Dandy

Our new morning ritual (except today, because it's raining): a trip to the backyard to collect a fresh yellow bouquet for the kitchen table.

BFF

At bedtime after his fifth and final birthday celebration at the Como Zoo a few weekends ago, Noah told me that he loved Isabella.  This is not news.  We all love Isabella.  Especially Noah.  He went on to tell me that he no longer loved Greta.  Ouch.  My heart broke a little.  I did not want to hear why.  I wanted to just let it go and trust that after a few hours of space from his sister, he would love her again.  He went on, unprompted, to tell me that he did not love Greta because she does not have long, beautiful hair like Isabella and she does not have Isabella's voice.  True, the girl likes to sing.  And Noah is one of her biggest fans.

But Bella is never around at bedtime to fight with him over which parent puts which kid to bed.  She doesn't routinely argue with him over which movie to watch in the afternoon.  She isn't the kid in the other car seat shouting over him to get a parent's attention.  I get it.

Four days later, at the end of their school day, Noah ran to Greta's classroom to lift her off the ground in a bear hug, tell her he missed her and show her all of his newest art projects.  And they argued all the way home over whether to listen to the Bolt soundtrack or the Toy Story 3 soundtrack in the car.  Love.

Egg Salad Overdose

Noah and Greta have the perfect set up for Easter egg hunting at Great Grandma & Grandpa's house.  They're the only small ones hunting for eggs = less competition.  There are plenty of cousins just a few sizes bigger = Easter bunnies who both hide the eggs and give the hunters hints.  The aunts, uncles and grandparents all bring cameras = a fully captured day.

Here are a few from our camera.

Sunshiney

We have kind of a yellow thing going on around here this week.

Ten (or so) weeks to go.
Car seat purchased.
Nursery about 40% ready, including new cushy rocker / recliner.  The best Mother's Day gift ever.
Enough clothes to get her through her first 72 hours.
No diapers yet.  I just can't.
Thinking sort of crazy thoughts like, maybe I'll try to deliver without meds this time around...
Maybe.

The Secret is Cake

Cake will make him smile for the camera. I have to make more cake.

April is usually a big photography month for us. Noah's birthday is in April. Spring usually comes in April. This year, 279 photos. Weak. Almost all of them centered around the 17th. May will be better.

Natalee made this awesome pinata for Noah's birthday. Awesome, and durable. These guys had a great time.

Golden

Back in April (when it was still the dead of winter), Greta chose this color for a batch of play dough.
[Thanks, Mom, for reminding me that a person can actually make play dough.]
Note: not pink.

Today, she chose these blooms from our backyard garden.  I'm an excellent gardener.

Pup Star

Dear Noah,
See?  Even Howl has smiles for the camera.  Please reconsider your aversion to the Nikon.  I'm trying to document your childhood here.  You'll thank me someday.
Love,
Mom

My dog can touch his tongue to his nose.  He can also double in size in one month.  Beat that.

Intro to Crayola

Dear Noah,
Be nice to the camera sometime, OK?  I'd love to take some pictures of you with your Bieber hair.  90 seconds away from Leapster.  You can do it.
Love,
Mom

Greta making watercolors for her walls.  Again, in March.  She is very serious about her art.

Super Chick

This superhero needs a name.

She is the guardian of all things pink.  She provides endless (sometimes unwelcome) affection to all domesticated animals.  She plays the harmonica.  This is also sometimes unwelcome.  She is a morning person like her mom.  I love her.

Pants Optional

It's been so very long since we posted any pictures.  These are from March.  Like, early March.  When it was still the dead of winter outside.  In the dead of winter, when I'm not filled with hate for the cold outside, I'm filled with inspiration to pull out the sewing machine.  I found the instructions to make dragon / butterfly / fairy wings online.  Most of the small people I know now have a pair.  It was a long winter.