Leia surprised me big time this week. On Sunday she totally cooperated with going down for her nap, but 30 minutes later she came to my room to tell me she had cleaned and organized her entire room. She did this all without being asked, saying she wanted me and Daddy to be able to come tuck her in bed without tripping on all her stuff. I'm pretty sure it was almost completely motivated by the idea that her Dad was coming home tomorrow, and the last time he came home he did come up to her room to see her after she had gone to bed. And I'm always complaining that I can't even get to her bed to kiss her because of all the stuff on the floor. She wanted a clear runway for her Daddy, who she misses so much! Any way it goes, the room was immaculate, down to the smallest detail of having all the pens in a straight line, all the books put away, blankets folded. Best job she's ever done, and she did it all by herself, and completely self motivated. Way to go Leia! I sent the girls off skiing with Nana and Poppy one day because with Josh gone so much, I really needed a little extra time to get housework done. Leia was a little nervous about going off skiing with them without me there for reassurance. Even though she can ski all by herself and knows it, I'm kind of her crutch. Plus, it doesn't seem that she'll ever forget the time that she and Poppy almost fell off the side of the cat track, which I guess was at the beginning of last season...I guess a memory from 3.5 years of age is not one of those ones that's too young to remember! Anyway, she willingly went off with them anyway, and ended up having a great time! Leia had her first day of Turtles swim lessons this week, and as promised, the swim distances were doubled. She definitely had a hard time swimming that far, but did a great job of trying with no complaints. Mostly because her best friend Mackenzie is in the class, so that's definitely the one she wants to be in, even if it is harder. You might remember our new friend, Teddy Beddy, from last week. Well Leia got so mad at me because I sold his high chair (aka, the kids' old high chair that everyone had outgrown and no longer needs), and now he doesn't have a place to sit for meals at the table! Jeez louise, Teddy Beddy is king around the house these days, and don't even think of doing anything that messes with his needs as a human being!! Leia has been waking up earlier and earlier every day, like even before 6 am now! But without fail, she always sleeps in or decides to play happily by herself on days when I have to wake up early anyway, and then comes to bug me on days when I want to sleep in. I was getting pretty desperate in my need for sleep, so I finally revived our friend Sleep Owl, and told her she couldn't come wake me up until he lit up or she'd lose her morning TV privileges. We put a big sign on her door in case she forgot in the morning, but she didn't. It was fabulous! And now it's daylight savings, so even though everyone else in the world lost sleep, I gained it because Leia's still on the old time: those early 6 am wakings are now more like 7. Hallelujah!! But I'm sure it won't last much longer. Leia got inspired this week, and decided her new name is Doc McStuffins. Just like the character, she has a little notebook and draws a picture of each stuffed animal's diagnosis on a different page. She's very official, and gets pissed when I forget and call her Leia. Leia had more cool drawing projects this week. One morning she woke up and showed me her creation the night before, which was inspired by Zazie's silver medal in the ski races. It was a winners podium with a gold medal on top, but her design was a bunch of vertically stacked boxes. She said to me, "I didn't know how to make it, but I looked in my mind and made it like this: x mark, box, x mark, box, x mark, box...gold medal!" I love hearing about when she uses her brain to solve problems! Leia had a great ski day with Daddy after Summiteers this week. He said he was so impressed with her skills that it almost brought him to tears. She was almost making parallel turns, and really listened to what he said because she wants to improve and be allowed to come on his trips!
Arwyn took a fancy to my old "Tom Bear" from when I was a kid, and has started sleeping with him at night in order to keep him safe from the Yetis for me. She's also started to fuss at bedtime every single time, saying she doesn't want to go to bed, and doesn't want me to leave the room. All of a sudden it's a fight every time now, and the only way to get her to lie down now is distraction or yetis! Arwyn had a great day at her first day of the new Guppies swim lesson session. She was so bummed last time around because Leia got to do it and she didn't. She is so grateful to be able to take the lesson, so she's happy the whole time, having fun, and doing everything the teacher asks of her perfectly. It was pretty funny this week because Arwyn slept on the floor again for nap one day, and I was a little late in her up when she woke up, so the next thing I know she's knocking on her own bedroom door from the inside, asking to be let out, even though it's totally unlocked and openable. Super cute. She had a really fun ski day with Daddy. She lasted much longer than the last few weeks, and wanted to see her skiing videos right after I took them for a little on-hill analysis. It was so funny.
