Fontenelle Forest

The thunder is rolling outside and tomorrow's school has been cancelled for projected snow so I can't help longing for yesterday when we spent the day enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

We haven't been able to attend Mudpies since Cora switched to morning preschool so this week off of school was the perfect opportunity.  I had to reschedule Indie's EI physical therapist, but she totally understood the value of giving Cora a day of adventuring.  Cora was so excited she was ready to walk out the door before Mudpies even started so we used the extra time to walk around.  We spotted a log area and went to work on a house and fire pit complete with surround seating. Cora was a great little builder then decided management was more her style as she directed me where to haul the wood.  Cora and I had a lot of fun together and Indie was content spinning around in the leaves and waving sticks around.  

After our morning adventures, Cora crafted at Mudpies then I took her out for a chocolate milk shake to make this a memorable mommy date.

BEAUTIFUL February Weather

We have had GORGEOUS weather this past week, just in time for our 4 day weekend!  We have spent a lot of time riding scooters, making up games in the backyard, and playing at the park.

Milan had a play date at Sophia's house and Eden had Julia over to play so it was perfect.  And these girls got creative with carrying their babies to the park.  

  Look who's bending their knees instead of just plopping down after standing.  And just look at that little belly.  

Today we took a family walk to Washington Park where we just played and laughed.  As Dave and I were sitting on a bench talking, snuggling Indie, and watching the older girls cracking up on the teeter-totter, I realized that today may very well make it into my top 10 for the year.   

 "More" pushes.

My view from the teeter totter.

Eden was excited to find Nora at the park.   

Miss Indie has a hard time napping when sisters are home because she doesn't want to miss any fun with her team.  Around 3:00, she couldn't hold out anymore.  

Everyone ended up at the teeter totter for girls versus boys.  I'm not sure there was a winner, but there was sure a lot of laughter!

The Day of LOVE!

I am pretty proud of how we celebrated this holiday like rock stars!  Despite some sickness and a flooring renovation that destroyed our house, we had so much fun being crafty for Valentine's Day!  

Milan has always loved photo cards and this year she took charge and led me to make the perfect card for her.  We had 45 minutes to kill during the girl's dance practice so Milan picked this exact spot and pose to show off to her class.

 I talked to Eden and Cora about some photo card ideas and the minute I said glitter, they were sold.  I love all these fun pictures!  

 We used materials from around the house to make awesome Valentine boxes.  Milan of course didn't need any help, but I got to work with Eden on this cute mouse-dog, uh, I mean Wiener Dog.  Cora wanted to be just like her big sisters so we made a cute unicorn box for her dance exchange.

This morning, the girls were surprised to find balloons and Valentine Coupons for a later bedtime, mommy or daddy date, family movie night, and other activities I am excited to share with the girls.  I got my own surprise when Dave walked in with roses after school and Cora said "he loves you!"  

We ended our celebration with fancy family dinner with bowtie pasta, heart shaped garlic bread, cucumber heart salad, sparkling cider in wine glasses and chocolate-dipped strawberries made by our very own chef Cora.  We got to talk about the different reasons we love everyone in our family then enjoy time together before bed.

Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to think about love and show my extra people a little extra, but I sure hope these people know just how much I love them every single day. 

Indie {14 months}

Things are clicking left and right for Miss Indie and it's so fun to watch!  Last month she learned to pull up on things and this month she is a machine.  It still takes Indie quite a bit of effort and almost always involves her mouth, but Indie does not give up.  If she wants to stand up on something, just wait, because she will.  Her favorite areas are the living room trunk and bathtub.  We are working on taking steps and she will push the walker veeery slowly and take a couple of small steps along furniture.

Indie has just started opening cupboards to tear things apart, has become quite a little climber on single stairs, raised platforms, etc.  An open dishwasher is obviously quite a score and don't even get me started on toilet paper, it's her favorite!

But the best part is that communication seems to be clicking.  We have been doing flash cards for months with some intermittent success, but yesterday we nailed them!  Indie signed baby, teddy bear, dog, mama, and babbled da da da da da for daddy.  This weekend Dave was holding Indie and she busted out the sign for da-da all on her own.  She uses ma-ma and all-done pretty consistently.  I can't even adequately describe my excitement for this language development.  

Indie has also started waving hi to people and it is the cutest thing ever!  Today at Costco, she waved to several people and of course they couldn't resist this cute little nugget.  

Even though I am a terrible singer, Indie loves me to sing "Popcorn" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider."  If she doesn't want to do something like getting her diaper changed, hair styled, or buckled in her car seat, I can win her over with one of those songs.  I think she is trying to learn the hand motions as well so we'll keep working on that.

Indie brings so much love to our family.  We love celebrating her accomplishments and being her people.  We really are the lucky few.  

 I was trying to take Indie's picture and said, "where's mama" so she would look at me.  This smart little lady responded with the sign for mama!

 She can even stand against a wall for the duration of the Popcorn song.