Lila's First Book

It is so nice to see Lila follow in Savannah's footsteps at times.  Recently, she has taken to making books.  I remember when Savannah started this phase.  I think this phase must be prompted by the discovery of the stapler.  Both girls started writing books after learning how to staple.

It is such a delightful time to see the things they love most collide with their learning. Savannah's first story was about Bunny and Lila's is about ducks.  Lila loves ducks and is now able to put them into a simple story.  She took the time to draw out each of the three scenes. I am very proud of her for having a beginning, middle and end to her story that included a conflict and a solution.  This is something that is very hard to consistently produce at this age and I hope that she continues to develop logical story lines with a problem and a solution.  I also liked how she kept the number of ducks straight when adding the friend duck and then taking him away. 

Here is her story.  She had me write the words but I just wrote what she said and where she wanted me to write it on the page. 

NYC Baby!

Savannah I got to visit New York again this year.  This was our second annual trip to see the Rockettes and wander down 5th avenue and through Time Square.  It was another perfect trip.  How fun it is to spend an entire day in the city with my big girl who never threatens to cry, complain or sour any moment of the day.  Savannah appreciates the trip and understands that she is privileged to have such an experience.  We can't wait to go back next year.

Here is a run down of our day.

First, we went to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree, even though it is always surrounded by scaffolding this time of year.  Savannah remembered that there is a Lego shop right off the ice skating rink so we went in and admired the impressive Lego displays. Below, Savannah is standing in front of a display of Rockefeller Center. 

 

Next, it was time for Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes!  Radio City Music Hall is so pretty this time of year.  The show was just as good as we remembered and both of us enjoyed the 3D component that they added this year.  We both agreed that the classic cannon skit where the Rockettes fall down in slow motion, is our favorite part of the show.  

After the show, we met up with friends and headed down 5th avenue to FAO Schwartz.  It was Savannah's first time in the store.  She enjoyed the supersized items they had for sale as well as the floor piano.  We got to see the piano show which showcased songs that Alex plays for the girls at home.  It made the show that much more impressive for Savannah.  Before we left, Savannah and her friend gave playing the piano with feet a try.  

Here is the song that Alex plays most for the girls.  The ladies (the one with glasses just had eye surgery) had a rocky start but ended up doing an amazing job.  

Savannah giving the piano a try.

Nerds anyone?

We dined with our friends right off of 5th avenue for a much needed rest and refueling.  The girls enjoyed our window seat and fancy glasses.

We said goodbye to our friends and made our way into Time Square.  The bright lights and enormous billboards are impressive and can only be fully appreciated in person at night.  The sidewalks were packed with people but Savannah didn't mind.  We forged ahead and enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank goodness for a bus ride home where we were able to watch movies and sleep.  Twelve plus hours out of our house is always exhausting but when that time out of the house is spent in NYC at eight years of age, a nap on the ride home is always welcome.

Until next year. . .

 

Twins but so DIFFERENT!

Lila came downstairs with the above drawing.  She explained that the orange paper was a drawing of Adeline and the red paper was a drawing of herself.  Adeline is astronaut Jet (Adeline has moved past calling herself Sam and has taken to the name Jet) with her helmet, plain clothing and boyish hair.  The other drawing is of Erika, a princess Lila has named herself after.  Erika is sporting a fancy long dress, fancy princess shoes and a beautiful up-do.

I often try to explain how different my twins are.  I think these drawings sum it up nicely. 

About a week later, Adeline tried on her Christmas dress with, surprisingly, very little push back.  I convinced her that she would like spinning in it because the skirt would look cool - I couldn't say pretty or beautiful because that would turn Miss Adeline off immediately.  As I suspected, Adeline loved spinning in her dress.  I think it was close to a novelty because the girl never wears fancy dresses.  When taking the dress off of her, I saw the wheels turning in her head.  Next, she walked over to Lila's side of the closet and asked if she could wear Lila's pink dress - perfect for twirling.  Alex and I were shocked.  Lila seemed pleased to share her dress and Adeline laid it out to wear for the next day.

The next day rolled around and Adeline wasn't thrilled with her choice of clothing.  I made her stick with it and I am so glad I did.  She was so cute in her twirly pink dress and bow.  The Belle does NOT like pink or bows, and yet, it looks so good on her.   I used to think she was going to be my dainty, girly-girl.  Somehow, she has grown into the opposite.  While I love her unique style of caterpillar shirts and jeans and her imaginary  persona, (think astronaut Jet) I loved seeing her twirl gleefully in the driveway while waiting for her bus!

To close this post, here are Lila and Adeline dressing up at Charlotte's house.  Can you guess which one is Adeline. . .

So Very Thankful

There are no words to express my thanksgiving when I look at my girls. They are happy, healthy and bright shining lights in a sometimes chaotic and stressful existence. This last month has been even more busy than the last, even though I didn't think it was possible. Now we are entering into an even more busy time of year which easily draws us out of our home, running in every direction. It is my hope that as we try and navigate through this holiday season, we keep our focus on that which we are thankful for. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the inch of dust that is covering my house from the construction of our basement, the one day sale that saves me $15.00 on the requested Christmas gift or the must see Christmas event that drags us out of our house longer and later than we should be.

