Book People

Last week's playgroup met up a local bookstore for storytime.
We are still a bit gun shy on the whole shush-and-listen-to-the-nice-lady-read thing. So, Daddy went, too. The one to one ratio inspires great confidence.

It was great. Em and Roo had a wonderful time. There wasn't a single Stepford kid in the crowd, so we blended right in.
Perhaps it's the motto emblazoned on the wall of the ampitheater...
what happens at storytime stays at storytime. Amen.


Roo yelling her colors out to the arriving participants. Em saying "whoa!".

Roo saying her colors again. During the after-story art project.

Em not quite mastering the ladylike side saddle sit.

Lunch at a burger joint afterwords.

Roo and her curly fry.

Happy Book People.

more of a good thing

If D O G spells dog, then two d's and two o's should be even better.

Zoo!

We had a great time at Marmee's and Grandpa's house over the last few days. Especially fun because we had a chance to hang out with cousins Jonah and baby Gracie... at the zoo!

Aunt Kaki took lots of pictures and helped wrangle toddlers. The exhibits with water were challenging because Em was pretty sure it was open for participation. She nearly got away from us in the aviary. Roo picked out a favorite right away. The giraffe exhibit. She even took off on her own to sneak a second peek.
And Em did a great monkey impression in front of her favorite exhibit.


Monkey Time

Probably NOT throwing anything away.




Made some new friends.

Roo being thoughtful.

Roo. Over and out. After the zoo and lunch with her Nannie.

Full Circle

When I was a child, my sisters and I would occasionally have sleepovers at Nannie's and Dubbie's home.
One of the rituals was to eat dinner on the tv tray in the back room during the 6 o'clock news. Then, we would all watch Wheel of Fortune.

Tonight, seestors Becky and Kaki and I took the toddlers and baby Gracie to Nannie's house. She had all the familiar toys out on the floor, ready for some 4th generation action.
And at 6:30pm, we all watched Wheel of Fortune.

Which, by the way, was a really, really large hit with the RGs.
I think Roo may have solved a puzzle. But her mouth was full of peanut butter crackers.
Is that healthier fare than Long John Silver's? Because that was the supper of champions back in my day. Em thought it was just fine. Good enough, in fact, for Pat Sajak.
During one of his many open mouth moments, she walked up to the tv and tried to shove a cracker in his mouth.

In Real Life

Once upon a time I joined a message board for other mommies that had twins due in June of '06. And some 3 years later, we are still chatting and sharing our lives and our families with each other. Though I've never met a single one of these special ladies, they've become dear friends. We swap Christmas cards, share prayer requests, celebrate and mourn with each other.

We are spread across the country, though a few families are located in the same geographic regions. And those mommies have had the chance to meet.

In. Real. Life.

Finally, this week, I was able to meet up with the other Texas mommy!!!

Though not ideal circumstances (Hurricane Ike...evacuation...no power at home... staying in my town), we were able to carve out 2 playdates.
It was such a wonderfully normal visit. We were old friends, who've not actually met before.
The faces of her children were familiar to me, as was her face. We slipped into conversation with ease and I parted ways with her feeling regret. That we didn't have more time together.

Lunching at Chick-fil-A, our first playdate.

Crushing on the twins' big brother.

Dogpile in the slide.

Worn.Out. at home.
D & T working the sandbox at the 2nd playdate.

Em & Roo chilling in the shade.

S. Having a chat with D & T waaaay up in the top of the playhouse tower.

Em on her way up the tower.
Strawberry break. Is this D or T? I forget who had which color assigned.

Home base. Em fishing for strawberries.

Today's Word(s)

Mammaw's Moon

Hello Sweet Em & Roo,

I have a big moon in Africa. It is very large when it comes up over the mountain in Babati. I like to see the moon and think that you girls are looking at the same moon that I see. When I see it, I
think about you girls reading "Goodnight Moon" and it makes me smile.

Pappaw and I will be so happy to see you very soon. Give your Daddy a big birthday hug for me.

I love you very much.

Mammaw

Cheeze

A collection of recent pictures of the girls saying "Cheese!" for the camera.
It's getting a little tricky to capture authentic smiles now.

Love Affair

If I ever get around to writing one of those baby-stuff-I-never-would-have-survived-without posts, the following item just might rank number one. Because of its longevity, multi-purposefulness and, well, adorableness.

BabyLegs.
They. Rock.

I stumbled upon them when the girls were around 9 months. I agonized over the pattern I would purchase. Mostly, because all the patterns are so stinkin' cute that it's impossible to narrow it down to just one. I finally decided on the bubblegum print. It goes with everything.

Since then, we've added several more to the closet. Including the silver stars pattern. Which also goes with everything. Including Halloween costumes.

We're entering our 3rd fall/winter season with our BabyLegs. They have been worn many different ways and washed a hundred times. They still look great. I can't think of another item on my must-have list that costs so little and returns so much.

How have we used our BabyLegs? In place of tights to make diaper changing times two a breeze. As an easy on/off layer for unpredictable weather during travel and changing seasons. As an adorable accent to an otherwise boring outfit. As arm warmers/sleeve extenders. And soon, as an easy alternative to pants during potty training.


I also can't say enough nice things about the customer service at BabyLegs.
I did have a mistake made on one order. They rectified it so quickly and even sent an apology bonus pair of BLs with my correction order.
Plus, a real.live person answered the phone when I called.

Recently, I entered a give-away contest and won one free pair.
I selected the adorable Jelly Bean pattern!
After asking if they'd ship my prize with a 2nd purchased pair (twins, ya know), they sweetly offered to double my prize! Two pairs of Jelly Bean BabyLegs are on the way. Yippee!
Did I mention how much I love this company? They'll be getting my business for a long time to come. For my girls and for gifts. BabyLegs are the real deal.

Roo Wuz Here

This is toddler tagging in these parts.

while you were NOT sleeping

Naptime was not a resounding success today.

This video was taken about an hour into the slumberless party. The camera is set to Roo's crib, but Em is easy to hear, too.

McWeekend

The McGrandparents came to visit this weekend.


Which allowed J and I to attend an out-of-town wedding.

Thank you Grandpa and Marmee!

The RGs had an outstanding time and have been asking after G'Pa and Mamee quite a lot.

Better Living Through Engineering

An antique double "twin" stroller.