While she's been gone we've been trying to make the best of things. Bennett's nasty cough has slowed us down considerably as well. She's getting better though, and we managed a little roadtrip ourselves with Grandma for a tea time lunch. Ainsley did a great job of being a lady for the occasion. She even chose a dress to wear and some lovely beads.
It was still apparent that Bennett wasn't feeling 100%, but she also was a lovely lady and did her best to enjoy the afternoon. 
Nothing beats a battle of the drumsets in the basement on a weekend morning. Earplugs are a must!
Dad was asked to provide vocals during the drum duet. He is standing on a chair, singing into a spare drumstick. Again, earplugs were a must! (just kidding, Dear!)
The Girls enjoyed hanging out with friends for a Pizza and Pajama Party! Here they are watching Monsters, Inc. with one of their buddies. I'm not sure about the significance of the toy airplanes in this picture. Hmmmm.
Bennett performed a concert for us the other night, between coughing spells. She repeatedly sang "My Country Tis of Thee" from her paper she received in music glass. Who has been teaching her that standing on the table is appropriate? Probably her dad who was standing on the folding chair in the basement while singing a few days earlier.
Ah, what joy this brought to a mother's heart. I was so thrilled to find Bennett actually reading a story to her sister and cousin, again, between coughing spells! So cute!
Bennett and Ainsley are thrilled to welcome their newest little cousin to the family! He was born late Saturday night, and the whole family was expecting a girl, based on the ultrasound. What a surprise! He is a darling!
Here is Bennett, holding the little man. This is the first time she's held a newborn "by herself" and she loved it!
Ainsley also held him and was happy as could be! This boy doesn't realize all the little mother hens he's surrounded by. Fun times ahead!
Ainsley had to endure some serious end-of-season bargain shopping with mom recently. Her patience was rewarded with a ride on a coin-operated machine of choice. She could have chosen Garfield, a cute little car, a helicopter, and few others. What did she choose? A forklift, of course! It was no contest. As you can see by her expression, she was thrilled. Toby's mom and dad, if you're reading this, I think we should start arranging a marriage. I think we have heavy equipment soulmates at our respective houses.
Ahhh, Valentine's Day. Bennett and Ainsley were showered with love, Valentines and goodies galore! Here we have Bennett holding her Valentine "locker" from school. It's where the kids kept their Valentines from classmates. Ainsley is holding one of Bennett's Valentines. 
Dad is rocking out to his candy iPod that Bennett and Ainsley helped make him for Valentine's Day. It was made of a Cadbury chocolate bar and some Rolos for earphones.
We did some Valentine's Day toboggan sledding at a place we affectionately refer to as Knicky-Knack Hill. Fun, fun times!
Here is the view from the top of the hill. It's hard to tell from a photo, but it is a good-sized hill, especially for little kids. The ride down was spectacular. The walk back up, usually with a 30 or 45 pound kid in tow, was not spectacular. It was a good workout and great fun on a perfect winter day!
What is Ainsley's newest form of entertainment? Watching a 1983 music video for the song "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel on YouTube. Why? It's a long story. She watched it 5 or 6 times in a row this morning, and I finally had to say, "Enough is enough." Now the song is stuck in my head. 
What fantastic weather we've been having. We have tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible over the past two days. This has meant neighborhood walks, driveway biking, digging in mud and of course, launching a toy helicopter from the roof of the garage! Actually, Dad started off launching it from the driveway but it landed on the roof. He went up to retrieve it and us ladies decided it would be most entertaining if he just stayed up there for the remaining launches. If you look closely at the top righthand corner of the photo, you can see the tiny chopper in flight. You may wonder, "Why the umbrellas?" The Girls did not want to be hit in the head by the landing helicopter, so they decided umbrellas were necessary safety gear. It was pretty fun watching dad pull the cord and fling that helicopter around. We're glad he didn't fling himself off the edge of the roof as well!
Bennett's ever-expanding nature collection made it out into the driveway as well. She spend a great deal of time playing with pinecones, feathers, bark, acorns and bird egg shells. If only we could keep this weather for a few more days!
Ainsley concocted some new sleepwear the other night. She enjoys wearing a purple leotard with a night cap to bed. We discussed how Laura Ingalls Wilder wore a night cap. We also witnessed some fine tumbling before bed. Thus, we have a sleepy pioneer gymnast living with us. That's a combination you don't see everyday!
Good news! The Queen is back! She was missing for months and we could not find her despite our great efforts. Finally, when we pulled out the storage tub of vintage Cabbage Patch Kids, we happened upon her! She somehow got tossed in with them the last time they were out for play, which was obviously quite some time ago. Anyway, we are thrilled to have her back because she entertains us to no end. Above, The Queen can be seen in her palace visiting with friends. Among her friends is Real-Looking Fake Calico and a new friend...Vintage Poochie Stamper. One of Bennett's aunt's might be missing Poochie. The friends were hanging out, discussing The Queen's upcoming wedding. I thought she'd already married, but I'm told she's remarrying. Hmmm? I don't think Bennett understands monogamy, polygamy and such. We'll just let that go for now, I think.
Here we see The Queen and many of her friends at the hotel where the wedding will take place. I'm told that the California Raisins are having a meeting with the old King (the Queens first spouse) about who she might possibly be marrying this time around. On the second floor Papa Smurf and Smurfette are decorating the conference room where the ceremony will take place. Notice the red carpet and a copy of the wedding invitation. On the top floor The Queen's closest friends also continue to discuss who she might possibly be marrying. Only they don't realize she is hiding under the sofa, listening in on their conversation. As a mother, I am promoting the idea that the original king and The Queen should renew their vows, but I'm not certain what will actually go down here. We'll keep you posted!
Here is what has been going down the past couple of days. We took a roadtrip to watch a basketball game with friends...our first this season. Bennett watched most of the game through her program/roster telescope.
We are in the process of transitioning Ainsley away from napping so she'll sleep better at night. The only problem is she is totally wiped out at about 5:00 p.m. Yesterday she fell asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor amidst the craziness of Dad getting home from work and dinner prep. Then she's super-d-duper crabby for about an hour. However, she is sleeping better at night so mission accomplished!
