Staying Busy During the {Almost} Never Ending Darkness ; )

Have I mentioned that we're ready for spring?

In all seriousness, we are doing really well but we are also ready for some sunshine. Anyone who ever might consider moving to the Pacific Northwest really ought to consider the long, dark winter. However, on the flipside, there is the spring/summer season, which is AMAZING. As long as you keep busy, the winter doesn't have to be so terrible, here's a bit of what we've been up to and how we've been keeping dry ; ).

We spend a lot of time "camping" or playing in our tents (Thank you Uncle Richard, Aunt Brandy, Gabriel and Hudson) and tunnels snuggling, having tea parties, reading and rolling around.
We'll call this "Gorgeous and the Flying Fish."
Yes, this is a variety of cuddling.
Yeah...it's nice in here.
Hi!
They play this "peek-a-boo" game where they pop-up and down at each other, pump the side of the tent up and down and laugh, and laugh, and laugh. Too stinkin' cute!

We also spend a lot of time engaged in art and/or quasi-science projects. Below, Gak Attack:
Beginning with the end: Mommy, I am so done!
Waiting for it...

...ooh! There it is, that's cool! We've even got Aine's attention!

Here's how it worked.Our materials.Mix some food coloring in water. Add some cornstarch and eat it......er, squish it up.Play.Play....Wassup...?!?
Clean up.

Also, window markers have proved to be at least as big a hit with Little Sister as they were/are with Big Sister.
Serious business.
I'm working hard.
I'm playing hard ; ).

Also, in our art/science ventures, we decided to make our own finger paint one morning, just to change things up.

Easy, fun and different.

Along with reading and building blocks, which you already know all about, we manage to keep pretty busy. We also have a fantastic library system, great friends, and the odd sunshine break in which we get to head outside and play -- but more on that later.

Hope wherever you are you are starting to enjoy the wonders of spring. We'll be joining you soon -- stay tuned!

Love!

Hip - Hip -Hooray for Our Last Snow Day!

So, we had what we can only imagine (and hope -- we are so ready for spring) will be our last Snow Day of the year several weeks ago. And it was so much fun! Tentatively stepping out into the snow.

Less tentatively but still not sure, yet.

Hmmmm....do I like this?

Getting our snowman...umm, snowperson ( ? ) ...going.

And, now, for the Snow Angel Series -- dedicated to Uncle Sean. We love you!

The Mommy.

The Aoife.

The Aine.
Look Aine, you'll like it!
You're right. I do like it, and it tastes good. Ha!
Why, yes. You're right, Aine. It does taste good.
So proud of our snowman. Our, "Frosty." Yes, they're all "Frosty!"
More and less impressed.
Definitely more impressed!
Love for "Frosty."
Kisses, even!
This was much more Aine's speed, just walkin' and stompin'. Bye, bye!

XOXO : )

A Family Picture...

... or two. We hiked at Hoyt Arboretum this past weekend. The girls are finally getting to the point where they are a little heartier in the packs, and on foot! We had to stop and take some pictures in front of this tree -- incredible!

Love, love, love!

Bragging Rights

Okay. So, I try not to just go crazy about my babies on a day to day basis, but I figure I get to brag on my own blog. Right?!? ; )

Here's our very deliberate little builder. You already know she's good at this, she just keeps getting more and more elaborate in her designs: color, shape, matching -- or not. She's awesome.
Too cute!
Aine is just amazing us! This little girl is 16 months old and will sit and play with blocks for half and hour and just build, build, build. She is so physical. She is our climber, our manipulator -- just busy, busy. Her language doesn't suffer for it, while she was stacking these blocks she was saying, "...blocks up, up...". When they fell she'd say, "...blocks dooowwwnnnn!" That triangle block she has in her hand, she knew it couldn't be the block on the top, she kept putting it on and then taking it off to place another block and she'd say, "not top, not top." Crazy-smart little girl!
You know this one's artistic.
Also artistic, but in such a different way.
"Mama, boots -- feet! N-aaao-w!"
Our singin' girls. They really have lovely little voices. I'll post some singing soon.
Sister love! They are too sweet -- so glad we had two back to back! And so glad they will have each other!

Today, Aine said: "Juice...put in cup." Seriously, she's 16 months old!?! For real?!? Amazing!

...and Aoife, she found a birth announcement from friends. She said, "Let me see that picture of those cute babies (twins)." Then she continued to say, "Look how sweet they are. That one baby's huggin' the other." To which I said, "Aoife, you're funny (in an endearing way)." She replied, with emphasis, "I'm not funny, Mommy, I'm just bein'... (long pause)... HAPPY!" What a breath of fresh air.

Please forgive my bragging rant. I mean for this to be an archive for my girls someday and I am just crazy proud of them -- bursting at the seams -- which I know so many of you can understand! I love parenting them and sharing parenthood with all of you!

Lots of love!

The Stuhans

Shower Power

Bath time is always a big hit around here and recently the girls have been finishing up with a quick shower at the end. The first few times they were so excited they just danced and giggled and sang like crazy!



The wonder of life's simple pleasures! Delightful! Thank you, girls!Fresh, clean, "jammied" and ready to sing and play some more -- well, at least a little before bed.


'Nigh', 'nigh.' : )