3.2.14: Class picture or birthday party?

....Birthday Party.  It was the largest birthday party we have ever been to.

3.1.14: Stella: First Tooth + Backfloat

After just over a week of wiggling, Stella's first tooth finally came out today.  It required slight assistance but so little that Stella didn't even realize it was out until I put it in her hand. Everyone was very excited. Thankfully upon the first wiggle last week, I had made a tooth fairy pillow so we were all set for the night. Turns out the tooth fairy left $1 and took her tooth.  Stella didn't catch a glimpse of the tooth fairy, but did hear 'sparkles'.  Daphne heard bells.  Fiona didn't hear anything.  Guess we will have to see what happens with the next tooth.

At swimming today, Stella got a ribbon for doing a backfloat all by herself, she was very proud.  Once everyone completes the backfloat on their own, we are going to celebrate as a family.

2.22.14: Warm Weather + Weekend = Dresses

We (Fiona, Stella, Daphne) usually wear pants to school as I've convinced myself that the pants give the girls some layer of protection from the nature which they lovingly play in everyday.  So far, their pants have far more holes than their legs, so I consider my strategy a success. However, this means that dresses are primarily worn on the weekends and usually when it is warm weather.  Today the girls all decided to wear dresses together and there were hundreds of twirls to celebrate the warm weather.

2.15.14: Picnic (at home)

We (Fiona, Daphne, Stella) were so excited for Daddy to come home and celebrate Valentine's Day with us, that we decided to have a picnic in our front yard.  The weather was unseasonably warm so we wanted to make the most of it. One of our new plants was blooming blue flowers, so we decided to sit next to that plant on our picnic blanket and enjoy the front yard with some yummy snacks.

2.14.14: Valentine's Day

With Brant out of town until tomorrow, we (Fiona, Daphne, Stella) decided to make Valentine's Day this year - Girls Only.  We began our day with some new stickers, socks, and even chocolate - although only one piece of chocolate per day was allowed.  Then we were off to school/work.  I was able to escape a little early and we made it home in time to have pink heart shaped pancakes for dinner.  

I think the girls were most excited that we get to celebrate Valentine's day all over again this weekend when Brant came home from his trip.

2.2.14: Superbowl

With Debbie in town for an overdue girls weekend, we were able to celebrate the Superbowl truly representing Seattle.  Debbie had the girls (above Daphne, Fiona, Stella) make a Seahawks sign and made sure they knew when to celebrate.  Turns out there were plenty of times to celebrate.

2.1.14: Brrrrr

On this beautiful sunny 60 degree day, we decided we best get bigger winter coats for Stella, Daphne and Fiona.  While the afternoons are still lovely, the mornings have been in the 30's and our little girls chattering teeth became too loud to ignore.  Turns out, buying winter coats in February, in Arizona, is a challenging task given the swimsuits are already on display.

1.26.14: New Goldfish

Today we got a surprise after swimming lessons, the girls graduated from being tadpoles and are now goldfish. Here Stella, Fiona and Daphne are proudly displaying their ribbons.  I am amazed at how well they have taken to submerging their faces in water and bravely try whatever their teacher suggests.  Very proud of my little tadpoles...oops I mean goldfish.

1.18.14: Hiking

Today we went on a REAL hike....a climbing over rocks, beware of the prickly plant, I think this is the right way to go...sort of hike.  The girls (Stella, Daphne, Fiona) had so much fun and so did we.  We took a few water breaks an lasted just over an hour.  We even saw the inside of a saguaro cactus that had fallen over. Not too bad for our first hike through desert wilderness.

1.12.14: Swimming Lessons

Upon finding an indoor pool with fantastic reputation Daphne, Stella and Fiona are now officially enrolled in swimming lessons.  It is extremely important the girls learn how to swim properly given we have a pool and are surrounded by friends with pools.  We have tried swimming lessons twice before but both times the girls were too young to actually learn to swim.  Previously the lessons were more focused around being comfortable in the water - and they are. However, now it is time to learn to swim, really swim.  We are hoping to have good swimmers by summer.