We have been busy doing this...

Jumping, Swimming, and SPLASHING!

TOE painting parties

Duels

Finding ways to NOT taste the veggies we don't like to eat... AND, looking at houses to buy

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,

For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

-Author Unknown

We celebrated Esme's 1st birthday in Nebraska last weekend. I'm not one who is much into character bdays but each of my girls first birthdays have been "Strawberry Shortcake" themed. I loved her when I was little and thought when I was younger that if I ever had a girl I would leave her no choice but to love her as well by starting her off with a little taste of the millenial strawberry shortcake (my favorite being the vintage one of course).

Below is Esme with her first handful of icing-she cried until I wiped it off.

It was nice to be around Grandma and Grandpa and Aunts and Uncles who made the party so much fun!

Sophia's Fairytale

Here is Sophia at my parents with one of the many toads that are hopping around their farm house. Dan saw her pick up one of the slimy things and looked around to see if anyone was watching then closed her eyes tight and kissed it right on the tip of its mouth. She opened her eyes with a huge smile and then just kept looking at it as if to say "Where's my Prince?"

Stewart Days

Mothers Day- sweet husband, sweet girls, a sweet mother of my own to celebrate, it was a good day.Six Flags Day- Dan surprised us and took a day off and we went. Nice weather, no lines, very happy kids with parents who acted like kids for a day too :) (aw man, not tall enough)Sunshine Days- cute performances on the weekends of Ava who is still so passionate about her sunshine generation group.Esme Days- everyday is an Esme day. 11 months and so many more wonderful days to come

Gabriella and the Greenbelt

Here is my new sister-in-law, Gabriella. Dan's new little sister is a doll-look at all that hair! We were happy to meet her this past weekend in Austin.

We went with family to a part of the Greenbelt in Austin that we had never been to before. Esme shocked us by wanting to walk and wade in the water. She would have slid down this waterfall if we had let her. Always good times in Austin.

Cousins, Just alike, unbirthday parties, and ESME WALKING!!!

We had family visit us a few weeks ago. Kris and Crystal and their four kids came from Kentucky during their spring break. We were delighted to have them around for a week and the girls LOVED having their cousins in town. Sophia and Camille are quite the pair. Just three months apart-

They dress alike

Play alike

Even get in trouble alike

Our good friend Jennifer ("Mum" to the kids) came up one day and had a magical playdate with the kids. She had the great idea of having an "unbirthday party" for all the kids bday's this year.

Here are some pictures from a day at the Dallas Zoo

(waiting to touch the sting ray)

If I wanted to have any idea what it might be like to have my sister-in-law running around my house at age 2...I might just look at her cute Carina and know

LAST but not least is the announcement (for those who don't already know) that our little Esme is walking!! She is almost 11 months and has been doing this since 9 1/2 months. I can't say I am that thrilled because it means our littlest will not be so little very soon. Here are some pictures of her at the zoo to prove it. She is getting around so well that she managed to walk around this water area at the zoo and make her way to a waterfall.

She is always quite pleased with herself

3... Yipeeeeeee!!!!

Our Sophia turns 3 today. We celebrated Monday night with pizza and a chocolate cake decorated with lady bugs (the girl LOVES bugs!) Here she is below at just 3 months-hard to believe how much they change. Oh how we love her so...

Did you know?

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Quiz
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You. We hear about child abuse in the news nearly every day, but how much do we really know about it? During National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April), Childhelp is asking everyone to learn more about child abuse and what each of us can do to help stop it. Test your knowledge.

QUESTIONS:

1) Three children die of child abuse in the home in the United States each
a) Year
b) Day
c) Week
d) Month

2) How many people report child abuse when faced with an actual situation?
a) 3/4
b) 1/2
c) 1/3

3) What is the single, leading cause of death for children ages four and younger?
a) Drowning
b) Motor vehicle accidents
c) Child abuse and neglect
d) Choking on food
e) Residential fires
f) Suffocationg) Falls

4) On average, child abuse is reported somewhere in the United States every
a) 10 seconds
b) 20 minutes
c) Hour

5) Strangers pose the greatest risk of sexual abuse to children.
a) True
b) False

6) Child molesters get their sexual gratification only from children.
a) True
b) False

7) The average age that child molesters first attack a child is when they (the attackers) are
a) In their early 20s
b) Middle-aged
c) In their teens

8) Which of the following actions can help stop child abuse and neglect?
a) Helping a stressed-out parent by baby-sitting, making a meal for their family or lending an understanding ear.
b) Learning the signs and symptoms of child abuse so you can recognize them when you see the “red flags.”
c) Reporting known or suspected child abuse to the police or local child protective services agency.
d) All of the above.


ANSWERS:
b) Day
c) 1/3
c) Child abuse and neglect
a) 10 seconds. Based on 2.8 million reports per year.
b) False. Most children are abused by people they know.
b) False. Many child molesters also have adult sexual relationships.
c) In their teens—and even as young as age 12.
d) All of the above.

A Happy Easter

Our week leading up to Easter included lots of crafts, egg decorating, egg hunts, and a good reason to bring out those spring hats! It all led up to the most important day of all-Easter Sunday. We enjoyed our chance to teach the little ones what this special holiday really means, and to remember ourselves. We hope you all had a nice Easter too.