Sweet 16

On March 20th The Girls turned 16. Since that was a Tuesday, and they are pretty busy, their mom decided to throw them a surprise party on Saturday the 24th.

We had the pleasure of being the "diversion" for the day. And it was fun! I got to be super mean and make them practice their horns, haul dirt around, study vocab and help Etta clean up the neighborhood. After we had been doing yard work for 2 1/2 hours I suggested we go for a walk. We ended up by the church and I just happened to have to go to the bathroom. When we headed downstairs Etta and I were in the lead. She said, "What are all these people doing here?" Just after that The Girls made it down and everyone shouted "Surprise!" Unfortunately Etta was terrified and I was too busy comforting her to get any surprise face pictures. But I did get some cake pictures.

Hey, how you doin'?



That's a lot of candles! (33 to be exact. 16 for each of them and a single 16!)



Blowing them out.



Hey! Rachel got to blow them all out!



We sure love those girls.

Happy Birthday Uncle Erik!

If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, baked a cake, baked a cake! If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, howdy do, howdy do, howdy do.

If we thought you were comin' we'd a hired a band, finest band, in the land. If we thought you were comin' we'd a hired a band, howdy do, howdy do, howdy do.

Oh we don't know where you came from and we don't know where you've been. But it doesn't really matter, get a fork and grab your platter and dig, dig, dig right in.

If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, hired a band, goodness sake. If we thought you were comin' we'd a baked a cake, howdy do, howdy do, howdy do.



We miss you!! And if you were here Etta would serenade you with her saxophone. On the new neck strap that she created.

Have a great day!!

It Begins

Potty training that is. Over the last 10 days I have discovered that it is going to be a much different process than it was with Etta. But what ISN'T different this time around? Oh well, that's what keeps it exciting.



Etta has been "helping". "I'll show her how to go pee-pee on the potty Mommy!" Meh, can't hurt, right?

Park Day

Two Fridays ago (when I took the picture of the girls on the porch) it was a beautiful day. I have been trying to "seize the moment" more and worry less about routine and schedules. For a lot of people this isn't a big deal, but my Type A self really struggles with that sometimes.

But I decided that it was too nice of an evening to be in the gym on a "date" or to be in our house because it was "easier". So I made a pizza, wrapped it in foil, loaded up the little girls and The Girls and we beat feet to Pioneer Park.

It was heavenly.

And this weekend wasn't bad either. Except I didn't get any pictures. Sorry mom, I'm trying!

This is a BIG stick...tumble weed...thing...



This girl is a climber. And doesn't really want much assistance even though she needs it.



And there is no fear in this little body. None at all....yikes...



But there is a bit of static electricity.

"Reading"

We are finally to the point that we can read to Mae, and that she can "read" to herself without destroying whatever she is reading.

Well, most of the time anyway.

It has been harder to read to "just Mae". When we had "just Etta" reading time was easy. Whenever and where ever was okay. But Mae is watching, and she seems to enjoy books.

Just a different time frame.

As with everything else we've been doing.

[Pictures and narration by Bob]

Hey girls! Can you look at me?



Nice Mommy! Hey Mae!!



Sheesh Mommy. Good smile Mae!!

Quick Visit

During Jazz Festival (Feb. 25ish) my mom and dad came over for - the day.

Yep, the day. They left Fort Benton Thursday afternoon and got to Lewiston Friday around noon. Then they left Lewiston around noon on Sunday and got home Monday afternoon. Well, I guess they were here for 48 hours, but one day sounds more exciting.

Since it was a short visit we didn't get many pics. Just one really. And unfortunately Mae was sleeping when we got this one...

And since my dad had just had hip replacement three weeks before it was kind of a miracle that they could come. Made us happy!!

Church Clothes and Laura

Since Etta does not particularly like to dress up, I pull the mom perogative and get to pick out clothes on Sunday. I try to keep it within her "style" but dress it up a bit. I am pretty sure that all of these clothes are courtesy of Aunt Molly.





You can't really tell in these pics, but Etta is preferring her her in two braids to anything else. Like Laura Ingalls in the Little House books. Whatever works!!

That is Mae's favorite jacket right now. She loves to wear it all the time.