tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85965672961799089682024-03-19T04:25:53.074-05:00My Life as Described by Twin Trials and TriumphsIt seems every day with twins is a mix of trials and triumphs. Certainly the triumphs...the joy, the smiles, and the laughter...far outweigh the trials. And another thing that's for certain is that it's ALWAYS interesting.MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.comBlogger1148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-91380406328880283292018-02-13T05:08:00.001-06:002018-02-13T05:09:09.490-06:00A Full Day, You Might Say!{This post was written LAST weekend. Proof that I can write...and then get lazy about pressing the PUBLISH button. I'm trying, Y'all!}<br />
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Towards the end of the day yesterday, we began to recount all we'd done and accomplished.<br />
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- Worked on school projects.<br />
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- Daddy went to the hardware store and got a $7 gadget to fix the garbage disposal. SCORE!<br />
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- We at lunch at 10:30...seriously...to allow us time for afternoon activities.<br />
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- We left the house at 11 to drop off one car at the dealership.<br />
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- We went to the university and dropped off the girls for their first Super Saturdays class. They were a bit nervous, but <i>super </i>excited!<br />
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- After their classes, we went downtown to enjoy a snack...hot chocolate and a cookie were well-deserved!<br />
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- We picked up the car at the dealership and all headed home.<br />
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- 30 minutes of Quiet Time was well-deserved by this mama!<br />
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- We got dressed in workout gear and the girls and I headed to the climbing gym. We were super disappointed when we arrived to see it was jam-packed.<br />
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- We buckled back in and decided to knock out our grocery shopping...sans list! Living on the edge, I tell ya!<br />
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- We picked up boiled shrimp at the grocery and came home to that for dinner. Easy-peasy.<br />
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- We hung out with the cats in the den uncharacteristically late...it was 8PM when the girls went to bed!<br />
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WHEW! No wonder the weekends evaporate!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-57588629673700122442018-01-28T08:20:00.002-06:002018-01-28T08:20:31.673-06:00Persistent Spider Monkeys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since our climbing debut on the girls' birthday weekend, we've been back to climb every weekend (save the one when we were snowed in!). The girls love it, and so does their mama!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIJuaMK6Qzq-DJyGojlJbPo7zR_pnNdZ5ErVSf4H7pMipO9EEW3qaMAcp8qyKFmXr0SrHWRZWr4azrRqOTKog3DppofRWbRYI1W2sB-ozflmOJXbBhciQelVqHIS8q4G8Z3nffJsvwno/s1600/IMG_2865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIJuaMK6Qzq-DJyGojlJbPo7zR_pnNdZ5ErVSf4H7pMipO9EEW3qaMAcp8qyKFmXr0SrHWRZWr4azrRqOTKog3DppofRWbRYI1W2sB-ozflmOJXbBhciQelVqHIS8q4G8Z3nffJsvwno/s640/IMG_2865.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are numerous walls, with varying degrees of difficulty. One of the most challenging has this shelf with lots of angles. Last weekend, Baby A set her sights on conquering it.</div>
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She tried...and she tried...and she tried. I asked her a couple of times if she wanted to take a break...to have some water...to rest for a minute...to try another wall for a bit.</div>
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No.</div>
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She was intent on getting to the top of this one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVg0esF5CF23USA7U4o_0en2d_FD5_d6axid4fzXE0xyw_GckdfC3zvwni1YiJeOCXrBKiMR20mj0xkID1kEEM7OuvyCBdMT0d3K9vN6ITNssqdjUiQLR_IYCkq-fguTFrOHxIDAKMW4/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVg0esF5CF23USA7U4o_0en2d_FD5_d6axid4fzXE0xyw_GckdfC3zvwni1YiJeOCXrBKiMR20mj0xkID1kEEM7OuvyCBdMT0d3K9vN6ITNssqdjUiQLR_IYCkq-fguTFrOHxIDAKMW4/s640/IMG_2859.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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She tried different tactics. This angle. Then another one. <br />
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If I had to guess, I'd say she probably tried at least 15 times...and she just kept trying...trying to figure out how to go up from one direction and then pivot to head in another.<br />
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Until...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNuSNpmp2Po_W6armnB8swlvz5iKkouO4IqfRyjNIljTW9lunVRF9zXKwK2gCauGWFxqiuo7FnPVMGJRLYttJzRb_njUiA6JtKCFkGcSNATLle4GqwdJlCGiZJkVDde8rPOAQziP3mi0/s1600/IMG_2867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNuSNpmp2Po_W6armnB8swlvz5iKkouO4IqfRyjNIljTW9lunVRF9zXKwK2gCauGWFxqiuo7FnPVMGJRLYttJzRb_njUiA6JtKCFkGcSNATLle4GqwdJlCGiZJkVDde8rPOAQziP3mi0/s640/IMG_2867.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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SHE DID IT!!! <br />
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I was so proud of my persistent little spider monkey. And she surely was proud of herself.<br />
<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-43974506448344268702018-01-17T22:24:00.003-06:002018-01-17T22:24:42.563-06:00Backwash <div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This is a post the girls will probably frown upon when they're a bit older...but it's one I really want to write in hopes of remembering this one day.</i></div>
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The girls aren't always big fans of showers. <br />
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(I can't begin to understand this. I know they don't like the interruption from their books...or from hanging out with the cats...whatever...but showers are one of the very favorite parts of this mama's day!!!)<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, I told the girls it was time for a shower, and they headed that way somewhat reluctantly. While I gathered towels and PJs, they got a head start. Before I knew it, they were giggling and having a big time.<br />
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I overhead a cry of "<i>Back wash!</i>" I was at first somewhat concerned, until I saw what they were doing.<br />
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When I joined them, they informed me they had agreed to wash each others' backs.<br />
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(One day, when they're older, they'll understand the *other* meaning of '<i>back wash</i>' and know why this was so funny!)<br />
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OK. Have at it!<br />
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B apparently had done her job already. "<i>Are you guys ready to get out?</i>" I asked.<br />
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<b>NO!!!</b> They decried in unison. "<i>Sissy still has to wash my back!</i>" B exclaimed.<br />
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I wish I had a video. My A soaped up B's washcloth and washed B's back like it was her JOB. I couldn't help but cackle. She took that job so seriously. "<i>It's like you're washing the side of a car!</i>" I couldn't help but comment.<br />
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Of course that devolved everyone into a fit of giggles.<br />
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Fun times! And if '<i>back wash</i>' helps give the girls a little more pep towards the shower...I'm all for a good scrubbing!<br />
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<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-1273625022077037572018-01-16T13:56:00.001-06:002018-01-16T13:56:45.448-06:00ROLL TIDE, Babies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My BEST WEEK EVER post omitted a rather huge piece of goodness...but I decided to save this for a post unto itself.</div>
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<b>The University of Alabama won its 17th NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP last week!!!</b></div>
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<b>Historic!!!</b></div>
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The program has quite a history, but prior to 2009, our last championship was in 1992, when I was in 10th grade! The girls don't have any sense for such a drought, though, as Bama has won <u>FIVE</u> championships in their short lifetime!</div>
