Easter Eggs

The girls had been anxiously awaiting this day and planning what they would do to their eggs. Jillian had been reading an Easter story about decorating eggs, and had found some very intricate designs that she wanted to copy. This photo shows her intensely focused on trying to draw a design on an egg. She did this for a little while, but it didn't turn out the way she hoped. Jilllian finished coloring the rest of her eggs, but then had a meltdown afterwards because the decorating did not go as she planned. She recovered (sort of) about an hour later.

Bridget enjoyed using markers on her eggs, putting all kinds of designs on them. She really liked it when we got out the paints, though her hands ended up with more paint on them than the eggs. She did pretty good this year, only breaking a few eggs.

Tor had his nap while the girls worked. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and could barely do any egg coloring with all his crabbiness. He smashed a couple eggs, and then cried when we said we were all done. Oh well, maybe next year.

Birthday presents

 Jillian and Tor got late birthday presents from Aunt and Uncle and Ava and Harper.  When Jillian got hers she was so excited.  It was a journal to write in and that's what she is so into now.  Bridget got a present too, a Elsa sticker book, that she enjoyed working on while I read the story to her.

Tor got movable jungle animals that Daddy is setting up for him in this picture.  He is so into this present thing now too.

Fun Things

 They were all busy outside.  Tor was getting a scary ride from Bridget and Tierney was riding nearby to keep a close eye out.  Ty was doing yard work by the driveway.  It was great!

 Then when Jillian got home it was time to get out the bubble stuff.  Jillian is practicing making her big bubbles.  Bridget stuck to the little bubbles and Tor kept pouring out the bubble solution. He kind of got the hang of it when someone would dip it for him.

Also it was time to get out the sandbox toys but they weren't just content to play with them.  They got the hose and made lakes and streams so when they all got finished playing in the sand box it was time for complete changes of clothes.  After this Ty came again and took them exploring all over, even making hiding places in the trees.  It was such a warm sunny day to be outside!  No trouble at all getting them sound asleep at bedtime.

Tree Climbers

 This year Jillian is into climbing everything she can.  Yesterday it was this old Dogwood tree.  She's tried to get on the shed roof but that's been declared out!

 Bridget doesn't want to be left behind so she climbed up this smaller Magnolia tree and felt pretty good about it.  She even picked me a flower.  She wanted help getting down but she had to learn that too by herself.

Bridget had just finished making this Easter necklace so sat for a picture with Tierney.  They are all looking forward to Easter.

Tor's 2-year Check-up

Tor went to see Dr. O'Neil on Wednesday with Bridget and Mommy for his 2-year check-up. Unfortunately, the clinic made a mistake and scheduled a different doctor with the same-sounding name. The appointment went fine, though, and Tor didn't even do too badly with the Hep-A shot. Tor continues to be on the light side, with a weight of 25 lb 13 oz (or 21% of average), but his height is typical at 34" (or 51% of average) and his head size is large like the rest of the family at 19.5" (or 71% of average).

Green Kids

Here is Tierney (home for Spring Break) trying to corral all three for a picture of all of them in their green shirts for St. Patrick's Day.

Early Release Days

 Jillian had early release on Thursday and Friday so I kept telling her Thursday was the day to cut her bangs, something she doesn't like.  Although when I tell her she could grow them out, she doesn't want to do that either.  So when I told her to come get her bangs cut, this is how she showed up.  This girl is so creative and a thinker.  She doesn't like to get hair on her face when I'm cutting so this was her solution.  Cracked me up.

 Jillian also has a new obsession.  She was determined to master the Pogo stick.  She wouldn't quit Thursday until she was red in the face and had done 13 jumps in a row.  That took most of the afternoon.  Then it was back to the same thing on Friday until she had 23 jumps in a row.  One time I made her take a break for 15 minutes and she pouted the whole time.

 In the morning Bridget and Tor had their first tea party.  Bridget showed a lot of patience with Tor but she did send him into the kitchen each time to replenish their cookies or crackers.  Most of the liquid in their tea cups ended up on the table.

 Tor was pretty proud of himself when he climbed  to the top of the backyard.  He has his play saw with him, as right before he climbed up, he tried to saw his way out of the fence.  He loves the outdoors and never wants to come in.

I read Bridget one of the Easter books I just set out and there are around 15 of them.  After I read one to her, Bridget sat on the bench and proceeded to read the rest of them aloud.  Perhaps she has them memorized from last year.  

It was so nice that I put out the kid's table and chairs.  This is what Tor thinks of to always play dangerously.  He didn't get a chance to sit down on the chair on the bench before the table and chairs were removed.

Tor's 2nd Birthday Party

Tor actually turned 2 on Monday, but the busy schedule made us have his party today. His ice cream cake was done up with Jake & The Neverland Pirates, one of his favorite cartoons. Lots of relatives and friends came, including Grannie and Papa Bob, Uncle Dan and Aunt Robin, Aunt Lynne, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Julie, cousins Ty and Brock, Cindy and Scott, Jason and Dany, Lindsey, Bev and neighbor Peggy.

Tor had been practicing the happy birthday song ever since Jillian's birthday, so he was happy to have it sung to him. During present opening, he wanted to try on all the clothes he received, making everyone think that he will be quite the dresser when he gets older. After that, he settled into playing with toys and showing off his basketball skills.

