what's crack-a-lackin.....

It was like 90 degrees (plus east coast humidity).  So we have been going outside and enjoying the sunshine. 

 

I am paranoid that my darling daughter will get a sunburned head, so I make her wear this ridiculous bonnet.  She hasn't figured out how to get it off yet.  

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom.  I love love love love love cherry blossoms.  

Ryan's friend was a half hour late picking him up this morning.  Even though it is always annoying to be waiting around, I secretly was savoring every second having Ryan hang around extra long this morning.  

We all met up for lunch at school one afternoon last week.  We hung out by the pond and watched the plastic swans float around.   

Cora loves everything.  She smiles at everything and everyone.  She is the happiest person I have ever known.  

Cora can stand in her crib.  I need to lower the mattress.  And To Lola: Yes, that is YOUR crib.  Thanks for letting Cora sleep in it.  

She is pretty happy about this new situation.  

My handsome, multitalented  husband has impressed me with his handyman skills lately.  Does he look extra skinny to you?

Cora's hair is growing, but it still sticks straight up.  I never make the mohawk, but it often looks that way.  And yes, that is an earring.  

I sewed a dress for Cora.  In fact, I made two.  

amish are cool

Some girlfriends and I packed up a van and ventured out to Lancaster to have a party with the Amish.  The hour and a half drive seemed to fly by and amazingly enough all the kiddos were remarkably happy.  (Well, except Cora on the way home, but let's try to forget about that.)

The land is just beautiful.  My pictures do not give it justice.  

So much fun in just one day.  We'll have to do it again!

eyes

Maybe it has something to do with Ryan profession, but people comment on how pretty Cora's eyes are all the time.  These pictures were all taken this week.  I think she's pretty cute.  

what a character

Cora was playing in the family room while I was in the kitchen.  When I peeked over to check on her, this is what I found.....

going for a stroll

So I have a friend who is letting me borrow her jogging stroller.  This friend is awesome and this stroller is awesome.  Cora is so much happier riding in it than any other stroller we have ever tried out.  She is very happy and comfortable AND I get to run outside with her (even if we are only running laps around the cemetery.....oh well).

I like to plan my runs around nap time.  I really like for her to sleep in her crib at her regular nap time.  In spite of all my planning, every once in a while she'll look like this at the end of my run.  I didn't mind that day because she let me get in an eight miler.  

We even love just going for walks with this stroller.  It evens out the rocky sidewalks and I don't feel like she is going to get thrown out every time I have to maneuver a curb or an area without sidewalk.  

Now, this is Cora's favorite thing to ride on.  This was the best $2 I ever spent.  

Is that really comfortable?

Smith PlayHouse

Ryan, Cora, and I went to Smith's PlayHouse downtown.  It is a huge mansion for kids under 5 and their parents.  It has been a playhouse for over a 100 years.  Best of all, it's FREE.  We had a lot of fun, and I'm sure Cora will enjoy it even more as she gets a little bigger.  

Cora loved the train.  She wouldn't let go of the steering wheel. 

 

She refused to crawl through the tunnel of the train to daddy.  

The room with the building blocks was her favorite.

We also liked the truck area.  

We had just gotten off of the giant slide.  Watch the video.  Pretty cool. 

Ryan went on the slide too.  It was perfect weather for a day outside. 

 

We spent some time on the playground too.    

This was her first time on swings.  She loved it.  

That's the back of the house in the background.

Cora has so much fun that she fell asleep just on the short walk to the car.  

Sleeping Beauty.