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You may know it wasn't difficult to find pictures of the girls in their crimson best from each championship year. What a fun look back at our pride and joy!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfD2aOYseYlwCM6nS-kqlvcv2ZGaVq75AH5eK1lLXK2rfNizm3YeJ1pieSCsuaRVVvGr7igT_s4q6wDxNz8rakF_l6rtMFsUuJ2UHoJLGYKvNcTUUOraqMDFeZVHteUKVgXFq7c9X87Y/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfD2aOYseYlwCM6nS-kqlvcv2ZGaVq75AH5eK1lLXK2rfNizm3YeJ1pieSCsuaRVVvGr7igT_s4q6wDxNz8rakF_l6rtMFsUuJ2UHoJLGYKvNcTUUOraqMDFeZVHteUKVgXFq7c9X87Y/s640/DSC_0223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2009!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkym8mLuOQaoyxniqHyKSLP80A2PBKpg5nrDGGrjvK800zdKzsoCGJdBfcKQX02tEufAkTq4AVwyR2G1Min6EswVo2keEkSlM0ZtBnRYMwpDTa8y1Satk2NyUi0wiym7ptvIojcCFN1o/s1600/DSC_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkym8mLuOQaoyxniqHyKSLP80A2PBKpg5nrDGGrjvK800zdKzsoCGJdBfcKQX02tEufAkTq4AVwyR2G1Min6EswVo2keEkSlM0ZtBnRYMwpDTa8y1Satk2NyUi0wiym7ptvIojcCFN1o/s640/DSC_0473.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxcQ3fBjJ9r8WGvkClgYShpneR86kgYi5-NXJFYmZXgMpAJyeky8FC6Ji6IRCNwf4oPehfNy4JkHWv6Q8lnSq2hsrd6HZyYhTTNWNoMIfYfOTnf29JiuepCLejolnUmo3M95jvD5icMU/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxcQ3fBjJ9r8WGvkClgYShpneR86kgYi5-NXJFYmZXgMpAJyeky8FC6Ji6IRCNwf4oPehfNy4JkHWv6Q8lnSq2hsrd6HZyYhTTNWNoMIfYfOTnf29JiuepCLejolnUmo3M95jvD5icMU/s640/DSC_0808.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qTALpQ_V0SgjWMHb9pLmpusr3XP35x1XguFexlllKr3ubWvHbnfRPsLstqWKoZEZjDdn2aT7VdDWTd3QpygHlH729Cd_OXUwwiKE0fVkafBawp3EUuHUO-H7fZopvv4mGJ8vkRAWj0g/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qTALpQ_V0SgjWMHb9pLmpusr3XP35x1XguFexlllKr3ubWvHbnfRPsLstqWKoZEZjDdn2aT7VdDWTd3QpygHlH729Cd_OXUwwiKE0fVkafBawp3EUuHUO-H7fZopvv4mGJ8vkRAWj0g/s640/DSC_0018.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015!</td></tr>
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And this last year...in comparison to the BABIES in those pictures...it gets me, y'all...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUtsbEulyT0wX3V13Z2DGhhshl3NLFRjb_c60NbwFy-FwjsposdmQZzwuRGxsOOtB-14afTVHMJxszkEVQL6agOlpFlKyBRSLNwMVZuNrrCoVvhUNsgZlBEoBcncvKdDt5pc7iOIMKg0/s1600/IMG_2484+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUtsbEulyT0wX3V13Z2DGhhshl3NLFRjb_c60NbwFy-FwjsposdmQZzwuRGxsOOtB-14afTVHMJxszkEVQL6agOlpFlKyBRSLNwMVZuNrrCoVvhUNsgZlBEoBcncvKdDt5pc7iOIMKg0/s640/IMG_2484+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017!</td></tr>
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(I'll go ahead and admit that the girls wouldn't necessarily have included Bama's win in their Best Week Ever list. When B got up on Tuesday morning after the big game, I told her I had great news. "<i>It SNOWED??!!!</i>" she asked. Oh, well...they can sing the fight song and they excitedly wear that glorious crimson with the best of them. I guess I'll take it.)<br />
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ROLL TIDE!!!</div>
MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-39950983755359254742018-01-14T07:54:00.000-06:002018-01-14T07:54:55.702-06:00Best. Week. Ever.I'm being slightly generous with defining the past week...it's actually closing in on about 10 days now...but I'm going to give myself a pass on that little transgression.<br />
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<i>What a glorious last few days!!!</i></div>
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It started with the girls' <b>9th BIRTHDAY</b> last Friday. WOW!!! We had all our traditional birthday fun...<br />
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...French toast with homemade strawberry syrup.<br />
...lunch with the girls at school.<br />
...goodies (ice cream cups this year) with their classmates.<br />
...Mommy picking them up after school.<br />
...shrimp scampi and MOLTEN LAVA PUDDING CAKE.<br />
...and fun presents, oh, my!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MIyj2ffYJeaEcaC_mQaD1mumd164bAX7qDnvUR7FA6To99UuhCvxG7RdFwk4raWRw8XaMRuw9n3a98q-gbmxExTyMk3vaL6HmM0f2DbHghQE7o0S-zbP98EKFT_qdbVz9iEZbeAPVVU/s1600/DSC_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MIyj2ffYJeaEcaC_mQaD1mumd164bAX7qDnvUR7FA6To99UuhCvxG7RdFwk4raWRw8XaMRuw9n3a98q-gbmxExTyMk3vaL6HmM0f2DbHghQE7o0S-zbP98EKFT_qdbVz9iEZbeAPVVU/s640/DSC_0403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional first-thing-in-the-morning birthday picture!</td></tr>
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Saturday, I surprised the girls with "tickets" I mocked up to the indoor climbing gym. We had an absolute blast!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYmG2T_djX89-ab60D30iH6a03r-9JzbJol1xqGcv5eVTXhB-ScxGLt83n19bzWo7QircpMYbk_pfPTmTu3izOMsxiYLFuh-qbHA6S9_buTzqQ9zUWxrnvl0-zf1jGymOZWCmzY1txAI/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYmG2T_djX89-ab60D30iH6a03r-9JzbJol1xqGcv5eVTXhB-ScxGLt83n19bzWo7QircpMYbk_pfPTmTu3izOMsxiYLFuh-qbHA6S9_buTzqQ9zUWxrnvl0-zf1jGymOZWCmzY1txAI/s640/DSC_0503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Mommy got in on the climbing action!</td></tr>
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Sunday, we had a productive day at home, and then a productive few days at school/work. Of particular note, the girls both made 100% on their timed math tests, even after the holiday break. Baby A is only one test away from earning the title of MULTIPLICATION GRAND MASTER. She is excited!!! B is doing great, too, tracking a couple of weeks behind her. Those titles will be cause for major celebration!<br />
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On Friday, we all got a huge surprise. School was preemptively cancelled late Thursday due to impending snow. The shock was that Mommy's work closed early Friday morning, too! What a glorious family day we had together. We mostly snuggled by the fireplace, and the girls built an obligatory snow-day blanket fort. AND Mommy and Daddy got most of the holiday stuff packed away (FINALLY).<br />
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Saturday morning, the girls were up EARLY in anticipation of snow play. And PLAY in the SNOW we did!!! We had great snow for sledding, and it's wasn't unbearably cold, either.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oDLLEi-J5HI0N6jsQYFD9E7drMPigr54nqz9HD85IRygVCFDvX_3KcPEzVKr8kk5YUu3nDWtIm7Xzq5vi3ysYvco5ckyw5mLRhPvbnQRrOpP2eURWT8WzfUfwJmjgBXY_4px-91E4bI/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oDLLEi-J5HI0N6jsQYFD9E7drMPigr54nqz9HD85IRygVCFDvX_3KcPEzVKr8kk5YUu3nDWtIm7Xzq5vi3ysYvco5ckyw5mLRhPvbnQRrOpP2eURWT8WzfUfwJmjgBXY_4px-91E4bI/s640/DSC_0552.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Bunny B!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvMaxEjedLKFkcmN3RnAZ7Bn9M8yGlWWWEAs-_Y67-rHHEBlSwn-1JnBFo5jzpvlPQCd4NqVxvZc7jKQfqQn1WxQmzMMzcyKPij3yQkfRUKBzxtbjK868SFrNG3GkvlIRUe4RSzzVh2Q/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvMaxEjedLKFkcmN3RnAZ7Bn9M8yGlWWWEAs-_Y67-rHHEBlSwn-1JnBFo5jzpvlPQCd4NqVxvZc7jKQfqQn1WxQmzMMzcyKPij3yQkfRUKBzxtbjK868SFrNG3GkvlIRUe4RSzzVh2Q/s640/DSC_0554.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Bunny A!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn0G27GorjldqIGwxq84KUbwJ-AaLX0m8CTYe3i9sC1_jbLa_DqYakqrqtghwVeYuufumKitwm_UGOawsoYIyZPYUPOvzLgapparWPnVF-TtXpLPFKPaNQWi-Yj-9jgcxkTGMd1qdf6A/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn0G27GorjldqIGwxq84KUbwJ-AaLX0m8CTYe3i9sC1_jbLa_DqYakqrqtghwVeYuufumKitwm_UGOawsoYIyZPYUPOvzLgapparWPnVF-TtXpLPFKPaNQWi-Yj-9jgcxkTGMd1qdf6A/s640/DSC_0557.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wipe out hugs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIA_8ezTjzObp3saX2deFbX9QJzQGf8FdZdozNI7B67YumbcLufhs-kDFyyj7aMTARvzdgIJMfYlc4BdxT4u1CCRTBeyZDMAMO6cUW5JMCBBvxKuHDmBWHP9EEi5LgCy-V1lx5Jva9SU/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIA_8ezTjzObp3saX2deFbX9QJzQGf8FdZdozNI7B67YumbcLufhs-kDFyyj7aMTARvzdgIJMfYlc4BdxT4u1CCRTBeyZDMAMO6cUW5JMCBBvxKuHDmBWHP9EEi5LgCy-V1lx5Jva9SU/s640/DSC_0578.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4qThWD9n-PPWO74uIW_itEnvz-_Ycf5_4a2aQgwqImCv2aszBmGnddFh3Y3VXjimQ5ba6byPMiCQgCp6Hs8Sh2S3jNorWVGTSt9fcKOg_FVtQ22gsU2iLHJBhKCuZczK4X6LUcyahUU/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4qThWD9n-PPWO74uIW_itEnvz-_Ycf5_4a2aQgwqImCv2aszBmGnddFh3Y3VXjimQ5ba6byPMiCQgCp6Hs8Sh2S3jNorWVGTSt9fcKOg_FVtQ22gsU2iLHJBhKCuZczK4X6LUcyahUU/s640/DSC_0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter perfection!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yep. Best week ever. We're loving it!!!<br />
<br />
<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-8655043629458637692017-07-12T05:23:00.002-05:002017-07-12T05:23:27.844-05:00Chief StrategistsAt 8 1/2, the girls' milestones are not what they used to be. They've learned to roll over...to walk and talk...to ride a bike. Surely one day they'll learn to swim proficiently too (!!!), but it seems less frequent as BIG KIDS that there's a write-it-down milestone.<br />
<br />
What happened earlier this week, though, I'm counting in that camp.<br />
<br />
Monday night, I came home and made Hubby's belated birthday dinner, and I had just a few minutes to chill out with the girls before their bedtime. I was tired, but when A asked to play Connect 4, I thought that sounded like a great activity.<br />
<br />
Game 1, she won. She pondered...she postured...and she won! <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>OK...best out of three</i>, I offered her.<br />
<br />
Game 2, she won again! Night over!<br />
<br />
I've never followed a let-the-kiddos-win philosophy. Nope, we play <i>fair and square</i>. And my A beat me twice in a row! With actual strategy! Slightly bruised though my ego may have been, I was one proud mama!<br />
<br />
