Smudge

So the puppy is an 8 week old puggle.  Amelia decided to name him Smudge.  He is quite a good little dog so far.  He is very relaxed.  He loves Buddy.  The cat HATES him and hasn't even been in the house since Smudge arrived.  Amelia is very excited to teach him tricks.  Nina is just happy to see him playing.  Smudge really likes stuffed animals and has a collection of them from the dollar store now.  In just one day he has brought a lot of joy to our family. 

Puppy Day

I know that I am several, several months behind in posting and I will catch up but here is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to Amelia.  SANTA BROUGHT HER A PUPPY!  He had to bring him early though so he didn't get squashed by the presents in the sleigh.  Nina and I woke up from nap on Friday and there was Smudge sitting in the living room.  Amelia sure was surprised when she got home from school. 

Someone Found a Marker

First Day of First Grade

My First Grader

She is big now, you know.

Lining up outside the classroom

Nina was so sad to leave her sister.

She was sobbing and yelling "sister!"  She was pretty pathetic actually.

While we were driving to school Amelia told me "Mom, time sure does go fast."  Truer words have never been spoken!

Dentist

Amelia had a dentist appointment before school started and the dentist was nice enough to squeeze Nina in at the same time.  It was Nina's first appointment.  She started out very apprehensive but then the hygenist got her to taste the cookie flavored toothpaste and she was much more agreeable to the process after that.  She made the poor lady brush her teeth for like 20 minutes while we waited for the dentist.  Both girls are cavity free! 

The Zoo

Feeding the giraffes

Nina on the carousel

Amelia on the carousel

My not-so-little-anymore Amelia

Ent has their company picnic at the zoo every year.  We love it.  The animals are so active in the evening and the girls get to ride the carousel as many times as they want. 

Nina Turns 2

Nina always scratches the trees like a little bear cub

Party picnic

Nina and the pinata.  She expected everyone to cheer for her every time she hit it.

Blowing out the candles.

The boucer

I know this post is 3 weeks late.  But, in fact, Nina did turn 2.  We had a great party with lots of fun, food, and friends.  Nina loved blowing out the candles (but not before she took a big bite out of it before it was lit.)  What can I say about little Nina?  She is my fiesty little monster and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Our Garden

Our First Harvest

The Gardeb

Squash on the vine

Another Harvest

Philip has started a garden this year.  We have been getting probably 4 zucchini and 2 squash a day, not to mention the peas.  We also have carrots, onions, jalapenos, habeneros, pumpkins, watermelon, cantelope, strawberries, green beans, and corn. 

Licking the Spoon

One of the joys of childhood is licking the spoon when your mom makes a cake.  Here is Nina's first spoon.  She kept asking for more.

Sick Baby

Nina with a fever

One day while we were swimming Nina came down with a slight fever.  When we got home Amelia made her a little bed on the couch.  She made sure that Nina had all of her favorite blankets and turned on Sesame Street for her.  Amelia was a terrific little nurse and Nina was feeling better in no time.

Circus

Amelia and I ventured to the circus this year.  We decided Nina wasn't quite ready but probably next year.  It was a great show as always and we had fantastic seats!

Cousins

Cecelia and Amelia

Cecelia came down from Denver to stay with us for an entire week.  We did something fun everyday.  I didn't capture much of it in pictures though.  We went mini-golfing, to the zoo, swimming, to the park, just to name a few activities.  This picture is of the girls having a picnic in the yard.  Amelia is lucky to have a cousin on each side of the family that is just about her age so she always has someone to play with at family events. 

Baseball

Nina spend a lot of baseball time in here.  We call it Baby Jail.

Because she is always trying to bat even when other kids are already batting

Amelia at bat

Adjusting her cap

Even Cecelia got to play

Cecelia at bat

 This was our first baseball practice.  We are the Yankees this year.  Cecelia was staying with us for the week so she got to play too, she even got a cap to take home. 

I Guess Nina Couldn't Wait

Notice all the beautiful sprinkles and the corner dug out by a little hand

Philip and Amelia baked my birthday cake this year.  Amelia did all of the decorating.  While we were not in the kitchen, Nina decided to help herself.

Children's Museum

Princess Nina

Fairy Amelia

Amelia loves the children's museum in Pueblo.  It has lots of arts and crafts, which is right up her alley.  Nina and I both left covered in paint too. 

Water Day

Nina had no problem making the big kids move out of her way

In case you are wondering how many kids can fit in a baby pool, 7 is the answer

Nina loved painting with watercolors on the wall

She also painted herself nearly entirely black by the time we left

Amelia also painted a masterpiece

Amelia and her friends

Trying (unsuccessfully) to blow bubbles

Such a little posing princess

Amelia and Ms. Rain, the best teacher ever!

On the last day of school the Kindergarten hosted a Water Day complete with all things water.  It was great fun for all the kids, even Nina got to play.  The perfect end to the perfect year.  Now on to 1st grade!

Kindergarten Celebration

Nina playing in the sand, waiting for the Kindergarteners

I love how close Nina has to sit to Amelia to eat lunch

Amelia with her friends

The 2 Amelias having a cupcake

Instead of a Kindergarten graduation, Amelia's school chose to walk to the park and have a picnic and fun day.  I thought that was a much better choice!  We brought watermelon and cupcakes for the kids.  Nina loves when she gets to hang out with Amelia and her friends so she can think she is big like them.  It was a very fun afternoon and the perfect celebration for becoming 1st graders!