Earth Day

Even though Earth Day was on 22 April this year, we celebrated Earth Day for several days.

Lowe's gave away a green to every child for Earth Day. We went to WalMart and bought pots for the little pine trees, as instructed. We bought a yellow pot, a red pot, and a green pot. Believe it or not, Hayli gave Hana the yellow (Hayli's favorite color) and declared that the red one was hers! So silly!We planted the pine trees from Lowe's ... Hayli and Hana had a lot of fun doing it!We also planted seedlings for a variety of flowers.

The city of Las Cruces also gave away trees for Arbor Day. Hana got an Elm tree, and Hayli got a Dessert Willow.

Shearing at the Alpaca Farm

Today we went to the Alpaca Farm because they were doing a demonstration on how they shear Alpacas. Alpaca fleece is spun into yarn and sold, which makes the fact that they only shear Alpacas once a year very interesting!

Hayli was allowed to walk one of the alpacas named Zeba, who had yet to have her haircut, around. They had her on a leash like a dog. Hayli loved it, and now proclaims that she has an (imaginary) Alpaca!

Hayli and Hana both enjoyed feeding the alpacas. These alpacas already got their haircuts... so they were very happy to be fed and wandering freely!

Happy Feet

Ever wonder why we call Hana "Happy Feet"? Watch her feet as she is delighted with trying to sing the ABCs.

End of Year Program

So, after many hours of practice, we all anticipated Hayli's End of Year Program at her preschool -- Bright Beginnings. Well, she did her best! LOL

Gymnastics for the Girls

Today we tried gymnastics! Both girls can go at the same time, which makes this mommy very happy. Hana does it with mommy's help, while Hayli does it by herself with mommy looking on every once in a while. It is a great opportunity for both of them!

Hayli Started Swimming on Her Own!!!

Today Hayli, for the first time, swam completely on her own from one side of the pool to the other. She even took a breath on her back all by herself!!! It is really AMAZING!!! She will be on a swim team in no time!

Celebrating Easter

We basically celebrated Easter a day early. We let Hayli choose breakfast, and she chose McDonald's. Not for the food mind you... for the playground!

Lowe's has a great program for kids where kids come in with their parent and build a project. They do this every other week. Hayli does these projects with daddy. After breakfast, we went to Lowe's to build a bird house. Hana slept through this, but she will have daddy make hers later.

Then off to the Easter Egg Hunt (or the politically correct terminology is now "Spring Fest") at Young Park! The line for the under 4 years old went from the field and looped all the way around the park to where we parked the car. Good thing mommy brought sun screen so nobody got burned during our one hour wait for our turn to get eggs!

Hayli got to ride some special rides while attending the Spring Fest. She 'drove' a military Hummer, spun so much it made mommy feel a bit ill, and went down a thrill of a slide over and over and over again... LOL!

After all that fun, we all headed out to the Sesame Street Live show. We met up with Hayli's friends Ryan and Tristan. Both girls really enjoyed the show, and I was delighted.

By the time we got home, we were all exhausted. It was a great Easter celebration!

Bumble Bee Song

How long does it take a 3 year old to sing a simple 30 second song? About 1 1/2 minutes!

Here are the lyrics...

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me,
(Cup hands together as if holding bee)

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Ouch! It stung me!
(Shake hands as if just stung)

I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me,
('Squish' bee between palms of hands)

I'm squishing up a baby bumblebee,
Ooh! It's sticky!
(Open up hands to look at 'mess')

I'm licking up the baby bumblebee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me,
(Licking bee off of hands)

I'm licking up the baby bumblebee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me!

ALL CLEAN!
(Hold hands up to show they are clean)

Is Hana a Fishy yet?

...not yet, but we are working on it!

Chili's & Peter Piper

Today was a great day! Chili's and Peter Piper (or as Hayli calls it - the carnival) was a lot of fun! Hana enjoyed the guacamole!

The merry-go-round is always a hit with the girls!

Hayli rode the roller coaster ride with Oma... Hana joined in!

Hana drove today and enjoyed every second of it... she is just like her mommy!

Toddler Trot

Today Hayli and Hana participated in the Toddler Trot for MOPS. They had many sponsors, and they were second in the total amount raised. Hayli was so proud. Thank you to all those who sponsored the girls.

Merry Go Round

Hayli loves to go on the Merry Go Round at the mall. It is quickly becoming Hana's favorite too!

My Kids Rock!

Hana makes me laugh when she dances to the Hot Dog song on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

Hayli busting out her hip hop moves...

Hayli loves to play guitar!

Is Hana a Fishy Yet?

Hana is getting better at swimming...

Open Gym

Hana really enjoys going to Open Gym at Gym Magic!

Happy 1st Birthday Lilah!!!

Today the family went to Lilah's 1st birthday. It was Hana's first birthday party that she was invited to. What a great time! To our surprise, there was a mechanical bull there. I asked Hayli if she wanted to ride the bull, and her answer was "YES". Hayli had no idea if I meant a real bull or a fake one... but she went for it anyway. WOW, that's my girl!!! Hana gave it a try too. We didn't let them turn it on for Hana, and I think she was a bit disappointed.

The theme was cupcakes, and Lilah's parents bought a HUGE cupcake pinata!

Happy Birthday Lilah!

D A N C E

Hayli had her dancing bears class today. She was so cute in her new dancing dress. The class started to practice their recital so not many videos between now and June 11th.

Mr. Austin let Hana in on the dance class today. So sweet!

Open Gym Fun

Hana is one of the regulars at open gym on Tuesdays. Hayli rarely gets to go because she is in preschool. Today was a treat since school was cancelled for parent-teacher conferences. Hayli showed interest in tumbling today for the first time EVER. Maybe it was that trip to the Cruces Gymnastics Academy???

Hayli and Hana both enjoyed some trampoline fun!

One Step Closer

Hayli is one step closer to swimming on her own. I can't believe it! Miss Kayla is teaching Hayli to use three big arms and then breathe on the side. WOW!

Aquatic Center

Today we went to the Aquatic Center for the first time. We met up with the Sahm and Ernst-Schrader family. It was a lot of fun! Hana enjoyed the fountains!

Hayli swam like a dolphin~~~

We are working on Hayli swimming with big arms. She is starting to understand how to accomplish this.

WE HAD A BLAST!!!

Catch a Kite?

Today the family went to Young Park to take some spring photos of the girls. The Sahm family met us there for a picnic. Tristan (Hayli's friend) brought a kite with him, and Hayli had a good time trying to figure out how it worked. She spent more time trying to catch the kite than flying it! So funny!