I challenged A to a rematch on Tuesday night. I won our best out of five series, 3-1. I had to work for it, though! I was watching her consider different moves. And from my vantage point through the blue plastic grid, it was amazing to see her little mind work.<br />
<br />
B wanted in on the action, and I suggested she play the winner of our series. I am still chuckling that she said, "<i>I don't wanna play the winner!</i>" HA! And -- knowing she likely wanted to play me -- does that mean she had her money on her sister to win??? Ack!!!<br />
<br />
B pondered and postured, just as her sister had. I managed to win the best of three series 2-0, though.<br />
<br />
Stepping back, this little exchange over the past couple of nights has been invigorating. Wowza! Bring it on, milestones! MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-63586474993515105322017-05-31T05:40:00.000-05:002017-05-31T05:40:01.551-05:00Larger Than LifeBaby A came home a few weeks ago with a paper to let us know that her art teacher had selected a piece of her artwork to display at a pop-up gallery at a local ad agency. The teacher could only select four pieces from the entire school...and our A was among them! What a great honor!<br />
<br />
Baby A was super excited, counting down the days until the "gallery opening" and reception. (Baby B was tolerant of A's excitement...but she didn't quite share the same level of glee.)<br />
<br />
The big day finally arrived. I left work a few minutes early, and we made our way downtown to the agency. There were quite a few people there (as each school in our district -- elementary, middle, and high school -- was represented). A's art teacher was standing close to the door and intercepted us before we walked in. She told A, there's a BIG surprise for you.<br />
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And a BIG surprise, it was! We were floored to see that A's artwork had been enlarged to cover the wall inside the entrance!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y6-D3oMBT3m_kHEkfI0UpHT9iutyaj0P3ItgK7P2GbO6HrivEJDY8jKTkGF8zcoQ81PqHBsacDIKkDDi8zSO8X5jcn5Av5liRFN19gwuRDszS-lzeFXsboCn_StcVxv2SyiBhdNjyJw/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y6-D3oMBT3m_kHEkfI0UpHT9iutyaj0P3ItgK7P2GbO6HrivEJDY8jKTkGF8zcoQ81PqHBsacDIKkDDi8zSO8X5jcn5Av5liRFN19gwuRDszS-lzeFXsboCn_StcVxv2SyiBhdNjyJw/s640/DSC_0419.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<br />
I'm not sure that A knew what to think. She was very focused on *how* they enlarged her art. What was it made of? How did it stick to the wall? Would it come down?<br />
<br />
She eventually warmed up to the idea and posed for pictures.<br />
<br />
We enjoyed seeing all the art on display, and we spent plenty of time admiring the <i>Baby A Wall.</i><br />
<br />
When we left, we planned to eat somewhere downtown to celebrate our fun family evening. Baby B had one suggestion, and A had another. Then Baby B, of her own accord, popped out with, "<i>Sissy, it's your special day. You choose.</i>"<br />
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Wow.<br />
<br />
That was a brilliant display of another kind.<br />
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<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-84642879116335925932017-05-16T05:44:00.001-05:002017-05-16T05:48:08.334-05:00Sissies ShareI can't say that my girls always share nicely, or that they always get along. Far from it, at times.<br />
<br />
But sometimes, they do. And it's some kind of sweet!<br />
<br />
Most of the girls' pajamas are matching sets. (They rarely dress alike...and matching pajamas are my little weakness. I cannot resist the cuteness!) They have one set, though, that doesn't match. One is a watermelon print, and one is an ice cream print.<br />
<br />
I didn't realize until a couple of weeks ago that one set is more coveted. (And I'm still not sure which it is.) When I laid out pajamas, there was originally some fuss: "Y<i>ou wore that last time! It's my turn!</i>"<br />
<br />
I likely said something along the lines of: "<i>I'm not playing a referee. You guys figure it out.</i>" And the next thing I knew, they had!<br />
<br />
One kiddo had on watermelon bottoms and an ice cream top, while the other sported a watermelon top and ice cream bottoms. They looked a little silly -- <i>bizarro twins!</i> -- but my heart couldn't have been happier.<br />
<br />
And then a few days later, one of the girls opted to have a blue ice pop at school as part of some special fundraising event. The other had told me she didn't want a blue ice pop. ("<i>It's just colored sugar water,</i>" she told me. HA!)<br />
<br />
That afternoon I asked B how her blue ice pop was. She said it was good. And then I asked A if she regretted not getting one. "<i>It was fine. Sissy shared a bite with me</i>."<br />
<br />
Sweetness!!!<br />
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For all those times they don't get along so perfectly, I'm recording these recent couple of gems as proof they sometimes do.MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-63818817801280110812017-05-11T05:15:00.003-05:002017-05-11T05:15:58.277-05:00Book Club at Midnight...well, it wasn't midnight, exactly...but it <i>was </i>after bedtime.<br />
<br />
I put the girls to bed last night, and headed downstairs, as usual, to catch up on some news. The monitor in the basement stays on, and I didn't hear anything -- also, as usual -- for a good 15 minutes.<br />
<br />
Then I thought I heard something. And then I heard it again.<br />
<br />
The girls were talking, by then a full <u>20</u> minutes after I'd left them for bed.<br />
<br />
That's not the way it works in our house. I tell them goodnight. They go to sleep. <i>Right???</i><br />
<br />
I'll admit I was aggravated. I didn't hear them bickering -- which occasionally is the case, especially if one wants to go to sleep and is hindered in some way by the other -- but there was definitely conversation happening.<br />
<br />
As I neared the top of the stairs outside their room, I paused. I decided to listen to see what was the cause of the not-sleeping. I crept just outside their door and put my ear to their door frame.<br />
<br />
<i>"...that's what I thought, too!"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"...and you know the part where XYZ? I didn't really get why ABC..."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"...and I pictured him making a really mean face! Hahaha!"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"...yes, that was cool!"</i><br />
<br />
I opened the door very slowly. B gasped to A, "<i>It's Mommy!</i>"<br />
<br />
"<i>Are you having a book club meeting?</i>" I asked them through a big smile I didn't even try to hide.<br />
<br />
"<i><b>YES!</b></i>" They both giggled.<br />
<br />
I told them how happy it made me to hear them discussing a book. ("<i>We do it all the time!</i>" A told me.) I gave them both big hugs and kisses, reminded them by then it was FAR past bedtime, and that they needed to conduct the rest of their meeting the next day.<br />
<br />
I don't think I heard anymore discussion over the monitor. But I went to bed smiling myself at the sweetness I got to witness.MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-86242016300166120322017-04-17T05:50:00.002-05:002017-04-17T05:50:44.155-05:00Little House on the Prairie Comes Alive!We had such a fun Easter day yesterday. It was relaxing and fun, just hanging out and enjoying each other...and eating too much.<br />
<br />
In their Easter baskets, the girls got a couple of new books, a pencil pouch (emblazoned with "QUACK" and "CHEEP" in honor of their "spirit animals"...HA!), and they each got a DVD.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1xQVI7bQouYZPEZKwWLQLrBUXiD2vT3MHD28NGsHlt5URAmFYATNJmiKBv4CyvvEaWQFRctyKCAfJK5mymZsJKJBO5a0Fd8iNawWFlyr9rrE9SBksfZABd_-3O5ECWIydYbJKdzwTCc/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1xQVI7bQouYZPEZKwWLQLrBUXiD2vT3MHD28NGsHlt5URAmFYATNJmiKBv4CyvvEaWQFRctyKCAfJK5mymZsJKJBO5a0Fd8iNawWFlyr9rrE9SBksfZABd_-3O5ECWIydYbJKdzwTCc/s640/DSC_0305.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
We've never watched much TV in our house, so the idea of getting a DVD was a bit of a new concept. One DVD was "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" -- the Gene Wilder version. The other was the first season of "Little House on the Prairie".<br />
<br />
We've been reading the Little House on the Prairie books for the past couple of years. To my knowledge, the girls had no idea it was a TV series, too. They were super excited to see the characters come to life on the big screen yesterday afternoon!<br />
<br />
B remarked that Laura had her "<i>big girl teeth</i>", and she mused what the real names of the animals were in the show. "<i>Maybe they actually named the dog 'Jack' so he wouldn't get confused.</i>" HA!<br />
<br />
My A was the funniest, though. There were a few tense scenes, including the one where they cross the river in the wagon and they fear Jack has drowned; and the one where the fire threatens the homestead.<br />
<br />
My A was getting tense, I could tell. "I don't want to watch," she said a couple of times. I reminded her we knew how it would turn out. She watched at times with one eye shut...and I could hear her remark, "<i>Oh, boy....</i>" and "<i>Oh, my...</i>" to herself. It was too cute to see -- and hear! -- her process!<br />
<br />
