"That's a whole lotta hair!!"

Those are pretty much the first words I hear when people meet Adeline for the first time. Who would have thought she would have such a tiny body with such a BIG head of hair. She graduated to one ponytail today and I am pleased to report that there is no evidence of the dreaded "preemie head." She had the narrowing at top for quite some time and I always told myself that God blessed her with crazy hair to cover it up. I was quite surprised that after tying all of the curls back,the head didn't look any different than your average kid. . . at least not to her very biased mommy.

Our Weekend at Home!

That's right! We spent our entire Saturday at home and it was fabulous. The weather was dripping hot but that didn't seem to bother the girls. We put them in their swimsuits and out onto the poor man's patio they went. We set up the pool and they kept cool splashing until daddy broke out the playhouse box.

We got the girls a playhouse for their 2nd birthday and decided that since we are going to be in Washington State for the big day, we would put it together early. Much to our girls delight, I might add. Not a second after we pulled the box out onto the driveway was Lila Grace jumping and climbing all over it. Then came the parts - many of them - that needed unloading. Adeline stuck to the pool but the other two were glad to help. Things went slower, much slower, but eventually we had ourselves a lean-two and that was enough for the girls. We finally got the house together during the girls' nap which provided us with hours of fun later in the evening.

After the girls got some play time under their belts, we headed around the corner to see the horses behind our development. Savannah has a sudden love of ponies and asks to see them every time we drive by. They were a big hit, Miss Grace even pet one. Unfortunately, one decided to snort rather loudly which sent all three girls three feet in the air. After that, Adeline was beside herself, Lila was disgruntled and Savannah was torn between wanting to spend time with the horses and her sudden fear of them.

It is amazing how much fun staying at home and hanging with your kids can be. Simple things like watching Adeline drink water for the first time (if you want to call letting it dribble out all over her "drinking") and Lila's new found love of ice tea were moments worth hanging around the house for. We have amazing girls. All three are snuggly, loving and funny in their own little way. May this weekend be a reminder that "home is where it's at."

More From the Beach

Alex left for Dallas with all of my pictures on his hard drive. Now that he is back home they have made their way over to my computer. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to back up your hard drive. We mentioned that we needed a backup for our "backup" and not a day later our external hard drive was dead. Unfortunately, with it went pictures from the last three months (I won't go into why they were on my backup and not on my computer). Let this be a sign. . . back up your computer!!!

Since I have over 1,000 pictures from the beach I am going to have to do some serious weeding. I think I am going to do separate posts for each child.

I am going to start with Miss Grace. She, as mentioned before, had a love hate relationship with the sand. It has become apparent that she has a few sensory issues as well. She can't tolerate anything messy on her body from a drop of yogurt to a grain of sand. She screams until it is wiped away and then calmly says, "All done." That is my youngest, hot and cold.

By the end of the week, she found her beach groove and would play in the water, run around on the sand, and enjoy different pictures Mommmy would draw for her in the sand. When tired, she would find her way back to the stroller and calmly (well not every time) snuggle bunny until she was lulled to sleep by the waves. Quite unusual for her.

Our last night was the 4th and she really enjoyed the fireworks. We could see them up and down the beach. We sat with family while they were lighting their personal fireworks and she giggled as the sparks went flying. I can see her jumping into sparklers next year.

I think next year will be a bit easier on Lila. Hopefully, the sand won't be an issue. I also think that being more stable on her feet will make her more confident which could really limit my chair time. I guess I should be careful what I wish for. The days of napping on the beach are surely gone.

Listening to the ocean in a shell

More from the Oldest

As we were driving home from the Wawa (followed a neighbor down so I could buy milk without dragging three kids out of the car) Savannah had her hand hanging out of the window. We rarely drive with her window down so this was new. She asks

"Why aren't the trees moving - it is windy outside?"

(I wish it was windy. Instead it is a hot, sticky and still.)

My "Crunchy" Daughter

Savannah came into the garage after playing in the yard and handed me a piece of plastic.

"Here Mommy. I found this piece of trash in our yard. . . I am just trying to clean the world."

The beautiful thing is that she said it with sincerity. She believes that one person can make a difference. I wish I had that conviction.

In turn, we used buckets to empty the pool today. Our flowers enjoyed the water and Savannah got satisfaction from not wasting the water.

Measurable Progress!!

I have always wanted to say that I see MEASURABLE progress in my girls. It is easier said than done. Watching your children develop day in and day out muddies the water. Since we were going to be away for 10 days and both Mommy and Daddy were going to be with the girls, I figured we could find away to "measure" progress during our vacation.

Before leaving, Alex and I sat down and made a list of things to work on with both girls. Although there are many areas Lila Grace could improve upon, her list was more general and (I hate to admit it) less focused. Not so measurable! Adeline's, on the other hand, was very specific. It contained the following:

Point to pictures when asked to do so in a book

Use the signs, car and cracker

Wave on command

Follow the commands "Give the _____ to Mommy." Take the ______ to Daddy."

Look at her family members when asked, "Where is Savannah etc."

Follow the command, "Go get Bunny."

Stack four to five blocks


Although the list seems rather simple, Adeline wasn't doing any of the items constantly and most not at all.

After working with her for about 15 to 20 minutes each evening, I am very proud to report that Miss Belle is doing most of the above. She points to pictures in a book and, at times, will isolate her index finger to do so. She isn't always willing to point but I would say that she consistently does it 75% of the time. While reading her favorite book, "Good Night Moon'" she pointed out the red balloon, fire, kitties and star multiple times before her nap today. I have also observed her stacking four blocks (not five and not often). During our evenings together, Adeline would take things to Daddy and then to Mommy. It took direction and encouragement but it is a start. Finally, her signing is what surprised me the most. Within a day or two she was using cracker and car without prompting. She also picked up open and all done. I guess we need to get going with these signs!!

I don't know if measuring her progress is more for me or her. It holds me accountable and gives me hope in the cognition department. I think it gives Adeline more one on one time with her parents which makes her light up. Do I dare say she is most teachable after 9:00 p.m. I believe everyone in this family has the night owl gene except Miss Grace.

Let's hope I continue to follow through with "Mommy therapy sessions." It seems to be much easier when Daddy is around.

Happy 4th of July!!