she doesn't want.

Oh brother....kids (and cats!), they make you crazy but you can't live without them!

Little Miss Independent and Her Sidekick

I told Katherine and Sarah we needed to go to the store today, as I forgot bread and cereal when we were there the other day. Katherine exclaimed "I love the store" and Sarah followed it up with "Oh, me too!"

Later this morning, I noticed Katherine wandering around the house like she was looking for something, and Sarah, of course, right behind her. I asked them what they were looking for. Red said "Nothing" but the little one didn't know better and said "We are looking for Katie's shoes!" I asked why they were looking for their shoes, and Katherine reminded me that "We are going to the store" and I told her not until this afternoon.

She just shook her head in disgust. I reacted with a "What was that Little Miss Sassy?" Katherine said defiantly, "Well you can stay here Mom, but WE are going to the store!" and Sarah tagged on "Ya! The store!"

I couldn't help but just laugh.

They spent about 3 more minutes in search of the shoe and then found Legos to be a tad more interesting. :)

Proud of Her Piggies

Katherine LOVES to brush her hair, brush my hair, brush Sarah's hair...and she is very proud when she sits still long enough for me to put her hair in piggies (as we call them). She also instructed me to put one (JUST one!) in Sarah's hair, though Sarah's hair is not quite long enough...I had to improvise. Here they are, cute as always. :)

Cute Girls with Cute Curls

Need Your Car Washed?

Katherine helped wash Mommy's car this weekend! What a BIG helper! :)

Labor Day Fun!

We went to Grandpa and Grandma Jansen's house for Labor Day and what fun we had! Katherine and Sarah got to wash Mommy's car, play with the ball and bat, water flowers, and more! Here are some pictures from our fun day!

The Look of the Month Is.....

.........The Nana!

Katherine was brushing my hair this morning and said "Oh mother, you look so Nana." My hair is cut shorter now, as is my mom's, so Katherine often compares my hair to my mom's.

Then later, I watched her brush her own hair, looking in the mirror, saying to herself, "Oh Katherine, you look very Nana....yes, you look Nana today. So beautiful."

So it looks like "Nana" is the look of the month. :)

My Little Helpers

I've been pretty sick the last few days, but Katherine and Sarah haven't gone far from my side. Katherine comes to me at least a few times each hour to ask me "Mommy, are you sick or are you better now?" to which I respond "Still sick sweetie."

Then she runs off, taking Sarah with her, and they almost inevitably come back with something to make me feel better - a picture they drew, a Lego creation, a doll, even a shoe (still don't get that one).

Such helpers they have been! I've been reminding them I need them to be helpers, to be nice to each other because Mommy is sick and can't do everything she would like to do. They have been taking it like champs!

My personal favorite was this morning.

I've been running a lot of movies (I hate doing it, but it's the only way I can get through the day being THIS sick and having them here with me), and I put in Meet The Robinsons this morning.

Katherine and Sarah were watching it, and they were taking turns coming up on the couch with me. Sarah would give me her bunny (for those of you who know bunny, it is a dear and beloved toy for her), and give me Eskimo kisses. Katherine would run her fingers through my hair. There was always one of them at my side.

Amazing to me how such small children can be so aware of what is going on around them, and they almost immediately become nurturers! They never cease to amaze me.

Sunday

I went to Breese to pick up the girls from Mom's, as they stayed there so I could go on a float trip with some friends.

Unfortunately, I was sick (couldn't speak but in a whisper), so I stayed home from church instead of joining them.

Uncle John picked up Katherine and said "I'm going to carry you instead of having you walk, so it doesn't take as long."

Katherine replied with "Okay....just don't drop me!" :)

We were in Breese on Wednesday so I could get my hair cut. Before we left Grandma's house, Aunt Barb stopped by. Barb, for those of you who don't know, has two cats named Midnight and Tiger.

Katherine loves the cats and asks to see them whenever she sees Barb. Unfortunately, this time, we had to tell her no, as we would be back in Breese on Friday for Alex's birthday. She would be able to see them then.

Grandma then packed a little baggie of marshmallows for Katherine to take for our trip home. We weren't but half a mile out of Breese when I asked Katherine "Baby, aren't you going to eat your marshmallows?"

She replied, "No, I don't feel good."
I asked, "You're sick? What doesn't feel good?"
She stated, "I'm just so sad."
And so continues the conversation:

M: Sad?
K: Yes, I really wanted to go to Barb's house.
M: Is that why you feel sick? Because you're so sad?
K: Yes, I'm so sad so I feel sick. I don't want to eat my marshmallows.
M: Oh sweetie, we will see the cats on Friday when we go to Alex's birthday party.
K: Oh. I will have to be sad until Friday.

(and then Sarah chimed in "I want marshmallows!" after she realized they weren't being eaten)

TOO cute! She was truly upset! Had a very sad face, teary eyes...she REALLY wanted to see those cats at Barb's house!

Fortunately, Barb let the cats out while we were there on Friday for the birthday party, and Katherine was very pleased.

She sure does wear her heart on her sleeve sometimes!

The girls and Alexa had fun at the park the other day -- and I almost forgot to post these! Oops! They love the park near Stephanie's house (and Mommy does too!) so we try to get out there as much as possible!

Three Girls = Busy Day!

Here are some pictures of the girls playing yesterday. As you can see, Alexa was in a "hugging" mood! :)