Emma's 2 Year Old Professional Pictures

On Saturday Bryan and I took the girls to get Emma's 2 year old photos taken. 

Emma was cooperative (zero crying involved!) but not as smiley as she can be. I still think they turned out well. Can you believe it's only a week until her 2nd birthday?!

I really love this one

Such a sweetheart

 We wanted to do a few photos with the things she currently loves: books, balls, and baby dolls. 

I don't know why this cracks me up, but it does :)

 The photos with the banner didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, but I'm including them on the post anyway:

Then Emma Lou changed her dress and took a few photos with sister:

 

This is about as real as it gets. 

I love this one so much and actually plan to have it printed onto a canvas for our home.

Clara hamming it up while Emma took a water break

stackable sisters

This is so much Emma these days. Figuring things out, do it all herself.

 I adore these sassy lassies!!! 

 

One more of Clara when Emma informed us she was "all done" :)

I hope you enjoy them too!

Clara Beth 2015 Photo Album

I've just finished creating a photo album for Clara from 2015. I use an online service called "Chatbooks" to make the majority of my photo albums.

I thought I'd post the link here in case you wanted to look through her album. If you click on it, you can click the arrows through 365 images of Clara and the things she got up to last year as well as captions. I ordered a printed version for her but thought I'd share here in case anyone else wanted to look.

Here's the link: Clara Beth 2015 Album

If you are not a chatbook user and want to start your own account with an Instagram Series or any other type of series, here is a code to get the first one free:

Shopping turned Water Adventure

First a little side trip to Carter's after school for two pairs of shorts for Miss Clara. 

This also turned into a hat modeling show for Miss Emmy :)

 

"Here Wara, you try da hat"

  

"I pitty! Cheeeeeese!"

 

Naturally any fountain is fascinating to the small fry, but they particularly go for grandiose sometimes. 

"Uh oh Mommy! I wear long sleeves so the water got on my long sleeves from the big splash. Long sleeves and water just doesn't work. But I like my long sleeves. And I like water. It's kind silly. Did you like my splash? Do you like my long sleeves, Mommy?" (24/7 chatterbox!)

"Ok, I sit here and now it's Clara's turn for a cheese. See? Cheese!"

Little sister wants to get involved and yet does not at the same time. Dilemma for sure!

I'll just sit here and watch. 

So cute :)

A T-Ball Newbie

Guess what Clara is all signed up for!? T-BALL! 

I have really enjoyed watching her enjoy ballet and gymnastics and swim as we've cycled through each of those activities. Swim is still sticking around because I think it's important, but now that Clara is old enough to play soccer or t-ball I am so excited! (And she is too :)

I was so tempted to coach for a minute, but after the 60 seconds were up I realized that I have NO room to add anything else on my personal plate, so maybe next year after I've seen what all it involves.

Before the season starts we figured we'd let Clara get some throwing, catching and batting practice so the first practice and game were miserable for her and she'd have a positive experience. We took a family field trip to Academy yesterday and let Clara pick out her own glove and bat - are you surprised she picked pink? ;) - and found her the baseball pants they are supposed to wear. 

Clara couldn't wait to try on her special baseball pants (she's an outfit girl after all), and thank goodness I had the foresight to get Emmy a pair too (in the smallest size available) because she immediately wanted to participate in the fun. We also got her a teeny glove because I know she's going to be running around the backyard picking up the balls and will love it too.

Whenever we find out what color uniform Clara's team has, I'll go to Hobby Lobby and get Emma a shirt that color and make her a "Little Sister Uniform". They'll love it. 

Each other's biggest fans

I just love this hilarious picture of Emma - her eyes! hehe

perfect fan material

two more years little one :)

Clara's games will be held on Saturdays - we'll keep you posted with times and places. Feel free to come catch a game with us! I can almost guarantee that it'll be entertaining!

Art with the girls

Lately we've been doing a lot of crafting and art. The girls enjoy it.

some playdough

 Coloring is always a hit, although we've discovered that Emma really shouldn't be allowed to use markers.

Another day I let Emma use some stamps - again, not the best plan

 Recently we made Ms. Susan a get well card. Clara suggested a caterpillar card so we did some water colors.

On Saturday while Emma was taking an extra nap I pulled out the big guns - BEADS! - to keep Clara quiet so Emma could sleep.

so proud

The audacity of Daddy taking a picture

Goober

 We did some painting with Emma later too:

some of her first big smiles in 48 hours! hooray!

Our lives are colorful!