Backyard Fun

We are outside junkies.  Ever since the weather warmed up, we can be seen at one of the nearby parks, on walks in the neighborhood, riding the tricycle, and now...enjoying our backyard.  Here is Jane's new "park" as she calls it. 



Jane helped Daddy put it together and just couldn't wait to go down the slide.

We all ate lunch outside last weekend on the deck.  Jane insisted on having lunch on her park.

  Our yard is fenced in, so we can let Jane loose to play in the park, sidewalk chalk, kick balls, blow bubbles, all by herself if we want to get work done or simply enjoy some beverages on the deck.  Best of all - the whole backyard is shaded by two lovely trees (not so lovely in the fall when we have to rake the leaves...)  Jane has also taken an interest in baseball and even broke her first plastic bat because she was in her stance and banged it on the ground too hard, just like she had seen cousin Jacob do at his baseball game...oops!

 This week at school, Jane's class talked about exercising.  Jane LOVED school this week.  Her teachers said she spent 35 minutes lying on her back lifting one pound weights.  She had slick moves doing Zumba.  She scared the boys with her mean throwing arm while throwing footballs, baseballs, and basketballs.  And, she also learned Yoga.  Here she is showing BethAnn her new Yoga moves:

Super Jane!

"Aunt Bookie, just pull your legs back like this..."  BethAnn doesn't look all that comfortable with this...

or this!



Jane said, "Let's do the dog one." Voila - I present to you Downward Facing Dog. 

4 Months and Busy!



Look who's four months...just snuck up on us, especially now that it is the end of May and she is almost 5 months! Life has been keeping us very busy, and likewise Elise has been busy growing and trying to keep up with Jane! Elise is getting very strong - demonstrating the death grip on anything that gets near her fingers (including mommy's, Jane's, and BethAnn's hair), which has made nursing a bit precarious these days! She is rolling over from her tummy to her back and has done the reverse once or twice, but nothing consistent. We certainly aren't complaining, as we are still able to get a lot done without having to keep track of where Elise has rolled off to! Even if we did though, Jane would be sure to give us the 4-1-1 on Elise's every move. 

Enjoying Ergo time on a beautiful day outside.

Last weekend, Gramma came to visit while Daddy worked all weekend. She brought her green thumb to help me plant my flower beds. Jane kept busy looking for bugs and helping us plant flowers (followed by a 3 1/2 hour nap - score!) and Elise kept busy (and happy) in her exersaucer debut. Clearly, she is a fan.

There is no shortage of snuggle and play time for Elise, which she is certainly not complaining about. In the evenings when Jane gets home from school, Jane gets upset when Elise is already in bed because she wants to play with her!

Elise is in constant awe of Jane and observes everything she does (hopefully she's not picking up bad habits...like our current battle with potty words!)

Mom and Dad are sure to get their share of snuggle time too.  Elise is too sweet and calm not to snuggle - look at that precious face!

Schenley Plaza

Saturday was a beautiful day so we spent the morning with our dear friends, the Ashers, at Schenley Plaza at the University of Pittsburgh.  We had fun exploring the fountain, grassy field, and carousel.  Although because we told Jane we were going to the "park", she kept asking where the slides and swings were.  We had lots of fun regardless!

Jane sporting her new tangle-free "do". 

Sisters!

Elise wasn't pleased that we woke her up from a nap to go to the park (I know, "gasp", we totally broke the "never wake a sleeping baby" rule...)  She managed just fine and did perk up a bit!

Jane informed me that she was "this" big which she argued meant that she was big enough to walk around the elevated fountain ledge by herself...I had a different opinion. 

Karin and Aaron walking Sam and Sydney around the fountain.

Oh, and daddy was there too!

Jane's mean stance.

Oh, you think she isn't looking...

But she got a hit (though fairly hard to miss that big red ball)!

And now she rounds the bases!

Schenley plaza also has a carousel.  Jane picked the tiger.  We had a bit of a fight to get her off...looks like we'll have to make a return trip soon!