no particular place to go

We celebrated Christmas a bit early with Mammaw and Pappaw. Soon they'll be headed back to Tanzania, so we made the most of our almost 2 weeks with them.

The day they left, we opened presents and, let me tell you, they hit the jackpot as far as the RGs were concerned.

These nifty little plasma cars are their dream come true.

Walking is now so November 2009.

They drive to bed, to the kitchen and even to the toilet.

Roo has named her car, Muno. Em's is number 76.

lil helpers

Christmas decorating was a blast this year.

Mammaw and Pappaw were here and Em and Roo were really interested in helping and participating.

The girls proudly sorted through the branches while we assembled our tree and handed over the correct pieces.

They were super cute with their manners each time.

"Here you go, Mama."

"Thank you very much, Em."

"You're wellllllcome, Mama. I so proud of you!"

While we hung the ornaments, A Muppet Family Christmas played in the background. A perfect mix of comedy and caroling for this fun project.

I think we've created a tradition.

Novembering

This month has come and gone. While a lot has happened, not a lot has made it onto the blog.
Mostly thanks to a wicked run of migraines that made looking at a computer screen challenging. To say the least.

We had some fun playgroups with our twin and triplet buddies. None so eventful as the last one I documented. That's a good thing.

Em and Roo attended their first sit-down-in-a-theater play. The Little Mermaid performed at the Scottish Rite Theatre. It was a terrific hit thanks to a talented cast, lots of required audience participation, and a couple of lollipops found down in the bottom of my handbag.


Roo restarted occupational therapy with the divine Ms. D and is thriving under her attentive care. While Roo gets to swing and bounce and, just, play, Em and I have a coffee date at Starbucks. Em loves chalocolate milk and girl talk at a cozy table for two.

Em and Daddy took a road trip together to attend Aunt Gail's wedding. Roo and I stayed home to recover from our respective sickies. Em had an outstanding time being an only child. She slept in the big bed with Daddy, got to see Mammaw and Pappaw before the rest of us, drove a tractor, played football with all the boy cousins, and grabbed a fast visit with Nana. She's still talking about the tractor.


Preschool is rocking along and the girls have bonded nicely with Ms. Melissa. Em has a special affinity for a little boy named Jackson. She holds his hand during story time. Roo adores Wade's daddy, who is present a lot as he's on the board for the school. They've participated in safety week and had visits from police, doctors, nurses and firefighters complete with their truck. The highlight this month was the school-wide Pow Wow with a shared snack feast and joyful noise instruments.

Aunt Kaki had a birthday and Em and Roo threw a surprise party for her with balloons and cupcakes. Additionally, they had several friends' birthday parties to attend. As a result, they are still wishing everyone and anyone a happy birthday and asking to help you blow out your candles.

We were blessed to host Mammaw and Pappaw for Thanksgiving. The meal itself was delicious and just about the fanciest thing the girls have ever experienced in our home. Roo said the table was beautiful and Em was so proud to participate in the cooking.

They chatted everyone up throughout the entire eating experience. Roo asked everyone what they were thankful for and thoughtfully recited her prayers to name each person.
So, for those of you that we were not able to be with, know that you were prayed for, remembered and are loved.

Elmo is the new Bono

Em and Roo,

Even children in Africa like Elmo. This little boy came to watch us
fix a water pump. I thought of you when I saw him.

See you soon.
Love,
Mammaw

M squared

After digging deep on an old hard drive, these pictures surfaced.

Mammaw and the Rowdy Girls, freshly born...


...and freshly home

And Marmee with the Rowdies a few months and many calories later.

Baby Hippo

Dear Sweet Ones,

Wanted to share this pic of this baby hippo we saw at Ngorongoro Conservation area last week. It is the littlest one we have ever seen. I am guessing the hippo in the back is the Mama.....she looks like she has a smile on her face. It is unusual for hippos to be lying in the sun. They are easily burned by the sun and try to stay in the water during the day light hours.

Pappaw and I are doing fine. It is winter here while you are having summer there. The winter here isn't cold like it is in Texas. I love summers in Texas and can just imagine all of you playing in the water.

I love all of you so much and pray for each of you by name every day. We can't wait to see you in a few months.

