Sea Life Aquarium

Olive's birthday activity was early this year because we got Legoland and Sea Life Aquarium combo tickets that expired in 2 weeks.  We went Easter weekend (hence the bunny ears).  Even with all the cool fish to look at, Hannah said her favorite thing was "monkey bizness" (the indoor playground) and Olive said "slide".  Steve and I liked the touch tank and watching the sting rays swim above us in the tunnel.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was Fritz's for dinner since we didn't get to go for Hannah's b-day.  Olive loves her "choo-choos."
 

 

 

Hannah Stats- 4 years

Hannah is now 39 pounds (85th percentile) and 44.25 inches tall (99th percentile).  In the past year she gained 5 pounds and grew over 4 inches.  Here are her stats from year one, two, and three.  This year she started preschool and absolutely loves it!  She has three best friends, but talks a lot about the other kids, too.  She can write all of her letters, cut with scissors, and count to 39.  She is night-time potty trained.  She has an amazing memory and learns things after only a few tries.  She is very active and loves to climb, sled, bicycle, run and do anything outside.  Hannah is brave and adventurous.  She continues to love reading and takes books to bed with her every night.  She is a big rule-follower.  She thinks it is really funny to read books about characters who are rude or get in trouble.

What I love about Hannah:
I love seeing her enjoy school so much.  I love how she is adventurous, silly, and cuddly.  Most of all I love how she is a wonderful big sister to Olive.

What Steve loves about Hannah:
I like her fearlessness and her smile.  I like that she has a competitive streak.  She looks out for Olive.

Hannah's Favorites as a Four-year-old:
restaurants: Fazoli's, Jason's Deli, Fritz's, McDonald's
place: Franklin Park
colors: pink and purple
animals: horses and zebras
foods: macaroni and hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruits
drinks: chocolate milk and grape juice
song: Let Me Go
books: Clifford, Berenstain Bears
TV shows: Bob the Builder, Yo Gabba Gabba, Word Girl
toys: My Little Ponies, monster feet, Pipeworks, iPad
activities: dress up, reading, painting, riding bikes, soccer
games: Guess Who?, Uno Moo

Hannah's 4th Birthday Party

First we rescheduled Hannah's birthday because last weekend Aunt Marissa and cousin Ainslyn were sick with the stomach flu.  Then we moved up the party a few hours because another snow storm was headed for KC.  Then Saturday morning we got a call that Granny was sick with the stomach flu, too!  But the party had to go on.  Hannah had a My Little Pony party and received lots of horse-related presents. 

Hannah got a bike!  She has been wanting one for months.  Unfortunately it was super cold outside so she had to ride it around in circles in the garage.

 

 Silly Olive in Hannah's new rain boots.

 

There was lots of cousin love with Hannah and Ainslyn.
 

 

Baby Gwendolyn had lots of smiles for us!  I think she looks a lot like her daddy.  

The cousin picture was an epic fail.

 

Crazy Olive with Chocolate Goatee

 

March 18

Hannah's birthday party was rescheduled because of illness (this time it was extended family and not us).  She didn't seem to mind.  It amazes me how mature she is sometimes.  As long as she had her birthday headband, it was all good.  We had Ollie and Penny over for a playdate, our first tea party, and made cupcakes to bring to preschool.

 

 

 

 

Legoland

Each year we take the girls to some place special for their birthday.  For her 4th birthday, Hannah chose Legoland.  It is geared towards older boys, but both girls had a great time.  Hannah's favorite things were the 4D movies, a ride where you "shot the bad guys", and building/racing her own car.  Olive liked the "girl section" where you built cupcakes (does anyone else think that is sexist?), and sitting on the giant lego animals.

 

These girls are adorable together
 

She is grabbing the girl's ponytail.
 

Hannah and I rode the amusement park ride.  Olive was too little.
 

She rode a motorcycle instead.
 

They had a large indoor playground and climbing structure.  Hannah called it "Monkey Bizness."  Olive was also too little to go in. 
 

Olive contemplates gender stereotypes in the girl section.
 

 

This was in the mini Kansas City display.  Notice the Western Auto sign on the right and Sprint Center in the middle.  The display alternated between day and night.

The Plaza and Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery...a little closer than in real life. :)

The girls were unimpressed by the tiny lego city, but the Kansas Speedway was fun because you could push a button and race cars.

 We didn't get any good pictures of the girls with 3D glasses on.  We watched two 15 minute movies that were "4D" because the theater also had wind and sprinkles of water to make you feel like you were in the movie.  The first time something came flying out towards Olive she took her glasses off and she was done.  Surprisingly, she asked to go again....but it was just to cuddle on my lap.  :) 

 

Hannah (and Steve) liked building a car to race.  Olive and I built one out of duplos with a cat on it.  The wheels barely turned and it crept down the track.  Steve's car won against the other kids' every time.  I guess the lesson here is: I should stick to making cupcakes.

 

 

Fritz's was closed, so we went to Hannah's second choice (Fazoli's) for dinner.  It was a great outing for the birthday girl!

At the Park

Friday (when it was 80 degrees), we met one of Hannah's preschool friends at the park for a playdate. Olive and I hung out a lot while they were playing.  My baby is such a big girl now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooke's Baby Shower

It was an eventful weekend- going to an auction party for my school, celebrating Emily's birthday, and co-hosting Brooke's baby shower.  I still can't believe she is going to be a mom in a month!  I know so many pregnant girls right now.  There will be lots of babies to cuddle this spring and summer!

My best high school friends: Brooke and Tamra
 

Here are our guesses for the sex of the baby.  I can't wait to find out!
 

Snowmageddon 2013

The snow has finally melted, but I just found these snomageddon pictures on my camera.  This was the view out our front door after the second snowstorm.  The first one was 11 inches but nothing stuck to trees.  The second storm left 10 inches and about 20,000 people lost power.  Luckily, we have buried power lines so we never have to worry about that.  We took in the Baileys for a day when one of their trees uprooted and fell across their power lines and the road.  I think the girls wore Dan out!