Coming up Roses

We bought more plants for a few more landscaping beds back in October.  In November, our three rose bushes have been blooming.  It has been a nice change while we watch all of our other plants and trees die for the winter.

Breakfast with Devin

Monday morning, Hope ate breakfast with Devin.  Actually I should say she ate her second breakfast with Devin - she had already eaten before he arrived, but Monkey See Monkey Do.....

Up to her normal tricks - she took the Froot Loops out of the bowl and ate them and drank the milk separately.

 She finished all of hers.....

And then helped herself to Devin's.

Caught in the act!  Sweet Devin didn't say what he was probably thinking, he just let Hope have whatever she wanted.

Playtime with Ava

Last Sunday evening, Hope and I had the opportunity to visit with Alison, Mike and Baby Ava.

Ava is almost exactly a year younger than Hope, so seeing Ava reminds me of what Hope was like a year ago (and what Baby number two will be like a year from now).  Seeing Hope gives Alison and Mike a glimpse of what they are in for a year from now.

Hope gave Ava a kiss when she woke up from her nap.  It was blue night - Alison's favorite color.  Apparently it was white hair bow night too.

 

 Going in for another one - Ava just watching and learning.

 Oh Yeah!  Plastic!  So Big, really!

 Ta Da!

This girl means business. 

Hope played very well with Ava - I was proud of her.  She shared one or two of her own toys with Ava, and all but one or two of Ava's own toys.  Being in the "Mine!" phase, this is a big thing.

The Cousins

Devin fell asleep while waiting for Hope to arrive last weekend.  The Hope anxiously waited for him to wake up and play.

 Bailee also had fun with the punching balloons at the birthday party:

 Jenna too:

 And Leah - we played games on my phone while Hope took a nap Sunday afternoon.



Hope and Bailee

Saturday evening, Hope and Bailee had some one-on-one play time without the older kids around.  They are at a cute age because they actually pay attention to one another, play with one another and copy one another.

Pap Pap and his two baby girls:

Two other shots of the two tots:

The Triplets Turn One!!

Hope and I were lucky enough to be able to go to the triplets' first birthday party on Saturday.  Hope had a great time watching and participating in the festivities.

She loved the punching balloons.

 Singing Happy Birthday to the triplets.  I think it's, from the left, David, Abby and Jonathan.

 Jonathan ready to dig in.

 Abby studying the cupcake.

 David mesmerized by his Mommy.

 Hope had fun in the bouncy house.

 Jonathan, running after a little girl.

 And here she is!

Best of the Week (So Far)

On Monday, Hope pulled down her pants and said, "Mommy, go potty."  So I dug out her potty and she sat and read a book for a bit.

 

 The frosty cold weather meant we had to dig out her warm coat and hat.

 Watching FOX News to check out the election results Wednesday morning.

 Crossing her arms and legs.

 She no longer wants her banana in pieces - it needs to be in the peel.  She is watching Joe come downstairs.