March Madness, Rankin Style!
I never thought I would witness shooting hoops inside! But alas, with the boys there seems to be no avoiding it. Andrew loves dunking it. He is by far the most improved player since receiving the net for his birthday.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Is it Spring?
Today marked the first day of spring and we awoke to about 6 inches of snow! Somehow it just doesn't seem right. Yesterday it was in the 60's and we were walking the neighborhood.
The birds were wondering if they migrated a little too soon. Ainsley and Andrew love watching the birds at the feeder and today there was no shortage of feathered friends.
We filled the feeder twice and we had the whole flock out our window. Andrew loved banging the window and scattering them. It was a fun game for him to watch them fly away and then come back. Ainsley loved pointing out the cardinals. We had 3 females and 2 males. I can see a bird unit for school in our future.
The birds were wondering if they migrated a little too soon. Ainsley and Andrew love watching the birds at the feeder and today there was no shortage of feathered friends.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
We filled the feeder twice and we had the whole flock out our window. Andrew loved banging the window and scattering them. It was a fun game for him to watch them fly away and then come back. Ainsley loved pointing out the cardinals. We had 3 females and 2 males. I can see a bird unit for school in our future.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
New do!
Today, Ainsley got a new do. We went to a friend of mine for a hair cut and Ainsley decided she wanted short hair. Though I am sad that the pig tails are gone for the most part, I'm enjoying the wash, dry, and ready to go style. Bed head is even a good look. I was concerned that the curl in her hair would be cut off, but it looks like the natural wave has remained. Not onle does her hair look really healthy, she looks like she has a ton more hair!
 |
| From The Rankin Family |
 |
| From The Rankin Family |
First Soccer Practice!
We are trying out our first organized sport, soccer! We registered in a league that a lot of our play group friends are in and we will be playing until May. Ainsley has been practicing fundamentals at our church soccer camp, but now she is excited to play in a real soccer game! She looks so cute out there with her little shin guards and soccer cleats.
Making new friends. How old are you?
Practicing throwing in. She did a great job despite the cold temps and the gloves!
Dribbling thru the cones.
Her first game will be in a few weeks. I am sure she will have her own cheering section.
Making new friends. How old are you?
 |
| From The Rankin Family |
Practicing throwing in. She did a great job despite the cold temps and the gloves!
 |
| From The Rankin Family |
 |
| From The Rankin Family |
Dribbling thru the cones.
 |
| From The Rankin Family |
 |
| From The Rankin Family |
Her first game will be in a few weeks. I am sure she will have her own cheering section.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Big Man
Today was the first ride in the big boy car seat.
Being upright, looking out the window, trying for the door lock, he seemed to be a happy boy. However, when the car got rolling, he wasn't sure what to think. Surprisingly, the first ride wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. Having Ainsley there eased the transition. They held hands until he fell asleep.
We are used to it now, and I'm looking forward to pointing out all the fun things we drive by just like I did with Ainsley. Ainsley is enjoying being mom's big helper as she shares snacks with Andrew and hands him toys. This is just one more sign that time keeps going and they grow up so fast. I almost shed a tear as the infant car seat got stored away.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Being upright, looking out the window, trying for the door lock, he seemed to be a happy boy. However, when the car got rolling, he wasn't sure what to think. Surprisingly, the first ride wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. Having Ainsley there eased the transition. They held hands until he fell asleep.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
We are used to it now, and I'm looking forward to pointing out all the fun things we drive by just like I did with Ainsley. Ainsley is enjoying being mom's big helper as she shares snacks with Andrew and hands him toys. This is just one more sign that time keeps going and they grow up so fast. I almost shed a tear as the infant car seat got stored away.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Faux Hawk
It's not often that I style Andrew's hair. But we had a little bit of fun this morning with the product.
It's long on the top and on the bottom. If you look hard enough you'll see the hawk but you'll also see the mullet. A hair cut is scheduled, again. This will make it number 3 in the first year of life or so.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
It's long on the top and on the bottom. If you look hard enough you'll see the hawk but you'll also see the mullet. A hair cut is scheduled, again. This will make it number 3 in the first year of life or so.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Cuddle Bugs
Doesn't this just warm your heart? Andrew is getting more and more involved with Ainsley every day. He enjoys doing everything that she is doing and she's been a good sport about it.