Such a fun Easter day, punctuated by carrot cake. It was a big hit all around, and my carrot-obsessed Baby A was in heaven!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-92090941359525290712017-02-11T20:00:00.000-06:002017-02-11T20:00:51.376-06:00EIGHTH Birthday Play-by-Play!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since the girls' first birthday, I've done a play-by-play of their birthday happenings. My pictures are a little more sparse these days, since I have to share my birthday girls with the public school system...but I still manage to document my darlings. My newly-minted EIGHT YEAR-OLDS had a great day!</div>
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Our annual <i>first-thing-in-the-morning </i>pics!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDkYVxVtJhiPn5uuwK3zQZEQHhCH8NfoWWIU0-gWlHwiUA1ca0zCkgjzzaTUzdkhHXCcy5b1RJM_2x3BFezri49eYlQzmIKaD4bSH4LO6PzTYeeymgjroUH0Dc5ZzdrFsXIcb00cTp_4/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDkYVxVtJhiPn5uuwK3zQZEQHhCH8NfoWWIU0-gWlHwiUA1ca0zCkgjzzaTUzdkhHXCcy5b1RJM_2x3BFezri49eYlQzmIKaD4bSH4LO6PzTYeeymgjroUH0Dc5ZzdrFsXIcb00cTp_4/s640/DSC_0173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby A!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNY0JgWw_Wb_Nza3SDazgZ0zXIyB7utcqlK8KXgvP1CO9DKv9nLa8tHzGB6UVnHWoToWNfzl_aXXbVNl8HyrcYs4aJeHyUX5Tvdiq8hsVYQupQIINfD3RU7acSIJWJfIroHBqLezWajs/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNY0JgWw_Wb_Nza3SDazgZ0zXIyB7utcqlK8KXgvP1CO9DKv9nLa8tHzGB6UVnHWoToWNfzl_aXXbVNl8HyrcYs4aJeHyUX5Tvdiq8hsVYQupQIINfD3RU7acSIJWJfIroHBqLezWajs/s640/DSC_0176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby B!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And the girls soon piled up together...they said they were posing like they were in Mommy's tummy. HA! I think they should swap places for that to be more accurate, though.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUpzqcixifVzn0fIrXcdGUPDLBxJX0poqp-BR8S1WSBC6JXE6ete0HQh4QzsxanfrOVMxaHGPpHjds82JTvtrMd6p_pajqgn5DyLzLrHUM2yFRQNKrkJHKNpM-yGjnDwOnUeQhllKLFo/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUpzqcixifVzn0fIrXcdGUPDLBxJX0poqp-BR8S1WSBC6JXE6ete0HQh4QzsxanfrOVMxaHGPpHjds82JTvtrMd6p_pajqgn5DyLzLrHUM2yFRQNKrkJHKNpM-yGjnDwOnUeQhllKLFo/s640/DSC_0181.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sillies!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Since the girls' birthday fell on a Thursday, we decided we would have our family celebration the following Saturday. I still surprised the girls with a few little treats. Waiting on them at the breakfast table were these little guys...a nod to their Serbian nicknames, which mean "little duck" and "little bird".<br />
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After breakfast, we had some play time with the fur babies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby A with Miki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby B with Alex</td></tr>
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And then I attempted our annual birthday picture. The girls weren't super excited for that activity, but I did get this one in their new kitty shirts.<br />
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I took the girls to school (and then began my whirlwind of a day, buzzing around doing birthday stuff!).<br />
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I took the girls lunch from one of our favorite bakeries...chicken salad sandwiches and white bean chowder. YUM!!! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy with her birthday girls!</td></tr>
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And after a short visit home for me, I was back with donuts and lemonade for their classmates.<br />
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I picked the girls up from school and headed to the library. We were long overdue to get new books. That's usually a weekend activity, so it was a treat to be there in the middle of the week!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the hot air balloon basket at the library!</td></tr>
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I made the girls' traditional birthday meal, baked shrimp scampi over mashed potatoes, and then we enjoyed their traditional birthday dessert, chocolate molten lava pudding cake. YUM! We sang "Happy Birthday" -- twice, of course -- and dug into the sweet goodness.<br />
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After supper, I had another surprise for the girls...the Game of Life board game, and some new astronaut pajamas.<br />
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These precious baby girls had a great day, for sure!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sleepy 8 year-olds after a full day of celebration!</td></tr>
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<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-89553242253020224572017-02-08T05:27:00.000-06:002017-02-08T05:27:06.737-06:00The Countdown Begins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today starts our countdown to Valentine's Day. It's not much...a little treat for each of seven days, including V-Day. Today's confection is two dark chocolate-covered almonds, something small that will fit in the countdown pill box.</div>
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The girls haven't said anything about it this year, so I imagine they'll be super surprised to see what's waiting on them at the breakfast table. And of course I can't wait to see their faces and hear their glee!</div>
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And of course the anticipation of the holiday makes me think back to some of our fun holidays past. The girls were two in this first real Valentine's Day celebration. Look at those adorable faces and their "Peace & Love" onesies!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby B</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby A</td></tr>
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And beyond the special Valentine's Day breakfast, we celebrated further with dinner downtown, the girls decked out in some of my favorite dresses ever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91rTleH9ac688mRbUbAm-J7b4KNa5HyRx9dNQdmIviHHg-U5yDMh1pRdFUgC_xMx-aE1v3PqJKvLRUqacFokNuIIm2sLreSqb4w1Oiu0SFljyDdVRz9vk53-btNtKgB7bZccc5f6oEeI/s1600/DSC_0760+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91rTleH9ac688mRbUbAm-J7b4KNa5HyRx9dNQdmIviHHg-U5yDMh1pRdFUgC_xMx-aE1v3PqJKvLRUqacFokNuIIm2sLreSqb4w1Oiu0SFljyDdVRz9vk53-btNtKgB7bZccc5f6oEeI/s640/DSC_0760+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nose kiss for Sissy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDggTMurCXBpo3t-Dt_z3KtLhsg6OGiECWYueKmxntkDAHUMPKZY86Hp0-7GvMi2hxA_3MAQxiz3gFUahLfM0IK-gYD_8RpKiqLZ91jtPK1AzFtwq-XGsyWszAY023q1W-chfLOHc5ww/s1600/DSC_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDggTMurCXBpo3t-Dt_z3KtLhsg6OGiECWYueKmxntkDAHUMPKZY86Hp0-7GvMi2hxA_3MAQxiz3gFUahLfM0IK-gYD_8RpKiqLZ91jtPK1AzFtwq-XGsyWszAY023q1W-chfLOHc5ww/s640/DSC_0761.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three ladies on a mission!</td></tr>
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I love any opportunity to celebrate with my loves...and any opportunity to take a trip down Memory Lane!<br />
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Thank you, as always, to the marvelous Cheryl at <a href="http://twinfatuation.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Twinfatuation </a>for the Way-Back-Whenesday inspiration!!!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-9242382151626884302017-02-05T17:28:00.001-06:002017-02-05T17:28:14.778-06:00Christmas Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Christmas Day was full of family and fun. Ahead of our traditional Christmas tree-shaped fruit tart, we went ahead and let the girls open their stockings. <br />
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They were excited to get "real" yo-yos. They've had a handful of yo-yos here and there, but never ones that were very stable. These held much more promise...and it didn't take any time for the girls to master them...at least far beyond any skills their mommy ever dreamed of.<br />
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In addition to their yo-yos, the girls got balsa wood airplanes, a little wooden fish craft kit, some sweets...and...MUCH to their surprise: WALKIE-TALKIES!!! They were giddy!!!<br />
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Our precious girls were as tickled as anything to give us the goodies they'd made. The very best gifts of all were the heartfelt notes they wrote, proclaiming why Mommy is the best mommy ever...Daddy is the best daddy ever...Miki and Alex are the best black kitties. What precious hearts these girls have!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-SJ-ExNDIr7ZuU1otWFkx2s1y2pKtlnAceYPO7pFBAKMUIGWeQx02vrmttPILRF4Kv1TW1bwixiwI2leZRC7MTstSRC3om-zSY7nJNnoQxSYOfU3C-qhlWaf485L21mGb3dX5AdbX-w/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-SJ-ExNDIr7ZuU1otWFkx2s1y2pKtlnAceYPO7pFBAKMUIGWeQx02vrmttPILRF4Kv1TW1bwixiwI2leZRC7MTstSRC3om-zSY7nJNnoQxSYOfU3C-qhlWaf485L21mGb3dX5AdbX-w/s640/DSC_0131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The girls got some plenty of books, and their *big* gift was a fort building kit. We made a fort right away in the den. Draped with a couple of sheets, it made the perfect place for them to cuddle their walkie-talkies and read their new books.<br />