This season, I hope to focus on my girls and give them the gift of my time and love.

I do love them so!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From Springfield, Virginia!

Playing Together

I always say that my twins can play for hours with something as little as a paper towel roll, bowl, flashlight, laundry basket, or box.  The list could go on and on. 

Today it was a single pillow.  It was a car, a bus, Santa's sleigh and finally a couple pillows came down to the floor and the girls lined them up like race cars.  They laid flat on their stomachs  in Superman style while kicking their feet.  I believe the quicker the kick, the quicker the car went. 

Here they are riding to school in the car.  Adeline is the Mommy and in the driver's seat. 

A Sneak Peek at Santa

Miss Lila made a bargain with me yesterday.  If she napped, she wanted me to take her to see Santa.  I had been to the mall with Savannah that morning and Lila caught wind of Santa's arrival.  After an hour of playing in her bed, Lila eventually fell asleep which signed me up for another trip to the mall.  She waited patiently all afternoon and evening for daddy to come home.  He had to go into the city to pick up his race packet for the Philly Marathon!  Daddy finally returned around 7:30 p.m.

Lila was so excited to see Santa.  I told her we weren't going to talk to him or sit on his lap because we only do that when the entire family is present.  I also warned her that due to the late hour, Santa may have left and gone to bed.  Because Lila was so gleeful she replied, "If Santa is in bed, I won't cry.  When I was a baby, I would cry if Santa was in bed but now I am big girl and I will say, 'It's okay.'"  She was aiming to please during the entire car ride.  It was late and Lila knew that she was getting a special treat.  When passing McDonald's she asked to stop and I told her no.  Her reply, "Oh good for me.  I don't want McDonald's anyway."  Again, aiming to please.  She thanked about twenty times for our special trip and asked if she could sleep on the in the car on the way home because it was late and she was tired.  It always makes me laugh when she asks permission to sleep. 

When we got to the mall, Santa was definitely not sleeping.  He was walking around giving out high fives,

 fist bumps, (this was a first for Lila)

 and squishy hugs.  It happened so quickly that I didn't have my camera ready in time and the picture is blurry.  Regardless, Lila's smile shines through and is an indicator of her happiness. 

 Before leaving, Lila wanted to explore the area around his chair.  She clearly remembered if from last year. 

 All in all it was pretty successful sneak peek at Santa.  Unfortunately, I paid for the late outing once home.  The battle for bed ended in tears which was a sharp transition from the Lila that was riding in the car.  She keeps us on our toes!

5 Years Ago. . .

I brought my blue eyed girl home from the NICU.  Her eyes were bright but we had yet to discover the spirit behind them.  Lila Grace makes us laugh louder, snuggle closer and paints our world with vibrant colors.  She has delightful highs and can celebrate the smallest detail when most would over look it.  She challenges us when those highs turn to lows but, in the end, she adds just the right amount of spice to this very quiet family. 

I love this girl.  I love her for loving and me telling me daily, "You're the best Mommy ever."  Who would have thought that this little baby, that barely filled a car seat, would fill our family with love and laughter.

Prematurity Awareness Day

Over five years ago, we joined the prematurity community.  Before having the twins, I never stopped to think about babies that were born early and the subsequent implications of their early birth.  I didn't understand what was behind the NICU's closed doors or what the families of those babies went through.  Now I know all too well.

Today, I pause to celebrate our successful outcome while recognizing those babies and families that are not as fortunate.  I give thanks for the doctors, nurses and research funding that played a role in my babies coming home.  I pray for the tiny babies laying in their isolettes clinging to life on their breathing tubes.

Those were my babies five years ago.

Here the girls are on their first Prematurity Awareness Day. 

Today is a day to call attention to babies like mine because awareness leads to funding.  Funding is what provided my girls with the medical equipment and knowledge doctors needed to keep the girls alive. Funding is what provided the countless hours of therapy my girls have received and still receive.  Funding is what helped pay for the million plus dollars in medical bills.  Funding is everything when you are born at one pound! 

Here are my girls five years later at yesterday's swim lesson; alive, well and happily jumping into the pool together.  We are so darn lucky.

Our Family According to Lila Grace

This is Lila's first drawing of our complete family sans sticks!  In fact, it is the first time she has drawing a non-stick figure male.  It threw her.  She didn't know where to start.  While princess dresses with puffy sleeves and scalloped hems are nothing new, pants and shirts are.  I guess that is why Daddy has one arm coming out of his head.  Bobby, our cat, made it in the picture too.   Lila isn't one to move slowly and neatly, she likes to get the job done quickly.  This was done without my knowledge which made it a fantastic surprise. 

I love pictures like these.  In case you don't follow the line up, left to right reads like this:  Daddy, Lila, Mommy, Adeline (smallest yes, but not as small as she appears in this picture) and Savannah. 

100's Club

Done!!!  She did it.  Lila can name and order all numbers between 1 and 100.  She had to make a hundreds grid out of her tiny flash cards before joining the club.  It was painful and long but she named all her numbers and put them in a perfect grid.  I am so VERY Proud of her. 

