Spring Break Part 2 and Other Kirchner Updates

After our Spring Break in Vietnam Ryan and I had Spring Break Part 2, Grandma Edition. Roxana the Fox came to town again and she brought some ridiculous gifts for Madeline, as grandmas are entitled to do. 

Suffice it to say that heart sunglasses, a satin
purse, and pink slippers were not in Madeline's
wardrobe prior to Grandma's visit.

So happy to be reunited!

Mads wasn't feeling well this day, so she got some extra
cuddles from Grandma. 

Besties.

I got to go on a school trip to Yangshuo and Guilin in China for a week. I must admit I was not looking forward to going to mainland China at all, but I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the Karst mountains are in the region. The weather was perfect, the skies were blue, and the food was delicious! Who knew?

In other big news, Ryan's softball team, Brewhouse, won yet another championship! Much to my dismay, I see many more softball games in my future. I brought Madeline to the game and it was quickly evident that she is Ryan's number one fan. She paid more attention to the game than I did, and she shouted from the stands, "Go, Daddy, go! Good job, Ryan!" pretty much the entire time. 

Madeline is Ryan's best trophy.

Madeline's language is developing so quickly now. She speaks in longer sentences and sings full songs. Her favorites are "5 Little Monkeys," "I'm Being Swallowed by a Boa Constrictor," and she now sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to us as we are putting her to bed. From her friend Aubrey she learned how to show patience by folding her hands together in her lap.

She still loves books, and she reads us her own rendition of The Greedy Mosquito. 

She learned how to do a forward roll, and she continues to work hard on her jumping skills by jumping off any platform she can find.

She loves playdough and kinetic sand. 

She enjoys swimming, and she is lukewarm about going underwater. Some days she'll do it without a problem, and other days she'll observe the other kids going under and say, "Tomorrow." 

She's turning into a real daddy's girl.

She eats cereal out of Ryan's bowl in the morning before we go to work.

Here's a cute one from Father's Day.

Her hair continues to have a mind of its own. You can see in the pictures below that Auntie Janeth did her best to tame her mane, but if given the choice it will be wild and free! 

Super cute braids.