Our Easter Fun

Happy Easter!

Hello Spring

Well, we survived March, which inluded Will's minor surgery and Addie's high fever and ear infections. Will had his follow-up with the surgeon yesterday, and he said that Will looked great. After nearly 17 months, I think that we are finally done with specialists! Addie's ears cleared up nicely, too.

This weekend, we have a big project planned...to construct the new swingset we purchased. In preparation, I spent two hours last night sorting and labeling 1,000+ pieces of hardware and reading installation instructions. I am now scared to death of this swingset. The directions went through all of the dangers, including fall height from which a life threatening injury would not be expected. Geesh! I am starting to have second thoughts...

I am amazed on how quickly the kiddos are learning new things. Addie is the most vocal, imitating almost everything she hears. She now says bubbles, pa-pa (grandpa), Yi-ya (Lila), and Wheel (Will). Lila also has quite the vocabulary. The girls respond when asked "what does the cow say," or "what does the sheep say." Will, on the other hand, limits his words to night-night, ma-ma, da-da, and ball. I expect one day Will will just start using tons of words, just as he did with the signs. Oh, and Addie gives eskimo kisses, and Lila loves to blow kisses. Melts my heart...

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Thank You to the Good Samaritans

While I was grocery shopping this afternoon, some strong storms arrived. Our area was under a tornado warning as I wheeled my full cart through the parking lot. Then, some very strong winds tore through. I knew that I could no longer handle the cart on my trip to the back of the parking lot, and I was questioning if I could keep myself on the ground. Very scared, I grabbed my purse, ditched the cart, and tried to run back into the grocery store. I could see the wind overturn my cart and my groceries scatter everywhere. The wind was so bad that I couldn't fight through it to make it back into the store. Just as I decided hunkering down by the side of the building was best, the winds died down. Whew! Several kind people in their vehicles saw my overturned cart and groceries. The kind folks barricaded the area with their cars and helped me get what was left of my groceries into my minivan. We then all took cover in our vehicles to hurry to our respective homes. Of course, I told my helpers thank you. But, I am overwhelmed my their generous spirits that led them to get out of their cars in such bad weather.

Ruff, Ruff

I have become quite delinquent with my posts, which is really unfortunate because blogging helps me track the kids' progress. So, let's see what I can reconstruct from the last few weeks.

We are trying lots of new foods: fish sticks, chicken nuggets, oranges, blueberries, turkey dogs, baked beans and more. Apparently, we have a very small window before the kids become picky eaters, so we are doing our best to expand their taste buds before that time. We have had some "misses," though, and the kids throw everything they don't like on the floor. We have two really lucky dogs! Unfortunately, the kiddos have decided that they don't like milk. At the last wellness appointment, the doctor wanted them to drink four more ounces of milk daily, not four less!

We completed our swimming lessons and have certificates designating them "shrimplets." Tuesday nights are now Kindermusik, a program that "emphasizes structured play, combining music and movement in activities designed specifically for the developmental capabilities of young children." The kids really enjoy the classes, and I love observing them interact with the other kids and adults. They are very outgoing, probably because indvidually they have never had the luxury of clinging to mommy too much. And, I am not always able to bring enough helpers to class, leaving an odd man out to go find someone else to play. It's funny to see Lila so comfortable in a stranger's lap.

Everyday, it seems the kids learn something new. We can ask them to go get the baby or the telephone. Will and Addie will even give their babies kisses. The girls are learning lots of new words: night-night, baby, ball, more,and block. And, the girls now respond "ruff, ruff" when you ask what the dog says. So cute! Will seems to prefer adding signs instead of words.

Happy Valentines Day

The Holtlets making valentines...