oh, and one smallish request...

We don't like wishing time away. Really, we don't.

You've probably gathered that in all our rants about how quickly time passes any more.

So, we'll back up a little and simply ask if maybe, just maybe, this little guy could be the last of the snow and cold? Pretty please with a banana on top?

We've missed you sun shining, soccer balling, driveway painting, bubble blowing kinds of days.

You're good for our souls!

{Did anyone else out there just say, "Amen?"}

haaammm, haaammm...

...on the range!

Let’s avoid finishing the range's bills by dishing out some ham, we say. Since we can’t avoid this for too long, we hope you won’t mind that this month is mostly in pics.

As you can see below, Hope learned how to play hide and seek. She’s a natural, obviously.

However, she truly is a natural at something else called busting. a. move.

Roger Rabbit…
Kid-n-Play…

What’s old school good for if not The Hammer, of course?

Our dancing queen. She made us do it.

And those babies of hers… they are always good for some hammy moments. Recently when we asked her if we could again distinguish some of them with names, she agreed! Had we not momentarily forgotten how much she loves to know EVERYONE’S full names these days, we wouldn't have been surprised when she excitedly said, "Ummm, yes... Katina Wa-nay!" (Katrina Renee for those who may not know Mommy's full name).

Katina or her friend, especially, go everywhere and do everything with us. Visits with Daddy in the square...
Pretend trips to the Hobby Yobby...
Some two year old pictures...
Do you actually need a caption? :)
Have a great start to the week, everyone!
Joe and Katrina

Not the Only Cook in the... Bathroom?

After tiptoeing around a particular issue for a number of months with all that has been going on, this past week we tried to get down to doing business. Let me set the scene for you.

I'll let your imagination do the rest. Just be sure to imagine lots of opportunities for patience,"Cabbage Patch" style dance moves, cheers, stickers, Annie's chocolate or graham bunnies, a bucket of cute little big girl supplies, and a truckload of opportunities to be patient. Oh and us gated in our kitchen, coming up with all sorts of stuff to do, while reassured by the safety of hardwood floors.

Except for that time on the stairs. Or in the bedroom. And anywhere else the truckload of patience made a pit stop...

Hmm... seems I should probably jazz up this post a bit just in case I lost some of you at the bathroom photo.

Come with me to the kitchen then.

Before we go and steal (share?) his thunder, I must show you what I woke up to on Valentine's Day.
He did that with two little girls, mind you, while I got to sleep in a little. I think it's safe to say that the fastest way to a woman's heart is also sometimes through her stomach. Especially if that stomach has had some extra zzz's.

But, he's not the only cook in our kitchen. Nope, he's not... thanks to another gift of handmade (MWA, Mrs. Neal!), we have some Mommy and Me...
and Me Too, of course... apron action going on!

Several nights ago we whipped up a new version of broccoli and cheese soup. Excuse me, baby broccoli and cheese soup (A while back Joe discovered that Hope's love for all things "baby" also works for veggies... as long as we call them baby carrots, broccoli, avocado, zucchini, peas, lettuce, etc... it's all good!) It was pretty yummy, but next time we'll try to healthy-like tweak this recipe, to see if it truly tastes like the Panera version we've been after. Me Too had herself some baby sweet potatoes just so you know she wasn't left out. :)

As for Joe's love by chocolate souffle, in all its low fat glory (yeah, right!), you'll have to try and get that little recipe out of him yourself. I can assure you after a bite or two you'll be doing some cheers and "Cabbage Patch" style dance moves all your own.

With or without a side of stickers and wherever you choose to eat it.

A Little of the Playground

Not much time now, but look.

Just look at what arrived on our doorstep today.

Cora, there are two little girls who will help share your story every time someone asks about these precious headbands.

We hope your playground is full of sunshine and laughter and joy.

We just know it will be.

Now, You're Invited...

It seems you guessed it! Hope could barely contain her excitement for the postponed "ZOO PAWTY!" this past weekend. What a blessing to see her really "get it" this year and to gather a community together for celebration. (Not to mention, I could get a real kick out of planning children's parties- on quite a budget, even- maybe one of these days?) :)

We learned, created/made messes, and had ourselves a big time leading up to the weekend. Then when three certain aunties pulled into the drive, we thought she (oh heck, all of us!) just might burst. We couldn't have done it without them!

Hard as it was we didn't explode, though, and the next day all the little party animals joined us. We played the games made mostly from things around our house, dressed up in masks, and "ate like the animals" including the pictured below trees for giraffes (thanks Grandpa and Grandma for providing for the food!). Of all the things we did, Hope could hardly wait for one part in particular-- "I want to give my fwiends their pwizes!" (A playlist of Jeremiah was a Bullfrog, Crocodile Rock, Jungle Boogie, Rockin' Robin, etc. courtesy of DJ Auntie Mawcie-- thanks, friend!) With that came an end to what we hoped was a fun time for all.

Without further adieu, here are some snapshots of our walk on the wild side:












We'll never forget Hope's excitement over everyone arriving and the snack treats, the compassionate way she helped one of her friends when he got upset, the prancing around in her giraffe mask, shouts of "I don't yike that! It's vewy, vewy dawk!" when blindfolded to pin the trunk, all the hugs and laughs, and the generosity of those who brought two canned goods for a local food pantry-- one for each year of Hope's life.

But we'll especially never forget the shy, almost honored look on Hope's face when the entire room of people sang her Happy Birthday. When they finished she looked at me and quietly asked, "Again?"

Thanks to all of you who could be with us and obliged that little request.

Happy birthday, our big girl. Your heart, your creative spirit, your ability to make us laugh and sing and dance continues to amaze us. May God watch over you and help you grow in this new year of your life... just be sure to slow down the time every chance you get, okay?

To Be Continued...

You could say this girl is typically pretty passionate about animals.

(And perhaps about that messy BBQ dinner, but that's another post for another time.) :)

Watching her interact with them, especially dogs, makes us think she just might have a special touch. After all, with a furry friend like Tucker, she can handle pretty much anything right?

This is why we have been working (playing?) hard all week long.

Check back later on for more details...

In the meantime, hope you have an awesome weekend!