Fruit Soup, the Lapps, and 50 days of School

Throughout the year, our school curriculum has us focus on different countries of the world. We started with North America, moved to South America and we are currently focusing on European countries.

Our first stop in Europe was to Norway. Branna enjoyed learning unique characteristics of the culture and we even made a traditional Norwegian dish: fruit soup.  The girls love to cook and I am always looking for recipes that will be easy for them to get involved in and that won't make a huge mess.  Fortunately, the recipe that I found was just that and the resulting dish tasted pretty good. (I think Atlie enjoyed it more than anyone!)

We also made Lapland felt squares in conjunction with our study. (The Lapps are a group of people who live in Northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Apparently, they were bright colors of blue, red, and yellow.) Since it's Christmas time, we turned them into ornaments for the girls to look back on in future years.

And lastly, we celebrate 50 days of school. Last year we had a big celebration, but lately I feel like I'm trying to walk up an escalator that is going down and can barely get the required work done.  So instead of making a big day, I awarded the girls with 50 day medals and we had root beer floats. (The floats were all that Branna really wanted anyways!) Even without the bid celebration, I think the day was memorable. :)

Aisley Walking (November 23)

Atlie's 3rd Birthday

Looking through my digital pictures, I realize how much I've neglected the blog... and I really want to catch up.  The girls and myself like to look back from time to time of milestones and various happenings over the years.  So, while these next few posts be more pictures and less words, I at least wanted to get something posted for memories. :)

As I've mentioned before, Atlie is a girl's girl and for her 3rd birthday party she told me she wanted a pink party.  Sounds easy enough, but I really wanted to narrow it down, so we decided to have a Pink Fairy Party.  Although the weather was a little bit chilly and windy, Atlie had a great time sharing her special day with her friends and family.

Choosing wings, wands, and tiaras

Face Painting

Happy birthday time!

We were even brave enough to have a pinata...

Opening gifts (she really wanted to go finish playing, hence the look)

We had a small to celebrate Atlie's birthday on the actual day.

She has told everyone that she had "lots of birthdays".

Happy birthday, Aisley!!! (and some much needed catch up)

I can't believe that you are already a year old!  How this year has passed so quickly and I feel so bad that  3 has slipped by without a monthly update.  All I can say, is it's busy around here!

I had to go back to the 9 month post to see what your latest accomplishments were and it truly is amazing how much you've developed and grown over these last months.  You can sign several things (some of them are: play, baby, more, no, light, daddy) and your understanding of words and signs is incredible.
You can identify several body parts like your head, eyes, and toes.

You love animals and can make several animals noises.  A cow's moo is your favorite.  You figured out how to make the moo during our Netherland's trip where you saw lots of cows!

Just after 9 months, you started full-fledged crawling and you can move fast!  I've been surprised that you haven't started walking yet since your sisters did so early (Branna: 10 months, Atlie: 9), but I think it's just because you're so cautious.  I've seen you stand on your own for brief periods, so it's just a matter of time.  However, even though you're not walking, you have figured out how to climb.  If you can get your leg up on it, you take the opportunity to climb up.  But, what's really awesome is, that for the most part, you have figured out how to get off by backing off with your legs first.

You have also started shaking your head no.  This originated because you started biting my legs and I would tell you know and shake my head.  After a few times of this, you would start to bite me, but then shake your head. :)

You've always loved music and it's been fun to see you start dancing when you hear a tune you like.  Sometimes you shake your head so hard, you almost fall over.  It's pretty funny.
For your birthday, we had a small family party and you had your first "cupcake".  You loved it!

Paint a Picture

Atlie is... a unique little girl.  She truly is a "girly" girl in that she loves to dress up in princess and fairy costumes.  Her favorite color is pink.  If Atlie had a saying, it would probably be, "The sparklier, the better".

I do not have boys, so I can't say from experience that something is "your typical boy".  But based on what I've heard, Atlie has many "typical boy" characteristics.  One of them being she is very mischievous and if there is trouble to be found, she will find it.

Atlie is not allowed to use things that can make marks (i.e. crayons, markers, paint, etc) without close supervision and even then she has a very limited usage of these things.  There have been countless incidents where Atlie's drawing pallet has ended up on the wall, on her body, or on one of her sisters.  (Branna was and is so good about following directions when it comes to things like this, so I've never had to worry about it.)

With our start of school, I have been allowing Atlie to use her markers and do-a-dots while I sit right next to Atlie, all the while continuing to remind her that we do not draw on anything but paper.  And to my surprise, she has actually been very good about it!

Since she proved to me that she could handle markers, I allowed her to graduate to paints (again supervised) and, oh boy, does she love to paint!  Every morning, when Branna and I start school, painting is what Atlie wants to do.

And again, she has surprised me!  The times that she accidentally gets paint on her, she tells me and wipes it off with a napkin (not her shirt).  She loves to create masterpieces and I love to see her imagination at work.

