Torrance - Our Little Gymnast

Hoping for Tori to break out of her shell, we tried a trial gymnastics class at a new gym in Waconia. I wasn't sure how it would go, but as you can see, she had a blast. She did NOT want to leave when the class ended! She is now enrolled in the Cuddly Cubs class every Saturday morning.

Just Call Me Suzy Homemaker

Every once in a while I get the itch to do something crafty. This time I had the itch to sew. I saw the cutest idea for a pillowcase dress (literally a dress made out of a pillowcase), so I found myself a pattern online to begin my project. However, I couldn't find a pillowcase I liked so I bought fabric instead. All of the sudden my easy pillowcase dress became a lot more complicated.

I ended up finishing the project in 3 evenings after the kids had gone to bed. And, if I do say so myself, the end result is pretty darn good! Since completion, I have found a pillowcase I actually like, so I will attempt the easy version of this project as well.

Here is Tori in her dress.

Happy 2nd Birthday Torrance!

Torrance helps make her Birthday cake.

So, technically we missed Tori's Birthday since I was in the hospital, but we did end up celebrating the following weekend with cake and presents. Later, I found out that she had 3 Birthday cakes (thanks to Auntie Margaret and Grandma) so her Birthday ended up being well celebrated.

I promise...next year will be a much bigger affair!

A Trip to American Girl

Madeline, Tori and their babies

This weekend Torrance and I went to American Girl at the Mall of America with our neighbors Sherrie and Madeline. Torrance and Madeline both turn 2 this month and we thought it would be fun to take the girls for their Birthdays. Each got to pick out a new baby and then we had dinner at the American Girl Bistro. We all had fun, and I feel we may have to go back when the girls are a little older!

Tori was attached to this baby from the minute we got there.

Tori, baby and I after dinner.

Sherrie and Madeline

Big Girl Bed

Well, we made the big move this weekend. Ryan came over on Saturday and helped dismantle the bunk beds in Nolan's room so Tori could move in with him. It was an extremely challenging evening to say the least. Tori was as giddy as a school girl and couldn't contain herself. Nolan was the perfect big brother offering to sleep with her in her bed, or vise-versa. We finally had to lay Tori in her crib until she was just about asleep and then move her back into her big girl bed just before she was out for the count. The two shortly fell asleep and slept through the night. Last night went a little more smoothly as they at least stayed in their room. They chatted and giggled for about an hour (with us only having to go in a couple of times). Nolan finally fell asleep at 9:30 or so, but Tori was up until well after 10:00. I think she just wasn't used to it. Getting up for Anne's house this morning was a chore, but they were in pretty good spirits. 2 nights down...thousands more to go!

Sit...

This seems to be the only way we can get Jack to sit on Tori's lap, and make him stay. She was more than happy to sit in the laundry basket as long as Jack was in there with her (I don't think Jack felt quite the same way)!

Jamie's Birthday Party at the Farm

Jamie turned 17 on the 2nd and we celebrated her Birthday out at the farm on Sunday.

I don't know where this came from, but here is Tori on Jon's 4-wheeler looking adorable. Yes, she was totally posing for the picture.

Nolan and Tori pretending to ride.

Talented Torrance

So, do you think I should enroll Tori into dance or gymnastics? Here she is imitating Nolan and showing off her "moves"!