Sweet Impromptu

The girls had a dentist appointment yesterday afternoon.  The game plan was for Hubby to take them, and I’d join everyone for the dentist’s walkthrough at the end of the appointment.  I left work 30 minutes early, thinking my timing would be perfect.  I guess they were running ahead of schedule, though, as I got the call that they were all done when I was a couple of blocks away from the dentist's office.

(Everyone got a good report…hooray!)

It was about 4:15, which is far before suppertime in my book.  But…we were SO CLOSE to downtown.  We decided to head that way and take advantage of a happy hour appetizer special somewhere.

Before making our restaurant choice, we stopped by the jewelry store to pick up the beads the girls ordered for their bracelets (the ones they get for each tooth they lose).  Then we landed next door at a new little restaurant, one we checked out for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

We enjoyed a yummy, relatively lightly supper.  What a treat it was, on a random Monday late afternoon, to hang out with my girlies downtown!  We talked about their day, they asked about mine, and we fantasized about vacation.  Even after a normal (semi-hectic) day of work, our dinner felt so leisurely!

We finished supper and it was barely 5:30.  We had two cars, and Hubby declared he had an errand to run.  I decided I wasn’t quite ready for our adventure to end…so I drove the girls to get some yogurt.  They were almost incredulous that we would do that after supper!  (I think they always consider yogurt a mid-afternoon treat…the thought of having it so late in the day drew gasps of surprise!)

(I'm growing to appreciate the goofy charm of a selfie...at least the [awkward!] way I take them!)

After we savored every last spoonful of yogurt, we headed home.  It was a HOT afternoon – still about 90 degrees – but the driveway was mostly shady.  The girls jumped at the chance to ride their bikes for a few minutes.

Just as they were donning their helmets, Hubby pulled into the driveway.  He took over chaperone duty while I changed out of my work clothes.  I got to witness a few final spins up and down the drive (and WOW how the girls have improved since last week!!!).

We headed in and had a quick shower before bedtime.  I told the girls we could read some Little House as a bedtime story, and they were again elated.  We’re reading through a very harrowing part (book 6, The Long Winter).  We read a chapter and a half – and by that time put us a little late for bed.  They begged for just one more chapter, but I had to finally tell them we’d packed all the adventure we could into the afternoon.

Just as I was tucking the girls into bed, Daddy came upstairs for one last hug.  We all finished the day with big smiles on our faces.

What a wonderful afternoon of impromptu we enjoyed.  Some of life’s simple pleasures, for sure.

Pure Joy and Exultation

A couple of weekends ago, I surprised the girls with a trip to the downtown fountains.  I try to do this about once a year.  It can be a little crowded, a bit of a free-for-all if you hit it at the wrong time, so I don't often like to chance it.

This year, we were in luck!  There were only a couple of other families frolicking that afternoon, so we had plenty of room to run and jump and play.

[We.  Yes.  I can't resist joining in!  I certainly don't parade around in my swimsuit, but I wear something that's OK to get a bit damp.  I try not to get drenched...but I am sometimes surprised by a wayward fountain and/or a mischievous kiddo.  I love it!!!]

I have such vivid memories from the first time we took the girls to the fountain, when they were 2 1/2.  Baby A wasn't very fond of all the wetness...

Getting outta there!

...but Baby B loved it.  She'd get a little shocked from time to time, but she kept going back for more.

BLISS!!!

On subsequent trips to the fountains, both my babies have enjoyed themselves.  And this year's picture yield showed just that.

Baby A...loving it!

Baby B...again...BLISS!!!

Splish-splash!!!

Sweet sisters, having FUN together!!!

I LOVE our annual tradition!  And all the awesome memories (and pictures!!!) that come with it!!!

Linking up with Cheryl at Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday.  I can't resist a good trip down Memory Lane!!!

The Day Before School Started, We...

…slept all the way until 7am (the girls, that is).  I went upstairs, truly incredulous that I hadn’t heard them.  They were still SNOOZING and their clock was green!

…had cinnamon bites with a candle to make a wish for a great school year...our tradition!

…colored some really cool bookmarks.  (We are all loving "coloring books for grown-ups"!)

…took our supplies to the girls’ schools and delivered our paperclip “happies” to the girls’ teachers.

…went to the bookstore and browsed around.  We read a book about the invention of the Ferris wheel, along with Dr. Seuss’s newest book, What Pet Should I Get?  We bought the next Mercy Watson book, Anne of Green Gables, and Barnyard Dance.  (The girls have been clamoring for that book for YEARS.  We had it when they were babies, but it got “eaten” and was thrown away.  They’re way too old for it, but I couldn’t resist any longer!)

