Yard Warriors

We've entered a new phase: we have big boys who can mow the lawn!

Hendrick and Tesfaye took the mower out for a spin and have been approved to take on grass cutting (using the push mower) as part of their weekly chores.  They're thrilled - "Can we cut the grass again tomorrow?" I hope their excitement doesn't wear off anytime soon - we have two acres and a long hot summer still to come. 

I'm so proud of our boys, and I'm so proud of their good work on the grass, lawn mohawks and all :)

(Our scaredy dog Layla's not a big fan of the mower, but Maclaren sure enjoys playing outside with her brothers)

Hey-roh!

Dabney's new favorite toy: her play phone.
She giggles, she chats, she squeals: "hey-roh" (hello)

Her vocabulary has grown exponentially.
Little miss has several new words:  hello, bubble, ball, water, dada, mama, more, hi, bye-bye, night-night, doggy, lala (Layla), nose, eye, hug, shoe, and (our favorite) no.
"no, no, no!" 

Work Out

March Hiking

Cold temperatures quickly turned to warm one week before the official jump to Spring - and our family enjoyed an afternoon hiking at Chickasaw State Park. 

We trekked through the woods on a 1.5 mile hike - Maclaren's very first "Big Girl" hike.  She was joyously curious and did incredibly well keeping up, and Dabney enjoyed taking over her spot on Daddy's back :)+

A hike, lake exploring, geese watching, frog catching, wiffle ball, snacks, and playground play . . . a perfect way to spend a beautiful March day.

Belgium and Poland

Recently, Mike had an opportunity to travel to Belgium and Poland for work.  We sure missed daddy for the week, but it's a treat to experience these countries through him.

Belgium:

Poland:

And, daddy brought home treat to share:  Belgian Chocolates, Flemish coloring books and comics, euros, zlotys, and a beautiful necklace for Mommy :)

Dance

Each semester, I look forward to the Parent's Watch week at the girls' dance studio. 
This year, Maegli and Hiwot are taking two classes: Ballet I and Jazz I, which (thankfully) are back-to-back.  This year, there will be two recital routines to learn and two new costumes (very exciting!).  After several months of learning new styles, terminology, rhythms, stretching, and working on technique, their classes are beginning to learn their recital routines. 

This year, the studio celebrates 50 years of dance - as a celebration, the recital will feature favorite routines from the past 50 years.  Our girls get to be brides and poodle skirt twirling 50's gals - they are absolutely thrilled with this year's costumes!

In Ballet, after warming up at the barre, the class practiced their newly learned dance: a graceful bridal routine - they'll be wearing white dresses complete with  veils and bouquets. 

These mini brides know how to get down :)
(captured in action doing echappes - jump from third to second position)

Jazz class began with a series of stretching exercises done to the beat of fun pop music.  Their recital routine is a cute, peppy poodle-skirt worthy dance to "Wake Up Little Susie." 

In their jazz class, the girls are really being challenged to control their bodies as they move to the rhythms of music - it can be quite difficult to walk four steps, skip four steps, walk four steps. 

It was so much fun to have a peek at what these girls have been working at. 

Helpers

Clutch

First frog of the season:  Northern Leopard Frog
And, first clutch of eggs - ever.
(We're guessing nearly 700 eggs!)

Hendrick is moved most of the eggs to the lake, but he's keeping plenty to observe.
He's excited to be a grandpa :)

The kids also found a soft shell turtle - this has been quite the learning experience.  Hendrick has spent a lot of time with his nose in books learning about this new temporary pet.