Life's Tough!

 
Just in the last couple of weeks, we've cut out Sedona's nap for the most part because she's just started staying up later if she has a nap. Chris and I both like the 7:00 bedtime routine and enjoy having that time to ourselves at night. She has been doing really well with the full days. However, every 3 or 4 days, not napping catches up with her and she asks for a nap; what's a mom to say? When I went to put Aja down for her nap this afternoon, I came back and in the minute that I was gone, this is what I came back to. There's something about watching my sleeping gals that just melts my heart!

Enjoying Our Days Together

I have to say that I am enjoying my days off with the girls even more now that I work part time. I know I said this in another BLOG, but I really do find it a nice balance to be working 3 days a week. I love my job and I appreciate the time I have with the girls when I'm home- the days are all about them when I have them off. Housework? Who cares? Not as important as quality hang time! And we've actually had some warmer days (but not really) to enjoy our deck.

 
Blowing bubbles is always a mesmerizing activity for Sedona.
 
DJ Aja playing a tune on her new toy sent all the way from T Dot (as Chris fondly calls Toronto) from Nan and P.K.)

Getting our Newest Member Ready for the Team

 
 
Coach Sedona is preparing our newest member Aja for "Team Allen."

Happy Birthday to Aja!

 
I love my new doll nana and Bill. I had to fight Sedona to keep this one, but she's finally given in.
 
My first cake- Banana cake.
 
All done! Is there any more?

Poor Girls!!

Here are the girls in their daily singing practise. They usually like it for the first 1 hour and a half, but mom works them hard!

 

Aja's birthday

It was a year ago today that Aja entered our life. Since that time she has learned to fit in very well around here, and is a constant source of entertainment for Sedona, Lisa, and I. I was really able to see Aja's personality shine through on our trip to Florida. No matter where we were, or for how long we'd been travelling, Aja was always giving anyone a smile or a bashful look. Needless to say she, and Sedona, got us alot of attention! This morning, Lisa cooked up our weekend special, pancackes. This time however she pulled out her creative side and made some letters.

 

The excitment was so fierce this morning for Aja's first, that Sedona was declaring "I'm Awaaaake" by 4:45am. Aja the cool-cat slept into the rockstar hour of 6:15am. What a lifetstyle she lives!

 

 

Hummingbird Mania

We had so much fun watching the Hummingbirds tonight out our kitchen window. There were often two birds at a time at the different spouts. Aja gets such a kick out of watching them too; she too is showing early signs of being an Allen birder.

The new Hiker in the Family

 

That is, if we can ever get her off her bike! Sedona just rips down the trails now and the faster she goes, the happier she is. I used to run beside her with Aja in the backpack, but now it's either a full family affair or just one of us goes because we can't keep up to her otherwise. Whe she gets to an incline, she always asks "why can't I go fast?" So, here she is testing out Dad's new backpack to see if it will work for her!

Babies Galore!

 

The girls both love this cradle that Chris' colleague gave us months ago. Sedona is always putting her babies to sleep in here and Aja's favourite thing is going over and taking them out as she loooves babies! However, today, she surprised us by climbing right into the cradle.

Purely Reflection!

Just reflecting here tonight- no pics. Chris and I just came in after an hour outside in the garden/backyard while the girls were asleep. We have snowpeas and radishes sprouting, even with the weather we've been having. I have high hopes that the weather gods are right in predicting 21 degrees for tomorrow.
I'm back at work 3 days a week and find it a nice balance. The girls have had no problems adjusting as they love the daycare they go to (boohoo- likely shutting down this summer), and are with Nana one of the days as well. I'm really enjoying teaching again, and to my surprise, have more energy at the end of the week that when I was at home full time. Those people who say "being a stay-at-home parent is the hardest job you'll ever do" may just know a thing or two. Of course, there are so many benefits to being a stay at home mom as well and I was glad to have the year off. I like my schedule: I work Mondays and then have a couple of days with the gals and then 2 more days of work before the weekend with all of us- I think I'll keep this gig going for quite a few years.
Anyway, I wanted to share a story about Sedona. She seems so much older and more mature these days. Once she hit 3 a few months ago, she really become this different person. I know we're in trouble, because as you all know, she's always loved clothes. But now she's into the make-up. She loves lip gloss and asked me if we could buy some tonight when we went to get new toothpaste and barettes. I told her we needed those items and I'd pay, but if she wanted the lipgloss (she already has a whole bunch), she'd have to pay with her piggy bank money- (is she too young to start teaching her about money sense?) She was very excited about this and got a purse with her money in it. We walked into the store, she picked it out, brought it to the counter, took out her money to pay, thanked the lady and walked out a very happy little girl. She was quite proud of herself (where's the camera when you need it)? Part of me hates to see the girls grow up so quickly, but the other part of me loves each little stage of development. I feel truly blessed to be living the life that I do with Chris and the girls.

What's for Lunch?

 

Is it really Spring?

Biking home from work on Friday, I saw the biggest snowflakes of my life. Chris took this picture from our deck.

And the Love of Food Continues

 

Just like her big sister, Aja loves munching on whole cucumbers. It keeps her quiet in the grocery cart for quite a while too!

 

Aja insists on feeding herself now with the sppon for at least part of her meal: hence the face!