Day 6-Snowy Day

We got some snow, and Elise begged me to  help her build a snowman. The snow wouldn't stick together at all though, so we ended up with a pile. I did the best I could, but the result was pretty sad. I wanted a quick picture of Elise before we went inside, but she was cold so this is her trying to smile. But the sunset was beautiful! The picture doesn't do it justice.

world's most pathetic excuse for a snowman

poor Arizona kid

The girls loved all the pink.

Day 5-Daniel Tiger Obsession

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is a big part of our lives recently. Both the older girls like it, but Charlotte is obsessed. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that they watch two episodes pretty much every day. Lately the same two episodes, over and over. My brain is due to turn to mush any time now.

Really, though, it could be worse. Like Teletubbies. *shudder*

Charlotte delighting in her favorite show.
This is how she zones out, with her left thumb in her mouth while she feels her hair elastic with her right hand.

Charlotte got these toys and this book for Christmas. Fuel for the fire.

Day 4-Pre-Church Play Doh, Fridge Magnets, and a Roly Baby

Today was the first Sunday of the new year, and our church time changed from 9am to 1pm. I prefer 9am, since 1pm is Charlotte's naptime, but it was nice to have some time to play together this morning before church. The girls love play doh. I even let Vera touch some today.

(Also, I have noticed that a lot of pictures so far have been the kids in their pajamas. I promise that's a coincidence and that they get dressed every day.)

Elise with her play doh family

Charlotte was being a stinker and tasting some even though she knew she wasn't supposed to.

Then later I was working with Charlotte on her name with our fridge magnets. I would tell her the next letter, and she would pick it out of the group of letters and put it in its place. Poor kid has nine letters and a confusing beginning sound, so I suspect we will be working on her name for a while.

Last, but not least, Vera has finally started to really roll from her belly to back! She has been able to do it for a while now if you position her arms for her, but she is finally getting her arms out in front enough that she is rolling on her own more often. It's hard work to roll over when you're four and a half months old and 17 pounds, the poor little chunker! We love this beautiful, growing babe and enjoy her blossoming personality every day.

Obviously, this is more than one photo from today. I don't want to limit myself to one if I feel like posting more, but the plan is to post at least one photo each day. I'm having fun so far!

A Photo a Day-Day 3

rainy day walk to check the mail

A Photo a Day-Day 2

This morning, Elise put together her mermaid puzzle. (She let Charlotte put the last piece in so they could say they did it together, such a sweet sister.) Then Charlotte wanted to wear the mermaid dress-up dress and "swim" with the mermaids in the puzzle. Having little kids means endless amusement.

Also, could we please have three Saturdays every week? We are loving having Matt home with us for a four day weekend.

A Photo a Day-Day 1

In an effort to get back to documenting our lives on his little blog, I have decided to try to post a photo a day for 2015. Hopefully setting a small goal will help me stay on track.

So for the first day of the new year, here's a photo of Elise, decked out in dress up attire. When we're at home, she almost always stays in dress up clothes. For going out, she begs to wear a dress or skirt. Yellow is her favorite color. The tutu is from Christmas. She also got an Anna dress, and an Elsa dress to match that tiara (from the movie Frozen), so she's had lots of fun dressing up lately. And that's spaghetti staining her mouth. I love this four-year-old, and I never want to forget her dress up days, her obsession with yellow, or the stubborn way she insists on dressing in impractical clothes.

Sisterly Love

We are all so in love with baby Vera. Charlotte, who was already crazy for babies before she became a big sister, has a special love for Vera. And if you've ever had a newborn with little ones in the house, you know that protecting the baby from overly affectionate older siblings is a full-time job. Constant vigilance! Smothering a person with kisses and hugs is a real danger, and I mean literally smothering. So much love. I told the girls a couple of times, "Please don't clobber her!" And now Charlotte (who apparently doesn't know that clobbering a person is frowned upon) tells me, "I want to quobber her!"

Charlotte meeting Vera for the first time

Most of the time, she is so very sweet and gentle.

tummy time snuggles

no such thing as too close

I love it when they give Vera sweet kisses.

Charlotte loves to tell us, "She likes me." She also tells us when Vera needs a hug, needs a kiss, has her eyes open, is looking around, is asleep, is crying, spit up (you get the idea).
Charlotte is also a terrific assistant burper and pats Vera's back with me and says, "Burp, Vera, burp."

Charlotte even shares her very special butterfly blanket lovey. She loves that Vera has a big butterfly blanket of her own. "They match the same butterfly blanket!" is frequently repeated.

And sometimes she is sweet but not so gentle.

Vera probably sleeps better at night because this is what happens when she tries to sleep during the day.

Does it count as touching if she doesn't use her hands?

Charlotte told me, "I want to squeeze her cheeks and say chubby willy nilly." Don't we all, Charlotte?

Love these girls, all three of them. They are going to be the best of friends someday. If Vera survives all the love.