Furrowed brow and sunshine

With Spring has shown her lovely face again in our world.  It might have been a brief appearance, but I know she will be returning with her grace and loveliness many more times.  The arrival of spring has left us with lots of beautiful flower blooming everywhere!  Our orchard teetering on the edge of blooming wonderment!  Did I mention how much I love spring!  I think that since having children I even love it more.  Of course I bet that my spring babies might have something to do with my increased love!

Just recently I ventured out with only my baby girl.  Where did we go you ask...Well, Goodwill!  I have been there so very since the beginning of the year.  But, usually rolling up to the back and off loading our crap to them.  Well, this time I seized the opportunity to see other peoples crap that they donated to see if it could replace the stuff we let go...  I did restrain myself, but we did come home with this new treasure.  Devon calls it a motorcycle.  We did not correct him.  Hahaha!  He loves this Dora bike!  Wow, he can't reach the pedals quite yet, but loves to schooch all over the gravel driveway with this guy.  And the best news was it was only $3.99.  OMG, I am always going to check out GW before I pay full price on any kids toy!  

Isabelle is loving the  nice weather we are having.  But, I feel she might just be a fall baby at heart.  When she sees a fallen leaf on the ground, she instantly crawls over to it to see how it tastes.  I keep telling myself it is organic!  But, I really love her curiosity and total fearlessness.  How can two kids be so different?

Devon learned he can move the white lawn chairs.  Go dude!  However, this resulted in a small booboo on his lip.  But he is a tough guy!  I don't know what about these two photos I like, but the chair is really working for me?

Peek a boo!  

Both kids are getting great at "helping" us in the shop.  I wonder if child labor laws apply to your own kids?

The many faces of my little dude!  Such joy and freedom.  I only wish adults were this apparent.

With April right around the corner, I thought it was fitting to show you the insanity that is my bookkeeping!  Well, it is quite possible a busy year last year and maybe  I get a pass on it?  Well, I think I did quite good since I did NOTHING all year long.  But, I think I had almost all the receipts to record!

We made our way to the water the past week.  There was a tiny patch of sand during low tide that revealed itself by a playground.  Of course, I had to let Devon and Isabelle explore this awesomeness.  

Both kids got a bit sandy during our excursion...Mostly due to Devon and his naughty habit of throwing stuff right now.

The kids were invited to one of there friends birthday party.  One thing they LOVED was licking or sucking on every piece of fake food that was there to play with.  I had to tell the mom to be sure to hose it off after we left.  

As you can see, Isabelle was "enjoying" herself.   Balloon and all!

Devon found a digger!  I can hear the angels singing now!

Isabelle is turning 11 months old tomorrow!  I just can't believe it!  She seems so small and baby-ish to me.  I guess Devon had the unfair situation of having to get kicked out of the baby seat soo soon since Isabelle was on the way.  It is really nice to have Isabelle be a baby that much longer.  I now know how fleeting "baby" is and I really want to cherish every single moment of it.  

Have a great day!

Shredding the last remnant of winter

With the weather becoming so lovely outside, we have been spending so much more time outside.  With lots of muddy hands and grass stained knees, we are enjoying ourselves every single moment!

Of course, Isabelle needs to pick up every single thing she sees.  Like, that is so not new!  But, it totally keeps me on my toes!  I think this picture above is really significant.  She is taking any evidence of fall or winter and shredding it as to day...I want summer here NOW!  

Disc golf...for the kids?  Really!  That is just so novel!  Especially on a disc golf course!  Well, we finally pulled out the mini basket and all the multicolored minis to be played with.  I just can't believe we waited so long to do this.  Devon loved collecting the small discs and stashing them random places.  Of course, he did his best impression of Dad by throwing them.  Isabelle on the other hand loved just being able to be part of the action.  She just stood up next to the basket and used the discs as a teether.  

Well, when you mix an unstable baby who is just learning balance with a small metal basket you are in store for some sort of crash.  So, some quick staples were made (yes, made...you all know Scott!)  Once they were hammered into the ground, it was so much more relaxed for us parents.  I just love this picture.  It really does not show the reality of the basket modification.  With Izzy sitting there like a prissy little lady and Devon needing to  hammer, it really looks like they are fitting into their gender roles nicely.  However, the camera does lie.  Izzy had to be stopped multiple times from getting wacked with the hammer since she really wanted to see what was going on!

The single best play toy...Devon!  It took a while before I just let Isabelle crawl on the grass.  I mean I have enough laundry that is already piled up, now with all of these grass stains....oiy!  But, she just needs to be free!  No silly blanket is going to trap her and tell her where she can go!  No WAY!

I think this might be my favorite picture of Isabelle right now.  The look in her eyes just melts my heart.  (And yes, I did not have shoes on her since I only have pink or brown shoes that fit her right now and that would have clashed with the rainbow tights and red sweatshirt!)  

Don't say it...  I know I have been posting so many pics of bath time...I just can't help it!  Devon trying to drink the bath water...mixed with the bubbles...mixed with Izzy.  I ask you how can I NOT take pictures every time!!!

With summer just around the corner, I have been able to put Isabelle in some summery outfits.  The moment I had her in this gem, I remembered her cousin Allison in this same shirt.  On one of my visits to Chicago, I had the opportunity to give her lunch.  Of course, Cherrios ended up on her face.  So as a small tribute to Allison, I had to give Isabelle the same treatment.  

Quick, put the toddler in the tree!  HAHAHA

Isabelle is a standing fool as of late.  She needs to be up.  That tempered with her fearlessness make for some interesting falls and maneuvers.  Just like big bro, she has found the musical instrument called the wall register.  Man on man, both kids love that thing! 

Andi love!  Anyone who can make my baby smile and laugh like this is good in my book!

Devon in the rain!  With spring,  come unstable weather.  When I decided to take the kids outside since the sun was shining to actually getting outside was a big difference!  Much to my shock!  But, Devon did not even mind the rain.  He just wanted to run, run, run!  

Those piercing blue eyes that both of my kids have are just stunning.  I mean, stunning!  Devon has a small streak of brown in is left eye.  I like to think a part of me just needed to be in there...meddling with perfection!  While I was pregnant with him I really wanted him to have blonde hair and blue eyes!  Why I was so fixated on this really random thing...I will never know!  

What a great father!  He is always showing his love for the kids with his beautiful smile and attention he gives both of them.  Always wanting a smile!

So, all in all, things are good!  Really good right now!  Spring is here and the fun thing is the kids know it.  They look forward to going outside everyday!  I look forward to Isabelle walking to make it more fun for her, but I will keep it just the way it is right now.  I don't want her to grow up too fast! 

Messy, but lovely