Happy 3rd Birthday Aya

Jeff took Melanie to Aya's third birthday celebration - a princess-themed party at the Monon Center - while Joey and I went to Frankfort for a friend's baby shower. Joey got to play with Aunt Julie and Molly while I had lunch with a friend and attended the baby shower. Fun was had by all :)

Sprinklers & Pony Boys

One day when we got home from school, Jeff was outside with a running hose.  Melanie immediately took her shirt off (still in the car) and wanted to get sprayed.  Later, to our dismay, she also de-pantsed herself outside.  After that, we have been diligent about getting her bathing suit on her body before she gets set loose.  She spent a lot of time in the sprinkler that week, but Joey still has some "getting used to" to do.

Grace came over to play a couple of nights in a row when we were getting great, warm weather.  One night she had her hair in a ponytail, so Melanie wanted one.  There was born the "pony boy," which is what Melanie calls pony/pig tails.  Sometimes she wants one "pony boy," sometimes two.  The history of the word comes from a song my parents sing to her when they give her horsey-rides on their leg.

Fun with Wyatt & Molly

We had a fun Sunday cookout with the Boyetts and Gigi, Poppy and Molly the week after Mother's Day.  Wyatt was a great sport putting up with the girls who were driving him bananas.

Good "Big Sister"'in

Melanie has been taking her role as Joey's Big Sister VERY seriously lately.  She has been very attentive to his needs, to the point of fixing his ears for him (with her doctor's kit) so that he doesn't have to have ear surgery.  She retrieves his silky for him when he needs it, opens doors for him, among other caretaking duties.  She frequently tells him she loves him "to the moon and back," and soothes him when he's upset.  If she wants something he has, she's getting better at brokering a trade instead of just grabbing it from him.  Occasionally when I try to get something for him, she'll stop me and say "No, Mommy, his Big Sister will get it for him."

Spring Fling

The Friday of Mother's Day weekend, Noah's Ark daycare had their annual "Spring Fling."  This is Melanie's third appearance in this program, and she had been practicing her little heart out at home for weeks.  We spent a lot of time talking about the fact there would be a lot more people in the sanctuary during the actual show (compared to during practices, which had been going on since January).  She was all prepared, and then, apparently, got a major case of stage fright once the event actually happened.  While she knew all of the words &gestures, she covered her face during most of the songs, and did her best to completely avoid looking at us.  When the whole school came back together to do a few songs, she did sing a little bit. 

Joey's class did not participate, since there is something new on the stage that prohibited strollers, and they didn't want to herd a group of walking one-year-olds up there.

Another great event by Noah's Ark; let's just say Melanie will not be in one of her Aunt Julie's plays any time soon!  A couple of weeks later, I attended Molly's preschool performance of a few songs, and she definitely takes after her Mommy (and Daddy) much more in the performance area.  Joey, for his part, kept trying to join her and the rest of the kids up there - so maybe we'll have a performer in our house too!

Movie, Blood, and the Derby

Mothers Day weekend - Saturday -  was spent attempting to attend Melanie's first movie (Rio - we ended up getting our money back, because she was too afraid; but the popcorn was a hit!), experiencing Joey's first bloodshed (from the mouth/his fall off Melanie's bed), and attending a Kentucky Derby party at the Dorans' house, where we ended up taking home the pot - my horse won and Jeff's lost, so we split the earnings, which paid for the babysitter!

Happy Mothers Day!

My mom, Julie, and I started a wonderful tradition we plan to continue for years to come.  The Friday evening of Mother's Day, we shopped and had a wonderful dinner.  Yes, just us three adults.  We were actually able to finish sentences, have a real conversation, and enjoy each other's company!  Not that we would trade our kids for the world, but it was very nice to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom & sister!!

Sunday, Melanie and I went to church/Sunday school.  She has been doing great about attending Sunday school (bribed, of course, by a pink sprinkle donut if she behaves).  Joey has been timing his naps just right so he and Jeff don't go with us every week - and I was actually going to miss church on Mother's Day, but Melanie really wanted to go to Sunday school, so we scrambled and went.  That was about her seventh straight week.  Later in the afternoon, we headed to Frankfort for a wonderful meal with the whole family (minus Matt, who has to work on Sundays), prepared by Jeff &; my Dad.