Thunder

I got Sylvia up from her nap around 3:30 today and she immediately said, "The thunder's on. It goes kaboom. I like it." I guess we won't have to worry about her being afraid of thunderstorms this summer.

Backyard Fun

When Dan finished building the sandbox he started working on a "swing sweat." Sylvia has always loved swinging and she is now learning to use her big girl swing. She likes getting pulled way back and then counting, "one, two, three, four" for Dan to let go so she can start really high. Dan has also started to do underdogs which she loves.

Erickson likes being outside just like Sylvia did when she was a baby. I laid him right in the grass the other day and he didn't seem to mind at all.

Sylvia has been using her wheelbarrow to help Dan get rid of some rocks in the backyard. This is one of my favorite pictures.

Playgroup

Our playgroup has continued to grow over the past year. We started when Sylvia was about 4 months old with five or so kids. Along the way, we've each met and invited new families to join. It's been a wonderful way to get to know more people in the Iowa City area.

Here's a picture of the group last Friday when we all got together to celebrate the addition of some new babies. We did not even attempt to get the babies in the picture. All four of them were born within five weeks of each other.
(back) Mabel, Corbin
(middle) Finn, Estelle, Sylvia, Gavin, Eli Adelaide
(front) Calvin, Henry, Stella
(not pictured) Erickson, Nora, Juniper, Ben

Spring Game

We took Sylvia to the Hawks spring game on Saturday. She loves watching football on TV so we thought she might enjoy the game. I don't know if she even noticed the football players on the field but she did enjoy getting to run around the bleachers. We skipped nap to go and she did pretty well (as long as we didn't ask her to do anything she didn't want to) until it was time to walk back to the car. She ended up crying most of the way and falling asleep as soon as we got home.

Planting Seeds

A few weeks ago, Sylvia and Nana planted some seeds in the front yard. Since then, Sylvia has been asking to plant seeds. I received this planting set as well as a strawberry planting set for my birthday. Sylvia enjoyed helping us plant both of them. Hopefully she'll get her daddy's green thumb.

Erickson's First Trip

My parents and I took the kids to Bloomington, IL on Monday and Tuesday to visit cousins and meet the newest addition to my brother's family. Their son, Raymond, was born on March 14. Both kids did pretty well in the car although it took Sylvia awhile to fall asleep for nap. We left after Erickson ate and didn't have to stop to nurse him which was very nice.

Snuggling cousins. I think these two will be good friends.

Margaret knew that Sylvia likes Curious George and picked out some books to read to her.

Swimming at the hotel was a highlight for Sylvia.

Erickson took his first swim.

He loved floating in the water even though it was a little cold.

Everyone liked spending a little time in the "hot pool," as Sylvia calls it, although Erickson is making a funny face.


We also took the kids to a park on Tuesday morning followed by a picnic outside John & Gretchen's house. It was cool in the morning but the sun was out after naptime and the kids got hot and sweaty.

Easter

We went to my parents' house Sunday evening to celebrate Easter.

Checking out her box of "potty" treats.

Sylvia got to try her first peep.

Sylvia and her cousins, Katie & Ben, enjoyed hunting for eggs in the back yard.



Opening eggs was Sylvia's favorite activity.

We also celebrated my brother, Bill's, birthday as well as mine and Dan's dad's.

Sylvia gave Ben a ride in Grandpa's truck after he pushed her around for a long time.

Decorating Eggs

Sylvia helped me hard boil the eggs for decorating. Half of the eggs ended up with cracks after she dropped them in the water so I had to hard boil a few more.

She really enjoyed dropping the color tablets into the vinegar and watching them bubble.


Dan did a great job of letting her help with the dying while I took picture and watched Erickson.

Happy Easter

Sandbox

With a 2 1/2 year old and a new baby in the house, we had planned to build some sort of play structure in our backyard this summer. That way Sylvia could be entertained outside while I am occupied with Erickson. But, since we're planning on moving sometime in the next year or so due to a buyout we decided not to do anything too elaborate. Dan's Granny sent some money as a gift for Sylvia when Erickson was born. So, Dan built a sandbox with Grandpa and Sylvia's help. We can always take it with us when we move if we'd like.

Sylvia enjoyed checking out the sandbox as it filled with sand. She hasn't played in the sand very much but she's catching on quickly.
"Thank you for the sandbox." Sylvia is looking forward to seeing Granny in May so she can say thank you in person.


Erickson and I stayed out of the way while they worked. It looks like he is excited about the sandbox too.