6

Em and Roo turned.... 6! 

We kicked off the morning with their new t-shirts and donuts...

...with candles to blow out.  Plus, they let me sing a very soft birthday song to them.  They still feel a little wiggy having the song sung for them and requested no singing at their party. 

Marmee arrived soon after donuts and we headed to the American Girl store.  

 Welcome to the family, Josefina!  Your new mommy, Em, is super proud to have you.  

Next up, lunch at the American Girl Bistro.  Dad joined us and that made it perfect.  

 Then, Roo's turn!  The Lego store for all the mini-figures she's been wishing for.  She built them all from scratch and couldn't be more pleased.  

 We made the cakes the day before.  Em requested a pink American Girl cake.  Her cake has vintage American Girl pewter game pieces as the cake toppers. 

Roo asked for a blue-green Sesame Street cake.  We found some cool 1970's cake toppers that fit the bill perfectly.  

 They invited all their friends from co-op, plus family and our dear, life long, since the NICU, friends, Abbey and Porter.  First up, cook-out, then cake, finally The Muppets on the screen in the backyard with popcorn.  

Up bright and early the next morning, despite the late party.  They couldn't wait to rehash it and also had the added treat of tons of birthday wishes, blessings and greetings awaiting them on Facebook.  

Happy Birthday to my darling Rowdy Girls.  I can't wait to see what amazing things you do this year!

window shopping

We met some twin friends for a little window shopping on a lovely Friday morning.

After Starbucks treats and lots of pennies in the wishing fountains, we set off on a meandering walk.

The kids peered in every window. The only store they asked to go inside was the Apple store.

Smarties.

At the end of the long sidewalk was the biggest tree Em and Roo have ever seen.

They spent at least 45 minutes exploring every nook and cranny.

Next, a walk on the opposite side of the road. New windows to peer into and neat-o surprises on the ground. The last stop, Neiman Marcus. They have a magical installation piece above the escalators. Dancing butterflies that shimmered in the sun beams streaming through the skylight. We rode up and down 3 times and could have stayed a lot longer.

But, we had a lunch date.

butterflies in action

The Pea

This morning we headed back to our favorite little theater for a cute rendition of

The Princess and the Pea.

The Prince was into comic books and his mother, an overbearing and overprotective woman, wanted him to mature and grow up. He just wanted to play Super Dude. He met a girl in the forest. She wore a cape and mask and was called Super Chick. She liked comic books, too. And turned out to be the girl chosen for him by his mother. They had the same favorite color: rainbow; liked to dance freestyle; and neither cared much for peas.

Princess Super Chick got tipped off about the pea under the mattresses by the royal cat. The queen was thrilled that the test was passed. The princess was tremendously guilty about cheating and confessed. Which was the real test after all. Everyone was thrilled. And they all lived happily ever after.

It was quirky and quick and funny. Roo laughed all the way through it. Em watched it as though she might be quizzed upon completion. Seriously invested.

Then, we went to lunch with our fun friends that attended the play with us. Yum.

After that? Cupcakes and ice cream!

A busy day that gave way to another nice surprise. Cuddly, sleepy girls wanting a story.

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.

"the lovers, the dreamers, and me"

Last summer we tried attending a theater movie on their kids-go-free day. We left after 15 minutes.

Once again, what a difference a year makes. This morning we hit our awesome local theater that lets you dine in while you watch. The free kid movie was The Muppet Movie!

My mommy friends and I were much more excited than the children. [ehem]

But, when the credits rolled, the girls gasped and whispered,

"Mama! It's Kermit. And a rainbow. Oooh...And a banjo!"

They were hooked.

Since it was a movie packed full of kids, the theater looked a whole lot like this.

Complete with the popcorn throwing, er, spilling.

Roo ate four pieces of pizza.

Em made a hefty dent in a bowl of popcorn. Then, she took a break and exchanged back rubs and "scratchies" with her friend, Porter. I'm pretty sure that was Em's idea.

Roo watched the movie wide eyed, absorbing every detail and had a tiny thrill when Big Bird's cameo came on screen.

All in all, it was a total win and I think we'll go back at try it again in a few weeks when Babe is playing.

Happy 4

Em and Roo had a great 4th of July. They wished everyone in their radius a "Happy 4 and July!"

We kicked it off with a family walk followed by brunch at our favorite place. Roo ate an incredible amount of migas and bacon. We actually left the restaurant with her teary eyed that she couldn't stay for one more helping.

After excellent naps, we capped off the day with a get-together at a friend's house.

Em wore her self out on the "jumpoline" with the big kids. Roo buddied up with the baby sister and played with everything that had wheels. She also made an impressive dent in the homemade cupcakes.

