Lovin' The Warm Weather

The Doolin family is so glad that the weather has turned around...finally. Between painting our kitchen and nursing sick kiddos, I haven't posted much lately. I'll just fill in the gaps by saying that when we weren't painting or sick, we were probably outside playing. That's about all I get done anymore, but it is so fun after a long winter indoors. Gracie is so glad to get the bubbles out again.

This summer will be fun with Ella. She loves exploring every little thing outdoors and is content sitting on our bench outside our front door, just watching people, cars, animals, etc. Today she seldom left the Little Tykes car.

Again...the bubbles are a family favorite.

Ella loves to pop the bubbles for Gracie. Sometimes she stands a little too close and gets a face full of Gracie's spit and loose bubble juice. She'll learn!

This chick has an attitude already. She is so totally different from Gracie. I have recently discovered her successfully removing the outlet covers, she has mastered opening the baby gate and going downstairs and is currently working on refusing any food offered to her on a utensil because she must feed herself. Most days I can go with the flow, but once in a while I find myself comparing her to Gracie, then have to force myself to remember every child is so different.

Practicing Our Smiles and Gracie's New Do

Tonight we had to go to church for church directory pictures to be taken. It was a 7:50 appointment, and Ella goes to bed at 8 p.m. usually, so we were just trying to kill some time and keep the girls happy. We "practiced" our smiles. Oops! Mine was off a little. Good thing this was a practice run.

Ever the poser, Gracie needed to put her hand on her cheek for "effect."

Gracie got her hair cut today, and she had been requesting a short new "do." She got her wish, and it is really cute. It's kind of hard to see how cute her curls look in the picture. There are quite a few layers in the back.

The new short-haired Gracie. This summer she will appreciate the lighter layers.

I feel like I have to say this every time, but I do not ask Gracie to pose. These are the images that come quite naturally for her. She loves to tilt her head or turn her shoulder. Oh boy....what are we in for in the future?!

A Future Michael Phelps?

Ella loves to wear Gracie's swimming goggles in the bathtub. Maybe it will lead to great things, so I don't discourage it! A trip to the Olympics might be kind of fun.

Gracie's Spring Program

Gracie was standing in proper bell ringing position to keep the bells from ringing prematurely. It was pretty cute!

Her class played two songs on the bells and also sang The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless the USA and recited a poem. It was a very nice program, and Gracie seems to have gotten over her stage fright. Thanks to Mama, Granny and Kalyn for coming from Unionville and Grandpa and Nana Kaser for coming from Moberly.

Our Little Monster

Ella was on the prowl today, wearing Gracie's lion mask around the house. So cute!

More Easter Fun

Easter Fun

Gracie with her Easter basket of candy, bubble bath, crayons, new Crocs, bubbles, etc. Who knew the Easter Bunny could be so practical?!

Ella's basket was full of Gerber Graduate snacks, a new box of crayons and a couple small chocolates. She didn't make out too well in the candy department.

Ella finally found the foil covered chocolate at the bottom of her basket. Everything else was cast aside.

Gracie loves a good bubble wand, and the Easter Bunny knew just the right color!

Right after our mini Easter egg hunt, we got dressed for church and headed to Moberly to celebrate the real reason for Easter. Gracie loved her dress this year.

A full shot of Gracie in front of Grandpa and Nana's fireplace. That's her favorite posing spot.

Ella is drawn like a magnet to Grandpa's organ. I think all kids would be, though.

I have a picture identical to this one from 4 years ago when Gracie was 1 year old. She had on the same dress for Easter and was sitting at the organ. Ella has a sprout and Gracie didn't have that much hair yet, so that will help me identify who is in the picture when I am 90 years old and have lost my memory.

Ella was not real keen on standing still for an Easter photo, so this is about as good as it gets.

This is my favorite picture from the day. Gracie was annoyed with how loudly Ella was playing the organ. Her natural response was to cover her ears.

Bowling

We headed to Kirksville tonight for an evening of bowling with the Doolin family. They drove over from Unionville and we had dinner and then headed to Leisure World for some pathetic bowling. (I'm speaking for my own score here!)

Gracie is great at Wii bowling, but this was totally different, of course. She did a pretty good job, but couldn't believe how heavy the balls really are. Brent was giving her some pointers before her first attempt.

Brent's sister, Brenda, loves to get her hands on Ella...or any other baby within her radar. That's probably part of the reason why she is so successful at running a daycare!

Mama and Ella watched the gang bowl. They were good cheerleaders.

Ella gave out some encouraging hugs throughout the night. If someone did a good job, they would get some lovin' from her.

Caught in the act of cheering! I hope she was rooting for me.

I thought this was so cute. Gracie, Kalyn and Ella were walking around the bowling alley by our lane, and they were lined up from tallest to shortest. Ella was trying really hard to keep up with everything the big girls were doing.

As usual, the music was blaring loud at the bowling alley. Ella provided much comic relief as she kept dancing and shaking her little body. She was gettin' down in this picture. (That's one of Brent's moves you are looking at!)