Baby Jane

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Reading in Spanish...

My story telling abilities leave something to be desired, so hopefully I can capture this moment for you, since the picture didn't quite do it.

Yesterday afternoon before Alice's nap, Kevin was reading books to Alice. After he finished one she would hop down from the coach and put her hand up and say, "Back, back" as if to say, "Stay there and I'll be back with another book. Don't move." It's very cute. Well, she brought back a book and Kevin started reading it to her...in Spanish. Ok, Kevin does a decent job with Spanish, but he sounds very much like a Gringo. I was wincing/laughing every now and then at his pronunciations, but I thought it was cute as I walked around picking up toys. When I finally looked over at the two of them, Alice was just staring at Kevin. Normally she looks at the book, but this time she was staring right at him and had the funniest look on her little face.

A look that said, "Ok, I know you're reading a book to me, but I have no idea what you are saying. Why am I not understanding any of the words and why does it sound so painful?!"

She had been staring at him for a good 5 minutes without even looking at the book again. I tried to get a picture of that awesome look, but as soon as I pulled out the camera and she noticed me very quickly, she smiled. So this is the picture I got.

Very sweet, but not what I was going for. Kevin and I are still laughing about her look or puzzlement. It was priceless.

He continued reading in Spanish, but Jane soon put a stop to that. She asked him not to say those words, or talk like that.

It's been cold here, down in the 30's and 40's at night. Yesterday morning all these birds were across the street and I told Alice to hurry and see the birds. As we came to the window they had flown to our side of the street and were eating all the bugs under our palm trees. Then they flew away as I took the picture. The windows were a little steamy from the cold air outside and the warmer air inside. I think they are ibis.

We get them every now and then in our yard. It's fun.

The Hair Cut!

Ok, so I've been wanting to get Jane's hair cut for a long time. So tonight I decided to do it myself. I hesitated cutting it for fear the cute curls would go away, but I was tired of combing out the tangles (the three times a week I combed it!) And I was scared that it would hang in the toilet as she sat on it. I put it in a little ponytail and then cut the ponytail to preserve the curls at the bottom. Doing this allowed me to save the hair, but it also gave her a shorter haircut. So here is the before.

Alice also followed my instructions and stood up and turned around (What a good listener when I'm not telling her no! On a side note, the other day I told Jane she would need to go to timeout if she didn't stop whatever she was doing and then next thing I know Alice is sitting in timeout. I asked her if she was sitting there for Jane and she said "Yes." Too sweet.)

Anyway, back to the hair. Here is her new Do.

She still has body in it, but so far, no curls. Very sad for me, but at least Alice has enough for everybody!

It's not perfect, but I thought it wasn't bad for my first time

It's still slightly longer on the right side

Side view too. So long to Jane's gorgeous locks. She didn't seem to mind. She just wanted me to stop cutting and messing with her hair. And it's just hair, it'll grow back! (Just maybe without the curls ever again).

Our Week...

On Wednesdays we go to playgroup at the park. It's a pretty big park, so the girls have fun. This week Jane met a new friend, but she had to go home, so luckily Alice is around to play with.

However, Alice doesn't always do what Jane wants and it is very frustrating to Jane.

Neither of them would look at the camera

During Alice's nap time, Jane and I have play time. I give her 45 minutes of undivided (for the most part) of mom time and then I study my scriptures and tell Jane it's quiet time. Wednesday afternoon we created Mr. Potato Head work of arts! We've been buying pieces at Disney. It's pretty fun to collect them.

Wednesday night Kevin presented me with a brilliant plan. He's been wanting to go camping ever since the weather got so nice, but the thought of Alice all night in a tent has not been appealing to me. He had Friday off from work and since I had a Primary inservice meeting Thursday night, he would take the girls to Wickham park and go camping. Then when I was done with my meeting, I'd come and get Alice and take her home. And so we did. They had a good time.

Jane peeking out of the tent

Lounging around in the evening. Unfortunately, Melbourne does not allow camp fires, so that was a set back. Luckily Kevin planned on McDonalds for dinner anyway, so the lack of a fire wasn't too bad.

When I got there to pick Alice up, Jane was all ready for bed. I layed down with her while Kevin took Alice for a walk. So once I left, Kevin did homework at the picnic table and once he got too cold, climbed in the tent and went to sleep too. Jane only woke up once to go pee and then went right back to sleep. She's such a good sleeper and sleep anywhere kind of kid!!!! Alice not so much.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Jane's camera skills

Alice and I drove up and met Kevin and Jane at the park in the morning. Then we headed back to camp and took down the tent. We had to let it dry a little bit. Gotta love the humidity.

After breaking camp we headed to the zoo. It was fun, except for the 10 school buses of elementary school kids that were there! A little chaotic, but the girls still enjoyed themselves, plus we ran into the Smiths and a couple of high school friends.

I love this picture!

Getting ready for bed and trying out the Barbie car

Feet first might work better!

Making a picture for Aunt Karlene in boot camp

She's saying, "Alice" and pointing at the portrait of herself

And I think she's saying "Jane" in this one

Turtles in our neighborhood. An alligator also used to reside in this canal, but we haven't seen him in a long time, ever since it became so overgrown. The frost killed all the upper vegetation.

Alice putting on a show for our dinner guests. Jane fell asleep on the couch and Alice was hilarious. I think she wanted to show off for the new people and didn't have any competition, so she was in heaven. Too funny.

The girls love to dance. Almost every day Jane will make me sit on the couch and watch her dance. She won't let me sing or dance, I just have to sit there and watch the show. I love it. This evening they wanted to do the Hokey Pokey, so sit back and enjoy!