Dancing Queen

This girl cracks us up. All day long. 

Tonight was like no other, except that I caught it on video as I pretended to be looking at my phone when in fact I was using the video record :) 

Sneaky mom. 

She's in love with dancing while watching her shadow. 

Enjoy this adorable 4 year old still in her gymnastics outfit after dinner on the patio. 

But don't forget to clap at the end (listen to her holler at the end "clap"...."CLAP!"). 

cracks me up.

S-P-R-I-N-G!

Man it was gorgeous today. Simply lovely. We dropped off Regan at school this morning and headed straight to a park. Sidney couldn't get out of the car fast enough. She bolted for the play ground equipment. And that sunshine felt just so wonderful. 

It was so early in the day that all the slides were still wet from the night before. Sidney thought it was great that she could sit down on a blanket and fly down the slides as a method to drying them off. 

She moved around the park with ease and I could tell she was happy to be back outside. Sid is the kind of kid who doesn't like to be cold. So it was a very very long winter of being cooped up inside. 

We even ran around the tennis courts, and while we didn't actually play tennis, it was a perfect spot to practice some gymnastics! 

I think she wore herself from all that outside play today. I know she wore me out! 

Year end wrap ups begin

Regan finished up her religion class last week, and with it came a celebration and graduation. I'm proud of all that she has learned this year, and what she has brought home to teach us. Let's just say she pays a lot more attention in church these days. She also made some new friends whom she looked forward to seeing each week. 

I'm also crazy proud of Sidney. You see, we live a fair distance from our church and Sidney/I were forced to find things to do each week during Regan's class. Often, we would spend the hour just sitting in the car talking, working on hand-writing or doing flashcards. Sometimes when it was too cold to sit in the car for an hour, we would stop for a Caribou, or wander the aisles of Walgreens (the only store in the area). And sometimes she would score and we were able to find a wifi connection and she could watch a show on the iPad. Nonetheless, we are all very thankful that the church class school year has ended.

Congratulations Regan, we are very proud of you!

Snowy adventures

When I volunteered to chaperone Regan's nature center field trip on April 22nd, snow was the last thing I anticipated. Nonetheless, I ventured into the cold and took in the white winter wonderland. I have to admit, it was a beautiful back drop. The thick white snow clung to the branches. Now if this were January, I would have been in full delight. But let me remind you, it was April. 

The twenty-second! 

Pretty isn't it. 

Regan was very interested in the nature walk, though we all admitted, it was difficult to go on a nature walk when the plan was to learn about spring and tree buds and all we saw instead was brown and bark. Plan B, we got a lesson in bark and animal snow tracks.  

After a long (and cold!) walk through the woods, we finally came inside for what the kiddos agreed was the best part of the field trip: meeting some animals. 

First up was a snake. Regan's teacher is petrified of snakes so she politely waited in the hall and allowed us chaperones to keep watch on the kiddos. 

Regan didn't bat an eye at taking her turn touching the slithery thing! 

The barred owl was my favorite. Those things amaze me, and watching as she got spooked a time or two was incredible. She "flew" (not really because she was tethered to the lovely staff), and showed us the wing span is incredible! The kids were so well behaved, listening quietly and not making a peep as instructed when she started "flying" which would only have spooked her more. Let me tell you, it was a bit scary, especially for the front row. 

I am so grateful to be able to skip out a few hours on work volunteer to tag along on these adventures with Regan. I know a day will come when she doesn't want me there; but so far, she's loving my presence as much as I love being with her. Too bad I have officially lost my first name, and am known solely as "Regan's mom" throughout the entire school. Awesome.  

She SWIMS!

A little history: We started Sidney out in swimming lessons this session, and two weeks into it we were all frustrated. She was in tears, and we were sad to see her struggle. A week later she had a change of attitude and started to embrace her class. And holy buckets I can't say how happy we are that we all stuck it out. Because trust me, we were very close to letting her quit. We even justified it between ourselves that this style of learning was not for her. 

