St Patty's Day Week

While James is out of town for work, my mom is here helping with the girls. So last weekend we took the girls to the zoo where we had their favorite, a picnic. This week they have been having fun with my mom during the day while I work, and we have planned some fun activities after work, like finally watching Frozen. It was also St Patrick's Day so everyone dressed in green to avoid pinches.

This weekend we are planning to head to the aquarium and see the fish, penguins and other ocean animals.

The girls are really noticing dad being gone more so than ever before. Every night Josie asks where daddy is and we tell her he is at work. The girls watch a lot of Daniel Tiger, and one episode deals with the parents going out on a date, and dad tiger going to work. The jingle in the episode is "Grownups come back they do, Grown ups come back to you, Grown ups come back" and I caught Josie singing it this morning. Gosh it really tugged at my heartstrings, especially today when I went to work after she asked if I was joining her at the park.

I know the zoo and aquarium are fun, but not a replacement for daddy. And I know he would want to be with us at these activities. But we are all thinking of him and wishing him so much strength and support while he is working hard for the family. Thank you!!

On Friday night we had to run to the mall to help James - he was on his way home and needed a shirt and tie to bring with him. I grabbed the girls and mom and heading to Macy's. 

Alex helped by emptying all of the shirts onto the floor then running in circles around Macy's. It was actually pretty cute, she even ditched Guy and Bear so she could run faster!

You will see these back packs in a lot of photos. A gift from my mom, the girls are OBSESSED with wearing them. They even have leashes attached if we wanted to use those - so far no one is really a fan of the leashes. 

Picnic at the Zoo!

Running around in the clover

Sending funny pictures to Daddy

Alex discovered shopping at the Disney Store.

And...so did Josie. 

That is actually a suit case - its brilliant!!

Trying on St Pats day headbands!

I love this photo of Alex looking up lovingly at my mom.

Josie at her coloring table.

Ham Bone Alex

Its been a warm week so the girls have been enjoying some Popsicles at their picnic table!

I also think Josie is teething, (2 year molars - runny nose, a little bit warm, pink cheeks and chewing on everything, and cranky.*) so even more reason for some icy cold.

*people (Doctors) will tell you that none of those symptoms are related to teething. I believed that at first but now I know better. All of those symptoms go hand in hand with a new tooth. Experience over science on this one. 

Finally St Patrick's Day, and getting to wear our green tops and headbands!

And showing off some Star Wars tattoos

And of course, more Popsicles.

March Madness

This morning was a gorgeous day. The girls were home with my mom and Brittany and had the best time playing in the backyard and soaking up the sun. Right now, we are being soaked in a deluge. It has been a crazy few weeks of weather - tons of rain and humidity out of nowhere. But not in the typical Los Angeles patterns where it pours for a few days, no, instead more like a quick storm marching through then back to sunshine. 

Outside Playing

Not sure what's going on here, but don't you just want to join in?

And...NOW!!! Insane.

So Blue Apron, the food delivery service, has been a huge success in our house. I was recommending it to a family today, and explaining how fun it has been as a tool to engage the girls. When we first signed up, I felt like it would mean turning on the TV babysitter while I prepped dinner. But instead, it has given me the opportunity to teach the girls about different ingredients and get them to help me with cooking. They like to come over and smell the fresh produce in the box, touch it all, and even help me wash it (spinning the salad spinner is fun times for all!).  The service is really forcing me to re-learn how to cook with fresh ingredients. Its amazing what you can make, and how satisfied you can feel, with just a few items from the produce aisle, some fresh spices, a nice cut of meat, and a small handful of carbs (rice, potatoes or pasta). 

I should add that the girls do watch some TV (about an hour a day, sometimes more but not too often), so sometimes this is what I do when I don't want to sit and watch the same episode of Daniel Tiger for the 1000th time. Lest anyone thinks our home is TV free in any way!

Josie helping me make a hearty chicken and biscuit dish

Pork and Vegetable Hash

Some of the meals we have made

Ground Beef Sliders and Potato Wedge Fries

Chicken and Biscuits

Lemon Pasta

Steak Tacos

Kale Quiche

Pork Three Ways

Josie helping me peel garlic

For some reason, I have no pictures of Alex helping me (she does!)

so here are some she asked me to take of her eating pasta.

Yes, she said "take more photos of noonoos?"

I sold the girls old bouncer this week - I had loaned it to a friend, and didn't feel like finding a place for it once it was returned. So off it went. The girls enjoyed one last snuggle with snugga bunny. 

And for fun, some pictures of Josie in the bouncer -

she was (and apparently continues to be) obsessed with those birds!

Does anyone remember this baby? Geez. 

So much fun!

The girls are a ton of fun lately. Like, to the point where I don't want to put them to bed. Even on weekends I am sad its bedtime. What?! Yes! Really. Though I do really really love nap time, because I love a good nap, and always have. I miss being a student and scheduling my days around a nap. I honestly don't understand people who don't nap! Though admittedly, I am both a morning person and a night owl, so really, the only way to recoup sleep time is with a nap.

Well..that went on a weird tangent.

James and I have been enjoying some time out of the house. Last week we went to a work function and had a nice evening, and this week we went out to pizza with friends. My sister watched the girls so it was really a lovely evening without worrying about the mounting baby sitter bill at home.  The girls are also enjoying good one on one time with aunt Becky and they love when Tom comes over with her. 

The weather has been wonderful, so the girls have been enjoying some fresh air dining. They take picnics to the park, and are also enjoying our new toddler picnic table outside, a lovely gift from their grandma Barbara! 

Bonus points for easy hose-down clean up! The girls are just so much fun outside now - instead of watching them every moment to ensure they wouldn't totally injure themselves on anything, they are now enjoying exploring the outside, looking at ants and beetles, collecting rocks (even though they are our decorative river rocks), playing with their water table, and organizing races in the grass. Its really fun! I actually got some good weeding done while they played hard. 

Poor ants don't stand a chance.

Alex was posing for pictures of her hair in a pony tail (we are getting there!) and they both asked for a "say cheese" picture. How cute! What a strange album of photos I have - basically from year 1 to year 2 we have blurry toddler pictures. Glad to finally get some good shots again. Below is a picture of them at the park being pushed by their friend. I laughed my head off when I first saw these, as they do not look like they are enjoying a moment of this, though I was assured they had a blast. 

This weekend should be fairly relaxed - we have a few engagements but we will mostly be taking the weekend to get ready for a visit from Grandmere Rachelle. We are all looking forward to her visit, and I think her mind will be blown away with how grown up these girls are!