My precious BABIES!!!

…got our bookmarks laminated at Staples and found the missing school supply item we’d been searching for (a particular type of journal).

…went to lunch at Yuki.  Baby B chose a Bento box, and Baby A went with her favorite standby, teriyaki shrimp.  They shared some of my soup and salad, and A kept checking out the sushi chefs right beside us.  She can sometimes be kind of shy, but she was very intent on watching them today.

Love these BABIES and their adventurous palates!

…went to Target and picked out a new bookcase.  The girls were very helpful in getting it in the cart, which they thought was really great.  They also got to push the cart into the corral…big fun!

…came home for Quiet Time and read our new Mercy Watson book in Mommy’s bed…just like old times.

…made strawberry-banana smoothies for snack, “with special straws”.

"What do you think, Sis?"

…went outside to play.  The girls rode their bikes up and down the big hill in front of the house.  Baby B made it a few times, and Baby A wanted to keep going.  I told her that was enough of bikes, since I didn’t want them to get too hot and sweaty.  Baby A first asked if we could take a walk.  I told her we could walk to the top of the hill and back.  And then we skipped up and back.  Then Baby A asked if she could run instead.  She ran at least twice…my little nut!  I finally got everyone corralled on the driveway to play some catch.  And then Daddy SURPRISED us by coming home early!!!  We all got to play together a little bit.  It was such a treat!

Love the joy in this one!

"High five, Sissy!"

…came in and got a well-deserved shower, getting squeaky clean to start school. 

…built our bookcase!  The girls were THRILLED to help me.  They got to hand me pieces, turn the screwdriver, AND pound a [tack] nail.  Such big kids!!! 

…enjoyed our famous baked shrimp scampi supper, and then we had just enough time before bed to get our bookcase in the office.  Success!  We’d said we wanted to get the office organized before school started, and we JUST made it!

...made Mommy's heart melt.  When I told the girls I was taking the day off on Monday, and it would be just the three of us (since Hubby had to be at school all day), they were so excited.  “We haven’t had a day together since preschool!”  And at the end of the day, “Mommy, this was the best day ever!”

***

Makes me miss being home with my babies, for sure.  

So thankful we at least got to end the summer in *our* style.

Playing Some B-Ball

The girls participated in their first-ever summer camp this week.  They attended basketball camp at the high school where Hubby teaches, from 8:30 – 10:30, the first three days of this week.

They were the smallest ones there, but that didn’t stop their FUN.  Daddy was there to watch everything, and I got the highlights.

On Monday, they had to dribble the length of the court and back.  Hubby told me that B was the last one to finish, and as she did so, all the other kids were chanting her name.  How cute!

On Tuesday, they had a pick-up game.  Hubby told me that the bigger kids weren’t being very gracious with sharing the ball.  When A finally got a turn, he said she took off…forgetting the dribbling…she RAN!

And after Day 2, my A told me, “Mommy, I had to reach up really high to give the big kids a high five.”  HA!

The kiddos did a warm-up “shuffle”.  The girls practiced SO hard to get it down…to the point that that’s how they wanted to walk on Tuesday night…everywhere they went.

On Wednesday, Baby A did the shuffle with the best of them.  Hubby said that Baby B took her sweet, methodical time, the last one to finish, but she did not miss a step.  Hee hee!

For the last 45 minutes or so on Wednesday, I came to see the girls in action.  I got to see my A being incredibly serious as she was guarded by a 10-year old boy. 

(She told me that morning, “Mommy, the pictures you take of me will be blurry, I’ll be running so fast.”  She was right!)

(I did not LITERALLY mean to take a blurry picture.  Mommy Camera Fail #1,749.)

And then, when her drill was over and she saw me, she RAN to me and LAUNCHED HERSELF into my arms.

And then I got to see my B doing a skills test.  She was concentrating some kind of hard, alternating a very serious look with a huge smile.

And every night when the girls told me about their day, I had to smile at them calling the high school kiddos, “my coaches”.

The girls had a great me…got to interact with some great kiddos…and maybe even learned some skills.  What a fun treat for our summertime!

I'm Going to Miss This

I had a really hard time, the last few days before the girls started kindergarten.  It wasn't so much that I couldn't come to grips with my babies growing up...but it was all about how much I would miss the amazing 5 1/2 years we shared so intimately.

Sure, we'll have our mornings and our nights together, and we'll make the most of every weekend...but it's the random, middle-of-the-afternoon, impromptu trips to the orchard that I will miss so very much...

