If I'd known that today was the day

I wouldn't have dressed him in a too-big muscle t-shirt!

Today Joseph played his first notes with the violin!  Only 7 weeks into our lessons.  haha

Really, though, I'm super proud of him.  Seven weeks is a long time when you are 4 years old to be told to wait! He practices almost every day (sometimes I forget) and really seems to enjoy it. 

Three Teeth, Two Shoes, and a Pair of Pants

Our little lady has bee busy! 

- She cut 3 new teeth (molars, I think),
- Started putting her sandals on her feet by herself!
- Has been trying to dress herself

She understands probably... 90% of what we say to her now.  Her receptive language skills seem excellent.  She doesn't say much (besides MOMMY!!!, yeah, and nah) but that works pretty well, honestly!  She does like to say brother when she wants him/something of his. 

She is big into making faces right now.  Scrunching up her nose, baring her teeth, and laughing maniacally.  I'm not making this up.  She's a character!

She is as lovely as ever, and dotes on big brother.  She will share pretty much anything with him (except maybe food) and has taken on his hobbies as her own.  She loves to read about planets and listen to Joseph's favorite song about the solar system.  It's adorable to watch them interact... usually.

Not too much success on the potty.  Sometimes she brings me a clean diaper which is pretty neat, but she hasn't figured out how to go on cue.

A few weeks ago she got an infection in her finger, so we've been dealing with a half-falling off fingernail now.  It's as gross as it sounds.  The new nail is finally starting to grow in, so that's something I guess.  She's been a real trooper about it.

She and I have been doing swimming lessons for about 10 weeks now.  Calling them lessons is a bit of a stretch, but she seems to like it, so we signed up for the summer session.  Now Joseph wants to do lessons, too, of course!

There are about 10,000 other details of her life that should be documented, but they won't be.  I describe her as my "regular" kid... she loves to do all the stuff Joseph did not at that age - climbing, jumping, dancing, singing, throwing tantrums, etc... ;)  She is amazing in her own right.

Indianapolis Wedding

One of my favorite cousins got married, and we had a blast attending the fabulous event!  They had Catholic and Hindu ceremonies, so we took advantage to have several fabulous outfits. ;)

Last day of preschool

And are we ever silly!

The fab five

Irony

Nora's first words are all very mannerly...  

Please

Thank you

Happy

It makes me feel like we did something right momentarily. If only she used them properly more often, especially "happy". Right now I'm pretty sure it's a demand for me to sing "if you're happy and you know it" :)

It's her favorite song, but I think she's a hipster and only likes it ironically ;)