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We experimented the day after Christmas with building a tent-shaped fort. It's super cool (for all of us!)!<br />
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And Christmas morning was made all the better by seeing our fur babies enjoy the hoopla. They enjoyed their new toys, of course...but equally as much, they enjoyed the stockings and wrapping paper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoh3-WJ5BXoooQUkXPdiBn2-RncZSsPcJA3Dpq29w_-77vKqwoaPkN1Yiex5oFj0aoPEW7JllnLr1-zBX-cURYJBakAm90SuSJKDIVHAyprSdesaLLDVYw6bL8SPqFOFuAoI7RJxKJiQ/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoh3-WJ5BXoooQUkXPdiBn2-RncZSsPcJA3Dpq29w_-77vKqwoaPkN1Yiex5oFj0aoPEW7JllnLr1-zBX-cURYJBakAm90SuSJKDIVHAyprSdesaLLDVYw6bL8SPqFOFuAoI7RJxKJiQ/s640/DSC_0127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miki on his stocking :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex with his new monkey :)</td></tr>
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A Merry Christmas was had by all!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-65962457855588050652017-02-04T06:57:00.000-06:002017-02-04T06:57:33.873-06:00December to Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow...I knew it had been a long time since I blogged. I winced to see it's been THREE MONTHS. Wowza. I missed it, for sure...and I know I'm going to kick myself one day, too.</div>
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I guess there's no time like the present to try to catch up a bit...so I'm going with a few snapshots to try to recapture some of what I missed.</div>
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December was, of course, full of holiday cheer. And woven in and around the festivities, we had our usual fun, too...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7Igl2gNzE652eo0b59TuPGtM0t-t4WO-w1pkfatzOr06DqIYm7gqMI1tSOteI1RYbpLWqJ7NpP7dZsi4H9r_BizZmlpx0aaSSU6MAvdYa8KfT85bShjTLQoMhCzp0M9cb2JmD2lSM2Q/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7Igl2gNzE652eo0b59TuPGtM0t-t4WO-w1pkfatzOr06DqIYm7gqMI1tSOteI1RYbpLWqJ7NpP7dZsi4H9r_BizZmlpx0aaSSU6MAvdYa8KfT85bShjTLQoMhCzp0M9cb2JmD2lSM2Q/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy Bake Oven fun! Watching anxiously!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnAywPA02Qra9RVS8D6KQHHWDJjHUO63MbiL-fyJRFnYwv80SNKgilekVYV76ONrkuaBmnAXRyCLEicvR9QTakIVlwLNv3RglsNTmBeyuswcme7Ffed4ojx0slyU9SZXbHY3Uk1jO_sY/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnAywPA02Qra9RVS8D6KQHHWDJjHUO63MbiL-fyJRFnYwv80SNKgilekVYV76ONrkuaBmnAXRyCLEicvR9QTakIVlwLNv3RglsNTmBeyuswcme7Ffed4ojx0slyU9SZXbHY3Uk1jO_sY/s640/DSC_0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby B...give her a book and a warm fire...she's set!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd228pUj7xqDkAbXlTF7T8nr_wGCQK5SvmhLGeG7HHqTCVwixn8NBMmDmMJvxeuufxiPIxME3dHH-F0dCQhmz7tlzRLZFYgs_poNfHmQQk_kziWoRCbLizgfEFMJD0h9GDtwhn7BhUjwE/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd228pUj7xqDkAbXlTF7T8nr_wGCQK5SvmhLGeG7HHqTCVwixn8NBMmDmMJvxeuufxiPIxME3dHH-F0dCQhmz7tlzRLZFYgs_poNfHmQQk_kziWoRCbLizgfEFMJD0h9GDtwhn7BhUjwE/s640/DSC_0095.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby A made herself at home on a blanket...and Miki was quick to join her!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2WnJQ8W1Ob00oq2DMywG5od6Gf0YetP-3cIes62hHan-rcaWUUXU5kLC0O_7gvwzJZrayT4ZHqcOloiiUFp4UwZ3ImIOtuww88PQdapiMwX1xMQnm8pe8Anevv0XnDOJqx1Rx5Ls1oo/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2WnJQ8W1Ob00oq2DMywG5od6Gf0YetP-3cIes62hHan-rcaWUUXU5kLC0O_7gvwzJZrayT4ZHqcOloiiUFp4UwZ3ImIOtuww88PQdapiMwX1xMQnm8pe8Anevv0XnDOJqx1Rx5Ls1oo/s640/DSC_0020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black cats are hard to photograph, I'm often reminded...but I got a good one of Miki in the sunlight. Meow!</td></tr>
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We had some fun school adventures, too...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYQrw_SX8F390u1sa1koxL9poSd9mj7cVnG7K9wbx98rL5sHoE-8hBAmM_9iJIMQ-13wf305F-rrYdJErr3wZp3Vd_hRoaqe1Lae6Oepe7EreOxmH_yx4XAprc79PmgJN9ZJsN-YRbdQ/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYQrw_SX8F390u1sa1koxL9poSd9mj7cVnG7K9wbx98rL5sHoE-8hBAmM_9iJIMQ-13wf305F-rrYdJErr3wZp3Vd_hRoaqe1Lae6Oepe7EreOxmH_yx4XAprc79PmgJN9ZJsN-YRbdQ/s640/DSC_0069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls did "money posters" for their math class...Susan B. Anthony and the two-dollar bill. They did a great job!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk7bBFOcb__FCpWqhKseamK70UTYx-oT2ZjCebSXbElvk0RyU9umeHwh5vFmPElig47MDhhz6_dGGHRTM46SudqcPJpsgm_ZoFQvUKN7zMUSXV9rOjVB4UisHCfomZJdahJozTADhFCA/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk7bBFOcb__FCpWqhKseamK70UTYx-oT2ZjCebSXbElvk0RyU9umeHwh5vFmPElig47MDhhz6_dGGHRTM46SudqcPJpsgm_ZoFQvUKN7zMUSXV9rOjVB4UisHCfomZJdahJozTADhFCA/s640/DSC_0082.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roller skating field trip! Thankfully, no casualties this time!</td></tr>
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And then there's our countdown calendar, which held many fun activities...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKuFgFvg6s5WMpm0ETR9qEsVvn34B9Vf3QhWfPII5OzmXDS8TrMynL5eNCSSGoTwNbad1SVTqsgFoLPbTh7LLeNLWL5BToQ5KAzXRWJvAJOfn6OM59SVIuEGgm0nvliw0dqhP2ZEhVgc/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKuFgFvg6s5WMpm0ETR9qEsVvn34B9Vf3QhWfPII5OzmXDS8TrMynL5eNCSSGoTwNbad1SVTqsgFoLPbTh7LLeNLWL5BToQ5KAzXRWJvAJOfn6OM59SVIuEGgm0nvliw0dqhP2ZEhVgc/s640/DSC_0038.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating the tree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6repkXuH04tgRewBhThmoARrI70ostReEeG1sKslPGhnz5MGDbifwhWvRg-DUy7YJ0my2JMi5NPWJfWf1AhoTakxPX2XsSXrSMyPRL6YHcSqpvKkMwbsVmt1_sFrJfdm6uEL5hc-Y1Y/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6repkXuH04tgRewBhThmoARrI70ostReEeG1sKslPGhnz5MGDbifwhWvRg-DUy7YJ0my2JMi5NPWJfWf1AhoTakxPX2XsSXrSMyPRL6YHcSqpvKkMwbsVmt1_sFrJfdm6uEL5hc-Y1Y/s640/DSC_0045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making gingerbread houses (thanks to my most amazing friend for hosting!!!)!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAAtkTnz5jCxADKxg-vDLrxLytJi6t-4QRSMyLbLRsZohuVHj2HvF9k0V8p6_4_yFgfu_1VMay0GgDNy0j4IAOSTx5o-E9RK1aDffpOSjMgyWCj7n4TQSj6bDNTWSKKamwj9rBr0Gc00/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAAtkTnz5jCxADKxg-vDLrxLytJi6t-4QRSMyLbLRsZohuVHj2HvF9k0V8p6_4_yFgfu_1VMay0GgDNy0j4IAOSTx5o-E9RK1aDffpOSjMgyWCj7n4TQSj6bDNTWSKKamwj9rBr0Gc00/s640/DSC_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New fuzzy Christmas pajamas!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH5Dhj1FBaHfYvvscCW3c4HkBG6wTG6JoRcMow6xk8H_S5FbP_gIdCWSWCENnS5ZGbnDFhZQ_J23nW6G2vwkRTvg22P_KXxW-2iHbVaYgPNjztVGEXa9JqGGb-XuK1FwApfknhV2Y0GQ/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH5Dhj1FBaHfYvvscCW3c4HkBG6wTG6JoRcMow6xk8H_S5FbP_gIdCWSWCENnS5ZGbnDFhZQ_J23nW6G2vwkRTvg22P_KXxW-2iHbVaYgPNjztVGEXa9JqGGb-XuK1FwApfknhV2Y0GQ/s640/DSC_0098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting a canvas...Baby A chose a reindeer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2CVIEJXmosrolMZ8O8iqD5ZiPBTKapndeu3tMkRnNsdvdBQifLh0PFIBnFaNcQ1VicfxAR4MPAbShkgfmg1h2EOLrqRKmGT5vR_KaDuiSQsKOvhc8StxLMs93Rnaj9WohdUHggxleTs/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2CVIEJXmosrolMZ8O8iqD5ZiPBTKapndeu3tMkRnNsdvdBQifLh0PFIBnFaNcQ1VicfxAR4MPAbShkgfmg1h2EOLrqRKmGT5vR_KaDuiSQsKOvhc8StxLMs93Rnaj9WohdUHggxleTs/s640/DSC_0114.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby B painted a snowman!</td></tr>
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This holiday will stand out for me in a few sweet ways...ones that I hope I always remember...</div>
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The girls were so helpful in the kitchen this year! In particular, they did a great job of making sand tarts and sugar cookies...rolling the dough into little balls. Be still my heart...it was so much fun for all of us.</div>
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The girls surprised me with a countdown calendar of my own! Each day had a treat of some sort, usually a chocolate they'd pack in my lunch bag. What precious little hearts these girls have!<br />
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<br />
And the girls' countdown calendar ended with their very favorite activity, one they look forward to all year, it seems! The now-famous candy cane hunt!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOFfu5aony4TA-iwRaVeIo1wdkSKaCHSBJqnLUH2yJM-6CFzg-JWN4NI4RqpLJto9X5pTZs29u6OsJpQVfAH2h8eY7CSq_o4r-BW8dupmUQYQBunrBdBpvQkBrx2cdNSlIeFz8GqUpdg/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOFfu5aony4TA-iwRaVeIo1wdkSKaCHSBJqnLUH2yJM-6CFzg-JWN4NI4RqpLJto9X5pTZs29u6OsJpQVfAH2h8eY7CSq_o4r-BW8dupmUQYQBunrBdBpvQkBrx2cdNSlIeFz8GqUpdg/s640/DSC_0112.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They did a great job taking turns with the clues, too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a whirlwind month, packed full of fun!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-55753657197324502012016-11-08T05:40:00.001-06:002016-11-08T05:40:37.368-06:00Surprise and Delight<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday, I came home and the girls were working on
their homework. I encouraged them to do
a good job, and I told them I had a surprise for them at bedtime. They couldn’t contain their huge smiles, and
they began to guess what it might be.