...it's being there for the most average of days, and enjoying the most incredible snuggles, any time I pleased.

...it's sharing the ups and downs and restlessness...turned to incredible displays of imagination.

Here's just a snippet of some of the carefree fun we had this summer.

Swim lessons!

Picking tomatoes from the garden!

Picking strawberries from the berry patch!

Getting lost in a craft!

Having fun at birthday parties!

Playing at the park!

Hanging out at the orchard with friends!

Learning new skills!

Ceramics!

Ice cream with Mommy!

 ...and one of my favorite pictures of the summer...

The dancing fountains!

And, of course, we enjoyed two amazing trips (no vacation time required).

Chicago!!!

New York City...with friends!!!

I am beyond grateful for these baby girls, and for the 5 1/2 years we've ENJOYED, together.  New adventures await, for sure...but these days will forever have such a special place in our hearts.

Surely I Can't Be the Only Mama Who Feels This Way???

I remember summers as a child…long, sunny days with ample time to play outside.  Those first few days of Daylight Savings Time were especially magical.  I can almost hear myself exclaiming to my mom, “Can you believe it’s still light?!!!”

It seemed like such a gift, to have that extra daylight, to be able to play even longer.  And it being during the summer meant that bedtime wasn’t as critical, either.

At least that’s how I remember it.

Now, as a mother myself, I DREAD the time change.  That’s no surprise, though…as schedule-oriented as I have always been with the girls, throwing a 60-minute wrench in the day, twice a year, gives me plenty of anxiety.

[I should note that –KNOCK ON WOOD!!! – I’ve always been pleasantly surprised at how well our girls have done with the time change transition.  I stress about it for at least a full week, but they’ve generally rolled with the punches pretty well.]

What’s struck me this year, though, our girls now four, is that I really don’t like all this extra sunshine.

And that feels decidedly un-American.

Our girls have always gone right to bed, and then right to sleep.  Since Day 1, I’ve been able to put them down in their beds, sing our evening graces, whisper my goodnight wishes, and close the door behind me…and then move on to do something else.

Since April of this year, though, things haven’t gone quite as smoothly.

We have blackout shades in the girls’ bedroom, but they can only do so much against the girls’ westward-facing windows.  At least 50% of the time, I’m still hearing rollovers and sighs – and not the peaceful sounds of slumber – up to an hour after I put the girls to bed.

Thankfully they are relatively content to work themselves to sleep, but I’m still on high alert until I know they’re asleep.

So…this summer…I love the warm weather…the ice cream…the sundresses…the bubbles and sidewalk chalk…the impromptu trips to the park…and so many other things that come with this glorious time of year.

And although once upon a time I never could have imagined feeling this way…I’m ready for the 5pm sunsets of the dead of winter.

Even if it is un-American, surely I can’t be the only mama who feels this way??!!!

Super 8 on a Saturday

Daddy has been transitioning back to work this week, having a few full days of meetings.  That's sometimes a tough transition for the girls...but so far, so good.  And I'm very thankful for that!

What else made our week super-fabulous???

1)  On Saturday we took the girls to one of my favorite bakery / cafes.  Hubby and I used to go almost weekly.  Their chicken salad is some of the best ever.  For some reason, though, we'd never taken the girls to eat there.  It's a quiet, "little old lady" kind of place, and they have vinyl tablecloths that kind of give me the creeps, at least in thinking about two tiny sets of roaming hands.  I was pleasantly surprised that they'd done away with their tablecloths...and I was so very proud that the girls loved the chicken salad just as much as their mama.

2)  One of my very dearest friends, J, was in town with her family over the weekend.  I worked closely with J for many years, but almost exclusively over the phone.  I once traveled to see her in Seattle, and we try to get together whenever she's in town, usually about once a year.  This time - for the first time ever - she had her family with her.  How awesome it was to finally meet her sweet boys...and to see her boys and my girls together.  I love this picture, "Hugs for Aunt J!"

3) On Monday, Daddy's second-to-last full day of vacation, we took the girls to eat at one of our favorite restaurants downtown.  It's semi-swanky, at least by little kid standards, and we hadn't been there with the girls in about a year.  They did so well!  They enjoyed their pecan-crusted tilapia and a good portion of Mommy's crab cakes, and they behaved like little ladies.  It was an awesome lunch.

4)  On Monday afternoon the girls and I dropped off a casserole over to a dear friend, who just had surgery on her hand.  She came out to say hello to the girls, and my sweet, tenderhearted B's chin began to tremble at the sight Aunt Shanda's bandaged hand.  I hate to see her upset, but how sweet was her sympathy...

