Scraped Knees and Toenail Polish

Yes, I realize that just about every picture of Gracelynn lately is with her hands full of food. I am pleased to say I think this latest growth spurt just sputtered out! Food intake is at a manageable level again. :)

Heath has perfected the art of taking 10min. lunches at home and Gracelynn is always so excited.

Hanging out on the couch with Daddy has also become a favorite - that, hanging out in her diaper, and popcorn!

Washing dishes is dangerous now...

it took Gracelynn all of 2 seconds to figure out how to "drive" - only I think the stopping and crashing into Mommy's ankles part is a little fuzzy.

Sunday was beautiful in DeWitt. Slightly overcast, but 70 degrees and comfortable. As soon as we let her out of the car after church, she was all over the yard and of course, checking in with her best bud Sam. I've also discovered why my rain spouts are always so catty-wompus...someone keeps checking inside to see if she can pull out anything interesting. :)

We've made tons of visits to the park and the library now (Mother Goose storytime on Wednesdays), but her all-time favorite is usually hanging out with Sam in the backyard...which translates to a bath every night lately...

Here's the only picture Heath could snag of his girls after church. Gracelynn was in the process of wiggling out of my lap and he had time for one photo.

And of course...

Gracelynn's first scrapped knee.

She was out on the sidewalk playing with the neighbor's dog and managed to somehow lay on top of the dog - who was quite old, tired, and little (definitely not up to Gracelynn's standards of "dog"). Unfortunately, this resulted in a mess of tears, a scraped lip, and a bloody knee. If I hadn't have been in front of my neighbor, I would have bawled myself!

A few fruity snacks later, all was right and by the time Daddy got home...she was ready to just plop and relax with a Rice Krispy bar on her favorite perch. :)

(She looks so old! I know!)

The other highlight of this weekend, was Gracelynn's first toenail job. :) Heath and I both agree she looks super girly in pink...but we're not sure we're okay with how much older she looks with her toes painted...

Enjoy the week everyone!

Home Improvement II

Over 70 degrees today!

Warm and overcast...perfect weather to be staining lattice...40% chance of rain...but we risked it and stained our handiwork anyway. :) We still have to restain all the stair treads - but we'll risk that another day.

What do you think?

We have one fan anyway...  ;)

She was all over the place in her new purple sandals her daddy picked out for her. Warm enough to bare some skin to the air, but just cool enough not to be hot and sweaty. Perfect for a pregnant mamma!

Could you make every summer day like that this year, Lord? I know my sister-in-law and I would appreciate it! Just askin'...

Of course, no trip outside is complete without a visit to Sam. I don't know HOW, but she managed to steal one of his toys. I suppose this is the victory dance???

It wasn't even time for supper yet and she just couldn't keep her eyes open. This was one tired little girl!

Well - I think we've finally kicked out the winter bugs from the Kelley house...hopefully. Gracelynn has been feeling much better and gradually returning to her normal nap schedule. Thank goodness. Our little guy, on the other hand, has no schedule whatsoever and kicks whenever he feels like it - which is often! 21 weeks down and hopefully 19 or less to go...but don't worry, I'm not crossing my fingers. If he's anything like our daughter, he'll come when he's good and ready...and big! ;)

It's off to relax on the couch for the night.

P.S.

I can't resist sharing this picture. For some reason, it was my favorite of the afternoon.

Home Improvement

Yesterday afternoon was brisk and clear - perfect for more home improvement!

Coincidentally, we've been watching Tim Allen's "Home Improvement" lately...thankfully, our improvements have all gone smoothly!

Here is Heath, using the only handsaw we could get our hands on to cut some lattice for our front landing! :)

A few hours later...

...like Mother like Daughter?

Apparently, Gracelynn is imitating how her mommy likes to read books...both feet on the couch and sometimes up in the air.

That'a girl! She's on the chapter:

Bars, Cupcakes, and Cookies!

Monkey Trouble...

Another eventful week at the Kelley house...

I hardly dare to turn around these days when everything gets quiet...I usually find our daughter perched up on something high and precarious! Last week it was the dining room table - yeah - sneaky little monkey!

Gracelynn and I went outside to use her new sidewalk chalk.

And her new favorite thing...

"How big is Gracelynn?"

"SO BIG!"

A Spring Treat

Yes, I've tried another new recipe...

and it is the perfect spring/summer brunch or breakfast sweetie!

Apple French Toast

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. butter, melted

2 Tbsp. white corn syrup

2 lg. tart apples

9 lg. eggs

1 1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Texas Toast

Sauce:

1 c. applesauce

1 (10oz) jar apple jelly

1/2 Tbsp. cloves

1/2 Tbsp. cinn

Place the first 3 ingredients in a 9x13 pan. Top with peeled/sliced apples. Soak Texas Toast bread in egg, milk, and vanilla mixture; place on top of the apples. Refrigerate overnight. Bake for 40-50 min. at 350. Serve with warm sauce.

Needless to say, I scaled the recipe down - but Gracelynn was all about this new breakfast treat! And it was so easy to put together and then stick in the fridge for an easy weekend breakfast. :)

Enjoy!