Fast forward to today: Today, as we hunted for things to do on a dreary, COLD, wet, COLD day, we opted to head to a local indoor pool, with one massive water slide. At first we played on the kiddie side, both girls going up and down the 5 foot slide, landing safely in a puddle of water. But soon the big water slide opened up, and we watched as kids flocked to that side of the pool. Ryan and Regan headed over, but Sidney was upset, wanting to join in the fun. So we ventured over to the lifeguard, who told her "if she can swim, she can go down" (the slide lands in 3' 6" of water...over her head). We knew it was a little bit of a risk, but she was soooooo eager to give it a whirl. So she proudly walked up the stairs with Ryan and Regan. I anxiously waited on the bottom, knowing full well that I might be jumping in to save my sweet Sidney. First came Regan, who knew to slowly make her way to the safety zone (in the event she too needed to help save her sissy). Then came Sidney, we had coached her to puff out her monkey cheeks just before reaching the bottom in case she went under. I watched her monkey cheeks as she landed in the water....and then she did it;  she swam to the side! All. By. Herself. Her little arms paddling herself and legs kicking away as she made it a solid 6 feet to safety. Whoop whoop! She was beaming. I sure wish I would have gotten a video of it. Unfortunately, after about 10 times going up/down the slide, the water park had to close due to poop in the pool. 

Yea, mega gross. 

(We all took 2 showers this afternoon, one at the exit of the pool. And another upon returning home. Icky!)

Congratulations Sidney!! We simply cannot wait to get you into the pool this summer, and watch as you jump off the board and swim to the edge on your own, without all the gear that keeps you afloat! 

We have another artist

Regan has been drawing us pictures for a very long time. And recently, Sidney's artistic abilities have started to shine. At 4 years old, she is creating masterpieces that she is very proud of, and we are too. I love the details of adding a sun and clouds to her sea of flowers. She was quick to point out the house she added too. Lovin' it!

I might have to buy a second refrigerator just for a spot to hang all these pictures! 

In search of warmth

This is what Regan wrote for part of her homework yesterday. All I can say is, I'd like to join that butterfly.

A trip to Grandma/s house

We spent the weekend in New Ulm hanging out with family and celebrating Grandpa Arnie's 70th birthday! 

First stop was Grandma Jan/Papa's house where the girls got their fix of books, golf and Pac-Man! My mom still has my collection of Berenstein Bear books from when I was a wee one, and let me tell you, the girls are simply in love with those books. These two curled up on the couch and read a stack of them, taking turns reading. My mom then took us to a local store that sells anything from clothing to garden equipment (small town "ya know") and there were tubs and tubs of baby chicks. I had to chuckle when people looked at my girls who were squealing in delight to see baby chicks INside a store!  

Eventually it was off to dinner with a crowd of people celebrating Grandpa who just recently turned 70! And what little girl doesn't want to help grandpa blow out his birthday candles?

Ryan got in on a quick photo opp with P-Money. His shy smile is just so darn adorable! 

It was a quick weekend in town and a lot of poor weather/road conditions but we are happy to have been able to celebrate and hang out with family! 

Embrace the day

I'm impressed with the girls' ability to embrace the recent "spring" weather. While the rest of us dread the sight of it, they are making the most of the white stuff. Sid opted to sled down the driveway and I caught Regan making a mess of her snow suit with friends at school while butt sliding down a muddy/sloppy hill!

Catch up

We've been having a good time lately. Here's a little catch up from some recent shopping excursions. Sidney is a complete ham, and tries on everything and anything! It takes twice as long to get through any store but I'm not complaining because at least she likes to shop!

First grade music program

Today was Regan's first grade music program. As her teacher gave introductions to the program, he joked that he should have titled it "Rain or Shine....or Snow". 

To say she was excited is an understatement. She wanted it to be a complete surprise to all of us so for the last several weeks, has refused to talk about music class and what they were learning. This girl is a natural on stage. She has no hesitation, no fear, and loves the spot light. Click HERE to watch her singing solo; she did also have a speaking solo but it's not nearly as entertaining as the singing one!

She also continues to be one of the tallest girls in the first grade so gets placed on the back riser for all performances. I'm not really complaining, it's a good view for her. 

There were close to 100 first graders on stage tonight. And it was a lovely performance which sure impressed all of us in the audience.  

 I was pleased as punch to have Regan pose with her first grade teacher and student teacher at the reception afterwards. These two teachers have an incredible amount of patience and a grace that marvels me as I watch them take over a group of rowdy 7 year olds and turn them into quiet learners in 3 seconds flat....now if only that grace worked for me at home! 

We are so very proud of you Regan! You did an excellent job today and are so much fun to watch! 

