Summer is here!

We have kicked off the summer with a huge purge of our house, a garage sale, a cleaner and more organized home, lots of working and lots of swimming.


Do you see that storage cabinet/table full of toys behind Belle? Gone!!!!! (Not the bin, just the toys)
This shelf now contains all of our toys, dvd's, books, dress-ups, puzzles, etc. I also was able to store my knitting things up high on the top shelf. (No longer in the corner of my bedroom:)) The girls actually use their toys and books so much more now!!!

Here is their new work table with stools. (The old one was a circle, and way too small for three)

Speaking of work, I have really been inspired to begin delegating chores and work more regularly and efficiently. Here are a couple of photos of the girls helping with meals. Yes, her shirt says "You are damaging my calm". It fits her perfectly, in more ways than one:) Hard at work!
Hot cereal, anyone?

Next up, dance recital photos!

Viva!!!!

This is old, but really cute; Ksenia's kindergarten class did a Valentine's song for the assembly at school. She is in the lower right corner. Can you tell she likes to perform?

Say Cheese!

Belle has always been fond of this expression when we tell her to smile for pictures--I just think it is really funny.

Our Trip to Florida

So Ksenia and I went on a trip to Florida to see Sariah (and Ethan as it turns out), and we had lots of fun. Here are a couple of pictures from the trip. The airport is so awesome!!!!! I want to give it a big hug!!!

A really nice evening at the beach. Read a fantastic description of it by Sariah here: http://sillysariah.blogspot.com/2010/06/perfect-moment.html We can't wait to visit Sariah again!!!

Tooth Fairies, Hot Cocoa, Haircuts, Leprechauns, Colored Eggs and Fairs

Because I have been so bad about posting anything new, I thought I would just share a few things we have done over the spring...

Tooth Fairies...First of all, Ksenia lost her first two teeth (the two in the front, and she was very excited about the massive amount of money she got from the tooth fairy...)




Hot Cocoa...
I had to add this picture of Belle with her hot cocoa; she asks for cocoa about a million times a day. Can a 2 year old survive on Cheerios, Hot Cocoa, and pretzels? Well, so far, she seems to be doing fine.. Leprechauns...
Ksenia and Maya decided to make Leprechaun traps this year, when we were talking about St. Patrick's Day--they made traps, complete with gold coins inside, and signs and rainbows to lure them in...

Haircuts...
After many days of unkempt hair, and battles over trying to fix hair, two little girls got haircuts that were much easier to take care of. Okay, this was a couple of months ago, and as of today, we are once again growing it out, but it sure was cute while it lasted...
Why yes, this is Belle with her haircut, and on the potty! She is officially potty-trained. Hooray for Belle!Colored Eggs...
We had some fun coloring eggs for Easter. We do tend to take our work very seriously around here :)

Fairs...

I had to include this picture from the medieval fair (where Dylan gave us lots of yummy free food-thanks, Dylan! and Ethan made me proud by wearing his Jayne hat that I made him). Maya's favorite part was meeting this person dressed as a dog? and following them around. So I took a picture; I am not sure, but I think they were just attending the fair. She kept hugging him and standing by him and staring at him. Poor child deprived of having pets...

More to come later about our trip to Florida!

Fun at the playground!

We ditched the overcrowded library one day and decided to go to the playground next door--and we discovered a new giant rock to climb. Needless to say, the girls loved it. (Although Maya got stuck once when I took Belle to get something from the car, and Maya was screaming at the top of her lungs, while everyone at the park stared at me running back from the car, looking like a terrible mom that left her kid hanging from a giant rock...that part was not so fun... :) Maya decided to stick to the lower part of the rock after that. That is her in the middle.)

Ksenia was much more adventurous. She climbed to the top over and over again. I really wish we had somewhere to hike here! She would love it!

Belle needed some moral support on the "twirly slide" the first time down. Later she settled for just the support from her baby.

Lots of fun!

Another Terrific Kid!

Of course, Maya would not be outdone! She was the next month's terrific kid!