Enjoying the area

EXCEPT for the wicked allergy triggers in Memphis right now (just named #8 on nation's worst allergy cities), we are really enjoying our surroundings! However, we are ALL suffering from sniffles and congestion.

When we lived in Japan, the beautiful flowers were such a treat. Thus far, we've been able to enjoy the cherry blossoms, pear blossoms and currently azaleas.

cherry tree outside our apartment

downtown Collierville

Cora on an old train car in downtown Collierville

strutting through the azaleas

Happy Birthday, Bonny!

We realized in the madness that we failed to celebrate Bonny's birthday (we "think" her birthday was March 15th). SO we had an impromptu party last night. Our little lady has turned 6 already, wow! I think Cora had the most fun as she's obsessed with birthday parties, even though we didn't blow out any candles.

Bonny had a peanut butter fire hydrant and we had oatmeal cookies

totally posed, I know, but super cute still!

look how nicely Bonny sits on a chair!

Emi thought the kazoo was a pretty good teething tool

Cora playing with Bonny's present -- a new skunk -- eeeewww!

It's St. Patty's Day!

A favorite in the Memphis Madea household, indeed. Of course, the celebration has changed DRASTICALLY since acquiring a couple of kids! Cheers to the memories and "Slainte" to all!

We had traditional corned beef and boiled cabbage, potatoes, carrots and onions. Cora joined the meal this year and LOVED it! Bonny, too, enjoyed some corned beef scraps. Emi just kept looking --- maybe next year, kiddo!

Gymanastics

Cora's taking a gymnastics class once a week and is really loving it. She's definitely the youngest in the class, yet the biggest in the class and certainly the least graceful! BUT she enjoys herself and looks forward to it, so we'll keep going...

(she's wearing the purple T shirt and brown leggings)

walking balance beam with coach Paulina

climbing

bouncing backwards on trampoline

I'll try to get a video of one of her "obstacle courses" where she pulls up on uneven bars and swings from rings and does a somersault, it's pretty cute!

Best Buddies

Cora and Emi are so fun together! Each makes the other laugh and smile and they are playing together well. Of course, Cora tends to be a little mom to Emi once in awhile, just to "keep her in check."

Cora helping sissy walk and giggling all the way

Piling up on daddy

oh the JOYS of potty training (yes this picture was taken in the parking lot of a grocery store!)

Taking a stroll around the "greenbelt" in Germantown. The walk was... S-L-O-W with Cora in command. Bonny enjoyed the extra time to sniff around, of course. The weather was beautiful - sunny and 82 (in March!?!) - so no complaints!

Emilia at 9 months

Our little star has blossomed in the past month! Since moving to Memphis, she's started crawling and does it like it's nobody's business --- she is FAST! Plus, she pulls herself up to a standing position and balances on her own. We "fear" walking is just around the corner. Emi is also babbling constantly and showing other emotions, as well. We seem to have a pretty stubborn kid on our hands... She's also eating everything she can get her hands upon, mostly because she's forever teething, but she also just seems to like food! Definitely very different than her older sister :)

Hopefully one of these days I'll figure out how to post a video of her crawling...

Cora's first day of school!

Today was a BIG day around here as Cora began preschool. Though a bit reluctant at first (she's developed some massive separation anxiety...), she happily joined the other kids this morning. I may have been more tearful than her...

She's going Tuesdays and Thursdays and here in TN the preschool day runs from 9:30 - 2:30. That will be a nice break for us both!

The school is at the Lutheran Church in Collierville, which is near where we plan to live. Cora will have computer training, Spanish, music class and chapel each week. Beginning next fall she'll also get to play soccer. The program seems wonderful and we're very excited to have found it!

Cora posing with some of her "free art" from today

(apparently she LOVES working with feathers!)