Love,
Mammaw and Pappaw

Rawr!

Look what we saw today.

This is only a little bit "zoomed", as we were very close................



He had just eaten, so he wasn't too interested in us.

What did you do with your day?

Love,
Mammaw and Pappaw

Texans in Tanzania returns

Go catch up with Mammaw and Pappaw over at Texans in Tanzania. She's got a bunch of new posts up on the blog about their move from Babati to Dodoma!

Gussie

Dear Em, Roo, and Maggie Dog,

My name is Gussie. I am an Australian Shepherd and live in the house with your Mammaw and Pappaw in Africa. Your Mammaw says I look like Maggie Dog and she says Maggie is a very nice dog. I am a nice dog too. I am probably the same age as Maggie.

We have been praying for Maggie dog so she will get well. I am happy she is not sick any more.

There are 2 other dogs here with us. Their names are Kona and Sam....we are all girls. Mammaw and Pappaw take good care of us while our owners, Mike and Heather, are in the United States. I used to live in the United States and I traveled all the way to Tanzania to be with them.

Mammaw and Pappaw let me sleep in the house at night. I have a nice bed underneath their bed and I sleep there all night long. When I wake up in the morning, I like to sit with them while they are drinking coffee. Mammaw pats my head and scratches behind my ears and Pappaw lets me put my head in his lap. Once we wake up, I am ready to go outside and play with the other dogs.

I think Maggie Dog and I would be good friends. I would also like to be your friends. Would you please tell Maggie Dog hello for me?

Mammaw and Pappaw said to tell you hello and that they love you and Maggie Dog very much.

We all hope you are having a great spring time.

Love,
Gussie Dog............and Mammaw and Pappaw

birthday wishes from Tanzania

Dear Sweet Emme and Roo,

Mammaw and Pappaw did not forget your birthday. We have had Internet and/or computer problems for a week and have not been able to get to our email to wish you girls a happy birthday.

Did you have a great day? Did your friends come over and play? Did Marmee and Grandpa get to come? Did you get lots of presents and have some yummy cake and ice cream? How about balloons? Did Maggie dog get to come celebrate with you? Did they take lots of pictures? It must have been a wonderful day.

I saw the pictures of you at Sea World. My favorite part of Sea World are the whales and the dolphin. I wish we could see them together some time.

Mammaw and Pappaw have some new dogs at our new house in Dodoma. One dog looks like Maggie dog. Her name is Gus, but i call her Gussie, so I can remember she is a girl. She is very sweet and I think she would like to be Maggie's friend. Do you think Maggie would like a new friend? When the other computer is fixed, I will send you a picture of Gussie to show to Maggie dog.

We have many lizards in Dodoma. Some get in the house and some are outside, Mammaw is very happy when they stay outside. Last night I saw an "albino" lizard, but he was gone before I could get the camera. One lizard has lived in the window encasement for 2 weeks and could not get out. I finally got him out today...I think he was very happy to be outside again so he could eat.

Watching you girls grow these past 3 years has been a delight. I don't know what we would have done without getting to see your blog every few days. You have an amazing Mama and she writes the sweetest things about you. Give her and your Daddy a big hug and kiss for me.

I better go for today. HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, MARY ELIZABETH AND RUBY.

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.

MAMMAW AND PAPPAW

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.

Happy you YOU!

Today kicks off the month of two-times-the-fun birthdays.

First off, we want to wish both Marmee and Mammaw a very happy 45th birthday!
(subtraction is our friend)

Em and Roo were a little reluctant to sing first thing in the morning.



We tried a cue card.

Roo read it, but she really didn't get her singing on. Em, either.
That is, until I turned the camera off and we got in the car. Of course. Then, you couldn't stop them from singing "Happy You YOU!" (that's Em's version).

Next on the calendar, we have Aunt Becky and Aunt Gail. And we'll wrap up the month of April with Em and Roo turning 3.
Oh. My. Word.
Three.

Oklahoma...O.K.?

The RGs are developing a love for old musicals. Yippee! The current fav is Singin' In The Rain. I've plans to introduce them to all my favorites, including all of the Rogers and Hammerstein classics. J and I have spoken about this several times. He is fine with anything but Oklahoma. Something to do with Mammaw singing "Oh what a beautiful morrrrrrrrrrning..." first thing in the A.M. Apparently he is scarred.

