Life With Our Little Ladies: August 2013

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Lake George

Yesterday, we spent the day in Lake George with good friends and we are so glad we did. The weather was perfect. The location was beautiful. The company was great. When I said we were going to enjoy every last minute of summer, I meant it. The day was relaxing and fun!

We packed a lunch and spent a few hours on the beach. The girls played so nicely together in the sand, then Joe took them all out swimming. The water was a little cold for the rest of us, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the sand, sun and conversation. I was soaking it all up!

After the beach, we walked through town and got some Polish Water Ice. The perfect end to a perfect day: Abby's blue cotton candy stained lips and sun-kissed face falling asleep on her daddy's shoulder as we walked back to the car. Ella's head bobbing around in the stroller as she tried to stay awake just a little longer to watch a few more people.

As I was swept up into the moment, I was reminded that not only has God given me the honor of being a mommy to my little babies, but I have the joy of giving them their childhood. I mean God is the giver of all good things, but He has given me the responsibility and joy of creating, teaching, providing and protecting my girls' childhood. Often life looks a whole lot messier then it did this particular afternoon, but by God's grace even in the challenges and imperfections sweet childhood memories are made. I'm thankful and humbled.

Kena and Abby

the littlest beach baby

Ella decided she wanted to get in the water. Did she get our attention for one of us to take her in? No! She just started scooting backwards on her belly toward the water. She has such a little independent spirit.

little buddies

burying Joe in the sand

Would you like a little sandwich with that sand?

little sisters and big sisters

Ella and Isa

my guy

love her!

family love.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Bookworms: August 2013 Edition

I've decided to start documenting another important and memorable part of our lives...our love for books. Those who know me know that I am (and have always been) a bookworm. Abby shares the same fascination with reading and exploring new books. One of our favorite things to do together is go to the library and get an unnaturally large stack of new books out, then come home and read until we finish them all. I don't know many people whose love for reading OR reading stamina equal mine, but Abby's does! We love reading snuggled up in bed, in the hammock, in the closet (equipped with lots of cushions). Sometimes we read together when we are eating lunch. Truth is we just love to read, anytime, anywhere.

So much of my life has been shaped by books, all kinds, and I love thinking of the ways Abby's world opens up with every book we read. Sometimes we pick books at random, but I usually always have a list of books to pick out based on the latest book buzz. There are so many good ones to choose from! Abe Lincoln once said, “My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.” My hope in recording some of our favorites is not only to remember them years from now and read them again, but to share a list for others to enjoy as well. I only regret that I haven't started the list sooner.

So, here goes. Bookworms: the August 2013 edition. We have read many and these are this summer's obvious winners, the ones that we renewed until the library made us give them back, the ones we have added to our must buy list. Oh how we've enjoyed reading these books this summer.

fun. especially when paired with Taco Night!

really fun to ~~read~~ throw down some beats together

Pete goes with the flow no matter what circumstances come his way. He is a cool jazzy cat! This is another fun one to read outloud.

perfect for my girly, dog loving princess with a great message about less perfection and primping meaning more time to play.

love all the Pout Pout books

I don't know how Sra. Flanagan would feel about me reading Spanglish to my girls, but the funny Spanish voices and songs about this cute little Siamese cat who thinks he is a Chihuahua crack us up every time.

Oliver Jeffers writes great books. Quirky and fun with cool illustrations. This one is our favorite, but his book The Incredible Book Eating Boy is a close second.

The beautiful illustrations in this book make me swoon. The sweet story is a lovely combination of two worlds: tea parties and dinosaurs.

beautiful illustrations and a beautiful message about being yourself, bullying and being a good friend

"The more you read, the more things you will know. The

more that you learn, the more places you'll go." -Dr. Seuss, I

Can't Read With My Eyes Shut!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Snapshots: Sweet Summer Days

She loves her Uncle Cory.

Popsicles are yummy!

"I'm coming, Uncle C!"

Abby buried her sister in a sea of toys and Ella thought it was the funniest thing.

"Here I am, Mom!"

some morning snuggles and TV time

Abby learning video games from the game pro. She especially fascinated that Mario was beating each level to rescue Princess Peach from mean ol' Bowser. Abby liked to encourage Uncle Cory, so he would beat the levels and save Peach.

watercolors

What makes a summer afternoon even better?

Popsicles of course!

Abby reading stories to her little sissy.

riding the Daddy horse

Ella crawled out of the room. Moments later, we heard her yelling at us from the bathroom. Walked in to find her like this. Did I mention this girl is obsessed with brushing her teeth and climbing things?

story time with Daddy. Reading one of our new favorites.

Ella: 13 months old

13 months old

love giving kisses to everyone with such a loving little spirit
If anyone cries (or if I pretend to), you throw your arms around the person and give them the biggest hug
say "uh uh" when you don't want to do something
take a one hour morning nap at nine and a one hour afternoon nap at one
sleep through the night, but wake up VERY early...lately it's been no later than six (no matter how late you go to bed)
dancing all around
walking around a bit more (about eight steps at a time) and on your own initiative
babbling all of the time
clearly communicating when you need something
waking up your sister when she is sleeping because you miss her too much
you love jewelry and sit for long periods of time putting on every necklace and bracelet you can find.
my little fish-you always want to be in water (or sand) and are not content just standing there, you immerse yourself and stay for a while.

I've forgotten how much 13 month olds understand. You really understand when we tell you not to something. You either look at us with a mischievous grin and do it again or quickly put it back/close the cabinet and clap for yourself! Just yesterday, Daddy told you not to touch the piles of folded clothes on the living room table. You touched them, smiled, then wagged your finger at Daddy and said "Uh-uh-uh" (your version of no-no-no).

These are sweet summer days with our three and a half year old and 13 month old loves. I'm soaking up the moments for sure!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tiny Dancer

Last week, Abby attended her first dance camp with her little friends Makena and Olivia. Abby has been talking about doing dance for a long time and we have wanted to see how she likes it before we make a longer commitment. She went to camp from Monday through Friday from 9-12. Abby really enjoyed it. When asked what her favorite part was she said, "snack and crafts". She told us she liked the dancing part too, but it made her tired. I didn't really understand until the end of the week when we attended the little show the kids were preparing. They learned four small dance routines in that amount of time! No wonder she was wiped out! I'm sure she would like it even more if so much wasn't crammed into a short period of time and there wasn't the pressure to learn more than what kids normally learn over the course of months.

Either way, knowing Abby was spending fun time with her friends and learning new things made it a good experience for her! Her face lit up as she danced around the room. She loves performing and learned some tap, ballet and creative movement throughout the week. We think she will really enjoy being in a dance class one day. It is definitely something we will revisit in a year or so!