So Thankful

Catching up from the past 2 weeks of busy life...

 

Two Sundays past, the weather was just beautiful, so we skipped naps and spent the afternoon outside at the park.  The swings were kept very busy :)

 

 As were the other toys...

 Ezri got some energy out running and playing...

 And then we went high on the swing together!

Our week was pretty quiet all things considered.  Lots of noise, no doubt, but lots of giggles too!  Alora has lately become quite interested in my water bottle.  She has quickly learned how to drink from it and now wants to get it any time she sees it out and in reach.

Two Fridays ago, the girls and I headed off to MOPS, taking in a beautiful sunrise as we drove (fear not, I took this picture at a stop sign). We enjoyed our time at MOPS, but even more fun lay ahead for the day.

We got to accompany Daddy on a business trip to Chicago! A first for either girl, and Alora's first time out of state, it was an adventure for all of us on the 3 hour ride there. Tucker got to accompany us as well! Alora slept a good portion of the trip, Ezri did not. She has never been one to sleep on car rides, from day one, so she slept all of 30 minutes and soon this Mommy was scrambling to entertain a very active toddler who was tired of being confined while keeping the peace in the vehicle so we all arrived safely. We did. We were able to drop Daddy off at a meeting and check in to the hotel. After getting lost twice (oops), we got Daddy back and spent the evening swimming in the hotel pool.

Ezri hopped right in and resumed her swimming success from this summer with no hesitation. She was soon swimming all over that pool and having a blast! Alora loved to kick and splash as well :) Our night of sleep was interesting to say the least. As Daddy needed to work, the girls and I snuggled into bed and watched some cartoons, hoping the little ones would drift off. Initially, Ezri was supposed to sleep on the sofa bed, but soon she ended up sleeping in our bed. Part way through the night, she awoke confused and crying. After calming her, she settled in a new position laying on my chest. This position shifted all night until I was left sleeping on a sliver of the edge of the bed with her feet in my face!

While Daddy was gone again to another meeting, the girls and I headed back to the pool for the morning :)

We had a great time at the hotel together! Tucker did a great job, and Ezri had a blast. It was difficult to explain to her why she could not scream or jump on the floors, but overall she did really well and we enjoyed our little family trip together.

Back at home, we had a long Sunday.  Two very tired little girls did so well at church and had smiles left over at home.  Ezri was excited that she and Alora were wearing purple and white together, so of course a picture was in order!

 Back at home, almost daily we played "store".  Ezri loves to get her play food out and place it all around the living room, organized by type (fruit, veggies, etc.) so she can go shopping with her little cart and bags.  She gathers up her groceries and brings them to me so I can help her pay using Alora's little piano as a cash register.  This is a fun activity for Ezri, but often filled with squeals of protest from both girls as Alora wants to play too and grabs food or Ezri takes away something Alora has.  It can get chaotic, but we have fun and learn as we go :)

This Thursday brought Thanksgiving our way.  We celebrated by spending the day with Opa, Oma and Aunt Becky.  After eating some delicious food, Ezri and Opa went to the playground for a bit.  Then we all went on a walk together and followed that up with more play and food.  Result: a very tired family and a two crashed little girls when we finally arrived home.  A rare sight - Ezri actually fell asleep in the truck and it was too cute to pass up.

With so many things to be thankful for, we have been preparing throughout the month of November by placing a leaf each day onto our Thankful Tree.  On each leaf, Ezri has helped me name something we can be thankful for and we then wrote that onto the leaf.  Our once bare tree has now become very colorful with leaves filled with blessings.  God has truly blessed us with so much more than we deserve!

 

Learning Fun

We've seen some chilly but beautiful weather this week, but we're getting one more glimpse of some warm weather this weekend before we drop back to cold again.  A chance for us to finish up any last yard work and get things prepared for the coming snow, sigh...  Still, this beauty that each new season brings always gives opportunity for some pretty sights that keep this Mommy mindful of God's greatness in all he has created.  Sunrises like this one we drove into last Friday on our way to MOPS made me mindful of how blessed I am with all I have been given.

We got another tote filled with clothes and goodies from our neighbors for the girls.  Inside, Ezri discovered a couple of puzzles and has been busily working at these puzzles daily.  Given time to herself, she accomplished one 9 piece puzzle by herself one evening!



 The girls have been feeling much better this week.  We believe Alora is soon to get another tooth, so she has been bothered by that, but is her usual cheerful self.  She is taking more risks to stand by herself and braver in her walking, sometimes holding on with only one hand to someone as she treks through the house.  She seldom sits when put down now, but puts her feet down and wants to walk!

