Getting Ready for Spring

It is a little bit cooler today, but still a beautiful day. I have spent the last week or so going through kids' clothes and buying the needed new shoes and clothes for spring. The kids were both in pretty desperate need of new shoes and short-sleeved shirts. Ellie still needs some new shorts, but thankfully Owen's shorts fit fine from last year. I bought some new things online for Ellie and the new baby on Etsy which is my new favorite place to shop. I was able to get some pretty hair bows (the intricate ones that I can't make) and some burp cloths and miscellaneous small things for the baby.

Daniel continues to be busy with school. He had a really long week last week and I think is still recovering from it. He had a big conference and had to do a presentation and everything. He made some good contacts and talked with some other grad students that he knew previously but had transferred. He should have a better idea about what Shell (who is funding his research) wants him to do and how long he will be doing it here soon, so we are anxious to hear about that and get a better prediction on when Daniel will be able to be finished.

Here is Owen playing outside. He loves to play outside and moans by the back door like a little puppy to go out. He got some new sneakers and so whenever he wants to go out he will bring me the shoes and plop them in my hands to put them on him. These days Owen is becoming faster, busier and a bit more mischievous. He has decided that he likes it when mom holds him so whenever I am holding Ellie he will climb on me and wedge himself between Ellie and I. Ells doesn't really like that. Not many new words from Owen yet but he recognizes a lot of things we say and does say a few words here and there. He is much more of an observer and a doer rather than a child who likes to talk about things. Daniel has taught him "Popcorn Popping" and he is so cute because he does all the motions. We need to get that on video.
Here's Ellie outside. Kind of a strange picture of her, but her nonetheless. You can't really tell but she has chocolate ice cream all over her face and neck and some on her shirt. These days Ellie has stopped taking her scheduled naps which has helped her sleep better at night though she does fall asleep for a little while on the couch about every other day still. She has "quiet time" instead where she has to read books or color. She is 37" tall and I am doing everything possible to make her grow an inch before we go to Sea World in a month (she has to be 38" to ride most the kiddie rides). Elise has been very interested in the new baby. She helped me go through all her old clothes that were in the attic and was sure to comment on anything cute and frilly. "Oh, so cute!" "Oh, look at this!" "Maggie be such a cutie in this!" "This beautiful!".