Go Duke

It was spirit day last Friday. The girls were supposed to wear their favorite team. We aren't a real sporty family but were able to come up with some Duke attire.

A shirt that was much too big and a cheer leading dress turned shirt!

Three years ago. . . Why must they grow?

Adeline's Mornings

Adeline has given up going to the babysitting room while I work out.  We play together or do school work for the first hour or so of our morning and then I head out for my much needed workout.  Adeline doesn't accompany me anymore.  It makes my heart a little heavy.  I let her have her way since she finds toys to play with and leaves Alex alone - I mean totally alone for the most part.  She gets lost in her make believe world and is flying around the playroom, pretending to be astronaut Jet.  She will sit and play for a good hour with Littlest Petshop, Legos or just about anything that lends itself to imaginary play.

However, there are those days. . . those special days. . . when Daddy has to talk to important people.  He can't risk an interruption, no matter how unlikely they seem.  He can't fix a toy or kiss a boo boo.  These are the days when Adeline gets the iPad.  Lately, she finds a little snack to put on her nightstand and settles into her bed with Max and Ruby or Curious George.

After returning home the other day, I searched the house for Adeline and this is what I found.  Somehow I could fast forward into the future and my five year old seemed fifteen.  So capable, independent and technologically competent.  I can't quite put my finger on why, but the entire scene seemed way too old. 

Backstroke with a Smile

Lila and Adeline continue to make progress in the pool.  Last week, I was able to take a video of Lila doing her backstroke.  Once she saw me hanging over her, she couldn't stop laughing.  In fact, if you watch closely, there is a little wave in between strokes.  I was trying to get her refocused but it was useless.  Brushing the bugs off her ears, which is keeping the arm close to the head and something that she can do well when concentrating, wasn't in the cards.  I am kind of glad she lost concentration.  Her smile is so sweet and her laughs were so funny.  So Lila!

Our First Nature Hike

About a month ago, our family headed outdoors for no other reason than to take in nature.  It was cold but it was sunny.  That was enough for us to put on our exploring gear and head out.  We haven't done a lot of this in the past because none of the girls hang extremely well with natural elements - namely bugs.  We decided that winter is the ideal time to fall in love with nature.  There are no bugs and there is less moving vegetation that easily spooks Adeline.

Our idea worked and the girls had a great time.  They found acorns, secret squirrel holes and many walking sticks.  Sticks are so simple yet so fascinating to my children.  I suppose that is because sticks are only welcome when walking through the woods.  By the looks of things, Adeline is offsetting her small size with her new found treasure!

 

During our walk, the girls found a last patch of snow.  All of the snow had been melted for days but this random patch was still holding strong.  Quickly, the girls helped me make a miniature snowman.  Lila used her mitten for the hat.  Tears were shed when we had to leave him behind.  He looked so cute sitting on the 

beach.  (We still have a snowball that Lila wouldn't part with.  It sits idle in the freezer.)

We hope to get out a few more times before the bug hatch.  There is no doubt the bugs will make walking through the woods a little more challenging.  Hopefully, the girls will be so interested in the change of seasons and the beauty that spring offers us that they will stoically shoo the bugs away and keep on hiking!

Can You Guess. . .

While waiting TWO hours to see the doctor, Adeline and I had some quality time together. Can you guess what she is doing?

She is demonstrating how Jet flies through space with his oxygen tanks! Never a dull moment.

Did I mention how patient she is? After two hours, she was still all smiles when the doctor walked in.

Penguin Day

Have you ever seen a cuter penguin. . .

Happy Valentine's Day and a Little Vegas Love

Today was crazy.  The twins attended Lila's party in the morning and Adeline's in the afternoon.  After a full day of partying, they took a dip in the pool for their weekly swim lesson.  This is no joke kind of lesson where I often hear, "Lila, you can't play under the water until the end of the lesson."  They swim without stopping for 30 minutes.  Needless to say, I brought home two very tired girls. 

Not to worry, they weren't too tired for their Valentine's Day mailboxes.  Here they are waiting for Alex and I to bring in the mailboxes while trying to keep their eyes shut. 

Feeling the love for. . . 

Astronauts (We still wear bibs at dinner time.  They will hold this against me.  Therapy awaits us all.)

Chocolate hidden deep in the mailboxes.

 and Ducks.

Since they were all so pooped, I didn't dare ask for a group photo.  I'm kind of glad I didn't.  It gave me time to zoom in on this beautiful Valentine.   She makes my heart HAPPY!

And to top off a great night of chocolate and lounging in jammies while reading tons of stories, the girls were showered in love. . . Vegas style.  Thanks Parker and Paige!  Miss Adeline loves her firefighter suit.  xoxo

Space travel may just have to wait while Adeline works to extinguish fires.