While the Van De Graafs were gone, Ashlyn got the idea to try and ride Hailey's two-wheeler. I had my doubts but she picked it up pretty quick! We attribute it to the balance bike Ashlyn received from Grandma and Papa Martinson.
I had so much fun teaching the girls to try new things at the park and Bancroft Elementary (close to our house).
Ashlyn has been doing "Mommy School" and been learning how to read! She filled up the letter A on a chart so we said she could get an ice cream to celebrate. She wanted the whole family to go though... so we did! Good job Ashlyn!
Brinley cleaning her mouth.
My summer schedule has been so awesome! I get home almost every day around 2-3:00 and we get to go do fun things. One day we just went to a new park and played and laid on the blanket.
Then we went on a ride/walk!
All this fun stuff has been wearing Ashlyn out. She has been falling asleep in different places. This is one of the more interesting. It actually rained part of the time she was asleep.
At the Gardens! Always a good time!
Our favorite porch swing at the gardens.
Really strange pathology on the underside of these leaves.
Brinley never gets tired of the swings!
Or Ashlyn!
Silly time!
Ashlyn loves playing with Claire.
Morning time shows are the best!
At the splash pad!
Brinley didn't warm up quite as well as Ashlyn did.
Doing push-ups!
Going home! We sure love the Van De Graafs!
Sunday picnic on the lawn with our neighbors!
Last year I only saw fireflies a couple times and the girls were already in bed so this year I vowed that the first time I saw fireflies I would make sure they saw them! So tonight I found one and went and woke up the girls to come see it!
I can't believe our little "Chunkmin" is 6 months! We are sure blessed to have this sweet little angel in our family. Derek and I have been blessed to have our 3 beautiful daugthers! Each brings us so much joy, laughter, and love!
Mud pies
The girls and I have been reading books about spring and then we watch a scholastic show of the books. It has been a lot of fun for the girls and I. While we were at the library, they got a sticker and tattoo. Here they are showing their big muscles with the tattoos.
Every time I try to take a picture of Claire, Brinley loves to jump in saying "cheeeeessssseeee".
Love her sober face!!!
Going Bug Hunting
I got these girls new princess (Ashlyn) and Hello Kitty (Brinley) electric toothbrushes and bubblegum toothpaste. They are always wanting to brush their teeth. This will make Daddy happy!
Claire Bear is darling! I love going into her room after a nap and seeing her excitement and smiles.
She loves to sit in the highchair!
I recently have been watching YouTube videos about the book "The magic of Tidying Up" by this Japanese Organizer. It is a top seller right now and I have been curious about her method of organizing. I have been going through my house and getting rid of stuff that I don't use anymore and letting it go. During this process I found a "paint book" that you use a brush and water only (mess free- every mother's dream). It reminds me of my childhood.
Grandma Martinson I had to post this for you because Ashlyn absolutely loves these shoes that you bought for her when Claire was born. She wears these everyday and they have received lots of love these past 6 months. While we were getting ready to leave to the store this week Ashlyn said, "Mom, I think it is time for Grandma to buy me some new sparkly shoes." haha. I guess she has figured out that Grandma is the one that buys the "cool" shoes.
Look how much she has chunked up! I love my chubby babies!
Ashlyn has been making her own bed for sometime now, but this morning was a special moment for me. When the morning rush settled down and I had to grab something from the girls' room, I discovered this special gift to Ashlyn from Grandma Martinson on her bed. This Book of Mormon means a lot to Ashlyn and I hope that she can learn to love it as she is will read this book soon.
Ashlyn is learning to read right now and doing so so well! I got this book that teaches a child to read in 100 lessons and we just finished lesson 15! Each lesson we finish she gets to put a sticker on her chart. When the big A is filled up she gets to go on a date with me and get an ice cream and then when she completes the little A, we get to go bowling as a family! She is working so hard and is very motivated.
This is a bit random, but I am starting to feel like my bedroom is starting to feel like a real bedroom. I have been watching studio 5 with these glamorous bedrooms segments and I have been wanting to "update". In the complex that we live in we have a website sort of like KSL and I bought these awesome lamps (you can't see in the picture, but they are glittery) and these gorgeous nightstands. My next project is to sand and paint them light blue/teal to match my bedspread. I will keep you updated.
While Derek was in Florida, the girls and I had a party. To keep my and the girls sanity we had to go do something fun each day! As much as we had fun, we are sure to have Daddy back home.
The Bounce House
They had this blue animal and Brinley was so drawn to it.
Got to love that face.
It has been rainy this past week and we had a hay day playing in the rain walking barefoot and enjoying our umbrellas.
This little one started solids this week and absolutely LLOOVVEESS IT!
The last day the girls got up early and saw the cookies from the dessert that we had the night before when we had our 75 year old neighbor over for dinner. They asked if they could eat them for breakfast and I thought, "Why not!!!" They were so excited that it was our little secret.... until now. haha.
My girls love to sing.... this is one of their favorite songs.
I was in the other room when I kept hearing these two giggle and giggle, so I grabbed my camera....
(I learned to never leave Claire alone with Brinley haha.)
I am updating a little late, Happy 2nd Birthday to Brinley!!!
I don't know who was more excited for Brinley's birthday, Brinley or Ashlyn! But this pink beauty was the best present ever! (all the neighborhood kids think so too). Thanks Grandma and Papa Martinson.
We went to Costco for lunch and it was a successful trip (having three kids while shopping is an adventure because you never know what will happen). We were heading back to the car with our cart full of groceries and happy girls while I was thinking to myself how great and successful it has been until.... the raspberries spilled everywhere in the parking lot. The girls sat down in the middle of the parking lot eating germ infested raspberries. I got a lot of disgusting looks, but it was a moment where I loved seeing my girls happy!
That evening we got the tent all set up in the basement and read books with the flashlight. Brinley's favorite was Frozen!
Then we did glow in the dark-in-the-dark bathtime!! Yeah!
(Thanks Aunt Lyssa, Sawyer, and Parker)
Claire is learning to sit up! I love her sweet face.
I got the girls a bubble machine and it has been a real hit!
Love my three girls!!!
Brinley has recently loved wearing skirts and dresses (following in her older sister's path of girly girl). Apparently the clothing swap (or stealing sister's clothes) begins now. She loves wearing Ashlyn's clothes.
What a doll
So I found this picture of Ashlyn and it looks so much like Claire when she smiles. Ashlyn loves it when I say that Claire looks like her, but with blue eyes.
Also when I was cleaning out some closets I found this picture that we took on our honeymoon.
