Goggles

Aiyana was very excited about her new swimming goggles. She insisted on wearing them even though we had no plans to go swimming. Sena also had goggles (though I didn't get a picture with her goggles on), and pretty soon, Julia started saying "goggles, goggles!!", so I had to pull out my old swimming goggles for her. Crazy kids!!!

First complete sentence

Julia's communicating more and more these days. She started using sentences, her first one was a few weeks ago: "Read a bookie, read a bookie!!!!". Over the last couple of days, she's been using a new version of that sentence: "Read a bookie, please".

Sleddin'

Did a little sledding in the back yard with Jesse and Rosie. Kim was at home resting for two.

Rosie and Jesse on one of the first few runs:


Mama and Julia, taking a break.


Group picture:


Julia and Roxi, speeding down the hill.


The girls.


Rosie was collecting snowballs.


Emergency stop as Barkly got in the way.


Then we went inside for après-sled, and had some hot chocolate.

Party in Boston

We went to an engagement party for our friends Stefan and Jessica. They flew from their home in Munich to Boston, where Jessica's parents invited a bunch of their friends to an excellent Chinese restaurant near MIT.

Roxi and Julia getting ready for the party (Julia is brushing her mama's hair).


Collecting balloons.




Jessica's mom cutting the cake.


Refreshing water:


Carefully listening to Nyla read a story.


Jacob was less focused on the story, more on his surroundings.


All in all, we had a great time. Julia fell asleep on the drive back home around 5:30 pm, and she's been sleeping ever since... we may be up early tomorrow.

High Water in Mansfield

Another sunny weekend, another visit to Mansfield Hollow.

Due to some heavy rains last week, the rivers and lakes have been high lately. The reservoir was probably about 6-8 feet (~2.5m) too high.

Note that in winter, sunny days tend to be much colder than cloudy ones. Today: no clouds to be seen...









The water level clearly had gone down already, judging by the amount of ice on the trees and bushes partially submerged.




"No swimming" sign almost invisible.
(although the water is probably too chilly!)


Julia enjoyed getting some air.

Julia in Black and White

For fun...

Julia + Rice Pudding

Another Busy Weekend

Julia started a little "music" class on Saturday mornings - nothing fancy. Kids bang on drums, and do a few groups dances and songs. Most kids are older and more active. Julia is happy to bang on her drum, but otherwise she looks and smiles at the other kids.

After the class, we stayed around for a bit and Julia tried her hand at the piano:


Contrary to the weather forecast, it was a little sunny, so we went for a little walk in Mansfield.


Today (Sunday) was beautiful and sunny - with the thin layer of snow we received last night.

Our little house, seen from the back.


A bud just about ready to come out, when it got frozen over.




For some reason, Julia's appetite has picked up lately. She was having yogurt this morning and insisted on feeding herself. Our choice was 1) let her eat and get messy, or 2) fight with her for the spoon, probably resulting in all 3 being frustrated.

We decided not to fight, and just clean up afterwards.

Two hands in the bowl.


Found a raisin!


The most efficient way.


What are you looking at?


We all had fun.

3 little girls being cute

Friday monrings I take the 3 kids to the library for Story-time, then we come back home to play and read some books. Julia is lucky to have Sena and Aiyana so close, they see each other almost every day. She talks about Benjamin a lot too, so we hope to see him soon.

Crazy Cousins!

The Crazy Cousins came over to play tonight.

Aiyana (obviously dressed like a butterfly) and Sena running back and forth, with Julia trying to not get in the way.


Some of the lego masterpieces the girls made (did Roxy help?).


An intense game of "Ring around the Rosie":




The Crazy Cousins are a good way to unwind.... :)

Big Post

Lots of pictures taken today...

This one in the morning. Julia looking like trouble (she insisted on putting on a second dress on top of the first one):


Then we went for a little walk near Bicentennial Pond.






A quick stop for groceries (at the Willimantic Food Coop):


Then off to UConn for lunch and watching (and photographing) the ducks and geese on Mirror Lake.




Canada Goose.


Female mallard.


Geese.


Male mallard.


Flying rat.


Finally, over to the UConn Agriculture barns, for close looks at the farm animals.

How now brown cow?


One of many pretty horses.


A lady at the grocery store said Julia has good "fashion sense"....


Then back home, Julia slept a bit, and we had some hot chocolate. Seems like spring was here today: practically no snow left, nice and sunny. Just a little chilly but overall very pleasant.