5)  On Wednesday morning, we enjoyed having our friends K&S, and their mom Jenny, over for a play date and lunch.  It makes me so happy how at home those kiddos seem to feel in our house...they ran in, said hello, and started looking for specific toys.  I think K picked right up pretending to shop in dress-up garb, right where she and A&B left off a few weeks ago.  And...we got another "green couch" picture for the collection.  :)

 6)  Baby B was in true form on Thursday, explaining the world around her.   Here's a small excerpt:

"...but a butterfly is a type of insect that is just pretty, not like a fly or a bug. Like a fly or a bug might hurt you if you're not careful, but even if you're not careful, a butterfly wouldn't hurt you, right Mommy? It would just stop by to say hello to someone."

And later, I overheard her talking to her daddy on the same subject.  She added in a few lines about carpenter bees.  "...but carpenter bees are not our friends.  Bumblebees are our friends, because they help flowers, but not carpenter bees."

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  HA!

7)  And Baby A cracked me up, too.  I asked the girls if they wanted to watch some swimming on the Olympics. "But we're not going swimming, right, Mommy?" Baby A confirmed. "Because England is a long way away. And we would have to ride on an airplane for a long time. So we'll just watch."  As one of my friends noted on Facebook, she was just setting her expectations.  :)

8)  On Friday we took the girls to the zoo to mark the last day of Daddy's summer vacation.  We took them at the end of May, to mark his first day of vacation, so this was only fitting.  It was a great, overcast day.  We got an early start and walked every square inch of the zoo before lunchtime.  I love that the girls know our zoo so well...they know which direction to go, what animals are where.  Still, we had a couple of sweet surprises...a new baby giraffe, and three clouded leopard cubs...so sweet! 

Here are the girls, showing the flamingos how they, too, can stand on one leg.

Very thankful for another super-fabulous week!

Bring It On, Summer 2012!

Daddy’s last day of school was Friday, so it’s OFFICIALLY summertime at the Casa de A&B!

To mark the occasion, we took a trip to the zoo yesterday.  It was going to be a HOT day, so we got an early start…out the door before 8am…which I think has to be a record.  We enjoyed the sunnier side of the zoo first – where the elephants and giraffes are – and then treated the girls to a ride on the carousel.

They were SO excited, and I was SO proud that neither of them was scared this time.  Baby A chose to ride a panda cub, and Baby B chose a Siberian tiger.  They had the biggest smiles on their faces the entire time.

There’s a temporary dinosaur exhibit at the zoo right now.  We didn’t go through it, but we did take time to climb on one exhibit they have in the common area.  Here are A and B, practicing their dentistry skills, I suppose…

We walked a little more before sharing a big soft pretzel, and then we strolled through the shady side of the zoo.  We were excited to finally see the anteater, who has always been off exhibit when we’ve visited.  The girls were anxious to see the flamingos at the end of the zoo, and they sure put on a show…they seemed to be extra “talkative” yesterday (the flamingos, that is...well, and the girls!).

After the zoo, we headed to lunch at Macaroni Grill, per the girls’ suggestion, and then we rounded out our visit to the Big City with a trip to Whole Foods.  We barely got on the interstate for the trip home before the girls were out cold.

It’s so much easier to go and do with the girls these days.  As I think about our “bucket list” for this summer, I expect we’ll have lots of great adventures…

  

·         Hike Mammoth Cave

·         Long weekend in Memphis

·         Visit to North Carolina, making a couple of stops along the way

·         Visit the botanical gardens

·         Visit Dinosaur World

·         Visit Kentucky Down Under

·         Attend “Venus Presenting” to see the eclipse…better catch it now, ‘cause it won’t happen for another 500 YEARS!

·         Visit Chaney’s Dairy Barn

·         Go to the library

·         Visit the indoor play place

·         Take swimming lessons

·         Play in the dancing fountains downtown

·         Have a picnic at the park

And plenty of adventures without leaving our backyard, too…

·         Play with playdough

·         Play in the sprinkler in the yard

·         Make homemade pizza

·         Grill and eat outside

·         Eat a slice of watermelon

·         Get new bikes

·         Help Daddy wash the car

·         Make homemade ice cream

·         Do some messy artwork outside

·         Fly a kite

·         Make our own ice cream sundaes

·         Play in the rain and splash in some puddles

This time of year is definitely a special one for us.  It’s so nice to be able to enjoy so much family time every week.  The summer of 2011 (when the girls were 2 ½) was so much fun…and I’m thinking this one will be even sweeter!