“<i>Pajamas???” “A night-night
story???” “A new Christmas CD???”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They went back to their homework, and then we enjoyed a nice
supper…but they were a little more anxious than usual to head upstairs for the
evening. They really wanted to look
around, to see if I’d hidden something.
[I hadn’t.]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once everyone had donned their PJs, brushed their teeth, and
straightened their beds, I ran downstairs to get the girls’ treat. Sure enough, it was a new bedtime story, a
Thanksgiving-themed one, <i>A Turkey for Thanksgiving.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The girls piled up on either side of me, their attention
even more rapt than usual.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(I couldn’t help but be thankful that the girls’ routine
still includes me reading them a story every single night. They’ve been capable of reading to themselves
for two years now. I know this won’t
last forever, but I sure savor it.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I began to read in my best animated voice. Mrs. Moose asked Mr. Moose to find a turkey
for their Thanksgiving meal. He set out
and was joined, page by page, by other animals as they hunted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The girls were on the edge of their seats…peering intently
over my shoulders…I could almost feel them wincing as the animals cornered the terrified
turkey. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course I knew the ending to the story…that the turkey was
the honored guest at the Thanksgiving table, all the animals talking about the
joy of sharing the holiday with friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And when the ending finally revealed itself, I relished the
girls’ utter delight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Surprising my baby girls…enjoying a new night-night story…appreciating
them, appreciating the story…</i>it was such a wonderful night.<o:p></o:p></div>
MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-7649520990675823562016-11-02T05:26:00.000-05:002016-11-02T05:26:00.318-05:00...On SharingWe don't eat much candy at our house, and the girls were wide-eyed at the huge haul they were bringing in on Halloween night.<br />
<br />
(We only went to 12 or so houses, but the houses are far between and there weren't many kiddos, so everyone seemed to be extra-generous.)<br />
<br />
At one point, B looked to me and said, "<i>Mommy, we have so much candy. I know what we can do for my birthday treat at school. I can take my candy and each of my classmates can choose one or two pieces</i>."<br />
<br />
Her forethought and generosity wowed me.<br />
<br />
And then, on Tuesday morning, the girls were going through some of their goodies. They were talking about the different kinds of candy, what they were looking forward to trying...and which pieces they would give to their daddy.<br />
<br />
"<i>Daddy loves Reese's!</i>" my A exclaimed. "<i>I'm going to give him those!</i>"<br />
<br />
Such sweet, thoughtful baby girls!!!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-86115924342436757752016-11-01T05:14:00.004-05:002016-11-01T05:14:50.164-05:00Insect FascinationSince having kiddos, I have an entirely new appreciation for Halloween. HOW FUN it is to see the littles in their costumes...I can barely stand the cuteness!!!<br />
<br />
I'm really fortunate to date that the girls have been so amicable to my costume suggestions. And thinking back over the past few years, I realize we had a bit of a fascination with INSECTS!<br />
<br />
When they were two, ladybugs:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVa-FIiYzdkUfDXX-yWwQ5_d1FfimctQ5_BxN9seIBaiMnHrB2xgk_Z8fYRS8be2v-N6Xm2OKYRYsaTJtH6ylEzO6FU0ZA48_tPTwIMmwWUQl-55ZfkPlQ50MsszXuVKDj4MSNH49f-s/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVa-FIiYzdkUfDXX-yWwQ5_d1FfimctQ5_BxN9seIBaiMnHrB2xgk_Z8fYRS8be2v-N6Xm2OKYRYsaTJtH6ylEzO6FU0ZA48_tPTwIMmwWUQl-55ZfkPlQ50MsszXuVKDj4MSNH49f-s/s640/DSC_0005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When they were three, butterflies:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_bta0rswC6prCt3bJLJ7C5J4YZT_Y-clkeD8Zs2LE-VHgwNFuSQj0SHWpEC3VM5ye5sr6qnt1-ejOePx2VIyd9jNuLWuaOzQeTEo3Hwl6jUSTqH8hINKtDa6u7KyyhsWwbr6jdzEVj0/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_bta0rswC6prCt3bJLJ7C5J4YZT_Y-clkeD8Zs2LE-VHgwNFuSQj0SHWpEC3VM5ye5sr6qnt1-ejOePx2VIyd9jNuLWuaOzQeTEo3Hwl6jUSTqH8hINKtDa6u7KyyhsWwbr6jdzEVj0/s640/DSC_0512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And now, at seven, bumblebees:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5tWzqWUN2PyM1XOoLhqYD2J2ONEYWifdNlVdIYPjMz-ZkeyXPT0UiCGl0N9410k1hiyCjYuoQ-sA0URIz2sSGsAkgCy97aWzL0dlEwgZSyX_jEAqbZdK68cvnzHKodWon9So9__3pVc/s1600/DSC_0886+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5tWzqWUN2PyM1XOoLhqYD2J2ONEYWifdNlVdIYPjMz-ZkeyXPT0UiCGl0N9410k1hiyCjYuoQ-sA0URIz2sSGsAkgCy97aWzL0dlEwgZSyX_jEAqbZdK68cvnzHKodWon9So9__3pVc/s640/DSC_0886+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
(Seeing these pictures, I'm also reminded how much easier it is to get a picture with the girls standing still!!! Hee hee!!!)<br />
<br />
I have to admit that I'm already thinking about next year. SPIDERS! They're not insects...but pretty close! :) :)MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-53208577543932539342016-10-31T05:20:00.002-05:002016-10-31T05:20:24.931-05:00To Cap Off October...Oh, October...where have you gone??? More on that later...but I thought I'd at least cap off this BUSY month with our annual Halloween picture:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTHrPUFmTmewc8_Rwzv-RdLbv6zC_jMsi_hKNdgvinh2OeIt_WvKTodGCseW6IGYoPsSga_YMU3-7kD8G_zYV0okMUxDyaTiWSeH-gvX7pl5I3fReDpxACJdrSGi010aA3Vy7C5IT0tI/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTHrPUFmTmewc8_Rwzv-RdLbv6zC_jMsi_hKNdgvinh2OeIt_WvKTodGCseW6IGYoPsSga_YMU3-7kD8G_zYV0okMUxDyaTiWSeH-gvX7pl5I3fReDpxACJdrSGi010aA3Vy7C5IT0tI/s640/DSC_0437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is our EIGHTH family Halloween picture! I LOVE this tradition!!!<br />
<br />
And I snapped a few more shots while the girls were suited up for pictures on Saturday...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAcmUoPbGobbJ6Pubfy0KczxotvJ15cD7A9k5oPXUm8Nqn033MStMxwhyphenhyphen2r4G8f6BK5GiMmf3lyUBvcuqMXiADsfOAyICf407gRbLyhyphenhyphen09LZYJcOgKPs-kyCiKoYQ0Z5Rl7ruOjNxepo/s1600/DSC_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAcmUoPbGobbJ6Pubfy0KczxotvJ15cD7A9k5oPXUm8Nqn033MStMxwhyphenhyphen2r4G8f6BK5GiMmf3lyUBvcuqMXiADsfOAyICf407gRbLyhyphenhyphen09LZYJcOgKPs-kyCiKoYQ0Z5Rl7ruOjNxepo/s640/DSC_0410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off their pumpkins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The girls insisted on pollinating the flowers! B later told me she was just pretending..."<i>because my tongue is not that long and it's not shaped like a straw</i>." Hee hee!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04y_zErBNPXtzKGPtMUWNUUQADQNR5vcassf4qewh5l_A2LOHy2lkAQ32q5Ro1HUNs2_GFO34AsWi9IBJzDYjoiSGgkhGOxGG08Xti3OVt67X3vpK3l5EVGctTqQdYpC_YRTC9itGPlE/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04y_zErBNPXtzKGPtMUWNUUQADQNR5vcassf4qewh5l_A2LOHy2lkAQ32q5Ro1HUNs2_GFO34AsWi9IBJzDYjoiSGgkhGOxGG08Xti3OVt67X3vpK3l5EVGctTqQdYpC_YRTC9itGPlE/s640/DSC_0419.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hubby was hungry and ready to head to lunch...but he managed to capture a glimmer of sun on our back patio. So sweet!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr3zCGPMhHPdCTqbMzaYOXSDmOxDVlXDVif44J-5mXuwmbbLR083-IPuREHosQSedwY7hy5zAOdQE4z3TYOtb8yddJ5o37vhtiAQ4GFZtEfPLNzUJ4NPQpvkaZyiC2cR8k65nt9H1hF0/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr3zCGPMhHPdCTqbMzaYOXSDmOxDVlXDVif44J-5mXuwmbbLR083-IPuREHosQSedwY7hy5zAOdQE4z3TYOtb8yddJ5o37vhtiAQ4GFZtEfPLNzUJ4NPQpvkaZyiC2cR8k65nt9H1hF0/s640/DSC_0444.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