We are a two manny, lamb blanket family. Matthew and I just smile as we watch them with their luvies. Believe it or not, despite not knowing his colors, Andrew knows which one is his. Ainsley will try to play switch-a-roo every once in awhile and he always gets it right.
It's not often there is downtime when they are both awake. Andrew is starting to like watching PBS with Ainsley for the rare treat. There favorite is Word World. They both exhibit a love for animals that is amazing.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
We are a two manny, lamb blanket family. Matthew and I just smile as we watch them with their luvies. Believe it or not, despite not knowing his colors, Andrew knows which one is his. Ainsley will try to play switch-a-roo every once in awhile and he always gets it right.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
It's not often there is downtime when they are both awake. Andrew is starting to like watching PBS with Ainsley for the rare treat. There favorite is Word World. They both exhibit a love for animals that is amazing.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Roller Skating
January is a month full of birthdays for Ainsley and her friends. Ainsley was invited to a roller skating party this week for two of the kids in playgroup. Here we are at the skate rink with beginner roller skates.
We quickly graduated to the faster roller skates that were very heavy!
Andrew stayed home with Aunt Trish for this party. Why, because mom knew she would be getting on skates as well. Here we are together taking a roll around the rink.
Thanks to one of the big brother's there for holding Ainsley's hand. We had a blast and she's been talking about going back! It was a workout for me like I hadn't had in awhile. My back and abs definitely felt the job of keeping Ainsley standing. But, Ainsley could skate by the time we left and she had a lot of fun!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
We quickly graduated to the faster roller skates that were very heavy!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Andrew stayed home with Aunt Trish for this party. Why, because mom knew she would be getting on skates as well. Here we are together taking a roll around the rink.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Thanks to one of the big brother's there for holding Ainsley's hand. We had a blast and she's been talking about going back! It was a workout for me like I hadn't had in awhile. My back and abs definitely felt the job of keeping Ainsley standing. But, Ainsley could skate by the time we left and she had a lot of fun!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Let's Have a Tea Party
Ainsley asked if she could have a birthday party with her friends this year as well. So, we invited a few friends to a tea party, a princess tea party and had some fun. It was really cute to see Ainsley play hostess and celebrate with a few of her friends. I am always amazed at how little she is yet how grown-up she is all at the same time.
We had the party at Gigi's house since the friends we invited all lived down in that area. It was really nice of Gigi to let us use her house and we were grateful that she could came home from work for some of the party. Here are some pre-party pictures:
We were definitely celebrating in the pink! We had strawberry cupcakes with pink flowers. We had raspberry lemonade and strawberries. We also had strawberry jelly heart sandwiches. Ainsley picked out the ice cream, was it strawberry? No, it was chocolate :) I tried to get her to go neapolitan to keep up the theme, but the birthday girl really likes her chocolate and so did her friends!
Ainsley and her friends.
Four for tea and watching for their princes to come.
Craft time was make your own tiara's.
Happy Birthday, Ainsley!
We had the party at Gigi's house since the friends we invited all lived down in that area. It was really nice of Gigi to let us use her house and we were grateful that she could came home from work for some of the party. Here are some pre-party pictures:
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
We were definitely celebrating in the pink! We had strawberry cupcakes with pink flowers. We had raspberry lemonade and strawberries. We also had strawberry jelly heart sandwiches. Ainsley picked out the ice cream, was it strawberry? No, it was chocolate :) I tried to get her to go neapolitan to keep up the theme, but the birthday girl really likes her chocolate and so did her friends!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Ainsley and her friends.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Four for tea and watching for their princes to come.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Craft time was make your own tiara's.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Happy Birthday, Ainsley!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Yearly Stats
We had our well-checks today to see how the kids are growing. We have healthy kids, praise God for that! Here's where they are right now:
Ainsley:
Weight: 30lbs. 6oz. she finally hit 13% on the weight chart.
Height: 39 and 3/4 inches that puts her in the 51% area.
Andrew:
(Taking after his sister on the growth curves!)
Weight: 18lbs. 2 oz This puts him in the 2% range compared to other boys.
Height: 28 and 1/4 inches He's at 7.5%. Though I'm sure he will hit a growth spurt soon.
Head: 18" in the 29% range.
He doesn't look tiny because he's pretty proportionate. Ainsley was just like this until recently when she started growing like a weed! I think they follow each other closely. Andrew got his first tooth on the same exact day she did.
