The Wheels on the "TumbleBus" go Round & Round

This afternoon, Libby & I gave Gary some quiet time (for last minute studying for his bar this week) and went to Lilly's 2nd birthday party! It was so much fun to hang out with all of Libby's friends. TJ could hardly contain himself when he saw Libby! They are just 2 weeks apart in age and love having someone their age to play with!

The Tumblebus arrived just as we finished playing in Lilly & TJ's big Blow-Up-Bouncy-Thingy in the basement. For those of you who do not know, a Tumblebus is a gutted out school bus, with tumble mats, slides, trampolines and games.

JP was busy pretending to drive the bus, when we came up with the idea to buy our own old bus, gut it out, and deck it out with our own furnishings. Ideas, names and most importantly, funding are all still pending.

Kayla going down the slide while the other kids play on the trampoline.

After it is all over, the kids get their own medals that say, "winner" on them. JP is a winner, too!

After Lilly opened all of her presents we sang Happy Birthday and cut into her beautiful Princess cakes! Happy Birthday, Lilly! And don't worry....a few more months of peer-pressure and your mommy will start her own blog, too!

Our First Swim Lesson

We started our first swim lessons this morning at the YMCA. After a failed attempt last week, Libby was pumped to learn "The Wheels on the Bus" like all of the big kids. Here she was waiting for the lessons to begin.

Before the lessons started, Libby admired Kayla's super cute Strawberry Shortcake Suit! She loved the flower on the top!

Speaking of so cute suits, check out Sophia in her bikini! Poor Sophia had been sick the past few days, but with the temperature under control, gathered the strength to do "Humpty Dumpty Sat on the Wall" and swim like a champ! She loved to float with the noodle tied around her!

Look close and see Libby showing off her two new teeth! Tooth number two is starting to break thru, too, this week!

Here, Kayla floats on the big fish, just seconds away from a potential melt-down. She was such a big girl this week in the pool with JP! Before she got started, she told me, "I'm going to swim!" which is a big improvement from last weeks, "I don't like swim lessons!". She did awesome!

I don't know who was having more fun in this picture, Mommy or Libby.

TJ is so laid back...he just goes with the flow and was swimming like such a big kid! Here, his mommy, Dena, is cheering for his big sister, Lilly!

Our word for the week is "DaaDaa". Of course, Libby does not relate "DaaDaa" with Gary, yet, but we are working on it. Here, she poses after lessons with her DaaDaa.

I had a cute group shot of all of us sitting on the side of the pool before we started lessons, but I cannot bring myself to post it---exposing my pasty white legs and baby weight is not something I'm ready to do, yet. Thanks, Shannon for taking to the YMCA lady! She was telling her about how crowded our class is (11 children with parents is a lot!)....so, next week, we are all moving to our own class with just the six of us---Kayla, Lilly, TJ, Allie, Libby & Sophia. It'll be awesome to have the whole class to ourselves!

Swim Lesson Video

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Check out Libby's first swim lesson! When it came her turn for "Twinkle, Twinkle" she didn't want to float on her back, so the instructor let her do it on her belly! She loved to put her hand in the water thru the fish's eye! Don't laugh at me in the swimsuit!

Cabin Fever

Libby & I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and go for a little stroll around the neighborhood. Gary is busy studying for the Indiana Bar exam, which he takes early next week, so it was a nice opportunity for him to have a few minutes of peace and quiet to review some note cards. We all know that last time he was cramming for the Bar exam, I was in labor with Libby, so at very least this time he has it a little easier! Check her out here waving to the camera and sporting her pink sunglasses (okay, it wasn't that sunny, but she just looked so darn cute!) For the first time, she really loved her walk. She jabbered the entire time (she learned to say "DaaaDaaa") and looked all around. By the time we got to the back of the subdivision, she had fallen asleep and was just laid back enjoying the fresh air!

Snow Baby

As most of you all know, we got some snow this weekend. I have been wanting to take Libby out in the snow several times this winter, but after I heard the forecast (it's going to be in the 50's later in the week) I became worried that I might miss our opportunity. So, I got her in her snow suit that is one loan from her friend Sidney and let her explore.

Libby doing her best impression of Ralphie's Brother from A Christmas Story.... "I can't put my arm's down!"

So long, Farewell....(to the costume, that is)

My home parish, St. Joseph, had it's 2nd annual Marti Gras Lip Sync. The "Hoehn Von Trapp" family did a version of "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music. It was a huge hit and our family, alone, raised over $500 for the new parish hall. We raised a total of almost $12,000 for the evening...which made the embarrassing curtain costumes (and me doing the "flit & float" solo as seen above) worth it! Sorry guys, I was not able to film it!

Gary even got into the Marti Gras Festivities!

Meeting Cousin Will

Friday evening, we went to Josh & Clare's house to meet Libby's new cousin, William Jackson Banet. He is so precious!! It was so amazing to see them together! Will looks just like Josh (and we all know that Libby looks just like Gary) so we decided that there must be something about the Banet gene!

In the car on the way home, Gary and I commented on how strange it was to see Libby with a newborn! We still look at her and think of her as being such a tiny baby, but when we saw her next to Will, she looked so grown up and mature! She looks pretty laid back in this photo! She loved Will's bouncer! Welcome, Will! You are just perfect!