Cousins

The girls were so excited to be able to enjoy some time with Aunt Kirstin and Elizabeth this weekend.  The older Elizabeth gets, the easier it is to play and interact with each other.  We are so looking forward to some more lengthy visits this summer!  Audrey thinks she could probably be left in charge of the three of them, since she is "ready" to babysit.  We'll have to see what Kirstin and Eric say about that! :)

Friends

We had such a relaxing and restful five-day weekend last week.  We sprinkled in a fun activity each day, and the girls had an enjoyable weekend.  Between the PlayStation for a birthday party, shopping, a library visit, the parade, and a trip to visit friends in Burlington, we had fun without traveling too far!  Our trip to Burlington was to visit a favorite college friend and her wonderful kids, and it was fun to watch our kids interact!  On the drive home, I happily thought how it's getting easier for the girls to play without needing me right there to monitor.  I guess it's one perk of them getting older! :)  Here are a couple cute pictures.

After sleeping in until 8:15 or later each spring break day, poor Kate wasn't forced to adjust to the time change.  This week has been a little rough for her.  So rough, in fact, she told me yesterday she heard the school was closed today because "nobody wants to go."  She said, "Now we can sleep in!"  Good try, Kate!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For the first time since the girls were born, we had St. Patrick's Day off from school.  We convinced Jeremy to take the day off, too, and we decided to venture downtown for the SaPaDaPaSo parade.  The ninety-minute parade was filled with some very eclectic parade entries, but the girls had a great time!  Both got the hang of just holding out their candy bags, since there was not supposed to be any candy thrown.  Candy was just set inside the bags, which made the mad dash for candy non-existent.  We had a great time out in the sunshine and ended the day with some mint custard from Culver's!  Our two little leprechauns had a fabulous day! :)

For some reason, Kate would do her little "booty dance" after someone would put candy in her bag.
Then she'd turn around and smile at us.

Gus

A couple of weekends ago, Audrey and Kate got to take Geeka and Grandma's puppy, Gus, for a walk in Elkader.  Even though Gus isn't done growing yet, he's already quite a large dog!  He's such a happy and friendly dog, too.  For as nervous as Audrey is around dogs at times, she was determined to hold Gus's leash.  She accomplished it, and Kate was able to hold the leash too.  Slowly but surely, we're going to get those two girls used to dogs!

Yeah, Audrey!

Audrey received another award at school last week for being the top reader in preschool for the month of February. She (plus Kate and I) read over 130 books that month!  If she had been able to attend the afternoon assembly, she would have gotten to throw a pie in the face of our elementary principal.  It's too bad she's in the morning session of preschool! :)  Way to go, Audrey!

Also, this week at daycare, Kate got "hurt" on the leg.  I was told on the way home that there was a note explaining it in the bag.  I said to the girls, "I'll have to see what Dana says about it in the note, then."  Then Audrey said, "Oh no.  The note's not from Dana, it's from me."  Here's the note:

The note is supposed to say, "Kate got hurt.  Kainen did it."  Not too bad for a preschool lady! :)

Free Audrey!

Each morning when I walk Kate into Dana's to start the day, Audrey waits for me in the car.  Most mornings I will get back in the car and say, "You're still here?"  Friday she said to me, "Mom, if you want to get rid of me, make a sign.  It can say 'Free Audrey---$1.'  Then someone will take me."  So, if you're looking for an Audrey, I know where you can get one for free, if you have a dollar!

This is Audrey proudly displaying her cake she/Aunt Coke won in a cake walk at the carnival in Elkader.  Thank goodness the cake wasn't gluten free, or there might have been a fight over it!