2 dogs +2 kids = no work done :)

packing the wagon of supplies to try & get the playhouse painted.... Sophia is wearing the "Painting hat" that I was trying to get both girls to wear so that the paint didn't get in their hair like on Sun....
Anna who had the paint in the hair Sun, wouldn't wear the "hat"  that is her "Whatever, I don't think so Momma" face. 
The outside of the playhouse, that really is a converted ice fishing house that Vance & his highschool buddy built when he was in high school. Now all we need is a window, curtains, little table, sink, stove & tea set, oh & chalk board paint. :)
The inside, not finished because, by golly, there is sliding to be done....

Strawberry pick'n

Sunday we spent the morning at a pick-your-own strawberry patch. I had mentioned it to Vance in passing, & he found this one close by. Thanks hon, for listening!  Good times. Sunshine, team work & a good reason to make strawberry shakes. :) We had to have a system to keep Anna busy, otherwise she wanted to eat them all! When we went to pay, it was SO obvious that she had taken a few, her face was COVERED in red stains from her forehead to her chin. Oh Anna, we love you!

Part of the fam

Here are more pics from the day in the life of Brutus! When he is worn out from being outside he is a great playmate for the girls! If he has too much energy, he chases them biting their ankles. They run & climb on the couch to get away from him. Sophia does that more. Anna likes to wrestle him. Jen, I agree with Jen- Anna & Brutus have many of the same things..... look at their short chunky thighs! :)

Puppy love

2 Weeks ago Vance went "to look at tractors" & came home with a 7 week old cockapoo.  We were so surprised! He is  SOOO cute. A little naughty w/ the constant chewing on our ankles & pulling the plants out of the garden,  but when you are THAT cute you can get away with a lot! The girls are great with him. I'll post later the pics of Sophia putting Brutus in the  stroller, doll baskets, etc. Too cute! 

The Angels

Here is the first photo of BOTH girls on the naughty step. :) This obviously was NOT effective as a punishment this time. They had been fighting over the baby stroller, so both were in trouble. While they were sitting there Anna was giving me this look like "Whatever Mom," (see above photo) for being such a little one, she has attitude! Well, then I just thought they were so cute, & had to grab the camera. 

Last night I was telling Vance the things that Sophia is into right now. In response, he said, Why not update the blog so that you will remember them. Brilliant. So here are 5 things the girls are interested in as of today :)

Sophia:

1. The letter "S" she is thrilled to find it anywhere. Her name is thrilling- she likes to trace it over & over & over

2. weather- they  talk about weather at school and now we try &  find it on the computer & talk about it- a lot

3. puddles/rainy days- who doesn't like to splash in mud puddles?

4. Dreams- she got me the other day- I said so did you have a dream last night? She told me this detailed & elaborate story. I was impressed. She asked if I had had a dream that night. I said not last night. Her response: Well, just make up one like I just did. hee hee

5. Songs- We have the same cd in the car that we like (I liked it better a few weeks ago) & now Sophia will sing the songs on the "stage"= fireplace & put shows on for us. So very cute!

Anna

1. Anything Sophia is doing. 

2. Frogs & birds- she can say the words 

3. Puddles- again, who wouldn't like to splash.  

4. Babies- we have SO many baby dolls & 

5. Friends & daddy- when our friends come to visit she squeals & runs around. When daddy gets home she runs around yelling "Dadda, dadda, daddda, daddda" So happy to see him !!!!

Oh, Anna!

Anna Banana is such a joy!  & Her naughty behavior is hilarious (I'm working on being the adult, & disciplining, instead of just laughing) The photos above are of a painting session  where she was rubbing the paintbrush in her ear! She is really really naughty in a smart way, that I wouldn;t expect at her young age. The other night at dinner she was eating some mixed vegetables & they were disapearing, thinking that she was eating them, I'd give her a few more. I look over to see her putting them all in her sleeve! 

She will take something of Sophia;s making sure that Sophia knows that she has it & will take off running. She glares, & will stomp & yell if she doesn;t like something .  Of course all that naughty is mixed in with snuggles, kisses, baby doll  holding, & lots of sweetness. 

We love you Anna! & you crack us up!

Winter: Thaw & freeze

Maybe I saved the photos too small this time... anyway, I hope that you can see how much crazy snow we've had this winter. The few times we've been out we have had SO MUCH FUN! Now that Anna can move in all that gear she loves to be out. Thank goodness! I need to be out & I need both girls to need & want to be out. :) The first 2 pics are of Anna's first puddle splashing. We really spent a lot of time splashing in puddles last spring & now it is so fun to see her enjoy it too. Can;t wait to see her expression when she gets a glimpse of the enormous earth worms out here- they leave tracks on the  dirt driveway. 

As I'm writing this I'm laughing at Sophia who is upstairs on the potty singing VERY loudly "Dina won;t you blow your horn" whatever works. he hee. Ok better run, we're playing a game of "find that hidden toy" & it's my turn to find it....