World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day wasn't quite the same this year without our DSA community and the big party.  (I need to work on my networking in Cheyenne.)  BUT we do still have the best reason to celebrate so we moved the table, played some Baby Shark, did some dancing, jumping, picture snapping and giggling. 

We love this girl to pieces and couldn't imagine our lives without her or an extra chromosome.  

What's Happenin'

Well, throwing is obviously still a thing.

 Good thing she's cute though!

 We put together a counting game that ended in a hug every single time.  Counting is hit or miss, but the hugs were spot on.  

 Ready, set, go.....

 Cora wanted a picture of her special ice cream cone and I was all in.  

 We had a bit of a blizzard, 2 snow days, and some fun snow drifts.  

The older girls played outside for quite a while, but Indie preferred her snow at the heated table.

 While other people were grabbing groceries and other emergency supplies for the blizzard, I ran to Lowe's and picked up some deep blue/green paint.  Milan, Eden, and I love it.  Cora thinks it's too blue and Dave thinks it's a waste of wainscoting haha.  

 Indie pretended to want a hug, but made a quick grab for the phone.  She's a clever one and tries the same tactics at Milan's volleyball games.  She knows I won't let her run wild so she pretends to make friends with strangers, sit in their laps, then uses the first opportunity to run away. 

 Remodeled the kitchen with new appliances.  It seemed like a great idea until I realized the ice cream just became accessible to a certain little fan.  

 Cora LOVED St. Patrick's Day!  Even though she wasn't able to catch a very desired leprechaun, they did leave some candy.  Plus she got to wear her cute dress and switch her earrings for the first time.  

 Indie puckering up for a kiss with a little extra tongue action.  

 Love when this lady pretends to fall asleep with fake snoring and everything.  

  

Baby chicks, round 2.  This is my chick, Survivor.  Sad story, but this chick is sweet. 

Baby Chicks

I'm not sure that these baby chicks are thrilled to have joined our family, but our girls LOVE them.  They have been hanging out in the sun room for the past couple of days with a constant stream of visitors.  We have Junior Cora, Hoppie (Eden), Salmonella (Nella for short from Milan), and Bak-Bak (Indie) along with a few extras.  Just in case, you know, anything happens to these little gals.  

Playing Hookie

Last Friday we had some beautiful weather so I knew that I wanted to pull the kids from school and spend some time together.  Initially we planned on skiing, but that's a hard one to pull off without advance planning.  That was a bummer, but decided to spend the day in Fort Collins and it was a hit! A trip to the farm, Cafe Rio for lunch, a frozen hike around Horsetooth Falls (we had to turn around early because the ground was so slippery, I promised the girls we would go back, BUT there was a Mountain Lion attack on a runner on the same trail 2 days later so we'll have to see about that one).  We ended the day at a park we had heard was fun, and it was.  Twin Silos Park was a massive playground packed with kids and tall slides so we partied till sunset and are definitely planning to head back there! 

Sundays We Chill

After a busy weekend of house projects (trimming out the pink bedroom and kitchen cabinets, cabinet painting and MORE wallpaper peeling), we spent Sunday hanging out and attending church and hosting friends for dinner.  Okay, it doesn't sound super chill, but it was way more relaxing than our normal days.  It was also the perfect time to capture capture a few shots of our cute girls doing their thing.  

January

First of all, my New Year's Resolution was to learn my new camera.  You know, the one I bought 7 months ago, but left in storage because it was different than my tired old camera and "too nice to take anywhere."  Well, I am happy to report that I sat down with You Tube and figured that thing out.  Also, a little disappointed in myself for waiting this long, but can't change that now.  So, there's been some more photo-taking around here and I officially love my new camera!

Indie always asks for cereal, but really only loves the milk.  This trick right here helped her learn how to drink out of an open cup so I'll take it, even if she's a bit messy (with cereal and cups!) 

The face Indie made when Baby Shark came on Google!  She constantly tries to boss Google around, but she's going to need a little more articulation to pull it off. 

Surprised the girls with an after school trip to the Botanic Gardens then made them stand in pretty light while I figured out my new camera settings.  What can I say, they're pretty lucky kids.  

Indie is giving kisses with her tongue IN her mouth now.  Not to brag, but I also get running hugs and neck squeezes at preschool pick up.  

Cora requested a sombrero from Mexico and looks quite smashing!  

This month we have been working on the basement (removing wallpaper, patching holes, painting all the trim and doors) and Cora has been using her tiny fingers to peel wallpaper.  When we were chatting about working on things and being proud of our accomplishments, she told me that she already feels proud of the entryway when she walks in.  There are lots of times when I worry we made a bad decision with another fixer upper, but conversations like this make me hopeful that this experience will help the girls develop a strong work ethic and bring our family closer together.

Indie learned to jump as soon as we bought a mini trampoline for her birthday.  She worked hard to learn that and still feels proud of herself every time.  Falling onto the bed is just as much fun, and less work for her.  Milan's a champ for lifting her up there over and over and o.v.e.r. 

 I managed to untangle some necklaces from our jewelry mass and Indie was a fan.  

When I told Indie to put her tongue in her mouth.....