Free stuff adventures

We recently got free Barbie dolls. Claire loves how their joints move so that they can run, and their accessories. They've also been an opportunity to show Claire how we take care of ourselves (we washed and combed their hair) and dress modestly. We've been trying to find clothes for them at thrift stores with little luck. Online it's hard to find quality, modest clothes that are less than buying new ones at Walmart. I'm thinking of venturing into the world of sewing Barbie clothes. Anyone have spare Barbie clothes or patterns to send our way?

 With people moving, this is another free toy that we've taken into our home. Claire and her friends like to ride it, and our plastic tricycle, around the house.

 This picture was taken because one day Todd and Claire were quiet in their room for too long. I went to check on them and they had been exploring the diaper changing table, Claire had blocked the doorway and they were reading. So cute! I love seeing my children enjoying books.

 I found Claire under the coffee table playing on her banana phone (from the song "ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring-banana phone!").

 Claire is soooo cute playing the piano. Lately she's been taking her right hand and jumping over her left hand to play notes.

 Our neighbors had a huge yard sale that we helped out with.

 Planning the menu while Todd and Claire are contently playing. I love watching them play together.

 This is a drawing video we checked out of the library and tried out. I think Claire did very well with a little pointing and coachingfrom me, but she drew everything herself. You can ignore the guy'scrazy outfit and my drawing :) I grew up with Ed Emberley drawing books and watching Mark Kistler draw in 3D, so I think it'd be fun to do those with Claire someday.

 This drawing board was another free find. It made me think of my mom using one while drawing.

 This is what it looks like when we have our neighbor's over to play. We often dance to Disney songs on Pandora and play with this Boomer Sooner fan sign.

 Claire and Todd cuddling on the floor.

 

I have to include that we watched Thumbelina last night with Claire for the first time. I used to watch it at my Grandma's house all of the time, so it was fun to introduce it to her.

New Calling

I have the opportunity and was sustained as the primary president in our ward this last Sunday. I am overwhelmed and ready to learn because I feel like such a greenie! I've never been in a presidency, except way back in Young Womens, so this should be fun, right?

 Todd falling asleep on me never happens! So, I had Skyler take a picture.

 More quiet book pages. Who knows when I'll stop!

I started this about a year ago! I finished the birds, but never made the page until now.

Crazy Town

 We love our little back yard-better than nothing! Claire is wearing my flip flops. She says that this is a big ice cream!

 Call me crazy. I watched four kids, age 0-3 for a night, day and night. I was pretty proud of myself!

 They loved the keyboard!

 Claire likes to pretend she's playing from the primary song book. I love piano, so I love seeing her naturally take an interest in it.

 Quick selfie with Todd. Such a cutie!

 This is Todd's usual position on the floor...

 ...but he's starting to do this and takes a few crawling steps! He can also go from his tummy to sitting up on his own.

 Tummy time.

 Having a picnic in the hallway. "There's my picnic. With Todd. On my blanket." -Claire

 I don't know if this shows up as a video, but one day I put Todd on the tricycle and he started scooting around. He can ride a bike backwards, one handed, before he can crawl!

Indoor picnic movie night for dinner. Gotta love summer.

Summer!

After all of the forecasts for rain and flood warnings, we've finally got a whole week of sunshine! Yesterday Skyler took Claire and Todd on a walk to the closest park while I made dinner. After they got back they looked cute sitting on the couch together so I had to snap a photo.