Grandparents!

Iowa Nana and Papa came to visit for a couple of days.  Liliana had been anticipating the event for days, and was constantly asking how many 'sleeps' we had until they arrived.  She woke up on Thursday and startled us both with something that sounded like a rebel yell, then charged into our bedroom yelling, "NanaPapaDay! NanaPapaDay!".

It was a blast! We hung out, we walked in the creek...  We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and were sad when they had to go.

Try as we might, we can't read The Sneetches like Papa

Lils demonstrating her fashion sense.

Lils demonstrating her fashion sense... with flair!

I love me some beautiful nature...

Papa explaining how you can navigate using rocks.  Katie seems... dubious.

Pioneer women, charting a course...

I think it was a worm... Lilie said it tasted kinda salty.

Nana spotted this crawdad - he was huge!

At this point, Lilie had donked Katie in the chest with the walking stick.  We decided Lils didn't need a stick after that.

Liliana, channeling Gandalf: "You SHALL NOT PASS!"

Katie helping Lilie understand the 'you can have as many as you can carry' rule.

Liliana spent some quality time on the jampoline.

Thanks for the ride, Papa!

It ended all too soon, but we did receive confirmation that Nana and Papa made it home safely.  Thanks for sharing your time with us!

Art

Liliana has started to express herself through her art.

On more than one occasion, after a heartbreaking experience (like Daddy saying 'no' or offering some discipline), Liliana has resorted to visual media to express her deep, heart-felt emotions.  So far, she has eschewed watercolors, chalk, pencil and pen in favor of the age-old favorite... the MagnaDoodle.

One morning she presented me with a portrait in pain after our argument about the cup she'd use for breakfast.  Her latest depiction represents the time that Mommy had to restrict Lilie's access to her best next-door friend, Trey.

Here we see the entire artist's toolbox, and the frame.

I've added some details: Liliana drew herself, with intense sadness, because when Mommy opened the door, Liliana had to tell Trey that she couldn't play with him.

They Were Having a Field Day With It...

Liliana's school (Quail Ridge Early Childhood) had their field day on Tuesday this week.  We both opted to take some time off so we could participate, and it was well worth it!  Bad weather threatened to spoil the fun, but the morning arrived with really good weather, so all events went as planned.

The school did a great job.  We had fun rotating from station to station with Lilie's classmates, enjoying the weather and the activities along with the company.  Here are the pics!

Liliana, hanging with her besties: Everitt, Indigo and Maddox

Parachute! Nothing beats it for mad shaking.

The two most beautiful girls in the world.

Lilie grabbed the camera and started shooting: Maddox.

Indigo.

Kadin.

Everitt.

Ian did not like his picture being taken.

Lucas.

Avery and her mom.

Miss Carolyn.

Mommy!

The sand table, where buried treasures await.

We're not sure what she's found, but it's funny!

Liliana, running to refill her spray bottle.

Happiness is a spray bottle full of water.

The Run for the Refill.

This was fun: a brick wall they let the kids 'paint' with water.

I saw an empty chair at the face-painting station, so I jumped in...

Thanks to QREC for a wonderful, memorable morning!

March/Apr/May 2013 Catchup

I know, I know...I'm awful at time management and I'm terribly behind on blog posts.  Here's a recap of our past couple of months: 

 

Liliana colored Easter eggs (photobombed by Daddy)

We welcomed Baby Gianna to the world! (Here she is with her proud big sis)

Liliana had her first experience with the ice cream truck. (Formerly known only as "the music van")

She used her own money to buy herself a horse (the only kind we can afford)

She planted a shoe-box garden!

She created some Mother's Day artwork for me at school

Liliana started playing soccer.  Her first game was a FAIL but the second game went much better.

She was fierce on the field!  She got in there and fought for the ball.  She even scored a goal!  The goal was for the other team but we were still cheering like crazy people from the sidelines. 

Liliana had grass stains on both knee bones from a couple of spills in the game.  She was so proud of them!

On Mother's Day, we went for a drive in beautiful Defiance. We ended up at the Yellow Farmhouse winery.  It was a beautiful day - perfect for sitting out on their hill with a glass of wine and some snacks.  Liliana quickly (within 3 minutes) made two friends and played with them for a couple of hours. 

Jason and I enjoyed the view from our chairs.

And loved watching her socialize.

Liliana took this picture of us. 

She's my funny girl!

And my sweetheart!

Snuggles!!

The winery gave these beautiful roses to all of the lucky Mommas. This bee thought it was beautiful too.

And spent lots of time getting up-close and personal with it.

He finally got bored and flew away (much to Liliana's relief). 

 

 

 

 

That about sums it up!  I promise to post more often than every two months now!  :)