Hello Spring!

I wish I were posting pictures of Cate frolicking in flowers with Emma watching by, but unfortunately this has been a cold, damp week.   On a better note, I do have two napping children right now (yeah!!) and the chance to share some recent pictures.

Cate has decided Emma's crib is a great place to hang out.  If Emma's in, Cate will ask us to help her in, and then likes us to "cover" Emma and her with a blanket.  Cate also controls the mobile and its songs for Emma.  Emma watches on with awe.

Trying to catch a shot in these matching outfits from their Grandma Mary, but Cate wants to take pictures anytime she sees a camera.  She has settled for the camera on my phone for now.

Another form of Cate love - she jumps on Emma and cuddles her.

And today as I opened the back door of our car to unload Emma and Cate, I found this.   Cate had reached over and was holding Emma's hand as she slept.  Amazingly, I had my phone in my hand at the time.

It may be all the princess-books like our current favorites Goldilicious, Fancy Nancy, and Cinderella, but Cate recently decided she wants to be a princess.  I had recently spring-cleaned her closet and found some dress-up type outfits and put in a bag in the corner of her room.  One day she woke up from a "nap" ready to put on her princess outfits.  We devised a cardboard wand and crown that I spare you photos of, but here's a few shots of the self-proclaimed princess.  Charlie has nicknamed her Princess Kefir as a tribute to the food that she mainly subsists on.

Below she is sporting a dazzled leotard that her Grandma Mary brought back to her from Brazil.  I tried to catch the little tail on the back.

Here she has moved to a tutu ensemble sent to her by her Gigi

And, Cate wanted Emma to sport something princess too, so we squeezed her into an outgrown Fancy Nancy costume.  Lucky for Cate, Emma was happy to play along : )

And these pictures are a tribute to my mom's grandmother.   My mom has shared many fond memories  of times spent with her grandmother, and now my mom has shared this little velvet dress that her grandmother made for her.  I am amazed at the darling details - covered buttons, lace trim, ruffled neck and sleeves - and preservation.  She was definitely a talented and special lady, and I had so much fun dressing Cate in this frock she made. 

Cate with her self-portrait we crafted in art last week.

Cate scooting around

And Cate and Emma in the bath! 

A few views of our world

I am FAR behind on this blog, but I did want to post a few photos for those of you far-away, die-hard Schmid Kid groupies to see how these two are growing up!

Out with the stroller, Cate's new preferred mode of transport is her dad's back.  

Her preference likely stems from Emma's mode of transport

And here's a picture with Cate in the Ergo on Charlie's back and Emma in the Bjorn on front . . . 

Just kidding - not yet!

And when Emma's not in a baby carrier, she prefers the better view from sitting upright!

And when Cate's sitting, her reclaimed favorite is the swing