Our Family- March 2011



STACEYALECK.COM	Amanda Rachel & Robin Beatrice Amanda was born on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 3:16 pm Robin was born on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 9:24 pm March 2011 Despite the calendar telling us that it was Spring, we continued to live in what felt like winter (ok, maybe like Fall, but certainly not Spring). We spent a little time outside, but were forced to make use of indoor space more often than not. We completed paperwork this month to register Amanda for Kindergarten for the Fall. This was more noteworthy for Stacey and Aleck than for Amanda, who was unaware of the process. She is anxious to see her new school, as some of her classmates have seen theirs, but her school won't have an open house for new students until June. She is trying to wait patiently. Robin is learning her way around the house, soaking up all that Amanda has to offer. She loves to be with her big sister and always wants to do what Amanda does. Amanda is thus far overjoyed to be the all-knowing leader. On occasion, Robin goes rogue and tries to do her own thing. Sometimes Amanda gives a gentle reminder as to household protocol (i.e., listening to Amanda). Other times, Amanda decides to abandon her own ideas and follows Robin! We marvel at how well they play together. We often hear, "Robin, do you want to do this?" and the excited reply: "Yeah!" Robin is getting more and more into Dora and especially likes Swiper the Fox. His catchphrase is "Oh, man!" and Robin both loves to say it and also thinks that this is the character's name. The girls are both becoming much more aware of the camera and its capabilities. Despite the fact that our camera does not allow you to replay video on it, they consistently run over and ask to see the video that we are currently filming. Robin has no patience for the camera anymore and only wants to look through the viewfinder. So lately, we've been having to surreptitiously record their actions. Click Here for proof of their obsession (video is 23 seconds). We celebrated Aleck's birthday this month and also began a nightly ritual of Jackson 5 Dance Parties in the kitchen (Rockin' Robin is a favorite). We celebrated Purim with much fanfare and many costume changes (for Amanda). And Robin discovered peanut butter and never looked back.





	Overheard this month: Robin
	"Now what?"




	Hop On Pop


	Aleck and the girls play the "Daddy See-Saw"



	Overheard this month: Amanda
	Climbing around the car: "I magic-ed myself to the back seat."



	Fun Times With Grammy at Tot Shabbat


	Robin had a blast with Grammy on this day. She only wanted to sit with Grammy and only wanted Grammy all morning.



	Overheard this month: Amanda
	Stacey, referring to cranky Robin:	"Wow. Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the crib."
	Amanda, pointing:	"Was she over there?"



	Robin likes her toys, but...


	She loves to play with the little town, but not necessarily the people that go with it.



	She still loves to slide, but often sits at the top of the slide just waiting; she likes bubbles but likes to hold the lids more.



	Overheard this month: Amanda
	"I’m so impressed that Robin made pee pee in the bathtub."




	The Joys Of Peanut Butter


	Overheard this month: Robin
	Requesting her new favorite food: "Butter!"




	A Trip To The Zoo!
	We saw lots of animals, did a lot of walking, and Robin, as you'll see, got all tired out.





	Which of these things is not like the other...?


	Overheard this month: Amanda
	On the second day of Spring: "It's Spring 2nd!"



	Nap time.


	Overheard this month: Robin
	Stacey (Responding to Robin whining):	"Robin, use words."
	Robin (after a long pause):	"Please"
	Stacey:	"Good! Please what?"
	Robin (very deliberately):	"Please what."





	Robin Takes Charge

	Multitasking! Tightly holding a resigned Luna's leash while pulling an empty stroller behind her.
	Click Here for a video of Amanda taking a leisurely stroll with her monkey/baby in the stroller. Video is 11 seconds.


	Overheard this month: Robin on the Move
	Psyching herself up: "Mark… GO!" (and then she runs)
	While stopped at a red light: "Go! Mommy! Car!"



	Playground!
	We have had a dearth of warm, Spring-like days, so we have tried to go out on days with even a hint of mild weather.


	Click Here for a video of the girls going down the slide (and Robin's death-defying save). Video is 14 seconds.


	Overheard this month: Amanda
	"When I grow up, I’m going to live all the way in Texas. I’m going to be a cowgirl!"



	A Moment In Time
	The picture on the left is of Robin on the playground this month;
	the picture on the right is of Amanda (and Elijah) in the same spot in April 2008.




	Happy Birthday, Aleck!


	Behold, the birthday cake expertly decorated by Amanda.



	Amanda inserts the candles; Robin eats her cake, and then eagerly asks for more (video is 16 seconds).



	Overheard this month: Robin
	Wishing Aleck a happy birthday: "Happy Daddy!"
	At another birthday party the following week, she refused to wish the girl a happy birthday. "No! Happy Daddy."



	Mini-Carousel
	The girls really enjoy this mini-carousel (only 4 horses) at the mall.
	It's conveniently located in front of the kids' shoe store and next to 2 kids' clothing stores. Marketing genius.



	Overheard this month: Amanda
	"Robin’s a yellowhead and I’m a redhead."




	Monkey See, Monkey Do
	Robin is learning all about the ways of the world by watching her parents and peers, but mostly by watching her big sister.


	Robin spent some time feeding Bullseye the horse (and herself). (Video is 1 minute.)
	She also really likes to play with silverware and routinely walks around the house with at least 2 spoons in her hands (and her mouth). We are not sure why we buy toys for her.


	Overheard this month: Amanda
	Teaching Robin to say 'Bullseye': "Robin, say 'Bull.' Now say 'Zie.'"



	Happy Purim!
	Although Purim is only one day, it was an entire weekend-long celebration for us. Amanda's school celebrated with a carnival on Friday, we went to the Purim-themed Tot Shabbat on Saturday, and then the temple held their annual Purim carnival on Sunday.


	Amanda dressed as a princess for her school celebration.




	Overheard this month: Amanda the Rock and Roll Star
	"Ready, drum? I’m gonna boom ya!"
	Referring to her friend at school: "He didn’t get a chance to rock. He was too busy playing with his guitar strings."



	Next up, Tot Shabbat!

	Robin was a ballerina and Amanda was a Queen Esther ballerina (see her mask in pictures below).










	Overheard this month: Amanda
	Watching Robin scoot across the floor: "I only scoot on my tushie when I’m angry."



	And for the grand finale, the temple's Purim Carnival


	Amanda was dressed as a non-descript princess. Second child Robin wore the same ballerina outfit from the day before.



	Moonbounce! Robin was too small to participate, but she enjoyed watching the whole thing quiver while the kids jumped inside.




	Overheard this month: Amanda
	"Mommy, wouldn’t it be great if we had a burrito machine that could make any kind of burrito you want?"






	Amanda played games and won prize tickets.



	Robin didn't care much for the game aspect, but did like to play with the ducks in water.



	Overheard this month: Amanda
	Referring to confetti: "Falls"






	Amanda took part in the cake walk and won a brownie, which she immediately shared with her sister. Robin did not object.




	Molly and Maddy Come for a Play Date


	The older girls put on a show while the younger ones prepare to play back-up.



	Overheard this month: Robin
	One night at dinner, Robin wanted more food in her bowl. She was holding her bowl out to Stacey and making lots of noise, but not using words.
	Stacey (repeatedly):	"Robin, use words."
	The bowl crashes to the floor.
	Robin, looking at bowl and silent for a moment, finally uses words:	"Uh-oh."





	Umm, What's All This White Stuff?


	Yes, indeed, that's snow on our cars in the last week of March. I'd like to place an order for Spring, please.




	See all of these pictures and more at our photo gallery