Ainsley:
Weight: 30lbs. 6oz. she finally hit 13% on the weight chart.
Height: 39 and 3/4 inches that puts her in the 51% area.
Andrew:
(Taking after his sister on the growth curves!)
Weight: 18lbs. 2 oz This puts him in the 2% range compared to other boys.
Height: 28 and 1/4 inches He's at 7.5%. Though I'm sure he will hit a growth spurt soon.
Head: 18" in the 29% range.
He doesn't look tiny because he's pretty proportionate. Ainsley was just like this until recently when she started growing like a weed! I think they follow each other closely. Andrew got his first tooth on the same exact day she did.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I'm Four Years Old!
Mom - "Happy Birthday, Ainsley!"
Ainsley - "Mom, am I already 4 yearls old?"
Mom - "Yes, sweetheart, your 4 years old."
Ainsley - "Isn't that so exciting!"
Ainsley opened presents the morning of her birthday. She really loves being mommy's little helper. So, she got an ironing board for her birthday. We ironed almost every piece of clothing in her closet that day! Here she is trying it out on her new magnet doll outfits.
Andrew didn't need much to have fun on Ainsley's birthday. He loved the balloons from the weekend and enjoyed crawling all over with them. Thankfully, none of them popped and he is still getting much joy out of the simple things.
Ainsley - "Mom, am I already 4 yearls old?"
Mom - "Yes, sweetheart, your 4 years old."
Ainsley - "Isn't that so exciting!"
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Ainsley opened presents the morning of her birthday. She really loves being mommy's little helper. So, she got an ironing board for her birthday. We ironed almost every piece of clothing in her closet that day! Here she is trying it out on her new magnet doll outfits.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Andrew didn't need much to have fun on Ainsley's birthday. He loved the balloons from the weekend and enjoyed crawling all over with them. Thankfully, none of them popped and he is still getting much joy out of the simple things.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Double Birthday Party
"Mom, I would like to have a Bolt birthday party this year. Andrew let me know that he would like that too." -Ainsley
So, this year it was Bolt. The whole year has been about Bolt the super dog. We have pretend Bolt, stuffed animal brown Bolt, baby Bolt, and we play Bolt. You name it, if it's Bolt, we've probably done it. Bolt goes everywhere with us. So it was fitting that we would have a Bolt birthday party to celebrate the fact that we are moving from three to four.
The Bolt birthday cake and the birthday girl. (It took multiple stores to find someone who had a Bolt cake kit left. Thank you Target for keeping outdated toys! Making a Bolt birthday cake myself would have been a bit too much for me.)
Did Andrew get into his cake. That's the most asked question after a baby turns one isn't it? I won't leave you in suspense and you can decide for yourself...did he like it?
I gave him a small taste and he went with it with both hands. However; nothing was going into his mouth. The table sure did get it's fair share of the cake!
Oh but wait, the cake is yummy!
I love it mom! Sorry it's everywhere!
After letting Papa know for months, she would really like the movie Bolt. Her birthday was complete.
So, this year it was Bolt. The whole year has been about Bolt the super dog. We have pretend Bolt, stuffed animal brown Bolt, baby Bolt, and we play Bolt. You name it, if it's Bolt, we've probably done it. Bolt goes everywhere with us. So it was fitting that we would have a Bolt birthday party to celebrate the fact that we are moving from three to four.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
The Bolt birthday cake and the birthday girl. (It took multiple stores to find someone who had a Bolt cake kit left. Thank you Target for keeping outdated toys! Making a Bolt birthday cake myself would have been a bit too much for me.)
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Did Andrew get into his cake. That's the most asked question after a baby turns one isn't it? I won't leave you in suspense and you can decide for yourself...did he like it?
I gave him a small taste and he went with it with both hands. However; nothing was going into his mouth. The table sure did get it's fair share of the cake!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Oh but wait, the cake is yummy!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
I love it mom! Sorry it's everywhere!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
After letting Papa know for months, she would really like the movie Bolt. Her birthday was complete.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I'm One
Today I turned one year old! It's hard to believe that this much time has already gone by. I've changed so much since I came into this world. I now have three teeth and another one on the way. I am crawling and working on walking. I eat so many big people foods and I drink milk, real milk! I can talk and say "mama" and "dada" and it sounds like more words will be on their way soon. I have an independent, sweet, sensitive spirit and always have a smile to offer anyone who glances my way. Overall, the first year of life was great and I can't wait to see what changes I have in year two! Mom and dad aren't rushing me but I'm excited to walk, talk, and catch up with my sister.
