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May 16, 2013

It's Hard to Believe...

The school year is over!

It's been an emotional day, as I've been thinking about how quickly this school year has passed.

I will write more in the days ahead, as I continue to digest this milestone...but in the meantime, look how these precious babies have grown!

August 2012: first day of school hugs!
 
May 2013: last day of school hugs!

Hanging on...loving my babies...and enjoying the ride!

May 15, 2013

Super Size is Twin Size!

Over the past year, the girls have really gotten into coloring.  They love coloring books and activity books, and we go through lots of drawing and construction paper, too.  Throw in some scissors, tape, and stickers, and at times the girls will occupy themselves for an hour.

One thing that's been a really fun addition to the mix is a couple of gigantic coloring books.  Most recently I found one at the dollar store...score! 

I love that the girls can easily color together, and even I can even join in the mix, too.  I love to see the girls shifting around each other to reach a certain part of the picture, and figuring out their game plan as to who will color what.



It's amazing how good the girls have gotten (most of the time) at coloring within the lines.  It continues to crack me up, though, at the colors they choose.

[And I feel bad enough encouraging them to "color inside the lines"...I just can't bring myself, beyond modeling "proper" colors, to suggest that a cat wouldn't likely have pink eyes.]

The super-size coloring books have added to their color "creativity".  Check out this poor pup!

(Pardon the Margaritaville magnet holding it on the 'fridge...oopsie!)

 Hee-hee!

 These girlies make me smile!

May 14, 2013

Super Stuff!



It’s been such a sweet week, and I’ve found myself being even more reflective than usual.  Perhaps it was Mother’s Day on Sunday…I don’t know…but I’ve just been feeling super blessed at the time spent with my baby girls.  Here are some of our SUPER highlights…

1)      The girls were such helpers when we made cookies on Tuesday afternoon.  I was amazed how well they rolled the dough into balls…and they didn’t even try to eat any!

2)      On Wednesday we sure enjoyed the preschool field trip to the mini-farm of one of their classmates.  Every time I think back to it, I just smile.

3)      The girls and I have been making faces at each other in the mirror lately, usually when I’m fixing their hair.  I thought to ask them if they could roll their tongue in the shape of an “o”.  (I remember from science class that that’s a dominant / recessive trait…either you can do it or you can’t.)  Baby A accomplished the task, after quite a bit of trying.  She was SO PROUD of herself!  And I couldn’t quit laughing at her running around with her rolled-up tongue.

4)      On Thursday, I took the girls to the bead store.  The owner, Miss Emily, has been encouraging me to bring them for quite a while, but I’ve been skeptical.  There are SO many teeny-tiny bits and beads…everywhere…and I could envision the worst of trying to sit down and make something with the girls.  They did such an amazing job, though!  They chose a few handfuls of beads, mostly from the section of chunky wooden baubles.  They sat so patiently and strung their beads, choosing one after the next with a lot of care.  I couldn’t believe when I looked at my watch and we’d been there almost TWO HOURS!

5)      The girls both wore the necklaces they’d made home from the store.  In the car, B asked if we would keep their necklaces in their jewelry bin, where they have some plastic necklaces and bracelets and rings.  I told her we’d find a special place for them.  “Unlike the necklaces you have in your jewelry bin, these are real.  If we go to the grocery store, and you want to wear your necklace, you can.”  B exclaimed, “THEY’RE REAL?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”  She was so very happy!

6)      The next day we had a couple of errands to run, and the girls wore their necklaces out and about.  They got so many compliments on them, and B made sure to tell everyone, “I made it, and it’s REAL!”

7)      The girls were playing "elephant party" (???) one morning. From the other room, I heard A exclaim in a very animated way, "I'm having all sorts of fun!"  I love the enthusiasm!

8)      On Friday we had an appointment to get our hair cut.  The girls were so patient in the salon, and we celebrated with lunch out.  They chose to try one of the new pasta dishes at Panera.  They were such good company!  We had a great lunch.

