We've moved!

In an effort to keep you from bouncing all over the internet to see what's going on with us, we've combined all of our blogs. Please visit us at our new home - http://smithsinseattle.blogspot.com.

Of course, you can always visit us at http://rhinoworld.org and click through to our new blog from there too.

i [heart] faces

I ran across this great photo contest website the other day and thought that I would throw my hat in the ring so to speak. This week's theme is 'hats'. So, here's Addy - making her own type of hat from a wide-brimmed straw hat. Looks a little like Laura Ingalls don't you think? =)

Go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ to see other cuties - and you can even enter too!

One hundred point no

So, Addy is sick. It doesn't appear to be anything serious, but she's had a low-grade fever all day long. She's not ever had more than a cold, so enter the introduction of the thermometer. We have a pretty snazzy under-the-arm one; it takes 30 seconds and beeps when it's finished. The first time I used it today, Addy was interested in the process and didn't fight it at all. However, after her nap she decided that she didn't want to have her temperature taken. So I decided to take Kennedy's temperature in front of Addy - thinking that might make the whole process interesting again. Anything the baby does is pretty cool, you know. I took Kennedy's temp and then turned to take Addy's. Addy pointed to Kennedy and said "No. Baby do it." Very clearly she understood. I wanted the thermometer warmed and Kennedy was the gal for the job.

AND

Again tonight before bed, I wanted to take Addy's temperature. After a little coaxing, I got the thermometer under her arm. After about 3 seconds, she said "beep".

She didn't fool me.

Sleep is good!

We've been remembering how good sleep is at our house this week! Addy is sleeping very regularly in her bed now and may just be learning to like sleep. Her naps are starting to lengthen and her night-time sleep seems to be much more restful the past couple days. She's, of course, learning more and more too. This week, she's been working on learning the names of all of the shapes and she's discovered that her blocks fit in the square hole (and the star hole too... ha!) of her shape sorter. She also has been counting cars on many of our ventures out. "I love you" has become a regular phrase in her vocabulary and her hugs are frequent and easily given as well. Wow - almost two. Where did the time go?

Kennedy has been sleeping much better as well (thank goodness). Though she slept through the night right after we moved her into her crib, her nights were getting to be rather painful, as she would wake up three, four, five, six times a night crying. But no longer! Giving her just a couple minutes before going into her has fixed this problem! And Mom is so much happier! =) She's also almost rolling over from back to front as well, though she's still working on getting that arm out from under her. She's growing quickly as well. Kids sure speed up your life! =)

The negotiation techniques...

of an almost-two year old are brutal. Thank goodness the business world doesn't run that way! =)

Valentine's Week

This week, we made a stained glass heart and also baked a rice krispie treat for Dad (in the shape of a Hershey's kiss) for Dad. In the last picture, you'll see that Addy is filling the kiss with love! =) Also, we went to a couple playdates (and hosted one), went to the park, went swimming, went to Wiggle Worms, and went to a couple community activity times. We're keeping busy and we're ready for more outdoor time! Summer, where are you? =)

Triple Rush Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 dash hot chili powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1/2 cup cold milk

Directions:
1. Combine the chocolate chips and milk in a glass or plastic dish, and microwave on high, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Mix in the coffee, cinnamon, and hot chili powder until the instant coffee has dissolved. Stir in the cold milk. Strain into 2 mugs. Thin with additional milk, if desired.

Adam - ***
Melanie - ***

(We found it was a lot better if warmed up again before drinking!)