August 2010

This month has concluded the summer of 4. Em and Roo have matured and grown so much and there isn't much they can't do or won't try now.

For Roo, it has been the summer of the jump. She finally, at long last, got both of her feet off the ground and is catching air! It's been the summer of the princess for Em. She can't get enough of dressing like them and pretending to be in their stories. The best part is that she likes to play the prince or the dragon just as often.

August has flown by in a blur of summer activities. We've been so busy that the blog has had a lonely month. So, what have the Rowdy Girls been up to?

We've stayed up late for lots of special events or just because the music rocked and we were having a family dance party. The girls have lived in their bathing suits. We've been to movies and had more pizza and ice cream than anyone really deserves. There have been road trips and adventures; museums and playgrounds; birthday parties and parks.

And lots of irreplaceable time with family and friends.

Each night before bed they ask "What are we doing tomorrow?" Because it's always a new adventure and something to look forward to. In the mornings they chase the rainbows dancing about our living space in the slants of sunlight.

These long hot days of August have been some of the best I've ever had.

I hope Em and Roo remember them with delight.

Storytime by the light of an iPhone

The McGrands are in town and you've just never seen any two kids happier.

Ketchup

Catsup?

Ketchup?

...

Catch Up!

________

It's been a busy month at the Rowdy House.

We've not done anything too exciting, but there is always something going on, it seems.

Mondays are playgroup days. And Tuesdays and Thursdays are for preschool.

I took this cute picture last week when I subbed a couple of hours in the girls' classroom.

Miss Roo looks an awful lot like her daddy here. She's got a hefty dose of the ornery, too.

Wednesdays are for therapy and friends.

A playgroup pal lives close by and we've been hanging out with them after therapy and sharing lunch. Em is super interested in their handheld games. I've got a pretty good idea of what should go on the 4th birthday wish list now.

Fridays are for speech therapy and then more friends! A couple of weeks ago we hung out with Abigail and Porter. Em and Abby swapped shoes. This was the first time Em's ever worn something with a high heel. She reminded me an awful lot of Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality. It was not graceful.

And lately, Saturdays are packed full of errands. The girls seem to find something entertaining no matter where we go. This was at IKEA. Which is always a favorite destination.

They have beds, food and an endless supply of toys. What's not to love?

J had to travel for work, so the RGs and I sucked it up for the first part of the last week on our own. Fortunately, we're able to visit with Daddy on the computer via Skype while he's away.

Then, the McGrandparents rode to the rescue for the last part of the week! This was highly anticipated. As in, every time we got in the car, either Em or Roo would ask if we were going to Marmee's house. And Roo repeatedly went to the front door and knocked and then told me it was Marmee and Grandpa.

Em had a little cough and got a quick trip to the doctor for some meds, too. While we waited for her prescription to be filled, she got a snack and a balloon. Five days later, that balloon is still the favorite toy. Even though it doesn't 'fly' anymore.

In between playing with the balloon, Em was my super-duper helper. She assisted me on a little t-shirt craft and discovered that playing with buttons was awesome.

She helped make biscuits, do the dishes and even put away the silverware from the dishwasher!

Roo had an amazing time with a new audience to read to and new voices to read to her. She also invented a new game. It's called making cookies. It involves standing on a chair at the kitchen sink and using all the measuring utensils to ladle water around (and into mouths).

Roo also had the rights to all the best one-liners of the week. Like, "Let's twist again." which meant she wanted to open the door. Or, after being asked if she needed to go, rhyming it (instead of answering) with "Cookie Dough!".

My favorite was heard upon exiting the bedroom after tucking her in... "Take me with you!!"

We wrapped up the week with J's homecoming...

...And some quality time with the whole family.

Sea World, the sequel

The past few days have been a busy, eventful, fun and hot. On Wednesday, we motored off to San Antonio to hang out with the McGrandparents.

Em and Roo did a little swimming at the hotel pool. And a lot of jumping on the beds. Nothing more fun when you're 3 years old.

They woke up bright and shiny and ready to roll to Sea World.
Mommy is shiny, but not so bright. must.have.coffee.

Marmee and I introduced the RGs to the water park at Sea World. Because it was flippin' hot!
We opted for full coverage on the swimwear.
No regrets, because no sunburns for the Rowdies after 8 hours in the sun. On a 105 degree day.
Although, they did look a bit like water park orphans in their mismatched ensembles.

After a few hours at the baby splash pad, Em spiced things up by giving me a heart attack. Roo was hanging with Marmee and Em was directly ahead in the water. I took a minute to walk to a trashcan. And Em decided she would look for me. Several minutes later, I located her up a flight of steps, around a corner and surrounded by strangers who found a lost little girl. She was terrified and incoherent. And stuck to me like glue for the rest of the day. And my heart gradually restarted. Thank goodness for those guardian angels.

Grandpa finished up work and joined us at lunchtime and we migrated to the wave pool.
A hit for Roo. And a miss for Em.
Mostly, Em was ready to move on. She knew we were going to Sea World that day, but she didn't really believe we were there. No animals had been sighted, yet! Em asked me, "PLEASE?! Want to go to Sea World!"

When asked what she wanted to see, she asked for seals, then dolphins and then whales. So, we hit the shows and exhibits. Em and Roo were thrilled, tired, but thrilled.