9)      On Friday afternoon I had several things to do in the kitchen, and I let the girls help me make chocolate chip cookie dough dip, guacamole, and a cucumber salad.  After they patiently watched me chop the ingredients for the guacamole, I decided I would teach them to use the vegetable peeler to peel the cucumbers for our salad.  I held the cucumber with them, but they quickly became proficient in peeling it.  Score!

10)   I took the girls to the zoo by myself on Saturday, for the first time.  They were super well-behaved, making for such a fun-filled morning.  For lunch we went to a huge mall, having one particular restaurant in mind.  There was quite a wait there, though…and we were hungry!...so on a whim I took the girls to Johnny Rockets.  They had a blast sitting at the counter, watching the cooks grill burgers.  They each enjoyed half of an original burger, a tomato slice, and half of a banana.  I even let them try a few of my sweet potato fries, and they loved that, too.  It was such a fun experience!

With Baby A, on the carousel.

With Baby B, on the carousel.

Mommy and her baby girls!!!




11)   On Sunday afternoon, we took the girls to a park across town, one we hadn’t been to since last fall.  Baby B had the HUGEST smiles on her face when she was swinging.  And I was nothing short of amazed to see Baby A scale the rock wall BY HERSELF! 
Such a strong, brave girl!  But you can see Daddy's not far away!

12)   The girls made Mother’s Day cards at preschool.  I couldn’t help but CRY as I read the poem attached to it.  Those were the first cards they ever made, totally independent of me!

13)   The girls still made cards for me on Sunday.  B was explaining what she drew: “I drew a little plant that has nectar in it. The ladybug is going to sip the juice from the flower.”  I love the details!

14)   Sharing doesn’t always go super smoothly at our house, but sometimes it does.  I had to write down this particular exchange:

A: "Sissy, I think you have played with that maybe long enough...I'm not sure."
B: "No, Sissy, I'm still playing. I'm not done yet."
A: "Well then, when you're finished, will you please, pleeeease give them back to me."
B: "Yes, I will, Sissy."

15)   In the backseat of the car one day, the girls were talking about when they grow up.  “I will have two babies, plus Abby [her baby doll],” said A.  “And I will have two babies, plus Lily.  I will change their diapers and give them milk.”  Sounds like they’ve got it all planned out!

So thankful for my sweeties!

May 12, 2013

A Mother's Day Interview


As part of my Mother's Day gift, I asked Hubby to poll the girls with the same set of questions they answered a year ago.  Some of the results were the same, and all were just as fun.  Of course I can't capture their baby speak here in black and white, but I'll admit [again!] that I hid at the top of the steps to listen to their answers.

If your mommy were an animal, what kind would she be?
A: a cow
B: a horse
[Um, thanks???  I can only say that the girls hold cows and horses in high regard, so I guess I'll take it!]

What is Mommy’s favorite TV show?
A: Sasha show
B: Too Cute
[A "Sasha show" is what we call it when our cat shows out for us.  I loved that answer!  And "Too Cute" (on The Animal Planet) is the only TV show the girls have ever seen / have ever known me to watch...so no surprise there.]

My mommy is as pretty as……………
A: a flower
B: a flower
[Awww!!!  Last year, they each said I was as pretty as they are, which had me in stitches.]

I love my Mommy because...............
A: she's sweet.
B: she makes good food. 

My mommy says the most important rule is……………
A: to play nicely
B: to be careful
[They ARE listening!]

What does your mommy do while you are napping?
A: she works
B: she exercises
[I was glad to hear them not say, "She plays on Pinterest and eats bon-bons."  Hahaha!]

What food does your mommy make best?
A: zucchini
B: waffles

My favorite thing to do with my mommy is……………
A: play with her
B: read
[These are the exact same answers as last year...so sweet!]

Nobody is better than my mommy at…………
A: cooking
B: cooking

What makes your mommy laugh?
A: when I do funny things
B: everything

We kicked off the day with a very rare breakfast out, which was such a nice treat.  I got flowers, a card, and chocolate from the hubs, and the girls each made me a card in preschool that had me crying at the crack of dawn.  Happy Mother's Day to me!!!

