Ready...Set...Go!

This has become a favorite outdoor activity this week... To run down the hill! Since Cooper and Hollie were over they joined in on the fun. 

We spent another afternoon outside before and after nap. Our conversations go from bird eggs at gramma Coco's, to Steve and Jason working, to Paul sleeping. The backyard is such a fun outdoor oasis:)

Happy 19th Tyler!

You outgrew my lap but never my heart. 

My sister asked me today what's it like to have Tyler at college for his birthday?

I replied with, just like this past year of college has been, a new different normal:). 

It was fun to sit beside him at a table tonight with him and his friends seeing him smile, laugh and tell stories. We looked at an apartment, discussed summer plans and then dropped him off at his dorm and drove home. What a wonderful young man he has grown into 19 years later:)

Outside

Before nap we took a trip to the park to play. 

After nap it was more playing outside in the backyard. It could be like this every Tuesday and Thursday;)

Party time!

We had a great time celebrating with everyone Everlee's second birthday. 

Family pic at the Circle K

Catching a quick pic with gramma K

TGIF

While the guys were out I joined the rest of the Smith clan for supper. Yes, we had Froyo for supper! It was delicious;)

Then Chloe came to Polk City and spent the night with me. It's fun to have one on one time with her. This morning after breakfast she helped me plant flowers. 

Birthday Eve

We can't believe Everlee is turning two tomorrow! The time sure has gone by fast. 

I think we sang "Happy Birthday" and blew out the candles 4 times. 

Today we had Hollie and Cooper over to get in some pre birthday fun. Everlee greeted Cooper with a bunch of hugs, kisses, and back rubs. It was too cute. 

Coop wanted it to be his birthday too;)

Windy Day

We made it outside today for 30 minutes despite the clouds and wind. She loved exploring around the playground, serving me warm tea in the playhouse, and walking on the wood around the edges. She called it "gymnastics". Which it is just like walking on the balance beam at gymnastics. 

Polk City Library

Apparently I wasn't getting breakfast ready fast enough this am because Everlee got up on a stool, open the bag of veggie straws, and ate them using the clothes pin. 

Getting ready all by herself. I heard a lot of "baby do it." 

She wanted to wash her hands. One of her favorite activities at the Ankeny library also. 

After story time they do a food craft. 

It's supposed to be a bear, like in our stories, made out of graham crackers for the face, peanut butter for the fur, a marshmallow for the nose and m&m's for the eyes. Everlee's is missing the eyes;). There's nothing like an 11 am sugar rush with 13 kids at the library.

After story time we read a few more books...

And found the bin of foam blocks to play with. 

Then she pushed the button, walked out the door all by herself and said, "bye polk city library." Sometimes I feel like she's going on sixteen!

I didn't let her wear the Dora hat this am because it was a little cool and I thought she needed something over her ears. Sure enough when we got home she asked for it. With the weather so nice we ate a picnic lunch outside. 

Plus a little playtime before nap. 

After nap I told Everlee she was going home to mom and dad and caught this reaction. Jumping up and down yelling "yippee!" We had a wonderful time sharing our home with Everlee but she was ready to go home:). 

Monkey see, Monkey do

I got to go with Everlee to gymnastics  today and we had a great time. Afterwards we went to Smith's so I could sit with Cooper while Hollie got a haircut. The kids had a fun time playing after lunch. They did all these activities plus ten more in only an hours time;) Both of them are slightly obsessed with their hats so I couldn't get any good pics of their smiling faces but I promise they were laughing and smiling the whole time. 

Bath time after the busy day. 

I thought he was supposed to wind her DOWN, not up, before bedtime?!

It has been just over a year ago that Rich sent us a text they were in need of a sitter for this sweet little girl. I remember calling my sister, without talking to my husband, and saying if you watch her til I move, then I can take over in September.  I love that I made that spontaneous decision and that I get to enjoy these early years with the kids. I have never had a bad day when they are around. How could you when you see that laugh?! 

Oakley's Baptism

So I have no baptism pictures because I spent the service in the nursery with Emelia but I heard it was really nice;)

Afterwards we had supper at Grandmas. 

So precious

A sleeping baby Oakley so Steve held her for a few minutes;)

Awake and ready to eat something other than her fist. 

We found a pic in a photo album when Tyler and Emelia were doing this when she was 6 months old. She wanted to "do again Tyler."  It was too cute. 

After all the festivities were done we headed to downtown Sioux City to meet mom and dad and have a birthday drink with Clay. More laughs were definitely had at The Snug Hub.  Another fun weekend with family in the books!

Thursday play date

I brought over a juice pouch that I got in my conscious box last month to have with my lunch.  Everlee was quick to call it applesauce and want it....."baby drink now please." 

It actually was a mix of pear, kale, spinach and celery juice but I just called it pear juice. 

She drank the whole thing in a minute. Good pear juice;)

Hollie and Cooper came over today. After an hour of running around with Cooper, Everlee is always so quick to fall asleep. 

Then after nap it was back to playing house with Dora, Tico and Swiper. Today we found the birthday cake and sang to Boots. Another great day!

Easter weekend fun

Friday night the Smith kids and Grandma spent the night with us. We had a great time watching a movie, eating sweets and staying up past bedtime. 

Both kids wanted to sleep with Grandma in the smallest bed in the house. 

Morning snuggles with Uncle Steve. Chloe comes in our room in the am and says,"My mom and dad do secret things when we are gone. They eat all our candy." We laughed so hard. Where does she come up with these things?!

Tyler enjoying his Easter treats from gramma and gramps. 

We don't have our front landscaped yet but Everlee and Cooper didn't mind. They used it as a dirt playground for their trucks. 

Gramma and Tyler getting ready to watch the ballgames in the Fox Hole. 

No party would be complete without the Plueger clan joining us.