At any rate, Roo might have picked up on our conversations. Because I recently found Oklahoma in the toilet. Literally.

BibittyBobittyEmNaRoo*

We were blessed to have another visit from Mammaw and Pappaw before they return to Tanzania.


They were able to spend last Wednesday through Saturday with us. Em and Roo were very excited to have them here and wanted to spend every waking moment (plus some more) with them. Em even climbed out of bed to extend the day.

We also got a long overdue visit with Aunt Susan, Connor and Trevor. Em was cu-razy about the boys. She chased after them inside and out and called them "BOYS!". When they left, Em wanted to high five and fist bump them. So, she hollered after Trevor, "Blue Shirt! Boy! High Five?"

Pappaw, Connor and Trevor (taken at Aunt Susan's house)

Mammaw, Roo and Aunt Susan

Making some "music" while out to eat with Mammaw and Pappaw

A most favorite activity of Roo's was reading with Pappaw. She would trot up to him with a book, back into his lap or climb up next to him and say, "Here we go.", which means, "Let's get to reading now." She's kind of bossy. But it's cute when you're short.




more stories with Pappaw

Em and Mammaw getting some story time, too.


We tried to get a family all-together photo. Should have known better. Those never work.

The afternoon of the day that Mammaw and Pappaw left was tough. Em and Roo didn't believe that they were really gone. They looked all over the house for them, calling out, "Where are you?" Finally, I pulled out the phone and called them so everyone could chat. It seemed to help both Em and Roo make the transition and understand that Mammaw and Pappaw had to leave.

It's so hard when J and I realize that an entire year will go by before we see his parents again. We are so proud of the work Mammaw and Pappaw do and their obedience and faithfulness.
But, it must be said...
We all miss you so much.



*Here's another interweb Swahili lesson for you. Grandmother and Grandfather translates to Bibi na Babu. Which, really makes me think of Cinderella and pumpkins and fairy godmothers.

Krismas Njema

According to the interweb, the Tanzanian phrase for merry Christmas is,

"Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya" or "Happy Christmas".
(Mammaw and Pappaw?)

Regardless of the correct translation, it was a very happy Christmas for our family with our newly-returned-from-Tanzania grandparents. Mammaw, Pappaw, Aunt Gail and the boy cousins were unbelievably generous in their giving. Em and Roo now have a complete arts and crafts set up... easel, paints, markers, clay, brushes, cups, paper rolls, smocks, etc. And that wasn't the half of it.


Now, we're just hoping that Mammaw and Pappaw can come for another stay and do some art projects with us.

Roo and Em napped in the car on Christmas afternoon while we drove to second Christmas. As soon as we arrived, they hit the ground running and playing with their cousins, barely slowing down for round two of gift giving.

I think they properly annoyed cousins Charlie and Clint with their constant attempts to mess with their game systems. Like any self respecting little girl cousins should do.

And they gave Mammaw a workout playing tag and chase and "surprise! I'm hiding behind this door/wall/pillar".


Roo roped Pappaw into reading Curious George: The Dog Show. A few hundred times. Her plan of attack was simple. She shoved the book into his hands. Backed into his lap. Looked back and up at him and said, "Ready. Here we go."

She also warmed up to giving kisses this Christmas. Finally! Daddy grabbed them whenever he could.

Em was all lovey with Pappaw, too. As long as they had about 20 feet between them. Then, it was all flirty eyes and blown kisses.


The Mammaw/Aunt Gail/cousin love was all up close and personal. Em's main attention getting ploy was to fake-sneeze on them and then say, "excuse me". Cute, huh? Or she just climbed in their laps.

On our final night before returning home, lots and lots of cousins came to the house for a party.
Pappaw, Aunt Terri, cousin Chad

cousin Paige and the RGs

Daddy and Maggie Dog

And Guitar Hero World Tour was broken out. Em loves to dance while the guitar heroes rock out. Both RGs made themselves at home in the basement during the tour. They danced and sang.
Paige, the RGs, Charlie and cousin Trey

They played hide and seek.
They cuddled. They just loved it all.
And so did we.