Animal Tales and Trails

As part of their birthday present, we take the girls to a place they haven't been yet.  Hannah's first trip was just to Leawood Park.  Year two we went to Science City.  This time we went to the Animal Tales and Trails exhibit (that was new even though we have been to Crown Center before).  Marissa and Casey were spending the weekend with us, so they went along, too.

 

 

Hannah wanted to get into a kangaroo's pouch when we were at the zoo.  This was the next best thing.

Hannah picked out her outfit: long striped shirt, flower jean skirt, turquoise boots.
 

Olive's favorite: the bird nest.
 

 

Aunt Marissa and Uncle Casey's first time at Fritz's.
 

Olive is playing peek-a-boo with the hat.  If you look closely, you can see her fangs.
 

On the drive home...

Nature Hike

My parents always took us on hikes in the woods and I loved it.  Over spring break we did our first family hike at Minor Park.  Steve runs there some, but I had never been there.  I'm always amazed at the places 10-15 minutes from our house that I don't even know about.  Anyway, Hannah loved it.  She got to throw rocks in the creek, carry around a stick, see a lizard, follow tracks in the mud, and swing on a vine.  Olive's favorite part was riding on Steve's shoulders.  It is a little strange to see the pictures where the trees look like winter, but we are wearing shorts. :)

 

 

 

Olive Stats- 11 months

Olive finally has teeth!  Three teeth came in this month making four total.  She has the two bottom ones and two fangs on top (not her front teeth).  It's pretty funny looking.  The biggest change over the last month has been walking!  She took her first real steps when she was 10 1/2 months old.  Then two weeks later she is walking all over the place.  Olive learns things so quickly!  She is able to squat down to pick something up and if she falls down, she can get herself up again even in the middle of the floor.  She also taught herself to crawl backwards down stairs.  So now she is all over the house!  She likes to be on the move, but she is also starting to like books, too.  She has the attention span to sit through about three now.  She says "mama" and "dada" to the correct parent, and she also learned how to wave.  Olive is still a happy little baby...unless Hannah takes a toy from her, then she wails until Hannah gives it back.  Despite their disagreements, Hannah calls Olive her best friend. :)

Spring Break

 I didn't go to a tropical beach...just a park in Kansas.  Spring break was still lovely.  It was 80 degrees almost every day.  My sister and brother-in-law were in KC for the week.  I had some days to myself to go shopping and get a pedicure.  I had some days with the girls to go to parks and family adventures.  Olive passed the 11 month mark and Hannah had her 3rd birthday.  It was a wonderful week and I have lots of pictures to put on the blog....someday. :)  I go back to work tomorrow and Steve starts his new job on Thursday.  Sigh.  Back to real life.

Random Olive Pics

I think she looks like the owl.  I made the shirt with fabric markers.


 

 

 

Pirate Hannah

 

The Most Popular Girl on the Playground

I let Hannah go to the park looking like this...

Despite looking like a weirdo, she soon attracted a friend.  Another girl followed her around the park until Hannah finally relented and played with her.  Then Hannah decided we should get out her tricycle and she would share it with the girl.  She soon had a crowd following her around wanting a tricycle ride.  It's so funny to watch little kids' interactions.  Steve and I were trying to hide our laughter most of the time.

 

Olive's First Pigtails

 

This Winter

What we've been doing this winter:
* playing outside since the weather has been so warm
* having family dance parties inside when it's not warm
* playing Go Fish, Uno, and Memory with Hannah
* fishing blocks, crayons, paper, etc. out of Olive's mouth
* potty training Hannah
* cheering Olive as she learned to walk
* doing without TV- We moved our only TV to the basement in front of the treadmills, and we haven't really missed it.
* getting a new job- Steve starts at a new engineering job this month!  He'll give you details in another blog post.
* signing up for preschool in the fall (for both girls)
* training for a marathon (Steve)
* running to lose the baby fat, but it's still there (Megan)

And now it's spring break!

Cousins

Since Ainslyn has been spending lots of time at Granny and Papa's house, they brought her over to visit last Sunday afternoon.  Hannah is always excited to have some cousin time!

 

I tried to get a picture of the girls in their matching outfits and it didn't quite turn out.  But I love Hannah's smile...
 

and Olive's scrunch face.
 

Then Hannah changed into a fancy dress to match Ainslyn and they had fun jumping off the couch.