New Necklace

This last weekend I bought Ashton Isadora her first necklace. She specifically picked out the one with the smiling kee-kee cat, and had hours of fun taking it on and off over the weekend. This series showcases her spinning and dancing around the house with her new adornment. When she grows tired she moves to her rocking chair. The first pic shows her ripping off her shoes and throwing them on the floor. Then, she realizes how disorderly the frantic move has displayed itself on the hardwood floor and quickly dismounts the rocker to straighten up her belongings. Ahh, if it will only last. 

Master Bed

Ashton has a new game that she likes to play with Poppie--hide-n-seek on our bed. It's pretty darn cute to see her wrestle the comforter and peek out giggling.

Sally Mander

This weekend when we were out weeding in the yard I turned over a rock to find a little cold blooded friend trying to wake up to spring. I quickly called Ashton over, and Jake came running. I don't know who was more excited about the little newt. We recently checked out a book from the library about a little boy that finds a salamander and brings it home to his bedroom to raise. I asked Izzi what she thought the rough-skinned lizard's name should be and she said "Mander. Sally Mander." It was so cute the way she wanted to have "Sally" sit in the chair with her--even if it didn't last long. After Mander returned to the cool grass Ashton really got interested in weeding. She found a huge earth worm, and shiny beetle to complete the afternoon. She's a bit reluctant to touch the friendly critters (thank goodness) but she certainly loves to observe them. The second photo was taken immediately after she touched Mander's tail. Ahhh, I love the spring.

Kitchen Help

Ashton read a book about making soup at Markie and Karol's yesterday. She came home ready to cook up a storm. It started in her own kitchen and slowly led to a potato-leek party for the family.  I modified (with tucks and rolls) Grandma Vilda's old "Moses Lake Food Services" apron for our afternoon adventure at the stove. Interrupting the photo sequence you'll see bean soup from this weekend in the making. She is quite the lil' helper in the kitchen these days. 

Later that night Ms. Isadora brought me a dozen cups of tea from her tea set (complete with wood tea bags and all!). It was quite the treat.  Let's hope her affinity for culinary arts now proves to have longevity throughout her life.

 

Tucking In

This series shows Ms. Isadora so lovingly reading to her baby and tucking her dollies in bed for the night.  

Magnolia

Jake got his girls a tulip (white magnolia) tree for Valentine's Day this year. It has beautiful little buds all over it and I can't wait to see it bloom. It has always been one of my favorite trees for it's fragrance and beauty. We put it inbetween the little pond and Ashton's almond tree just outside the kitchen window. We're hoping it will draw in and host many spring and summer birds, and hope that the wind won't be too turbulent on the blosoms. We spent Monday out in the yard planting and observing our early spring bulbs. 

Pink Balloon

Jake took Ashton to Home Depot while I worked on my National Board stuff this weekend. She came home with a pink balloon that provided hourse of entertainment. When it was time for bed she was still clinging to her balloon.