The river.

Eating sand all day long.

I know that I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again—this beautiful place is only 5 minutes from our house!  “This is why we live in Troutdale!” as Brian always says. 

California girls trip.

In March, the girls and I drove down to California to visit my parents.  I was nervous about doing the drive by myself, but they did pretty well.  On the way there, the older girls were perfect, and Georgia was pretty good, until the last hour or so—and then she cried until we got to Fairfield. 

Elna mostly sat in the back, but occasionally I had her sit in the middle to entertain Georgia or feed her.  Elna is such a happy helper!  I don’t think I could have done the trip without her.  I got really good at throwing snacks back to her, that she could distribute.  I got so good, I rarely missed her lap—but occasionally, she would have to quickly get out of her chair to get things that didn’t quite make it.

A pit stop for lunch and gas.

We made it!  The girls were so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa!

We went to the Jelly Belly more than once—it’s a hit!

St. Patrick’s Day was the day after we arrived—luckily I came prepared!

Reading books on Grandma’s bed.

This happy girl—at least here…she had a cold and went on a nursing strike while we there.  No fun!

Early morning games.

Playing at the park down the street.

And playing in “the park” in their backyard.  I love that they called their swing set area “the park”.  They spent SO much time out here.  See Hattie’s doll up above in the helmet?  They didn’t have many toys with them—only their dolls—so, they got creative.  These dolls spent a lot of time in their helmets.

In her little bed cubby between the bed and the closet—it was such a great space for quiet time and sleep—she was so focused without the distractions, and at night she fell right asleep.  This night, I put her to bed, and I took this picture, because I left for a second, the lights were still on, and when I came back she was completely asleep.  They had such fun days, they slept really well at night!

I heard her from the other room in her sing-songy voice saying “all the caps for sale”, so I went in to sneak this picture.  I think we might graduate her from naps to quiet time with books—it’s totally working for her and she’s no going right to sleep at night.  Win win!

Another trip to the JB factory.

 

Grandma Elna and Georgia.

 

Georgia looks tired, because she is—always.

A run to Sephora makeup and a minute with our backs turned…

Birthday books from Grandma and Papa.  Harry and the Lady Next Door for Hattie, and Epossumondas for Elna.

A couple of evenings after dinner we went to the park down the street to wear the girls out before bed.

More California trip posts to come…

Swings and climbing.

The girls begged me all morning to take out the baby swing to the park (right out our back gate), so when Georgia woke up from her morning nap, out we went.  It was her first time swinging and she loved it and laughed the whole time.  This was a Saturday—which are the worst during tax season.  Brian was gone the entire day.  April 15th can’t come fast enough.

A pusher and two swingers—I love these three!

One day after preschool, we went out to play at the park, and somehow Elna and Cody ended up in this tree (Elna still with her preschool bag).  Elna loved it!  She now asks to climb this tree often.  She’s much too brave for our liking—I wish she had a little more fear in her—she would go much higher than this if we’d let her.

Cute friends!

Georgia, world’s worst sleeper.

The pictures in this post span about 3 months and are so very representative of my life during that 3 months…and even now many months later.  This girl does not know how to sleep, and it isn’t for our lack of trying. 

Oh look there, she’s sleeping!

Supposed to be sleeping, I’m sure.

Asleep at church with my friend, Joanna.

This girl still hasn’t learned to sleep, which is pretty exhausting…but on the upside, I have a whole bunch of selfies with a sleeping baby in my arms, and some day I will look back at them and be so happy that I have so many pictures of me holding my baby.