The Fighter's

Ava had her first "arts & crafts" class today at our local rec center. The class lasts an hour and every week they'll make something artsy. She was SO excited to go...not only does she love doing arts and crafts, but she was excited about other kids being there and felt like such a "big" girl as this was the first class (besides Sunday School) that she got to go without Mom. I went in to fill out paperwork at the beginning of the class, and she very confidently said to me "this is just a kid class Mom." On that note I left! Today she made an Octopus. Instead of hanging on to every piece of art work (as much as I would love to)...I decided I'll take digital pics which will save some space for the extra special things she does through the years that I'll want to keep!

About twice a day Ava decides to tackle Kate or visa versa , and it ends up in a wrestling match. They roll all over the floor, giggling like crazy. I'm a little nervous about this new found game because Ava is so much bigger than Kate, but it seems no matter how hard Ava tackles Kate...she goes back for more. I stand by through the matches and am usually able to break them up before they end up with someone crying, but they do have so much fun together...and I just love their sweet sister giggles. Much different than the spit tortures I used to give my brother's (hopefully the girls don't ever learn that trick;-)).

2 giant truckloads, piles and piles of boxes and lots and lots and lots of greatly appreciated help from family and friends later...we're moved in! What a whirlwind! There are still boxes everywhere but we are making a good dent in it day by day. As someone who likes to have everything in order, right now ...it's been a tad tough looking around at the disarray , but I keep reminding myself that it will get done. And...we are so happy to be in our new home! I made dinner for the first time tonight in our new kitchen which was so fun (just need to remember where I stashed everything...took me 5 minutes to find the cutting board!). We are so thankful to everyone that came to help this past weekend...Mom F, brother Bobby and his girlfriend Katie for driving all the way up from Columbus for the day to help. Mom F is a pro at this moving stuff and helped keep things flowing...always going above and beyond! Katie was great with the girls, and I loved watching Bobby and Doug just be

...Can't describe how much I love to hear my little munchkins speak their first words. Kate's been speaking new words every day...sentences (her favorite..."I got you"...followed by a cheeky grin and laugh). It really is one my favorite things about being a mom...watching them learn new things, speak new words, do new things. Not much can compare. Even Ava's 50 billion questions in a row..."Mommy...how does the sun go down?" or "Daddy...how does it rain"...followed by 50 more "why's" and "how's". I don't think I could ever get tired of that! We snapped a quick movie of Kate's speaking her word for Grandpa..."Pee-paw". Yes...she calls him "Pee-paw".

Caught a few pics of the girls snuggling with their Grandma to read the new children's Bible they got for Easter:-) Ava's favorite story...the "sneaky snake".

One of our favorite games to play lately is "Ava & Kate's beauty shop". I am the customer, and Ava & Kate "beautify" my hair with a brush and goody barrettes , and in return, I pay them pretend money. Ava also likes to do Kate's hair...as is evidenced by the many barrettes in the picture below. It is so funny to watch...Kate sits patiently, letting her sister tug and pull at her small bit of hair:-) Kate is also a BIG fan of headbands. She puts them on herself...sometimes multiples...and it's always good for a laugh. You should give the shop a try sometime...

We had a double whammy this weekend. Not only did we celebrate Easter, but we celebrated our guy's 32nd birthday! Uncle Pat made the drive home, making our weekend family time more complete! Easter morning began with the girls finding their Easter baskets...they were thrilled with jelly beans, crayons, paint, bubbles and a new Children's Bible. After that was breakfast (egg casserole made especially for my birthday boy), then church, followed by an Easter egg hunt. While the girls were down for a nap, Doug and Uncle Pat went out for a round of golf and my mom and I went and picked up coffee and then for a stroll around Lowe's (needed her advice on paint colors and carpet)! We came home and put together beef tenderloin, twice baked potatoes and veggies for dinner. Uncle Rob & Aunt Carly came to join us which made the girls extra happy (especially when Aunt Carly painted their fingers and toes red...she makes them feel so special:-)). After dinner we sang happy birthday t

We are so excited to have a new place to call our own. Closed on our new house yesterday and couldn't be more elated! Our family lived so many great memories in our house in Columbus and we're looking forward to the prospects in our new home. We are going to take the next few weeks to clean and paint and other odds and ends before officially making the move. My parents have been awesome letting us bunk with them until the house is ready...we are truly thankful for their generosity and giving up of their space for a few weeks. They have been troopers to say the very least. Here's a first picture of the girls in our new home...many more to come!

Kate found Grandpa's glasses today. She has a little personality all her own...that's for sure. Our little comedian always looking for a laugh. And once she finds a way to make us smile she hams it up even more! Ava had to get in on the action as well. And Grandpa...isn't it maybe time for a new pair of glasses? We're not in 1980 anymore:-)