And this blog post would be incomplete if I didn't wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy friends...who inspire me, cheer me on, and generally help keep me sane.  I am blessed to be part of an awesome community of strong women!

Self-portrait at the zoo yesterday.  I need longer arms!  :)  :)

May 10, 2013

A Milestone of a Morning...and I Didn't Even Hyperventilate!

The girls experienced what I consider a major milestone this week...their first field trip!  We had SO much fun visiting the mini-farm of one of their classmates.

The day started out a bit on the cool, cloudy side, but Mother Nature smiled on us with some warm sunshine.  The day was simply perfect!

When we arrived, we had some free time to play on the family's awesome playground equipment.

B, just a' swingin'!

My climbing monkeys.

And this back-to-back swing was a HUGE hit with the girls!

Then it was time to line up to hear our instructions for the day.  I couldn't help but snap some pictures when the girls automatically held hands as they stood among their classmates.



The kids got to pet a few different animals...a duck, some baby chicks, and a guinea pig.

Petting the duck...so brave!

Then we got a tour of the chicken coop.


Their chickens are too young to lay eggs just yet, so "Farmer Jen" put plastic eggs in the hay for the kiddos to find.  They thought that was so much fun!

Then it was time for a scavenger hunt.

Checking out the worm that O found!
As a reward for completing the hunt, the girls got some bug-hunting paraphernalia.  Baby A got a bug collector cup, and B got a pair of binoculars.  Those have gotten hours of use already!


We had some craft time, including the opportunity to make stick horses for a horse race.  (That's a big deal in Kentucky!)



Then there was plenty of free time, and there was so much to see and do! 

The girls loved taking a ride in the barrel cars...

B is in the last car.

And they got to meet a few more animals, too.  B brushed this miniature pony, Buttercup, for such a long time!


Baby A got in on the action for a couple of minutes, too.

Baby A was just as taken with the scooter, though...

She was in heaven once she learned to ring the bell, too!

The last activity of the day was the horse race.  This also yielded my favorite pictures...

On your marks...get set...

GO!!! 

The girls did their best to "gallop", but some of their classmates chose just to RUN!

At last we enjoyed another milestone, our first true picnic meal.  It was so sweet to see all the kiddos spread out, enjoying their lunches.  And D's mom topped off a brilliant morning with push-up pops for all the kiddos...another first.

The girls and I had such a great time...and I couldn't help but marvel how FUN it was for all of us.  Even nine months ago, I would have been pretty anxious, there by myself with the both of them.  Times are getting easier, though, and it's so nice to truly ENJOY such a fantastic morning together.

[The girls' preschool class has only eight kiddos.  Joining us were the two other classes, along with any siblings who chose to come.  That's why there were so many littles running around!]



May 8, 2013

Making Cookies!

Our beloved Miss Jenny is back from her study in England, and we were SO happy to have her over for a visit yesterday afternoon.

I didn't tell the girls beforehand, for fear they wouldn't sleep (!!!), but when they got up from their nap yesterday afternoon, they were ecstatic to hear we were expecting a very special visitor.

We had about an hour between nap and the time Miss Jenny was to arrive, and I planned to make cookies with the girls to share with her.

I pulled out a tried-and-true recipe for butter cookies.  I couldn't help but think back to the first time we ever made cookies together...sorta-kinda, anyway.

It was the girls' second Halloween, when they were almost 22 months old.  I made the dough up while they were napping, rolled it into balls, and then held their hand in mine to stamp the dough.  I let them play with a bit of the squishy dough, too, and they loved that.

This time was a much different experience.  I gave the girls a lump of dough, and they were very proficient in rolling it into balls.  It was a true help!

Rolling...rolling...rolling...get that dough a' rolling...

Look what we did!

Then we stamped the cookies together, harkening back 2 1/2 years to our first cookie-making experience.

Sweet Baby A!