We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.
Perhaps on a cooler day, however.

where we belong

Last weekend we took a trip to the McGrandparent home and also paid a visit to their local zoo. It was a pretty day and there were plenty of people around to corral, catch, chase and entertain Em and Roo... The McGrandparents, Aunt Kaki, and a dear friend plus her 4 children.
I highly recommend public outings with an entourage of adults.
Funny thing, though, only the Rowdy Girls had to be corralled. Dear Friend's 4 children were stuck like glue to their mama and never had to be chased down, reprimanded or timed-out.

in review

A quick list to sum up the past week...

1. Maggie dog is eating now. And seems 100% recovered. Except she's supposed to take it easy for another week. And. She smells. But, we can't bathe her yet.

2. Aunt Kaki's trusty car broke. Grandpa found a new car for Aunt Kaki and brought it to her on Thursday.

3. I discovered that Grandpa was bringing a car for Aunt Kaki and staying with us on Thursday. Night. Let's hear it for bonus McGrandparent time! Even on short notice.

4. Marmee came to visit on Friday. Much fun was had by all. Inside, outside, and upside down.

5. I turned thirty-somethingish on Saturday. And celebrated by eating the equivalent amount of food in pounds from Trudy's brunch buffet. We all did. See that leftover piece of a pancake in the photo below? I ate it, too, before we left.

6. iPhones with home movies and Sesame Street podcasts make handy toddler mutes when the feeding frenzy is finished.
7. But said toddlers do not enjoy the iPhones being relocated during 'family photo' time.

8. Em and Roo went to their first movie. It was a doozy! Under The Sea in 3D at the IMAX.

Roo thought the words flying at her were awesome and tried to catch them. Em yelled, "WHOA!" and ripped off her 3D glasses. Marmee didn't care for the sea snakes swimming towards her face. Other than that, everyone had an overall super duper movie experience. We recommend.

9. Three Year Well Check. Em is 38 and 1/4 inches tall and weighs 28 lbs 5.5 oz. She's maintaining her growth curve... 25% for weight and between 50th and 75% for height. Roo is maintaining her curve as well... 5% for weight at 25lbs 8 oz and 25% for height at 37 inches. We are pleased.

10. Lunch date with Mommy and Daddy after the one vaccination seemed to put the world back to rights again.
Especially the tiny little shortbread cookies that came with Mommy's coffee.

they say it's your birthday

The girls had a wonderful 3rd birthday!

We celebrated with the McGrandparents, Aunt Kaki, and 7 of the girls' friends from playgroups or school (along with their families).

This year, the theme was an ice cream social. Daddy brewed homemade Rowdy Girl root beer. We had cake, treats, loads of ice cream, and probably should have had the party sponsored by a pediatric dentist.
The weather held, so the outside play stuff was what it was all about. The newly assembled swing set, bouncy house, sandbox and trikes were all up for grabs.
It was a great little party with sweet friends, yummy treats and happy kids.

The girls are still talking about their "happy you cake party". My 3rd birthday party is my first memory and I hope that this is one of Em's and Roo's lasting impressions.

Birthday Bounce-back

This blog was born after the RG's first birthday. So, travel back in time with me to document their first birthday party.

It was a Ladybug Picnic Party at the McGrandparents' house. All the great-grandparents were able to attend, as well as Mammaw, Aunt Gail, cousins Charlie and Clint, and great aunt and uncle, Tracie and Ross with their children.


Our family really got into the theme of the party and gifted the girls with loads of adorable ladybug books, tents and toys. Plus, our friend, Miss Blythe, saved the day, and found these adorable ladybug halter dresses for the RGs to wear.


They looked like little Marilyn Monroes in them! (except for the nose picking).

Em and Roo were all about the birthday song singing, the candles and the cupcakes.
With perfect hindsight, perhaps red and black frosting was not the way to go.

Oh. Yeah.

Instead of party hats, I painted up the little bopper headbands.
The girls were hilarious wearing them.

So, were the great grandparents.


The party was everything J and I hoped for.

Family gathered together to celebrate surviving and thriving during the first 12 months of Em's and Roo's life. The prayers our family prayed, the food they made, the many miles driven, the bedside NICU vigils, the many hours of sleep sacrificed, the bottles held, the songs sung, the unconditonal love and support... They were in it with us. All the way.

It was a perfect celebration of the miracle of Em and Roo.

a grand time

We had a fast trip to the McGrandparents' last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In honor of Aunt Becky and the cousins' visit to Texas.

The Rowdy Girls hit the ground running.

First an Easter egg hunt.
Then, lots of sticky bubble fun.

Also, there was the to-share-or-not-to-share debate. Mostly, sharing won.

And snuggles and hugs for tired little kids who only took a 20 minute nap in the car.

Em and Roo started a band while we were gone. They're sticking with The Rowdy Girls as their working band name.

After band practice, there were free rides on the barber chair courtesy of Grandpa.
Baby Gracie did not want to be left out. Em was fascinated with her baby cousin and was so sweet and soft with her.

And right before we had to leave, Marmee completed the Easter dresses for the three girls. So, they stripped down to their leggings to try them on.
Jonah was still sporting his jammas because he had a long night with a double ear infection. Which, did not slow him down, even a little bit.

Em and Roo love their fluffy smocked Easter dresses. Thank you, Marmee!