Big sister

Even though she was the third born, Cassidy was meant to be a big sister.  It is hard for me to express how impressed I am with how she treats Isaac.  Pure love, patience; a willingness to help him with whatever he wants or needs.  She draws him pictures of trains, reads him books, snuggles together with him, builds forts with him, plays trains, helps to find his shoes and coat, teaches him about bugs...  She is just a natural taking him under her wing. (No pun intended)

 watching a show together

 sharing her love for ladybugs

 sharing insights on video game strategies

story time and bugs

We have decided to make story time at the library a regular part of our schedule again.  Owen stayed with us last week and he was just as excited as Cass and Isaac were to go to the library.  It was fun to watch them participate and act like such big kids!  Of course, I had to bring the Canon with this time.

 fishies and turtles and stick bugs, oh my!

 the train table was another major attraction

Cassidy eyed up the stick bug cage, and noticed that the babies had grown up.  She also remembered that Ms. Cheryl told her she couldn't hold any until they were grown.  In true Cassidy style, she didn't hesitate to ask if she could hold the biggest one. Ms. Cheryl happily obliged.

I tell you, she was in heaven.  She never jumped or twitched, or freaked in the slightest.  The girl is a natural when it comes to bugs.  Entomologist in the making, I tell you.

 Look at that face!  Pure joy! We were laughing because this bug was rather feisty.  He would just shake those two front legs all over the place. He was either dancing to his own beat or majorly telling us off.

 We joked that he was doing the YMCA song.

Towards the end, I got brave enough to hold him myself.  Mostly because I wanted to try to get him to be more still so I could get a good clear shot of him. Moderate success.

gazing

After a hiatus of a few months, we decided to try out story time at the library again.  Isaac is now old enough to appreciate it and to participate with the bigger kids.  It is so fun to watch him do the finger plays, participate in the stories and to laugh at the jokes with the older kids. I had been hoping to find something for him to do that he really liked and it looks like the library is a winner again.

He also really loves the fish there.  He is always gazing up at them in awe.  Yesterday I was helping Cassidy check out books and turned around and found him just standing there..

I happened to have my phone handy.

Isaac getting a kiss from the Kissing Gourami

These photos have inspired me! I am going to have to follow the kids around with my nice camera sometime soon.  My friend had a photo shoot done there and the pictures just turned out darling. That will have to tide me over 'til real spring actually arrives.

Who's next?

Cassidy .... at your service.

Someday she will be mortified that she posed like this.

And Isaac, equally, when he sees these 'handcuffs' he was in...

'round here

Here are a few of the things I've seen 'round here lately:

Here is my boy at the very beginning of his sickness. Fever and cough, sluggish.  He had very little appetite but really wanted a shamrock shake. His mama made him one and he was very pleased.

 Reading a story with his little brother ♥

Lucy and Zeekie ... if you want smiles, then get the licorice.  However I recently asked Isaac if he wanted a piece for a treat and he told me 'No, mama. Is not a treat. We always have licorice.' Well duh. Mama should actually own stock in Twizzler and Red Vines.

 ... and point made before... Different clothes... different day... still licorice-afied.  It is obviously good for playing with as well as eating.

 'Uh, Mom.  Will you cut my bangs? Look at how long they are!' AT LEAST SHE ASKED THIS TIME!

The day my sick boy returned home.  The last night in the hospital the nurse woke him up on the hour to keep him hydrated after his IV came out.  He was one tired guy.  Just like a cat, he curled up on the floor in the sunshine and took a little nap.

And the littlest little on his self imposed nap.  Sundays are so hard because our schedule is off with church.  Meela, Kamryn and Deakon were over after church for lunch and after some playing he asked to watch a little Thomas.  Within 5 minutes he was passed out on the comfy couch.  Little darling ♥

spring?

Tomorrow is the first day of spring. Somehow I don't think we are going to wake up to blue skys, green grass and 60 degrees. (but you can't blame a girl for wishing!)  It has been snowing the past few days but hasn't accumulated very much, and in fact we have had some nice warm days (think upper 30's) where the snow has actually melted.  We took advantage of those days and went outside and did a little splashing.  Isaac was in love.  My camera loved the chance to get out and capture some of his fun he was having. There is just something about the splashing water that is so appealing to me. Last summer we took some pictures while playing with the hose.... that photo shoot was one of my favorites. Here's to a warm spring and summer where many water filled days can be enjoyed.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day from my favorite little leprechaun, Cassidy O'Lindner,  She was so excited to bring home a piece of gold she found at school, and told me that some other leprechauns had visited her classroom and left a mess!

I remember when I was in 4K going around the school with our leprechaun peepers that we made from decorated paper towel rolls (complete with green cellophane to look through) and the tiny green foot prints that were all over the room.  Those leprechauns were up to mischief waaaaay back then as well.  And I remember it being just as magical for me as it was for Cass.