Here I am, on top of my present! Mom dressed me up today like a big boy! Button down shirt and all.
Getting into my birthday present. I wonder what it could be?
MMMM, basketball! I love it and so does dad :)! Mom never could have imagined a game of hoops in the house but that day is here. Well, almost I have to figure out how to throw the ball and not eat it.
Here I am, on top of my present! Mom dressed me up today like a big boy! Button down shirt and all.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Getting into my birthday present. I wonder what it could be?
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
MMMM, basketball! I love it and so does dad :)! Mom never could have imagined a game of hoops in the house but that day is here. Well, almost I have to figure out how to throw the ball and not eat it.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Monday, December 28, 2009
Bumper Bowling
The weather is cold and our play groups have been meeting inside. Today, we went bumper bowling! It was a riot to watch the kids bowl and be so excited when they got just even a few pins down. It took about 2 hours but we finally made it to the 8th frame (we didn't get to finish out the last two frames, we ran out of time!) and Ainsley rolled an 82. Not bad for 8 frames and a roll speed of almost nothing.
Here she is with her 5 pound ball!
She has some great bowling gene's in her. Mom, Papa, Great Grandma Annie, and Great Aunt Barb are or were all good bowlers.
Andrew wasn't quite sure what to make of the morning. There was a senior league their while we were and the kids all got an overdose of attention. It was hard, but I managed to keep him from chasing the ball down the oiled lanes.
Here she is with her 5 pound ball!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
She has some great bowling gene's in her. Mom, Papa, Great Grandma Annie, and Great Aunt Barb are or were all good bowlers.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Andrew wasn't quite sure what to make of the morning. There was a senior league their while we were and the kids all got an overdose of attention. It was hard, but I managed to keep him from chasing the ball down the oiled lanes.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas Morning
Christmas morning at our house was filled with fun, excitement, and a lot of anticipation. Ainsley kept wondering if she would see a Bolt ornament (found at the very tip toe of her stocking), or Bolt anything! We were curious to see if Andrew would get the concept of opening presents. But most of all there was a lot of anticipation on my part to see if Ainsley would like her gift this year.
Getting going Christmas morning....we had a delay. Since winter storm 2009 dropped almost a foot of snow on us, dad was outside shoveling and helping a neighbor push their car out of the snow. Later that day the favor was returned as we tried to venture out to go to Papa and Gigi's. But we were all patient and waited to start opening presents until we were all warm and cozy together.
It didn't take Andrew long to figure out how to get into his present! He loved ripping the paper, sand he had a huge smile on his face, much like the one here when he saw something come out of the box!
Ainsley's present this year was a puppet theater complete with handmade puppets by mom! (I was curious to see if she would like the puppets and realize who made them.) Well, she likes the puppets but I must say the puppet theater has seen a bigger hit. It has doubled as a play house, ice cream stand, theater, and store front. It has been a huge blessing to her and we give thanks to the wonderful couple who handed it down to us.
This Christmas has been so very special because we have been blessed in so many ways...Andrew is with us, Ainsley is with us, the Lord has continued to provide for us, and we have been blessed by the many generous friends we have in our life.We hope that you too have had a joyous holiday with many blessings.
Getting going Christmas morning....we had a delay. Since winter storm 2009 dropped almost a foot of snow on us, dad was outside shoveling and helping a neighbor push their car out of the snow. Later that day the favor was returned as we tried to venture out to go to Papa and Gigi's. But we were all patient and waited to start opening presents until we were all warm and cozy together.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
It didn't take Andrew long to figure out how to get into his present! He loved ripping the paper, sand he had a huge smile on his face, much like the one here when he saw something come out of the box!
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Ainsley's present this year was a puppet theater complete with handmade puppets by mom! (I was curious to see if she would like the puppets and realize who made them.) Well, she likes the puppets but I must say the puppet theater has seen a bigger hit. It has doubled as a play house, ice cream stand, theater, and store front. It has been a huge blessing to her and we give thanks to the wonderful couple who handed it down to us.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
This Christmas has been so very special because we have been blessed in so many ways...Andrew is with us, Ainsley is with us, the Lord has continued to provide for us, and we have been blessed by the many generous friends we have in our life.We hope that you too have had a joyous holiday with many blessings.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)