And lastly, we ventured outside to light our pumpkins on Saturday night. The girls were tickled to see their creations come to life!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwC1cmEkuxtRmRDIsAwhxiRBoiKqpOLxyREUbLv55qwhwOZCXQCoby-DK3UoTuCKuKsRaWO7WzdyCrpOFtrX9BZu_2pygmkOOoluxcIWqN5tRjxyKS3vwGnqPs3_Cf-ViqO3TfaYoTw8/s1600/DSC_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwC1cmEkuxtRmRDIsAwhxiRBoiKqpOLxyREUbLv55qwhwOZCXQCoby-DK3UoTuCKuKsRaWO7WzdyCrpOFtrX9BZu_2pygmkOOoluxcIWqN5tRjxyKS3vwGnqPs3_Cf-ViqO3TfaYoTw8/s640/DSC_0783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We're looking forward to trick-or-treating with friends tonight!<br />
<br />
(And I'm looking forward to getting back to my blog soon...how I've missed it!)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-2408510332888503602016-09-21T05:23:00.000-05:002016-09-21T05:23:46.366-05:00Way Back When-esday: Granddaddy EditionGranddaddy came for a visit this weekend. The girls had been eagerly anticipating his arrival, and their excitement grew ten-fold when they learned he was bringing his bike to ride with them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWkBQVyWDyjUXpcaM2g5q6l_bV8Ky3mg9VivrtLVQlgnUg8W3M0vhjNI70FP4n8VclpkhvRT8QtQwEYHL_ZJpMzIbli1FEBnBLJQQnIgW1W4ZWnzMM1L_m6nBsf09Kj4yUDbWz2GRPi8/s1600/DSC_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWkBQVyWDyjUXpcaM2g5q6l_bV8Ky3mg9VivrtLVQlgnUg8W3M0vhjNI70FP4n8VclpkhvRT8QtQwEYHL_ZJpMzIbli1FEBnBLJQQnIgW1W4ZWnzMM1L_m6nBsf09Kj4yUDbWz2GRPi8/s640/DSC_0795.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a very relaxing visit...we hung out and ate good food and played and read.<br />
<br />
And of course we snapped some pictures before Granddaddy headed home on Sunday.<br />
<br />
This one...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHWT8c9risb9iw2SP29rTck3LE74fSYoqvdRWrz6zf6Tao9hsEP4PRPc1QlgTfOKS5wh1nO749O0RJ8u6tWMNoCoUCRMRH4jXW_jyEfC4wmRhwAujx5tOPA_u6eusvj6pVfQwnA6lP2A/s1600/DSC_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHWT8c9risb9iw2SP29rTck3LE74fSYoqvdRWrz6zf6Tao9hsEP4PRPc1QlgTfOKS5wh1nO749O0RJ8u6tWMNoCoUCRMRH4jXW_jyEfC4wmRhwAujx5tOPA_u6eusvj6pVfQwnA6lP2A/s640/DSC_0805.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
...made me think of this one...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpmnrvx9NELwbQvvK5YQuTYQ533sIK5o6-nKHN-n-_lZQkYy745I-C8YcMHAkoZu4AEsbCHFc9IVxTbn8nmyA9egwQvtz9D90vnivMSVpcjcmAzd-mgXRV7prKZUJxmwU__8beGo6lDY/s1600/012409+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpmnrvx9NELwbQvvK5YQuTYQ533sIK5o6-nKHN-n-_lZQkYy745I-C8YcMHAkoZu4AEsbCHFc9IVxTbn8nmyA9egwQvtz9D90vnivMSVpcjcmAzd-mgXRV7prKZUJxmwU__8beGo6lDY/s640/012409+020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We're holding opposite babies, but you get the idea...what a difference 7 1/2 years makes!!!<br />
<br />
###<br />
<br />
Thanks to Cheryl at <a href="http://twinfatuation.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Twinfatuation</a> for her Way Back When-esday prompt! It's sometimes bittersweet to look through pictures of the girls' infancy, to realize how quickly time flies...but it's always a worthwhile trip down Memory Lane!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-79848054242367002612016-09-06T05:38:00.000-05:002016-09-06T05:38:03.072-05:00Precious Emotion and Maturity<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve witnessed a couple of the most precious displays from
Baby B over the past few days, ones that simultaneously melt my heart and make
me wanna cry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were out to dinner on Saturday night, and I took the
opportunity to tell the girls that I won’t be able to attend their fall
festival at school. [I feel <i>terrible
</i>about it…it’s something they look forward to so much…but I made plans several
months ago to go to an event with my dad.]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I expected the girls to be upset. I can’t say they were thrilled, but they took
it in stride when I told them they would still go with Daddy, only Mommy wouldn’t
be there. And then, moments later, I saw
Baby B’s chin start to tremble.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<i>I don’t like it when you’re not home for night-night</i>,” she
told me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To glimpse what's important to my precious girl!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then, in the middle of that same night, B came to me
around 2am to tell me she’d gotten sick to her stomach. I asked her to go to the kitchen, and I made
my way there. I couldn’t quite put two-and-two
together, as to how everything transpired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
B explained that she woke up feeling sick and came
downstairs to get me. “<i>…but I saw you
were sleeping, and I didn’t want to disturb you.</i>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bless it!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She got her “bucket” out of the kitchen and lay on the couch
instead. She finally woke me only when
she actually got sick.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s emotional maturity and the sweetness of my baby
girl, all rolled into one. It tugs at my
heartstrings, for sure…and makes this heart of mine so happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-84269931148709872842016-08-31T05:20:00.000-05:002016-08-31T05:21:51.307-05:00Thanks for the Memories, August!August has been a whirlwind! I CANNOT believe that the girls have been in school THREE WEEKS today. (I guess that explains where the time has gone!)<br />
<br />
So...before the month ends, here is {one} first-day-of-school picture. The girls posed like this on their own...look at those long legs!!!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75UQrpj8BcNp0LibA0tDdpRFTcWs3ESSZMTo0FOH4gvX0jhSYIJU6alZ-xjPFw0-w4EPFmJorefFY0PTHCGSYBELGYks3L4gO3t_SOky-rCYwISf668L7WrlRp5f3sLtTCUdWJarLkCY/s1600/DSC_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75UQrpj8BcNp0LibA0tDdpRFTcWs3ESSZMTo0FOH4gvX0jhSYIJU6alZ-xjPFw0-w4EPFmJorefFY0PTHCGSYBELGYks3L4gO3t_SOky-rCYwISf668L7WrlRp5f3sLtTCUdWJarLkCY/s640/DSC_0625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Despite the back-to-school busyness, we've packed in a lot of fun, too...<br />
<br />
...several trips to the library to keep these girls entertained...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mnAVfMI17Q9DEmrpnkh90GBjubK-tGGZsO_WHrbUF1uZHS8PdqAmxiuzCuBwykYeqIAN4b0oulitw8B5o8qCXkK57UyZOHOhG1zE3C_UayGqW3fORD9yk8XDLur4_opu_fin4ypHJRw/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mnAVfMI17Q9DEmrpnkh90GBjubK-tGGZsO_WHrbUF1uZHS8PdqAmxiuzCuBwykYeqIAN4b0oulitw8B5o8qCXkK57UyZOHOhG1zE3C_UayGqW3fORD9yk8XDLur4_opu_fin4ypHJRw/s640/DSC_0461.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
...a mommy-and-me trip to the trampoline park, where these girls gave me a run (er, jump) for my money...whew!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu0Wlhuhuuu3GvE0LC1R-MWf7Jh_Cob1m62618OUTeYkfrZk6sLqBuW1O-ew-5VmOeltgAZk3-4A48_UhPhYGbX47D-FnwisKtiw3aYp5k1xxXI0K6j1y6bfoGht5pEGOOwyq_G9wq5Q/s1600/14115459_10209334603535490_8088723589928534222_o+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu0Wlhuhuuu3GvE0LC1R-MWf7Jh_Cob1m62618OUTeYkfrZk6sLqBuW1O-ew-5VmOeltgAZk3-4A48_UhPhYGbX47D-FnwisKtiw3aYp5k1xxXI0K6j1y6bfoGht5pEGOOwyq_G9wq5Q/s640/14115459_10209334603535490_8088723589928534222_o+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
...a family trip to the yogurt shop (during which Daddy agreed to a selfie!)...<br />
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<br />
...and the kickoff of the soccer season...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxJTe3CS6_iJgAt2D3PNAsHLQyFYve9D858t42dwOripzA7GwpptBAqVb4llEKCAIkwdi0y3gjVZhM7caKZ7FoJvfJgCPwDxOSrp71dTZBe0cJCQDFZvWbcPxgOWTqYmaGEW7gX3OqIE/s1600/DSC_0659+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxJTe3CS6_iJgAt2D3PNAsHLQyFYve9D858t42dwOripzA7GwpptBAqVb4llEKCAIkwdi0y3gjVZhM7caKZ7FoJvfJgCPwDxOSrp71dTZBe0cJCQDFZvWbcPxgOWTqYmaGEW7gX3OqIE/s640/DSC_0659+-+Copy.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm supremely thankful, among all this BUSY, that the girls still made time for play at home. Here they are, having "built a TV", putting on a show for Mommy and Daddy before bedtime.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrh5qE4Y-ZnhgkvfRHFhZQZjmhppxfKGMNVwE9puS3dJtf4wE1N8DgZSLg2LGZSaRfIJApj7A0UpRdWyiIka4yH_Uw9qs8Go3WyJVD32k85_lRxoxFTUsmGyhEKuWgtjkyVuircZDk6c/s1600/DSC_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrh5qE4Y-ZnhgkvfRHFhZQZjmhppxfKGMNVwE9puS3dJtf4wE1N8DgZSLg2LGZSaRfIJApj7A0UpRdWyiIka4yH_Uw9qs8Go3WyJVD32k85_lRxoxFTUsmGyhEKuWgtjkyVuircZDk6c/s640/DSC_0460.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ Thanks for the memories, August 2016! ~</i></div>
