Helping Hands

Bronwen likes to be a helper. With a little direction from Daddy, she industriously helps to prepare the beer-bottling supplies.



All finished. Ready for a cold one?

Preparing to Visit the Tundra

This is mostly self-explanatory, but I will still give you the set up. I was working on the laundry, and Bronwen put a couple of T.J.'s boxers over her head and arms, like she was putting on a shirt. Kind of funny, but she does this all the time. She tells me that she wants to take the rest of his boxers to his bed (where I leave the clothes for him to put away). I told her to wait until I was finished, and then I handed over a stack of them to her, thinking what a big help it was to have her carry the clothes, even if they got unfolded as she placed them on the bed.

About 5 minutes later, she returns:



"All Dressed Up and Ready to Go" is a song Bert and Ernie sing:


Aurgh! Stupid battery died right when she said, "I need earmuffs."

A Day in the Park

Bronwen, Lila, and I went to City Park today to meet up with Bronwen's friends Tommy and Owen (and their moms). It was a perfect day, warm with a cool breeze.

These little seats look innocent enough, but sit on them, and they spin around like crazy!



Lila loved the swing: (Note: The sirens in the background had nothing to do with the park)



Snack time!

Both girls played in the sand pit: (Tommy's mom asked me what it's like to have a child who will sit still and play...Tommy likes to be on the move)



Bronwen had such a wonderful time running around with the boys! It is really great to know she has friends :-)

April 5th

Amid all the excitement of birthday parties and Easter, I managed to catch a cold. Nothing major, just stuffed up and have some chest congestion. Bronwen, too, has the runny nose, but she is a trooper and pushing through it fine. I told her in the morning that I was not feeling well and she said, "Don't worry, Mama. I will cuddle you, and you will feel all better."

In the evening she got her chance, crawling into bed with me and wrapping her little arms around my neck. She said, "There, there, Mama, you feel better now." I totally did. I wonder if there is some way to bottle that sweetness.

Happy Easter!

As you can tell, it was a very busy weekend. We woke up early and opened Easter baskets and then went to Easter mass on Sunday morning; afterwards we took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the girls at church.

Bronwen enjoyed receiving Dora gardening gloves, spade, and trowel from the Easter bunny.
Lila was overwhelmed with her basket of goodies:
Bronwen "helps" Lila with her new keys:

Family Picture at church:
Lila in the azaleas:
Bronwen at the fountain:
After church, we relaxed at home and played outside. Then we headed over to Aunt T's for the crawfish boil. First the girls received awesome hats and sand pails from BeeBee:
Lila looks all set for her beach vacation:
Then the girls received bubbles from Aunt T:
Bronwen really enjoyed playing with her cousins:
Cousins! All but one...we missed you Maddie!

Birthday party

Saturday was Lila's birthday party, and despite a soggy morning, the rain did clear away and didn't totally ruin the egg hunt I had planned. I only say "totally" because it did bring with it some pretty nasty humidity, and the kiddos weren't able to play outside as much as I had wanted.

The menu: French toast casserole, baked peaches, sausage balls, strawberry spring salad with candied pecans and vanilla vinaigrette, ham and cheese nibbles, and assorted fruit and granola with orange honey yogurt. We also had almond tea and various beverages outside.

The cake:

The cupcakes:
Bronwen and me:
Egg hunt in the back:
Egg hunt in the front:

Post-hunt choas:
Birthday girl!Tentatively tasting the cake:
Neat eater, just like her Aunt Jana:
Present time--Lovely dress from Aunt Kadee and family:
Cell phone and hammer from Miss Michele:
Singing Teapot from Aunt Becky and family:
Daddy and the birthday girl:

Happy Birthday Lila!

It is hard to believe that an entire year has passed since our sweet Lila made our little family grow to four. She has brought us untold laughter, giggles, smiles, and sweetness every day since she arrived. Happy birthday my sweet, patient, tough, determined, little Lila! We love you!