As she was painting one morning recently while Branna was laid up in bed sick, I thought to get a picture.  She looked so cute in her Cinderella dress and headband.

As I mentioned earlier, this happened to be a day that Branna was not feeling good.  She had an ear infection that was causing terrible nausea and during Atlie's painting session, Branna got sick I had to clean up a mess.

So let me paint this picture (no pun intended...) better: At this point, I have put Aisely in her crib to keep her away from the mess, and she is going berserk.  She's also very tired and needs to be put to bed.  Branna is sick in the bathroom and I am doing my best to not get sick myself while cleaning things up.  Atlie is by herself in the kitchen painting.

After finally getting everything cleaned up and getting Branna settled down, I run down the hall, past Atlie still painting, to turn the TV on for her while I get Aisley to sleep.  As I catch a glimpse of Atlie, I think to myself, "I don't remember her having a colorful bow in her hair..." And then it dawns on me: she's painted her hair!  Her reason for doing it was because it makes her look beautiful.

Here are the pictures of me telling Atlie she is grounded from painting and of her beautiful hair...

In the moment, it was not funny, but looking back it's hard not to laugh a little.  This girl is definitely her own, unique person!

Aisley at 9 Months (August 17)

Over this month, I have seen you becoming ever more aware of your surroundings.  You have really turned the corner from being a baby, to on your way to toddler-hood.  I love watching you make new discoveries (like how your hands work and what happens when you drop something).  You are so observant and do your best to mimmick sounds (like snapping and whistling) and even try to recreate events (like bonking your head or falling).



You definitely have a sense of humor already, too.  When we were at Grandma Lena's house last time, I tried I couple of PaPa's old wigs on you.  You thought it was hilareous and couldn't stop laughing.  (It was pretty funny!)

Even though you've understood some signs for a couple of months now, this month you've actually signed some of them.  In particular: more (said this too), Daddy, and no (at least tries by waving an arm).

Your main mode of locomotion is still army crawling (and you can GO!) but you've gotten more comfortable with hands-and-knees crawling, mainly over short distances.  However, I think it will only be a matter of time before you're walking since you've started standing without assistance for short periods of time.

When I give you Cheerios in your "non-spillable" bowl (haha), it's pretty easy to find where you are and where you've been. You have figured out that if you get a finger over the flap, you can get the Cheerios out more easily, but it also creates a huge mess.  Fortunately, you usually make your way back around and eat the trail.

You've also gained 3 top teeth this month (that makes 5 total) and another one is on the way.

Aisley at 8 months (July 17)

It's hard to believe that 8 months have passed since your birthday!  Eight months just doesn't seem possible and even more unbelievable to me is that your 1st birthday is just right around the corner.

This month has been a month of discoveries.  You are coming out of the "little baby" stage and entering into the "little girl" time.  I am seeing you understand more and more and interacting with us and your sisters.  One of the funniest things is you understanding "no" and throwing a fit about it.  I've seen you swat at Atlie when you've gotten frustrated with her. (You've done it to me too... not so funny! :) )

You can go from crawling to sitting now.  You've also started pulling up on things and can walk along furniture.  You've even taken a your first assisted steps, although, you are very cautious and don't like to do it very much.

(I love how you are resting your belly on the dishwasher.)

You also learned how to drink out of a straw this month... Atlie likes to help when she can.

Like I mentioned, you are understanding more and more.  You recognize words and phrases (like "more" and "Where is Daddy?").  Below is a video of one of your favorite things you've learned to do.

It's also been funny to see you fake laugh and cough.  I've tried a few times to get you doing it on video, but you won't do it on cue.

As well, as being such a big girl during the day, you've also mastered sleeping through the night.  I have to say, that that has been one of my favorite milestones this month! :)

Aisley 6 and 7 Months (May 17 and June 17)

You have turned our lives upside down these last couple months with your crawling.  (This is partly why the 6 month blog post was skipped and combined with month 7!)  Even though you are still just army crawling, you are everywhere and can get there fast!  You are so close to hands and knees crawling, but for now, you are just fine scooting across the floor.

So many firsts have happened for you in months 6 and 7:

• First two teeth (bottom middle)
• Pulled up in co-sleeper (You are now in your own room full time)
• Says ma-ma (especially when you're chasing after me or trying to find me when you're tired)
• Tried solids... You weren't too sure with your first few bites (avocado was your first food), but now you love to eat.  Your favorite foods are Cheerios and homemade applesauce with green beans.

You love interacting with everyone and are very social.  Your sisters love you so much, sometimes too much!

Other milestones you've made this month are:

• making "silly" eyes (You close your eyes tightly)
• fake whining
• waves 'hi" with her arm
• peek-a-boo
• mimicking sounds and movements (waving hi, raspberries, screaming)
• makes kissing sound when someone asks for a kiss