Summer 2012

I think this has been the longest break between posts I've ever had since starting this blog in 2008! Can't believe I've been at it that long. 

I'm not really sure where all my time goes, but I'm just not able to sit down in front of the computer and coherently put together my thoughts. Which seems crazy, because I had blog posts up within a couple of days after both girls were born. But they were babies then. Small. Immobile. Unable to talk. Unable to ask questions, make demands or throw temper tantrums. Gosh, they were so easy then!

 We've definitely moved out of the baby stage. Come to think of it, perhaps that is why I'm not blogging so much!!

These girls are active. Busy. Into everything.

But most of all they are fun! 

And that's what summer days are for, right?

No schedules. No routines. Just fun!

Well, as much fun and freedom as you can have with a husband working around the clock, seven days a week and two lithe ones in tow. 

But we are trying to squeeze the life out of each day because at this point in the summer, the days are REALLY starting to fly by!

We were able to sneak away for a week to Boise. It was hot, hot, hot! 

Luckily, all the playgrounds have water parks, so we hit that up everyday!

The girls LOVED it! They also got to hang out with Grandpa, Auntie Molly, wish Grandma a very happy birthday and eat some cake!

Back at home, Grace started swim lessons! It is amazing to see how much progress she's made since last year. Not only in her abilities, but in her confidence! No tears on the first day!!

Just lots of smiles! Jumping in, going under water and going down the big, red slide!

Swim lessons in the morning, followed by afternoon swim fests in our own pool have finally tired out Grace! She napped for the first time in months!

That has left a lot of one on one time with this little character...

Charlotte is sooo funny. So chatty. So full of ideas.

Did I mention chatty? 

This girl can talk! I'm already imagining the future cell phone bills!

They are becoming the best of friends.

Learning how to play together...and how to push each other's buttons, of course!

I am SO lucky to spend my days with them. There are days when I want to rip my hair out - of course! But more often than not it is a dream come true.

Why just today Grace thanked me for washing her blanket!

Not a paycheck but a reward just the same. 

A Handful

Any ideas on how to child proof kitchen counters?

Charlotte's like a little Houdini. On them ALL.THE.TIME.

Removing chairs and stools doesn't work. She pushes them right back.

For all I know she scales the walls like Spiderman. 

One minute, she's on the ground.

The next minute....

Taaa Daaaa!!!!!

I'm thinking about doing away with the kitchen all together.

No more cooking, no more food prepping, no more cleaning up!

Can you imagine?!?!

Ohhhh...if only I lived where take out was even a possibility once in a blue moon!

She already knows how to work it.

Bear hugs to the legs while yelling "I DUB YOU!"

A handful I tell you. A HANDFUL!

Jumping Beans

Not sure what is in our water but it must have similar properties as jumping beans because...

Exhibit A

Grace jumping at gymnastics

Exhibit B

Grace AND Charlotte jumping on the bed

Things are officially crazy around here!

Gossip Girl

A new twist in Grace's bedtime routine. After Grace has completed her nightly bedtime routine and we think she is working her way to dreamland, we hear a plea from her bedroom: "MOMMY!! BIG HUG!"

It is said with utter urgency so, of course, I oblige.

In the last week, I've had to give her about four or five hugs a night before she will even consider sleep.

Yes, she's getting crafty.

In the last few nights, "big hugs" have turned into "Mommy, lie down."
So I do.
"Mommy, let's talk."
So we do.
"What do you want to talk about?" I ask.
"People," she answers. I smile to myself in the dark. She's gonna make a great college roommate, huh?
"What people should we talk about?"
"Snow White."
Ah yes...it begins.

Crib Stand

Why is it that the days they make new discoveries are the days you are BEYOND tired and you need them to take their nap more than they need to take their nap?

Movin' On Up

It's official. Babydom is over. 

Charlotte is now riding in the cart which means Grace has been promoted to the basket or, in a few cases, left free to roam the store as she pleases right beside me.

I've already had two panic attacks from Grace hiding underneath the clothes displays and not coming out when I've asked her to. In these situations, (we've all been there, in fact I can remember doing it to my mom), the first thought for most parents is probably something like this:

 "Haha. Jimmy is hiding under the clothes display again. That rascal!"

For some reason my mind isn't quite wired like that. Instead, my mind instantly goes to: 

"QUICK!!!!! LOCK DOWN TARGET. SOMEONE HAS STOLEN MY KID." 

(with images of a mock Disneyland lock-down I've seen on TV when a child goes missing in the most magical place on Earth.)

And right when I start thinking about how I am going to explain to Court that our child was taken right from under my nose while I was bargain hunting in Target, she comes out laughing hysterically.

I can literally feel the gray hairs formulating under my scalp when I re-read this!!