Precious Baby B!
I love baking with my girls!!!

And I know Miss Jenny appreciated her welcome-home treat, too.  :)  :)

(I can't post these pictures and not give a shout-out to Charlene at Adventures-in-Mommy-Land, who made the girls' aprons.  We love them!!!)

May 6, 2013

Super Stuff on a Monday



So thankful for a full list of super stuff to share!

1)      After more than four years as “sisters”, our kitty Sasha has finally warmed up to the girls enough to let them brush her…at least a tiny bit.  It has been the highlight of their week, to have her come up to their extended hands and rub against the brush.  On occasion, she’s even sniffed their fingers.  Hooray for progress!!!

2)      For a couple of months now, the girls have been toying with the idea of using the jets in my bathtub.  Baby B has been really interested, but A has remained apprehensive, I think because I told her they would be loud.  They finally agreed to give it a test run this week, and they were in heaven!  B got in right away, and A worked up the courage after a minute or so.  They enjoyed the depth of the water (up to their chests!) as much as anything.  And I couldn’t quit giggling to see them be scooted along by the strength of the moving water.  Hee hee!!!

3)      There are few things that compare to hearing a four-year old’s correct usage of “may” and “can”.  It makes me a little bit giddy!

4)      I took the girls to the park on Monday afternoon.  I can’t help but marvel (although I still KNOCK ON WOOD as I type this) at how much fun it is to take the two of them these days.  It wasn’t long ago that a trip to the park with them by myself took quite a bit of courage on my part…and was rarely ever “relaxing”. 

5)      Over the monitor one morning, I heard the girls exchanging the sweetest nothings.  “I love you, Sissy…” and “…I love you, too.”  My heart melts!

6)      Baby A was successful in blowing bubbles, consistently, for the first time this week.  It’s such a fun milestone!

7)      It made me so happy to see Baby A RUN to get the soccer ball when she saw Daddy’s car rounding the bend towards home one afternoon.  I know it made his heart smile so big, too.  And then B got in on the soccer action, as she wanted to divide the four of us into “teams”…one would be Chelsea, and one would be either Manchester United or Manchester City.  Daddy never fails to beam at the girls’ English Premier League soccer references.

8)      On Friday we met our friends M&C for the season’s first trip to Jackson’s Orchard.  It began as a cloudy day, but turned out to be just beautiful!  We had SO MUCH FUN running and playing, and the girls went down the “bumpy slide” by themselves – and then together – for the first time.  They actually went down more times than I could count…at least 20!  By the end, they were definitely tired, though.  Baby A asked if I could carry her up the 25 or so steps to the top of the slide.  HA!

9)      We typically eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant about once a week, and we happened to time our weekly trip with Cinco de Mayo this weekend.  The restaurant was very crowded, so we sat someplace other than our usual table.  The girls enjoyed sitting under their beloved “donkey” picture, and I loved hearing B wish one of the waiters, “Feliz Cinco de Mayo!”  That kid will attempt to say anything, and she usually does a pretty fair job!

10)   Puzzle mania has continued at our house this week.  After lunch on Sunday, we stopped by the dollar store to get a couple new puzzles, each 63 pieces.  The girls have done them twice already.  I love seeing them so deep in concentration!

11)   Baby B was sitting in my lap, facing me.  She looked intently at me, and then almost gasped, “Mommy!  There’s something broken in your eye!  How did you break your eye?”  Poor kiddo was a bit traumatized at Mommy’s lack of sleep, apparently.

12)   As I was working in the kitchen one day, I heard B explaining some kind of made-up game to A: “OK, here's what we're going to do. It's going to be pretty challenging, OK?"  Way to set expectations!

13)   One morning at breakfast, Baby A was explaining the ways of the world to me.  I can’t remember the exact conversation, but she was really serious.  All the while, she had the cutest milk mustache that I couldn’t make myself wipe off…there was something absolutely irresistible about her little baby voice, her very serious eyes, and that smear of milk on her lip.

Here's to another SUPER week!