While Alora napped one day, Ezri and I baked.  She was so excited to wear her little apron and crack the eggs, dump the filled measuring cups into the bowl and stir the batter for our chocolate chip banana muffins.  She had so much fun, and I had a difficult time keeping her little fingers out of the bowl, catching her sneaking batter constantly!  We had gotten their flu vaccinations that morning (medicine so she would not get sick, we told her), so when I asked her to stop eating the batter, she told me it was ok because she had just gotten medicine so she wouldn't get sick :)

While we baked, Alora napped.  When she woke, I opened up her door and then went back to the kitchen to quickly pull muffins out of the oven.  When I returned, I heard a bunch of noise and discovered Ezri had climbed into the crib with Alora and was jumping.  Both girls were giggling and enjoying themselves quite thoroughly!

This week we were able to visit with some friends on Thursday. While this Mommy visited with her friend, Ezri warmed up quickly to the other children and was soon playing, getting snacks and trekking around the farm. Alora got right to exploring as well :)

 Much of our week at home was centered around learning fun. Inspired by Pinterest (a website that I have to be careful with for risk of addiction), I found some crafty ideas for making "busy bags" filled with fun ways for Ezri to learn while keeping her occupied in moments I need to be tied up with Alora. So far we've made 5 bags, one for making shapes, sorting colors, sorting varied shades of each color, stuffing pompons for find motor and using felt to make ice cream cones. Ezi has been so engaged in these activities, eager to get each out every day. 

 As we ended our week, Ezri entertained herself with Tobi.  She leashed him up with a toy and was "walking" him around the house!  While Ezri thought it was great, Tobi was not so sure about the game...

 This weekend, we intend to be busy outside, soaking in the last warm days of this fall, preparing our home for winter.  We are excited to get out into the warmth and play.

Life Sized S'more!

We had some extra fun this past week :)  Sunday our church sponsored a Trunk-or-Treat in Dorr.  Hundreds of local kids showed up to get candy from the many vehicles parked around and it was a cold but fun hour of kids and candy.  Our girls went through the line before most of the kids and got their share of sweets.  Ezri was happy to help hand out the candy, making sure everyone got their share...

This year, we all dressed up together to make one costume - a S'more - Alex and I were graham crackers, Ezri was a chocolate bar and Alora was a marshmallow :)

 There were a lot of us participating and it was quite a big group to fit into a photo!

 Wednesday, Halloween, we dressed up again to do a little Trick-or-Treating.  It was VERY cold and windy, so we made it to the end of our street and back before packing up and heading to the farm to see Great Grandma, "Ancy" (Aunt Nancy) and Elizabeth.  The girls spent tons of time there just playing inside where it was warm.  As they get few children visiting out there, our girls cleaned up and came home with more than enough candy :)

Cutest little marshmallow and chocolate bar ever!!!

 We reached another milestone for the girls at the end of October.  Ezri is now 32 months...

 And Alora is now 9 months old!

 While it has been quite cold and windy here this week with effects of Hurricane Sandy blowing our way, we've been inside a lot.  However, we have taken in some beautiful sunsets this week that were quite stunning!

 Alora spent much of this past week under the weather, running a fever, fighting a cold and just generally not herself.  There have been many nights were we put her to bed only to have her awake an hour or so later and join Daddy and I as we relaxed before bed.  Finding a second wind, she could be quite amusing at times, especially singing into Ezri's microphone :)

 Ezri has left us with no shortage of laughs this week.  Barky has become her sidekick in a new way lately, developing his own personality and wanting lots of things.  One day we visited a store and Barky wanted a lot of things off the shelf.  At home, we found him sniffing food and making mischief...

Ezri also had this Mommy smiling this week with a comment in response to my frustration.  As most any mom knows, the house just doesn't stay together and there is often a pile somewhere needing put away.  One afternoon as I was surveying the general disorder, I asked when the maid was coming.  Ezri piped up immediately that it was OPA - Opa would be coming soon!  Not sure if Opa knows about this arrangement, but he's gonna have his work cut out for him when he gets here :)

As we end this week, Ezri is now the one fighting illness, also running a fever and though active, not quite as peppy.  We braved it to MOPS this morning and it was a wonderful time for both Mommy and the girls.  Our church Grandma's loved up my girls and I got to meet and build relationships with my new mom friends, sharing times of laughter and sharing.