Whew, it's Friday!

It has been quite a week. We found out on Tuesday that the daycare that the girls have gone to since Abby was 8 months old is closing, so the hunt for the perfect daycare has begun. We all saw one on Wednesday that we liked, that is just down the street, so that may be the winner. We'll keep you posted on that one.

Today, however, was the perfect way to end a tough week. Bill went in really early this morning, so he could be home when our new washer and dryer were delivered. I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to do laundry!


Our old washer and dryer found a happy home with my Uncle Mike.

Feeling as though I had just had enough for one week, I got off work a couple of hours early today. There was beautiful sunshine out and we just had to make good use of it, so we took the girls to the park.

Abby and Libby riding a cow!

Libby climbed up all by herself.

Swings!

I see you!


Making "lemon" pie.





Yay, muddy water!




Whee!
Dinosaur Bones and my little archeologist.

We ended the day by going out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant with Pat, Jen, Brea, and Elisa. It doesn't get much better than that!

Afternoon at the park.

Our new washer and dryer came today, (more on that later,) so I went into work way, (way,) early this morning. Kricket got home in time for us to take the girls to the park.

Here is a video of Libby finding a mud puddle to play in.

-Bill

Weekend Fun!

For the last two weekends in January, we had nothing planned, which is a rarity recently. So, Bill and Abby devised this list of things for the family to do those weekends. I added a few things as well. Starting Saturday morning, we tried to see how much of it we could get done. We started out with Bill making pancakes for breakfast, then a trip to the library.
Next, we took a journey to Daimler so Abby could see where Daddy works. Here is Abby in the car playing with the post-its and highlighter she acquired from Bill's desk.

After seeing where Daddy works, we headed out to see where Daddy likes to have lunch. We met Grammy Paula and her friend Mary Lou for lunch at Mississippi Pizza. Mississippi Pizza was the setting of a spelling bee for kids that afternoon. Talk about entertainment. Abby really wanted to join in the contest and it took a bit of convincing to make her realize that she's not quite ready for that yet. The highlight of the afternoon was the kid who was asked to spell "liar...as in someone who doesn't tell the truth." and proceeded to spell it
"L A W Y E R".

Our next stop was Powell's books...where Bill and Abby went in and I stayed the the car with a napping Libby. Here is how you can tell when Libby needs a nap!

Our final stop for Saturday was at McDonald's for ice cream and play structure time. Abby list mentions going to the park, but it was raining so we decided this would be the next best thing.

On Sunday, we worked on more of the list, but this time, staying closer to home. Bill made french toast for breakfast per the list requirement. Then, we all pitched in to make cupcakes. At first, Libby was content to sit in her highchair looking cute and watching. This, however, did not last long.

Daddy and Abby using the Kitchenaid.

Mmmm, warm cupcakes.

Libby wants to help, too!


Licking the frosting Daddy made.

Pink and blue frosting, per Abby's request.

Yum!

The finished product ready to be taken to share at daycare.

The cutest sous chefs ever.

Libby v. Daddy, round 6, draw.

Super climber made off with the camera from the computer table after dinner tonight. I managed to wrest it away from her and the battle was on!

I turned on the camera and proceeded to try and keep it away from her.


She didn't like this.


And let me know how much she didn't like it.


She eventually called her sister in to distract me...


...and made off with my glasses!



Abby was the picture of innocence.



And Libby was happy to settle for Daddy's glasses.

You know that saying...

You know that saying, about how kids have as much fun the packaging of the present as with the present itself.

Well, it may be anecdotal, but here's another example. A really cute example!

Super Climber!

Libby has recently learned how to pull herself up onto chairs, and from there onto the next higher horizontal surface.

She started right around Christmas Day, climbing onto the coffee table. She couldn't do it without getting a foothold on the shelf beneath. Now though, she can pull herself onto one of the kitchen chairs by main force, and from there it is an easy hop to the table. The whole process takes roughly 10 seconds.

Added some more pictures from our "snow day."

Our neighbor Ron snapped a few photos of the girls and I when we were out playing in the snow last Tuesday.