More State Activities

 I'll add some more pictures from the state basketball championships.  The kids sure enjoyed the pool and especially with Tierney there, to be able to show her all their tricks.  Jillian even did a somersault underwater.

 Water sure doesn't bother Tor at all.  He was "one tired puppy" after all the swimming.

Jillian played with some doll stick-on sheets with Bridget during the first game.  The next day she decided to keep her own score of the game and was focused on that the whole game while Bridget played dolls.  She made two columns and would keep the score added the whole time.  Then she did the same thing on the last game, being completely focused the whole time.  Her main comment to Brock and Ty after the game was that she didn't see them pivot.  (Her new thing.)  I asked her what she wanted me to bring in their toy bag next time and she said she only likes to do math.  So I will hunt for a math workbook.  Then when I asked if there was anything else she liked to do, she said exercise.  They were so good for all three games.

State Basketball

Daddy and the kids went to the State Basketball Tournament in Yakima this past weekend to watch Ty and Brock. Mommy had to stay home to work on Friday.

We took off Thursday afternoon, and managed to make it to the Sundome for halftime of the Zillah game. It was tied, but we must have been bad luck because the game went south from there. The kids were content to play in the stands the whole time. Afterwards, we went to Miners for dinner with Grannie, Papa Bob, Uncle Dan and cousin Tierney. Then, we headed to our hotel in Toppenish, where we stayed in Grannie and Papa's room. Tor cried for a long time before going to sleep, so it was a late night for everyone.

In the morning, we had some waffles at the hotel, and the dining area had a window to the pool, so the kids were very excited to go swimming. They got their swimsuits on and were about to go in, but the staff told them the pool was only for therapy until 11 am. The kids were pretty disappointed, but felt better when we put them in the bathtub for some playtime. It was amazingly sunny and warm outside, so we spent some time at a nearby park for awhile, wearing just t-shirts. Then we headed for the Rocket game against Naches Valley. It was close, but they pulled it out. Everyone was happy because it meant a guaranteed trophy!

We had a quick and messy lunch at Panda Express, then the kids finally got to swim at the hotel. They were in the water for nearly 2 hours! Tierney and Daddy tag-teamed Tor, because he was a wild boy. Several times he just walked right off the edge of the pool or hot tub and went under (but came right up thanks to his floaties). He spent a lot of time jumping off the edge. Getting water in his face was never an issue. The girls befriended a family of 3 little sisters that were close to their age, so that kept them busy. That evening, everyone else went to watch the Mark Morris girls and Ty's girlfriend Karly play, while we had a Dairy Queen dinner and an early bedtime.

The swimming wore the kids out because Daddy had to rustle them out of bed on Saturday morning. We went to watch the final game against King's Way, and the game went to overtime but the boys ended up losing. They did take home the 6th place trophy, which was pretty awesome. Here's a couple photos of the kids with Tierney, Brock and Ty at the Sundome.

Jillian Basketball

 Jillian had a very successful year in basketball.  The last few games were focused on defense and she didn't let her girl, that she was guarding, get a basket.  She was relentless.  The team also focused on passing and she was one of the better passers so she did a lot of that.  She even got the bounce pass down in her last game.  She also worked on her pivot but it was more like just spinning around several times.

Rebounding was also one of her strengths.  She enjoyed her team and had fun but with two games back to back each week, that put her concentration to the test.  The team had their end-of-year party right after her birthday so it was a very busy day.

Tor's Favorite Book

By far, the book Tor wants to read the most is "Where's Waldo?" After reading it with Mommy and Daddy just a couple times, he memorized where Waldo is on each page, so after turning a page it look only takes him a couple seconds to point to Waldo.

The New Bike

Jillian got to take her new bike out for a ride today. It fit her just right and it didn't take her very long to figure out how to use only hand brakes. On the way back from the park, we stopped at the RAL parking lot and showed her how to use the shifter. She learned that pretty quick, too.

Unfortunately, Jillian must have been a little too focused on shifting, because she somehow managed to crash into one of the few sign poles in the parking lot. She wasn't hurt, but we couldn't say the same for the bike ... the front hand brake was totally broken off. Sweetie Pie was pretty upset, and cried for quite a while at home. She felt a little better after a talk with Mommy, and after being told that the rear brake still works so she could still ride it.

Jillian's B-day Party

Jillian is now 7 years old! She has been eagerly awaiting this for quite a while. The day was full, starting with a couple basketball games in the morning. Then, her party was right afterwards. It was a packed house (Papa Ken & Bev, Papa Bob & Grannie, Aunties Sheryl and Greta, Aunt Lynne, Uncle Dan & Aunt Robin, cousin Jesse, Cindy and Dany and Mckenna & Lindsey, and neighbors Matt & Sarah and Jack & Peggy) and was pretty wild and crazy, being attended by lots of little cousins and neighbors (cousins Adam, Karlie, Parker and neighbors Hazel & Ila) so the volume was sky-high and the pace was fast.

The kids ran around for awhile, then settled down with the adults for some pizza. That was followed by the enormous Tinker Bell cake and ice cream. Present opening was right after, including her new bike. It was a lot of fun, and then Jillian had to head right over for her end-of-season basketball party.

March is Here!

Hard to believe it's March 1st. We just had to spend the day outside with cousins Adam and Karlie. Here's a photo of Auntie Sheryl with the kids.