Amundsons

Easter came early this year (you can ask Baba for a full explanation of why) but since it was early I am using that as an excuse as to why my Easter posting is late. On our way up to Moline we were talking with Charlie about who we were going to see we told her about Grammy and Baba and Grandma Great and Aunt Sarah and Aunt Abby. She was sitting quietly in the back and when we were finished she said "and Becky??" We agreed Aunt Becky needed to be there too! Pretty amazing since it has been almost a year since she has seen Aunt Becky. This is the first dress that Charlie ever picked out for herself at a store. She loved the polka-dots on it. When she saw it in the store she ran right up to it yelling "polka-dots!! Polka dots!!! Since we were at the hotel for Easter Jacob hid Easter eggs around the hotel hallway and Charlie got to hunt them down. He hid 10, we found 9... some lucky guest is going to be really happy in about a month. Grammy is know for her Easter basket...

This past weekend we went up to Moline for Easter. Jacob's grandmother (Charlie now calls her GG for great grandma) lived there before she moved in with his parents and she wanted to go down to her home church for Easter Sunday. We wanted to go up and spend Easter with them, so when that was added to the promise of a stay at the local Hampton (i.e. pool time!) we were there. Charlie had a great time in the pool. Along with his family Jacob also has extended family in Moline so we had a wonderful time hanging out with them as well. Bob, Margie, Jim, Mike, Natalie, Rachel, Leah and Adam all came over for a pool/pizza/game party the night before Easter. The evening gave South Beach a run for its money... Charlie having a deep talk with dad... Sporting her sexy new arm wings.... Look out boys. Charlie got to open her birthday present from Aunt Abby and Aunt Sarah... Her first Barbie! She loved it. She loved the hair, she loved the clothes, she loved the tiny shoes that she wi...

Long before Eliot and Charlie were around Katie and I dreamed of taking our kids on play dates. This expectation had been built up for years (literally...) and I am always a little nervous about experiences with such high expectations. After all Pooh bear did say "The sweetest part of the honey, is the moment before." Well Pooh.... you are wrong, because this honey was sweet. This play date took us to the Magic House, one of our favorite places in St. Louis. The best part about it is that even if the Magic house stays the same, Charlie (and Eliot) are so different every time we go. Her development growth completely changes her experience at each exhibit. There was fishing in the pond. Some children gently guide the magnets on the end of the fishing line to the magnets on the plastic fish floating in the water. Charlie and Eliot found if much cooler to just stab the fish with the poles. This is the first time that Charlie was really interested in the doll house (hint to...

So this weekend we were enjoying lunch outside with 75 degree weather. And then (because this would make sense...) Tuesday we got 10 inches of snow. We thoroughly enjoyed getting snowed in. When we don't leave the house (or whenever daddy gets her ready for school) Charlie gets to pick out whatever she wants to wear. It wasn't a surprise at all that the ballet tutu, stripped tights and the ladybug rain boots with the matching butterfly wings were her decision. I began wondering why I don't let her pick out her clothes everyday.... (again with the cheese smile) We spent most of our time with Mr. Potato head. She thought it was hilarious. We just thought that she was hilarious. Books were also read, including her new favorite "Little Gorilla". A really sweet book about a baby gorilla that grows up. We also found a new favorite TV program. Called Nei Hao Kai Lan, it is like a Chinese "Dora the Explorer" without the annoying map and backpack . I hav...

Tyson turned 3 and Charlie got invited to his birthday blast! Carrie and Tommy (very wisely) had the party at the Little Gym, so the kids had plenty of opportunity to run/ climb/ jump/ balance/ leap/ glide/ hang/ crawl/ and bounce as long as their little hearts desired, or until they stuffed them full of cake and sent them home (stinkin' brilliant!). Needless to say, we all had a great time. The parachute was a huge favorite of Charlie's. When the pizza got handed out all the kids dug in. I began to cut up Charlotte's pizza (as I usually do) and she gave me the look of total horror and embarrassment and said "no mama, Charlie do it." She was not going to be the only "baby" at the table that needed her pizza cut up. No bib, no sippy cup and no baby size bites... what will I do with all my extra time now??? Hope you had a great birthday Tyson, we sure did enjoy your party!