Abby's First Story

The girls and I went up to Nana and Papa's cabin this past weekend. While I was packing up our stuff, Dana was sitting with the girls and reminding them about things from our visits to the cabin last summer. One thing he reminded them of was the sandbox Nana and Papa put together for the girls. Abby remembered the sandbox (a plastic pool filled with sand and toys) and in remembering, also recalled a certain monkey that lived in the sandbox.

Here is Abby's story of the monkey, told in her own words (or as close as I can get to them). Please keep in mind that when Abby tells this story, there are a LOT of hand gestures, head nodding, general body movements and it's told in a very excited and fast-paced voice.

"There a monkey in my sandbox! Yeah, yeah! It stand on my toe! Then it run up my head! I say "hoo, hoo" to monkey. And it on my head! Yeah! And I say, "Go! You go, monkey! You go in a tree!" And then the monkey go to the tree."

I can see it published some day, can't you? My little girl's very first story!

What the?!?

Picture this, if you will.

Setting: The girls' bedroom.

Time: Around 7:30 pm

Characters: Abby, Anni, Dad and Mom

Scene: It's bedtime. Mom is changing Abby's diaper on the changing table. Dad is on the floor with Anni, changing her diaper.

Mom: Abby, sit still.

Dad: Anni!

Mom: Abigail, please!

Dad-: What the HELL?!?!

The sound of something falling to the floor. An odd, metallic sort of clicking sound. The sort of sound that should NEVER emanate from the diaper region of a child.

The parental units register shock at the unexpected sound. They take a closer look. Shock makes way for surprise and then unmitigated laughter as they realize a handful of pebbles, courtesy of an afternoon trip to the playground, somehow ended up in the diaper of their youngest child.

Naked child runs away from parents, squealing with delight.

And...

Scene.

About Last Night...

Here's what I found last night when I went to go to bed:

Easter

Easter was a busy day in the Schmidt household. We started out with a very excited Abigail in the Mom Bed, anxiously waiting for her sister to WAKE UP! Then we had an Easter egg hunt and found Easter baskets (Anni was a rock star Easter basket finder, while Abigail concentrated on the eggs.) We did lunch at Uncle Donnie's house in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Nana and Papa's. All in all a very good day! Here are some pics from the day:

Abby found the first egg!

Anni finding eggs

Crazy morning hair

Taking apart the Easter baskets

All dressed up in their princess dresses

Abby took a little nap on the way up to Uncle Donnie's house

Easter Eggs

We decided to try our hand at decorating Easter eggs this year. This was the first time coloring eggs for the girls and they really enjoyed themselves. Anni only lasted for a little while (she wasn't feeling very well that day), but Abby really got into the spirit. Not only did each egg get dyed, they also got painted!

Here's the set-up
Coloring eggs with Daddy

Now, there's one cute Daddy!

Dyeing eggs

Personalized eggs

Abby in full paint mode

Close up

The end results. There are a few open spaces. Eggs can be awfully slippery you know!

Birthday Bonanza Part Two

After naps, we headed to St. Paul for Miss Elena Larson's first birthday party! Two parties in one day...both had cake...the girls were in heaven! The party started at 4 and when we got there Jake was so excited he could barely contain himself! The kids all went straight to the basement to get playing with the toys. After dinner, which included Uncle Brian's very impressive homemade sausage, we did the present thing and then cake.

Abby took her job of handing out spoons very seriously. At some point, Jake's cousin Lucas attempted to get a spoon from Abby. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have a piece of cake in his hand, so he didn't get a spoon!

She takes her block building very seriously
Anni making new friends

Jake was very excited to help Elena open her presents

Elena decided to take a little block break

Elena opening presents with her mommy

All the kids. On the way home, Abby told me she really likes all her cousins. ;)

All the kids and all the grandparents

Elena's very impressive butterfly cake. Mommy made it for her!

Getting ready for the big moment!

Happy Birthday Elena!

Birthday Bonanza Part One

Saturday was birthday party central. We started off our day with Riley's third birthday party. Riley had a princess themed party and Abby insisted on really going for the gusto dress-up wise. She donned her princess dress (also known as her Grandma's luncheon/Easter dress), princess shoes and a cute little sweater. Anni wanted to do the princess thing too, at first, but then she spied a Floor Guy t-shirt in her drawer, so she decided to go Floor Guy instead. Abby completely understood.

After pizza lunch, we watched Riley open her princess themed presents. I think almost every single present had some sort of princess correlation. The birthday girl was in heaven! Then we chowed down on a princess cake before heading home for naps and the next round of birthday party extravaganza.

The Floor Guy gal and her pizza (2nd piece...she stole some of Dana's)
Riley, Abby and Gabriella getting ready for the present opening

William was eyeing Anni's pizza so she gave him her plate

William won the pizza face off

But he still decided to keep sharing

Abby "helping" Riley open one of her presents

Toward the end of the presents, both girls escaped to the basement to get in some quality time with Riley and William's toys.

Beware the Chicken!

Friday morning the girls and I went to the MN Zoo to check out the Farm Babies exhibit. I know my father-in-law will make fun of me for doing this and for taking pictures of these babies, honored farmer that he is, but the girls really enjoyed themselves and for those of you who won't be able to make it to see the farm babies, I thought a few pictures couldn't hurt! :)

Here are the girls on the turtle at the start of the Rain Forest part.

Snack time. All Abby wanted to see when we got to the zoo was the sloth. As soon as we got to the sloth part, she says, "I really hungry. Snack time."

Ahh, the cuteness of baby sheep...(yes, I do know they're called lambs)

Baby goats (kids)

The girls made friends with one of the bigger goats

Abby was very brave and pet the goat

Anni decided to go in for the hug

More baby goats

If you look closely, you can see Anni's first farm related accident. A nasty ole chicken decided to give her a peck or two. Anni was less than thrilled. Dana's threatened to make an evening trip to the zoo for a little neck wringing.

Conversation

On Friday morning, I took the girls to the MN Zoo to see the farm babies exhibit. On the way there, Anni was a bit fussy and whiny. The following conversation ensued:

Abby: You want to go home and take a nap?

Anni: No.

Abby: You want to go to the zoo?

Anni: Yeah.

Abby: Stop fussin' then. Stop whinin'.

Anni: O-Tay!

Me: silently laughing in the front seat.

Technical Difficulties

Please excuse the recent lack of entries. We were experiencing some technical difficulties with our computer. I believe I've worked out all the bugs. Stay tuned for more updates!