sixteen

At sixteen, this little miss...

... is so busy. I know I write this every month, but she's not slowing down. See how she is posing with 13 months. She switched the blocks before I could take the 4 steps to take the picture. And we had to take sister to school, so she wins.

... has more teeth. We've got our bottom molars and are working on our top, for a grand total of 10 {this top ones haven't cut yet, so they don't count} Just for reference, sister had 7 at this age.

... loves books, Daniel Tiger, baby dolls, running, playing outside, her bunny, dancing, goldfish, her dogs, and sister.

... the girls are starting to play more together, which gives me all the feels, until it takes a sharp turn and the crying starts. The fighting is starting. Lauren, our leader, likes Caroline to do exactly what she wants, when she wants. Caroline has a mind of her own. And doesn't have words to share that.
So, she bites.
Yep.
Twice. Both times have been in a form of self-defense... Lauren wouldn't leave her alone. She gave a couple warning shrieks and then went for it.
Kinda freaking out...
I don't want a biter.


... is really getting into puzzles, which makes my teacher mama heart happy. She knows her eyes, nose, mouth and toes, babbles with the best of them, and seems to be learning something new everyday.

... is still a bit timid when meeting new people or in new surroundings, but once she is comfortable, watch out! She runs into her sisters school to pick her up each day, is a busy little birdie at Little Gym, tries to break into the room Lauren practices in at the dance studio, and just started swim lessons last week. While I had to hold her back from jumping in the pool during her sisters lesson, she went right in the pool to Miss Paige, practiced her scoops, loved to jump in, and even went under.

... is still my snuggly sweet baby, despite the impending toddlerhood that awaits us. Based on those little fits, my days are numbered.

a weekend to remember

As a family with young children I feel like there are many weekends spent in running in the backyard, picking up after Play-Doh & projects, in-between preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner and many snack breaks.

But every once in a while, there is a weekend where your calendar is filled with fun, so much fun that the schedule and the naps get put aside and you focus on making some extra special memories.

We just had one of those weekends.

We kicked it off with a trip to the zoo with some friends. We rode the carousel, fed the giraffes, and fought the crowds of students on field trips. And the mamas were rewarded with tired little darlings who were out before we pulled out of the parking lot.







On Saturday we took our love of all things Disney to another level and attended Disney On Ice.
We weren't sure what to expect, but both girls did great and Mom & Dad were pretty entertained by the performance as well.




Our Sunday started off with an Annual Easter Egg Hunt and visit to the Easter Bunny.


Caroline was a little unsure of the bunny this year,
which is a bit ironic as her lovey is a bunny and we've become a bit obsessive with all things bunny.
As I attempted to put her in the bunny's lap, she immediately started shaking her head "No".




After a costume change, we were off to Minute Maid park to see our favorite team, Royals v. Astros.
While this wasn't Caroline's first time to the ball park, this was her first Royals game.

She's a busy gal and our climber, but she did a great job helping us cheer the Royals on.

And cheer them on, we did. We lasted 9 innings, but had to call it quits as the game went into OT
(for 12 innings and the Royals lost...)

A long weekend.
A couple firsts, a couple traditions, and a lot of family memories.

Tea for Two

Tea parties are a daily occasion at our house.
The location, flavored tea, dress code, and accompanying delicacies vary,
but there is always a little girl or two,
with a grin and some imagination.






A few weeks ago, Lauren and I attended a real tea party.
A local tea room hosted a tea an 'Adorable Doll Party',
so we helped Lauren's doll of choice, Payton, get ready and headed out to a little mama/daughter date.

When we arrived, Payton had a special seat with her own tea cup & doll sized appetizers.
Lauren had her very own tea pot, filled with pink lemonade.
We enjoyed our tea followed by soup, sandwiches, and even some dessert.
Lauren helped Payton,
poured a lot of pink lemonade
and wore the sweetest smile all night long.




I'm adoring this sweet little phase we're in.
What do I love most?
More than the sweetness of the tea party,
the gloves,
the hats,
the little sandwiches & cakes,
I love the moments.
The interaction.
The sweet giggles and memories made.

When sister joins us my heart melts a little more
and I think two things.

1. These are the moments I never want to forget.

2. Little sister can drink some tea.

fifteen

At fifteen months, this little sweetheart...

... still can't sit still. Unless she is reading a book. Or watching Daniel Tiger with her big sister. She's a big DT fan.
... loves to dance. Has a signature spin move and spends much of the time at her sister's weekly dance class trying to get in the door.
...is working on a set of bottom molars. Poor dolly. We are hoping this is the cause of the recent 'whiny' behavior. Because if it's not, we may be in trouble.
... shows more and more personality. While she is still sweet as ever, she is showing that she can hold her own. We had an biting incident last week. During a wagon ride. Big sister wouldn't keep her hands off her and after numerous attempts to let her know she didn't like it, those big little teeth found a way to make it stop. Mom is hoping both sisters took a lesson from this and this was an isolated incident.
...says 'Mom, Dad, & more' and babbles, but has herself convinced that she is speaking just as clearly as the rest of us.
...is so independent. Wants to walk/run everywhere, has to go up & down the stairs herself, and is quite the little helper during clean up.
... has no fear. As much as I love having a play set in the backyard, this girl will give you a heart attack. And she thinks it's funny.
... adores her big sister and wants to do all the things she does. This includes, but is not limited to tea parties, blocks, riding a scooter, coloring, & dolls.
... still loves her bunny & now has two. During Christmas break, we had a missing bunny and mom immediately ordered another. I didn't realize there were numerous sizes and a much larger bunny greeted us. Char got to the tags before I could return them and Caroline discovered big bunny who was just as sweet at little bunny. You should see her snuggle both of them...

February in Texas

There is a whole lot of love to celebrate in February with Valentine's Day,
and you know I love a theme.....







but there was a little bit more than that going on at our house in February.

We celebrated Girl Power!...

read good books...


took good naps...


played at the park...

had a picnic...

visited the zoo with donuts & kolaches...


and did things like play in the dog kennel and cover ourselves in yogurt...

fourteen

At fourteen months, this McQuinn sister...

... is busy. I said the same thing about her older sister at this age, but she takes the cake. She doesn't stop moving. Unless she is sleeping or reading. 

... is my climber. Those little legs push and work their way on top of anything. We have temporarily moved the chairs from the playroom as Caroline has a way of ending up on top of the table when they are around.

... is little. I think she might be taking after mama with those short legs. We may be in 12-18 months for awhile.  

... loves music & dance. The second she hears music, she stops and starts her twirling, her signature move. Lately they have let her come into Lauren's dance class at the end and she is in toddler heaven. Although she hasn't quite grasped the fact that she isn't an actual member of the class. 

... is a pretty good eater. She is good at experimenting with new foods, but has a special place in her heart for carbs. Did I mention she is my girl?

... adores her big sister, her bunny, dolls, dress up, forward rolls at Little Gym and books. She's also a pretty big fan of Daniel Tiger.

... is a little shy, but warms up pretty quickly. Gives the most amazing open mouth kisses and is still my little snuggler.