Thursday, July 28, 2011

It takes a village




These girls are so blessed to have so many people that are willing to devote their time and their skills (and let their homes get trashed) because there is no way I'd be patient or knowledgeable enough to make pottery. Thank you Kathi!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Two Years Old

Allie,


You're two.  It baffles me that you have been with us for two years already.  Time has FLOWN by.  You, my baby girl, are nothing what I imagined you were going to be like when you were floating around in my tummy.  I expected a cautious little girl.  Instead I have a little one who loves to fling herself off of things, has absolutely no fear of swimming (repeat line one...jumping into the pool has got to be on your top 5 of all time favorite activities), refuses to eat anything other than bread and cheese, and is not shy.  You complete our little family.



You love to follow your sister around.  You also love to harass her.  You're a bit manipulative.  You know how to push her buttons and you have no qualms doing it either.  Just like your sister you love to play with trains but I must say Dora is your favorite.  Maybe I'll have two little spanish speaking girls.  Speaking of which, you can recite your ABCs (and now think it's hilarious to say them as fast as you can), can count to 15, draw circles, and "write your name".  You little Pal, are smart. 



And when I say "write your name" what I really mean is uncap as many pens as possible and draw all over your body and the couch and maybe, if you're feeling up to it you'll scribble something on a piece of paper.  But only if Maddie was reaching for that piece of paper.



Everyone loves you.  You remain "The Pal" to most.  However, you have started saying, "no way" when people ask you to do things you don't want to do.  Including your swimming instructor the other day.  She had absolutely no idea what to do with that one.  She tried multiple times to get you to practice your kickers and you remained steadfast in your "no way" comment.  But a trip down the slide was all it took to get you to snap out of it. 


There are so many things I want to remember about this sweet age.  You are growing up SO fast Allie.  We love you "so so so so so so so so so much" (your favorite expression)

Happy birthday sweet girl.

photos by Luuvu  (high res images to come)

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Nap Update

Eliminating Maddie's naps have greatly improved her nighttime routine.  She's down for the count by 8-9 PM.

It's also helped her fashion sense.



(And Kip was totally holding the steering wheel while I took this picture. We were totally safe.)

Allie

Is a wild sleeper.




She got a new elephant (Ellie) that she loves to sleep with.  Apparently Ellie is not a co-sleeper.  She prefers her bassinet.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Going to the chapel








Gonna get married!  Just over a month to go for these two lovebirds

Friday, July 15, 2011

Bellevue Botanical Gardens

Awhile back I joined a meetup for mom photographers (that may be a bit of a redundant name huh?).  I finally made my first meetup with the group today.  Both girls were tired (Maddie has been staying awake until 11 PM!!!), hungry, and shy.  But despite all of that we managed to have a good time. 




Allie loved the giant "dandelions"


She also had just fallen in this picture and was totally mortified that anyone saw.



Lots of butt shots...the girls loved looking at the buzzy bees and beautiful flowers.






Another trauma...I have no idea what.



Maddie does this really weird grunt thing when adults try and talk to her.  It is so embarassing (maddie, this is payback for your teen years when you think I am so embarassing).  She gets along great with kids and will talk and interact with them but then an adult comes along and out comes the grunting. Maddie, it's weird.  Just hide behind my leg like a normal kid.


Or just talk.  :-)

Wish us luck on day one with an intentional no nap.  I can't deal with 11PM bedtimes anymore.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Today's adventure


Yup, we played on an old restroom and gas station. Allie refused to go anywhere near the boots.

{Oxbow park in Georgetown}

Monday, July 11, 2011

{Maddie's} Shopping List


Apparently I need to buy some pancakes at costco.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Fourth

We spent the day at our second home, my mom's house.  Good food, tons of toys and great company.  We started our day with a frigid swim in the lake followed by pie to warm ourselves back up, followed by more eating and lounging in the sun, followed by more playing in the lake, followed by a quick nap, followed by more food and water-time.  Zaide and Baba came over which made the girls SO happy. It was a great day that didn't end until 11:45.  We're a bit tired this morning.









Saturday, July 2, 2011

Summertime

I'm feeling a bit old these days.  Why?  It was HOT today.  And yet, I couldn't bring myself to actually jump into the lake.  The lake looked cold.  But, that didn't stop us from:
driving boats and looking for "way-ulls"  (Whales).  Allie saw them.  I missed 'em every. single. time.


Paddle boarding. So much fun.  You must try it.


Freezing our naked peaches off in the lake (not me though, remember, I'm old)



Tiny little saltwater sandals on the dock. Seriously, SO. FREAKING. CUTE.

Swimming with all of our clothes on....

And then running around naked for the rest of the afternoon

Begging Alison to swim in the shallow end

Baby blue eyes...
This girl went from being freaked out on the boat to insisting on driving it. And driving to find whales.  And wanting to drive anytime big sis' wants to drive.

This little one is very concerned about "skun-screen."  She hates me putting it on, but then spends the next hour making sure I put enough on. She also likes to drive the boat.  Especially when lil' sis is driving. But, she's also content going very fast and watching the waves.  You cannot wipe the smile of her face when she's on the boat.

I LOVE this weather!!!!!!