She was the 19th kid to out of morning and afternoon kindergarten classes to accomplish this milestone.  Not bad for the youngest kid out of both classes.   Miss Lila entered kindergarten still struggling to order her numbers 1-10.  No longer!

The Last Run

The girls finished up the Healthy Kids Running Series last month.  It was a tremendous accomplishment for all three.  They certainly ended on a high note.  All three girls ran their best time yet.

Miss Lila worked hard on her last run.  She brought her time from 2 minutes 34 seconds to 2 minutes 16 seconds.  I am so proud of her.  She is my girl that has little drive to push herself in a competitive situation.  Lila is just happy being Lila.  This time was different.  She ran her heart out.  Here is a clip of her last chug up the hill to the finish line.

I am very proud that Lila could cross the finish line and independently walk through the shoot and then wait patiently without a parent until Adeline finished. Lila just had to hang by herself in a large crowd and for her, it is a milestone.

My oldest and most competitive runner, ran her socks off for this last race. She also learned about positioning herself at the start line. Savannah was positioned so that she bottlenecked into last place a the beginning of the run. She over came this and ran her best time ever, which of course would have been even faster had she been on the opposite side of the starting group. Here are some pictures of her start.

Savannah's times were excellent.  She hung in fourth place for three races and then her last race, was joined by a new runner which bumped her down to fifth place.  She was disappointed until she saw her time.  She went from 3 minutes 56 seconds to 3 minutes 38 seconds.  That is a pretty fast half mile!  She has really learned to use those long legs.

This post wouldn't be complete without a video clip of Miss Adeline crossing the finish line.  As noted before, she won the hearts of many at this race.  It was very apparent this time as well.   I can't put into words how emotional it is to watch my girl fight for every step of her quarter mile.  She knows going in that it is going to be hard but never complains and is happy to do it.   No other runner worked as hard as Adeline did during this running series.  Most would have quit if they had to run her race.

Each and ever race my eyes overflowed with tears as I held the camera up to get a clip of my girl finishing.  This clip is shaky because I started down the hill and followed her up.  The voices you hear are her fans, as I was too choked up to say anything. The best two seconds are when she gives Jeff Long (the man responsible for this running series) a high five.  He was her loudest cheerleader and met her at that finish line EVERY time.  Adeline's race was over when her high five was complete.  I hold a very special place in my heart for Jeff and yet, I don't even know him.

Here is my AMAZING girl!!!


Each girl received a medal for their efforts.  They were very proud.  Adeline insisted on holding it in front of her face, "so everyone can see it in the picture." 

Here are my running girls and their running friend.  Next spring they will be at it again. 

Trick - or - Treat

Monday was a very busy day for the girls.  For starters, our local elementary school decided to have Pajama Day in lieu of costumes.  This increased the excitement level for an already exciting day.  Once at school, Savannah and Lila had class parties before coming home and trick-or-treating.  Between my committments in Lila and Savannah's classrooms, I was at their school all day.

Lila's party kicked off at 9:00 a.m.  Luckily, they have a "No Food" policy so the kids weren't shoving candy in their mouths at this early hour.  I went into help with the party and fill my little girl's bucket.  Lila was engaged in the activities but seemed a tad overwhelmed by the number of people in the room and change of routine.  She hung close to her very good friend Mya and especially enjoyed the freeze dance activity at the end of the party. 

Here is my little Halloween Kitty girl sporting her pajamas after her school. 

 

During Lila's party, I was pulled to be a mystery reader for Savannah's class.  She has such a nice class this year and I really enjoyed my time reading.  I was asked to provide three clues and it wasn't until the third clue that the students knew who was knocking at the door.

1.  I have a daughter in the class.

2.  She has a sibling in Kindergarten. 

3.  She eats lunch on a cloth napkin.  (Everyone enjoys this novelty when observing Savannah eating lunch.)

I put on my bathrobe and slippers (like my big girl requested) and brought all the slumber party essentials - a Thomas Train pillow, Hello Kitty Blanket, stuffed animal, flashlight and favorite book.  I was surprised at how anxious the students were when I asked them to hold my items while I read. 

After my mystery read, I took Lila Grace out to lunch and then quickly put her down for a nap before rushing back to the school for the pajama parade.  Lila could have participated as many of the morning Kindergarteners did, but I figured a nap was best.  Here is a picture of Savannah during the parade and before we headed into her classroom party.  

Once back at home, the girls rushed to eat dinner and get into their costumes.  They were very excited that our old neighbors were joining us again this year.  It just wouldn't be Halloween without them. 

Here is everybody chomping at the bit to collect their candy!

 It was chilly on Halloween.  After all, there was snow on the ground in places.  The girls are really bundled under their costumes and look a little heftier than usual. 

This was the first year that I didn't coordinate their costumes in some way or another.  In fact, Adeline is wearing her costume from last year and Lila is using Savannah's old butterfly costume.  Life is just too busy and opinions are too strong for me to take the reigns in this department.  Sign of the times. . .