Water play in a sunny backyard

We had a nice, warm, sunny afternoon so I filled up a big tub and let the girls splash around in a little water in the backyard.

When Alan came home from work, Elsie told him all about it and showed him the pictures. He told Elsie how much fun it looked, and then after a while said to me, "Did you guys play like this growing up? Because aside from you and your mom, I have never heard of anyone just playing with a bucket of water in the backyard." I thought about it for a little bit, and while we did have the traditional kiddie pool, we did just play with tubs of water some of the time. Even as a teenager, we would run around on our property in Central Oregon with just buckets of water and cups and have big water wars.

I can't have been the only one who played like this, right?

Big girl beds

The time finally came to upgrade Elsie and Alice's beds. Elsie was getting too tall for her toddler bed and her toes could reach the end of the bed when she stretched out. Alice is getting really close to starting potty training and we figured she needed to be in a bed that she could get out of so she can make it to the potty when she needs to.

Ready to get started!

Eventually Elsie will need a new comforter set, but right now she is very attached to her bear blanket. Alan mentioned that she would need a new blanket and she started crying. Too much change at one time. I figure it will last her through the spring and summer, and in the fall we will take her out to let her pick out a new one.

 They are both very excited about their new beds.

Alice is still trying to figure out how big girl beds work... 

Nap times have been a little difficult for Alice, but we have only had one day so far (knock on wood) that she hasn't given up and taken a nap. Other than that, it has been a fairly smooth transition.

Nice Days

 Our weather has dropped back down into the low 40's again, so it's time to relive the glorious weather we've been having the last few days. I think our high peaked around 87 degrees, but we've been living in the 75 degree range and it has been wonderful.

We spent all Sunday evening playing outside and grilling hamburgers before Alan left for his trip.

It was the hottest day on my birthday and we spent as much time outside as we could.

 I thought about going somewhere big and grand with the girls the next morning, but who needs a big adventure when we can have bubbles, bikes, and running races in our own driveway. We'll save the bigger trips for later on when the simple pleasures have lost their appeal.

 Different girls. This is Alice's reaction to seeing a bug...

 ...and this is Elsie's reaction to seeing a bug.

Happy Birthday Day to Me

 Alan is gone this week, so my actual birthday was pretty low key. I opened presents from Alan and the girls on Sunday before he left and we will have cake and go out to celebrate this weekend. Yesterday a friend took me and the girls out to lunch and then came back after nap time to play with the kids while I was able to get out a little on my own. The girls and I went out to dinner and split a huge chocolate brownie with ice cream. The kids went to bed and I curled up on the couch and watched a movie. All and all it was a pretty good day.