Arwyn was so excited to be able to take a swim class again, just like her big sister. Nothing but smiles and fun for this little Guppy!
A few pictures from Josh's trip back East last month...
Arwyn took a fancy to my old "Tom Bear" from when I was a kid, and has started sleeping with him at night in order to keep him safe from the Yetis for me. She's also started to fuss at bedtime every single time, saying she doesn't want to go to bed, and doesn't want me to leave the room. All of a sudden it's a fight every time now, and the only way to get her to lie down now is distraction or yetis! Arwyn had a great day at her first day of the new Guppies swim lesson session. She was so bummed last time around because Leia got to do it and she didn't. She is so grateful to be able to take the lesson, so she's happy the whole time, having fun, and doing everything the teacher asks of her perfectly. It was pretty funny this week because Arwyn slept on the floor again for nap one day, and I was a little late in her up when she woke up, so the next thing I know she's knocking on her own bedroom door from the inside, asking to be let out, even though it's totally unlocked and openable. Super cute. She had a really fun ski day with Daddy. She lasted much longer than the last few weeks, and wanted to see her skiing videos right after I took them for a little on-hill analysis. It was so funny.
Goggles on, ready to go, let's get this swim class started!
Paying very close attention to all the teacher's instructions.
Getting comfortable putting their ears and head in the water.
Could she be any cuter?
She loves floating on her back!
Arwyn was so excited to be able to take a swim class again, just like her big sister. Nothing but smiles and fun for this little Guppy!
Between Arwyn's early 8:50 am lesson and Leia's late 10:35 am lesson, we are at the pool for quite awhile...might as well settle in and get comfortable!
Love that teacher Ryan, he always keeps them smiling!
Leia working on her back floats.
Leia's first day in the next level Turtle Swim class proved to be much more challenging due to the longer swimming distances, but Leia stepped up to that challenge nicely!
Really Amazon? Usually you do a better pack job than this.
I don't really get to see Leia sleeping to much these days, so this was a rare treat to see my precious sleeping cutie.
While I don't like to encourage it on a regular basis, the rare nap snuggling up with my littles can be a nice treat.
The proud cleaner showing off her immaculately organized room! Bed all made, papers and pens all organized.
Desktop straightened up and organized. And the two items that she couldn't figure out where to put away were determined to belong to Daddy anyway, so we just returned them to him.
Floor is clean and walkable, bags hung up, coloring books and pads neatly displayed along the wall.
She even put away all the books and folded up the extra pillows and blankets.
The pens all lined up in perfectly straight rows. And she literally did it all on her own, without being asked!
After "driving to school" while playing "family," Poppy sneaks in some quick hugs!
Leia was really fired up about taking Cooper for a walk today and holding his leash. Very important job!
Cooper does not normally go for walks on a leash, so he was a little annoyed but obliged us anyway.
Arwyn has never gotten to hold the leash before, so she needed to get a turn too.
Yay, Daddy's home, and he brought new Easter dresses and purses from Grandma!
Ta da! Yes, Leia, you look marvelous!
Cutest duo ever, I think they're ready for Broadway or something!
Cheers! Celebrating a successful trip, some great results for Zazie, and the return of their Dad.
Oh KT, my great friend, so happy to finally have you back this season. And all to myself on a powder day no less. Only had to wait until March 14th!
Fun to have our Daddy back for a great family ski day!
Look, no hands!
We were all very excited to have Daddy back home from all his ski trips so he could ski with us! Arwyn showed him how good she's getting at turning!
No big deal, but Arwyn just insisted on a little on-hill video analysis for some instant feedback on her blossoming turning skills!
Josh was finally able to ski with Leia, and he was so impressed with all her progress. She's almost making parallel turns! And she even listened to his coaching because she wants desperately to earn the right to come with him on his trips!
A few pictures from Josh's trip back East last month...
Cracking herself up with her new diaper hat, just like Dad.
Races in VT meant that Josh got to see his family. Fun week playing with Worm, Olivia, Hunter and Steele.
Looks like Hunter likes his tractor.
Baby Steele is a cutie.
Zazie is the oldest of 4, so she's good with little kids. And it looks like Steele likes her too.
Uncle Josh and Steele.
Can't go to Vermont without a stop at Ben and Jerry's!
Next stop, Lutzen, WI.
Beautiful view out to the lake. I didn't realize the ski hill was so close!
Second place finishes for Zazie two days in a row!
First place in the Juniors.
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