Recent fun times

I am still working on a post about my visit to Iowa, but in the meantime, here's what we've been up to:

Visits to the Science Spectrum with Callie and Reese (we'll sure miss you when you are gone!). Hattie loves this place, especially when there are not a lot of kids there. She loves being with friends but when too many people are around she kind of panics. Hum...she sounds like her dad.

Crafts. I went to Hobby Lobby the other day and kind of went crazy. I came home with this flower mirror, 3 picture frames, and 3 flower pegs, all of unfinished wood. I have big plans to paint/stain them all and add them to the girls room. Why the sudden urge to decorate the girls' room and get crafty? Well we recently bought a toddler bed for Hattie from Julie when she moved, so we put it in the same room as the crib (where Hattie had been sleeping...Anna is in the Pack and Play). Now that the beds are in the same room, we have moved all the toys to the spare room and have dubbed it the playroom (which has actually helped Hattie play there more, I think because it has a better name:). With all the rearranging the walls looked really bare, so my trip to Hobby Lobby inspired me...it's been a lot of fun. Hopefully I can get it put together soon.

Side story: The first night in her new bed I was terrified that Hattie would be in our room by midnight and wouldn't go back. But she was perfect. She never even made a peep. But the next day I asked her if she wanted to sleep in her big bed, and she refused. Every day I ask her if she wants to sleep in her bed and she always picks the crib...weird girl! You would think she would jump at the chance to be able to get out of bed by herself. I never would have guessed she liked her crib so much.

Baking...well, this is pretty normal for me, but I really do love making my own bread. My recipe is great, thank you Laura. And thanks Erika for the fun loaf pans.

Trips to Sheridans. I must admit that we have been addicted lately. Their frozen custard is delicious and it's close to home, so it makes a great study break for Paul (besides Church, Paul didn't leave the house all week except to go to Sheridans). Hattie likes to dance on the cow and relishes in the attention she gets from other customers.

Eating bananas. Anna has finally mastered self-feeding. She loves mealtime now, especially when bananas are on the menu.

Photo shoot! Thanks Kristina! More to come...

Paul is studying for Step 1, possibly the most important test of his life. We have moved a table into our closet and he spends about 12 hours a day in there. It's nice having him home, so that I can run errands during nap times, or chat with him during lunch and dinner breaks. But we are anxious for when the stress is over and we get past this milestone.