<br />MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-19934427074925212012016-08-30T05:49:00.000-05:002016-08-30T05:49:03.337-05:00School-Day Morning Sweetness<div class="MsoNormal">
Not all aspects of our school-day mornings are “sweet”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nope. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s the half-paying-attention syndrome that sometime
plagues us, prompting Mommy to offer up more “reminders” than ideal. There are the “<i>you-fixed-her-hair-first-yesterday…it’s-my-turn-to-go-first-today</i>”
grumblings. And there are the “<i>why-didn’t-you-pack-my-backpack</i>”
accusations, one sister of the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve had some of the sweetest sleepyheads to greet me in the
mornings. Our girls are usually up
early, and it’s a supreme treat to get to wake them on occasion. “<i>Good morning, Mommy</i>,” they’ll mumble. “<i>I love you</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Melt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get warm belly kisses from still-snuggled girls, one of my
favorite things in the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the sweet little voices who often read to me aloud as I’m
getting ready.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And to end the morning, I sometimes get an over-the-shoulder
look and wave as the girls enter their school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
That morning sweetness doesn’t begin to rival our weekend
family time, nor does it touch the lazy mornings we spent together the girls’
first five and a half years of life…but it buoys my day, for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-6038640858332454272016-08-24T20:15:00.000-05:002016-08-24T20:15:08.560-05:00Way Back When-esday: The First Day of SchoolI've been feeling somewhat overwhelmed as of late at how BIG my BABIES are. My A is getting pretty close to my shoulder! And my B, while not as tall, is looking so grown-up with her shorter hair.<br />
<br />
After snapping this adorable picture of the girls holding hands walking into school a couple of weeks ago...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1jqsbKz1Yep-sSztdCuyziD9GLycUx7kVxvI6CXftfZ2McdAHb66_suFezjfpJMmHewBK6vS7BCWZcA9kdo6qkgyw7JSwA7gLxaF_oMwduk7YJ-9lgeOV4OEtqGBPAYWWAvjJesS_j8/s1600/DSC_0640+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1jqsbKz1Yep-sSztdCuyziD9GLycUx7kVxvI6CXftfZ2McdAHb66_suFezjfpJMmHewBK6vS7BCWZcA9kdo6qkgyw7JSwA7gLxaF_oMwduk7YJ-9lgeOV4OEtqGBPAYWWAvjJesS_j8/s640/DSC_0640+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading off to second grade!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...I knew I had a "match" from a few years ago. Honestly, though, I couldn't bring myself to dig it up right away. <br />
<br />
I finally braved the file of older pictures, and -- sure enough -- I gasped at what BABIES my baby girls were. It seems like just a couple of years ago that they marched bravely into preschool. Surely it couldn't have been FOUR YEARS.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOHTmKLjj4I7xBTd6_kHSsbUaWREpnkhXADDj98Sw-LlzH_IC_SlyFLuqE0Nsm9Xulyf6MElBfBAicwA9uPmU2XQDpjc80PXs4z9EIflVdapHKmllpjf3Zuu48Na98DEAWaNto9tH-bQ/s1600/DSC_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOHTmKLjj4I7xBTd6_kHSsbUaWREpnkhXADDj98Sw-LlzH_IC_SlyFLuqE0Nsm9Xulyf6MElBfBAicwA9uPmU2XQDpjc80PXs4z9EIflVdapHKmllpjf3Zuu48Na98DEAWaNto9tH-bQ/s640/DSC_0752.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading off to preschool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wowza! Pigtails and all!<br />
<br />
It surely tugs at my heartstrings...but I'm thankful for this little walk down Memory Lane...hand in hand.<br />
<br />
And I'm thankful to Cheryl at <a href="http://twinfatuation.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Twinfatuation</a> for prompting this Way Back When-esday post!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>{Now pardon me while I grab a tissue. I seem to have something in my eye.}</i></div>
MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-55944635478953174482016-08-18T21:11:00.001-05:002016-08-18T21:11:33.296-05:00Sister(s) Golden HairI was hanging out with the girls at their open house, two days before school started. It was around the golden hour of photography, and I was snapping pictures as the girls enjoyed a popsicle before we headed home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-49lHa99F_nLtFsSEVKqPnpAiRxY9bZ_Bwqes01EliYY3QWA-gMNm3hjEztHbM8oJdjFKS0gDVxoL7FiavBPTBcVnTiK6_hRZrEn6lue3jSe7xLYT1sSqCISdkiYINLQxS8qSPizc3U/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-49lHa99F_nLtFsSEVKqPnpAiRxY9bZ_Bwqes01EliYY3QWA-gMNm3hjEztHbM8oJdjFKS0gDVxoL7FiavBPTBcVnTiK6_hRZrEn6lue3jSe7xLYT1sSqCISdkiYINLQxS8qSPizc3U/s640/DSC_0481.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
B finished her treat first, and I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of her braids as she watched some kids across the way...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PRHWTNgt2B-uK0MbyAgu1O6wiIiFCbxW-sgyU-TwN-wt3ChzJ1kKPPb72am_WQma3aaHHzKLwxbrk6avgES-hQ6wKw3JFAyVm1dp6PZ56J9RGg3Adbww5a7YWznTt2fi8I7BeatqE4Y/s1600/DSC_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PRHWTNgt2B-uK0MbyAgu1O6wiIiFCbxW-sgyU-TwN-wt3ChzJ1kKPPb72am_WQma3aaHHzKLwxbrk6avgES-hQ6wKw3JFAyVm1dp6PZ56J9RGg3Adbww5a7YWznTt2fi8I7BeatqE4Y/s640/DSC_0495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
...and then of A as she enjoyed a few more licks...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OvN0jFnKfSlw0oqv0OqQQwQR4Yw-MSqNPxnNP3X3WRcMNZOgTT9akjc_rV_bfigxCKUeVDqdpzAfB18w2F11zzPIogFeS930h5l7KvuvpT_W65obm2gIbrltv_Ver397yTS1cHSL9pA/s1600/DSC_0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OvN0jFnKfSlw0oqv0OqQQwQR4Yw-MSqNPxnNP3X3WRcMNZOgTT9akjc_rV_bfigxCKUeVDqdpzAfB18w2F11zzPIogFeS930h5l7KvuvpT_W65obm2gIbrltv_Ver397yTS1cHSL9pA/s640/DSC_0496.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
How I love those precious golden-haired sisters.<br />
<br />
My heart!!!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596567296179908968.post-3265245806750835022016-08-18T05:31:00.000-05:002016-08-18T05:31:23.275-05:00When They Need Each Other...I think of our girls as so independent. <br />
<br />
Sure, they're usually together. And they often dress in coordinating clothes ('cause it's easier for me!)...and they'll occasionally want to match.<br />
<br />
But developmentally? Psychologically? They seem to be very confident in themselves. They're two little people, orbiting in close proximity, but usually very much doing their own things.<br />
<br />
I guess that's why it feels extra sweet to nab the occasional picture of my girls, clearly comforted by being together.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtncQOVp2EFRpCg4S-iJpW6t3xcA4VaPWDsbI_N618QL4A5upZHnI-e1qS2Q4NRbyav0-mwsD-phaiXlDZmzH1yv91VLi-TyZyIbM3K9jpvjuMfUIJ1hLaPyPULI6pRr9O17eeAQdVqFI/s1600/DSC_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtncQOVp2EFRpCg4S-iJpW6t3xcA4VaPWDsbI_N618QL4A5upZHnI-e1qS2Q4NRbyav0-mwsD-phaiXlDZmzH1yv91VLi-TyZyIbM3K9jpvjuMfUIJ1hLaPyPULI6pRr9O17eeAQdVqFI/s640/DSC_0470.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
I took this at their open house, two days before school started. Hubby couldn't come with us (as he was at his own open house across town). While I waited in line to get our car tags for the pickup line, I told the girls to wait in the line to get their tickets for the popsicle stand. I could see them at all times...in their school gym...but they were still apprehensive to wait in a line themselves and ask for something of an adult, without me being right there.<br />
<br />
I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures as they inched closer to the front of the line, clearly a bit nervous at the prospect ahead of them.<br />
<br />
My sweet girls!!! I am so incredibly grateful for them...and for the fact that they have each other!!!MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02510155408149227364noreply@blogger.com0