Apple Pick'n!

Today was a great day!  My girls were very tolerant while I spent the last couple of weeks on a bathroom renovation so I decided today would be a fun Saturday and it was :).  First, we drove to Iowa with our picnic lunch, enjoyed beautiful weather, picked apples, snapped some pictures, played at the park, and devoured apple cider donuts.  

After our adventure, I surprised the girls with the new Barbie movie from Redbox then we made apple crisp.  Milan wanted to try peeling apples so I said "sure,"  I think she was over it by the 4th apple, but she stuck it out and was super helpful.  We spent the rest of the afternoon playing outside with Lucy, roasting hot dogs at our fire pit, and watching the girls put on hilarious shows on the trampoline.  "Act like a crazy, spooky, princess."  What a fun day!    

Tooth Fairy

Eden's bottom tooth was a little wiggly and we were all pretty excited.  However, Eden is super squeamish about turning her earrings, so I figured it would be a while.  Today, they were downstairs watching the new Barbie movie, when I heard "gasp, I've got to tell mom," then little steps up the stairs.  I had no idea what the commotion was about, but was so thrilled (and relieved) to see Eden with her tooth and a bloody mouth.  She pulled it out all by herself!!!  First one and she's pumped! Yay Edenbug!!! 

Cora is 3

Cora has been 3 for a while now, but she has recently started showing us her strong-willed defiant 3 year old personality!  

These are some of the wardrobe guidelines:

- Shorts have to be tight and short (short like underwear).  If they are too long, they will be held up all day.

- The cute ruffly shirts are out because you can see the "tape" that holds them together

- Jeans are completely out of the question

-Some skirts are loved, but other skirts and dresses are only tolerated occassionally

-There is a cute white shirt that would match most everything, but has never been worn, I'm not sure why.

- Leggings are almost always be pushed up into capris

-Hair is always worn in a baby Elsa braid.  Sometimes, there is a request for a ponytail or piggies, but that immediately feels "too loose" and gets yanked out.

-Favorite outfits are nightgowns and "baby swishsuit".  They are sometimes worn under real clothes when leaving the house.  

After we get dressed, which can be a little trying, I love spending the morning with this little nut.  Sometimes we go to Mudpies, the ECC, bike rides (when she hates sitting next to a baby boy while I ride with my friend), and play dates.  Other times, we hang out at home and watch shows, play games, eat snacks, and Cora can destroy the house surprisingly fast!  Cora has preschool Monday-Thursday afternoons.  The first day was a total success, but she has been hesitant ever since.  She takes a blankie in her backpack and most days she asks me to come in with her for a couple minutes. Days where we have busy mornings are more difficult, but she is always completely fine once I leave. She is always super excited to show me her sticker and give me a big hug when I pick her up.

What else has Cora been up to?  She likes to sneak into Milan's room and play with her special stuff.  She knows it's wrong because she shuts the door and does it very quietly.  If I tell her something she doesn't want to hear, then she pretends like she can't hear me.  If I tell her no, she will sometimes go ahead and do it right in front of me anyways.  She has super cute dance moves, loves to sing to "Shake it off!," has a specific chair and spot on the couch, loves Elsa, already loves her baby sister, talks about Halloween, Christmas, and her next birthday constantly.  She has quite the personality and we love her to pieces.

Activity Days Temple Pictures

The activity days leader, who is super nice and amazing, asked me to take some pictures of the girls at the temple so of course I said yes.  I packed up the girlies (after Eden's gymnastics class) and took a ton of pictures while my girls were bouncing off the wall.  The group shots with Cora are extra crazy so we took some with and without her awesome poses.  These are some of my favorite shots with my special activity day girl.  

Birthday Schindig

Eden was super excited about celebrating her birthday with a mermaid pool party.  We had some friends come over after school on her birthday and partied it up. 

 Milan made this awesome Mermaid sign while Eden and I made the crowns for our Pin the Crown on the Mermaid game.  It was perfect!  

Eden's 6!!!

This awesome little lady was super excited about her birthday, but not so excited about birthday pictures.  We compromised by heading down the street to a house with a pretty front yard and taking pictures for 5 minutes.  We started with silly faces, then got a couple of beautiful pictures that I absolutely love.  

Eden can be strong willed and is still capable of throwing down a massive tantrum.  She can also be incredibly sweet and compassionate toward others.  She loves to play teacher.  She really enjoys being home instead of out adventuring.  She really likes riding in the bike trailer because she has no interest in riding her bike.  She loves loves playing tickle monster with dad.  She is trying to stop sucking on her fingers and that is a hard one.  She loves sweets and clenches her fists when she gets really excited.  We are very grateful to have this spunky little lady in our family!  

 Eden couldn't think of a single thing she wanted for her birthday, but luckily I was able to come up with some good ideas.  Her favorites were a remote control Barbie Jeep, Twinkle Toe Shoes, and a loud obnoxious car track from grandpa Bob.  Happy Birthday Eden!