No more monsters

For months, Sidney swore that monsters are living in/on the other side of her wall. To the point that we even brought her outside late one night to prove its an exterior wall and that there were no monsters on the other side. It was a brown accent wall, to compliment the other 3 pink walls. She really disliked it. A LOT. Finally, she convinced me/my mom to change it. And the end result is silly adorable! Thanks again mom!!! She loves it and last night for the first time, faced that wall while drifting off to sleep! Here's a picture:

Frozen ball games

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day....unless you were at Bethel fields in the shade. Then it was bone chilling cold! Ah, but it's Minnesota and I LOVE watching Logan play so it was well worth it in my book! Sidney and Regan were in their glory about 1) sitting beside Hunter and 2) taking Hallie for walks. Can't wait for more ball games (and here's hoping to warmer temps).

Story time

This afternoon, as I sat down to do homework with Regan, I could hear Sidney having "story time". I peaked into the living room and saw that she had a full blown classroom/story time in front of her.
Sure it was missing most of its students, and she, of course, was dressed in play clothes and heels, which meant I couldn't resist taking a picture. 

She heard the camera noise and got pretty upset with me for taking her picture, but I promised to stop so that I could listen to her continue. 

That girl and her imagination, it is something to be proud of!

Como, Como, how we've missed you!

As we wait (every so impatiently) for spring to arrive, we headed over to Como today with some friends . The girls were giddy excited as we waited for them to arrive. This particular hallway was filled with warm sunshine and their laughter as they swung each other around in circles. 

 At a minimum, we were able to soak in the smell of spring today. The sunken flower garden is my absolute favorite. It really never gets old. Ever. All of us adults were overcome with the smell of flowers, and we each commented on it as we walked in. 

 I love how my girls know to get into "posing" mode and never bat an eye when I ask them to 'quick turn around' for a picture. They simply smile and, if you're Sidney, tilt your head to the side to show just how cute  you are :) 

I got them all to line up nicely too, not bad. 

The girls have been gracing this room since they were wee babies, I really should do a side-by-side of all the pictures I have over the years. 

 This was the best we got for a family photo....sorry Regan! 

And as per tradition, after a run through the conservatory, we had to make our way through the zoo. Many of the animals were sleeping (or pacing), guess it was just one of those days. This chimp was born in 2007, and it amazes me that he grows at roughly the same pace as a human. For years he has seemed so small, and now, he's definitely in "kid mode" as he relaxed in a corner curled up in a blanket instead of jumping up and down on his mom like he usually is doing. 

Thanks for a great afternoon guys! 

Can't wait to head back again when it's WARM!

Can I get a whoop whoop!

Sweet Sidney made a move to a new swim school last month and man alive she's been petrified. It's the whole "put your face in the water" that has been troubling her. Her teacher has been A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! and recently gave us homework to try in the tub. By golly it worked!!! Not only was she not scared, but she was having a blast!! I had tears streaming down my cheeks watching today. Way to go sweetie!!

Hoppy Easter

Another Easter has come and gone. Easter is one of our most favorite holidays, for a host of reasons. Mainly because it is THE ONLY religious holiday where there is no travel involved for the four of us. 

None. 

And that alone makes all of us smile. 

Instead, the gang travels to us, and allows us to spend the wee mornings of the holiday in our PJ's, 

checking out our Easter baskets.

And jump up and down so fast to see her very first ever chocolate bunny. Mr. E.B. outdid himself with an indoor egg hunt too!

 Eventually we get cleaned up and start to look respectable to leave the house and head to church. Again, happy to get ready in our own home :) 

 This allows extra time on everyone's part to act a little silly in front of the mirror. Sidney thought it was hilarious to dance like a monkey, sound effects and all. 

These two melt my heart and make me smile. 

And he does too :) 

We were one set of grandparents short this year, as my parents headed out to visit my brother in the DC area. We sure missed them!

The girls were reluctant to keep posing for pictures and Sidney started adding furry animals to the shoot. 

My friend and her amazing service dog joined us for Easter too. Boy oh boy were the girls over-the-moon excited to see Milo....and Angie too of course :) 

Oh how I could just snuggle up next to him and take a nap, he might be the softest, most snuggly dog in the world!

Finally, all of us in one picture! I had hoped we would have more spring-looking attire...but 34 degree temps weren't exactly allowing it.

Aunt Amy brought the girls some fun create-your-own-hand bags complete with stickers. Ryan thought he was pretty funny when he found the sticker that said "Caution: Hot!"

We simply love Easter, and now that spring is just around the corner, I can actually feel it! Our closets are even starting to transform; out with the snowflake decorated shirts and in with the t-shirts and capris! 

Happy Easter!