Springtime Backyard Pool Play

Hmmm, well, I put all these pictures on this post back on April 11th, and then never published the post. This was our first sprinkler play of the year. 

Marching in March

Walking in spring...another one of my favorite things. We have a beautiful trail behind our neighborhood that follows a little creek, and when the weather began warming up in March, we started our spring walks.

Elizabeth's happy to be outside!

Exploring a Cottonwood along the trail

Emily the Explorer

Our view under the tree

We have a tree climber

Hi Bulls!

Spring into Joy

Spring is my favorite season. The days are getting longer, the sun is shining warmer, and best of all, the Earth is coming alive again. The buds on the trees are little miracles, so much life packed into a tiny pod. Some buds are smooth, their shells looking like insect wings. Some are fuzzy and soft, resembling little caterpillars. Some contain leaves waiting for the perfect moment to unfurl, some hide blossoms, pink and white. But the new life of spring isn't just in the trees. Green leaves poke up from the earth, soaking up sunshine for the tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and lilies that wait below. Robins hop in the yard, searching for worms. Squirrels come to visit, especially after snacks have been taken outside.

Emily takes a sip for herself between watering the lilac bushes

Emily and Elizabeth lay in the crunchy winter grass

Addie brings her notebook outside to write notes in the sun

Backyard Photo Shoot

What do you get when you combine a perfectly lit April evening, a bench, and two cute girls? You got it! A photoshoot!

First, let's water the yard so it starts turning green.

Then we'll eat dinner so we're happy and full. (Yes, Emily is giving the "eat" sign!)

OK, now let's stand by this bench and look cute!

An intense conversation about dandelions

Addie sets out to explore the bench

Emily does her little hip wiggling dance

Addie eats some bark....

and then makes obscene gestures when I try to take it away

Emily gives me her flirty "come get me" look
She's started understanding "chase" and loves when Chris chases her around the coffee table

Mid-photo shoot, Chris came home from work, and he got quite a warm reception

Emily is in awe of her daddy!

Another attempt at the two at the bench with Dad's help, and we have smiles!

Now let's go explore the yard

LOOK! Over there!

Thanks for visiting!

See you next time!

Post-Easter Egg Hunt

The girls got to hunt Easter eggs with their twin friends Abbie and Ian. Well, they didn't really hunt eggs as much as open the eggs we threw on the blankets. They'd all had plenty of egg practice and knew how to get to the goodies.

On our way back home, I spotted a beautiful pink tree that I just had to show Emily and Addison. I'm not sure which they loved more, the tree, the dandelions growing under the tree, or the ants climbing all over the tree.

Addie's such a hugger. She'll even hug a pair of sunglasses.

This is Emily's flirt face. It starts as a smile, then the head tilt follows.