Then, fireworks. Last year, it was a terrible fail but what a difference a year makes. This year they were "spark-a-ly" and "like Tinkerbell" and "soooo beautiful!". Em watched the homemade shows blasting around the neighborhood with her hands covering her ears, eyes wide and mouth opened in awe.

As we drove home, the baseball stadium was putting on its own fireworks display. It was incredible and our timing was perfect. The girls were treated to an amazing, colorful and quiet show from the comfort of their car seats.

why can't I touch the giant yellow thingy?

It was a rainy day. Perfect for a return visit to the museum storytime with our twin friends.

Afterwards, a new place to eat. A kitschy pharmacy with a well seasoned grill that turned out amazing cheeseburgers. And a soda fountain with yummy chocolate shakes.

We took up half of the dining space and were back to back with a lunch bunch club of golden girls. Blessedly, as we were leaving, they complimented the children on their behavior and asked sweetly curious questions about their twinships.

Thanks, Shannon, for the pictures!

culture club

Thanks to an amazing review site for our area, we learned of a summer storytime being held at a local art museum.

So, we polished up our manners and reviewed the no-touching rule and struck off for some culture.

It was fabulous!

The docent read Katie and the Mona Lisa to the children while we sat among the paintings. Afterwards, she led a short discussion of the surrounding art while referencing the story. Just as everyone was getting the wiggles it was time to transition. We moved on to an instillation piece that the children were allowed to touch. Bonus!

The girls found it rather magical and were reluctant to leave.

However, the trip through the modern art wing really captured their imaginations. By the time we stopped for a reading of When the Cows Got Loose, both Em and Roo were paying more attention to the art on the walls than the story. In my opinion, that's not a bad thing.

At the conclusion of storytime we were afforded the opportunity to meander the museum on our own. How lovely to have access to this for the remaining weeks of the summer.

We'll definitely return.

The Culture Club

Thanks to (mostly) good behavior, Em and Roo had their outing extended. We picked up J from work and grabbed lunch at one of the awesome food stands around here.

Because nothing says culture like food out of a travel trailer.

Today it was fancy tacos and amazing cake balls.

Em and Roo were smitten with the idea of cake on a stick. Who can blame them?

Everything's better on a stick.

tutus are for suckers

The RGs attended the birthday party of some sweet playgroup friends.

The trio celebrated turning 5 with a princess, superhero and pirate party.

It was awesome.

Lots of yummies, dressing up, toys, play equipment and bouncing with good friends.

Em and Roo each received a tutu, fairy wand and princess tiara for favors. But, they (not so secretly) longed for the boys' favor bag with the pirate/superhero loot inside. As we exited, I was able to exchange their bags and handed them over once we got to the car.

You would have thought it was Christmas!

So, for 2 days now, we've had a couple of buccaneers running about, with super hero capes on for added measure. They've answered nearly every question with "Argh!!!" and are in character for at least 50% of the day.

In fact, Roo has a complete alter ego now named Pirate Finnegan.

I was told this evening that "I not pirate Em now, just Em."

It's hard to tell when they switch back to regular people sometimes.

the sweetest things

Yesterday we celebrated Em's and Roo's 4th birthday. How in the world is that number even correct?

Our rockin' playgroup helped us ring in the next year in style. With lots of laughter and love.

We had cupcakes to decorate yourself, giant cupcakes for candles and birthday songs and mini cupcakes dipped in chocolate. So.Delicious. Daddy made Rowdy Girl root beer again and puffed up a gigantic jumpy house for all the kids. The sandbox and playscape were open for business, too. And the weather was brillant.

Roo and Em had the best time and felt so important and special.

It was all we hoped for and more.

rainbows and bubbles

Our friends celebrated their 4th birthday today. Em and Roo highly anticipated this event all week. But, storms threatened to ruin all the outside fun. We held our breath as rain pelted the car on route to the party.

Fortunately, just as we arrived, the rain moved on and out came a rainbow...

From the center of the cake!

The Rowdy Girls were completely charmed.

To make it an even more perfect party, the hosts pulled out the bubble machine. Fabulous!

(And how about these little dresses? Marmee smocked them for Aunt Kaki a long time ago. They still look amazing!)

Cali Foofa is in the House!

I've mentioned them before... the Twin Mamas from the interwebs. These ladies, most of whom I've not met in real life, have provided support and validation from the unique perspective of mothers of twins with June 2006 due dates. That's a small club. We're about 20 strong and are working on almost 5 years of interactions and communication now.

These ladies... they have your back. In good times and tough ones, too.

And, they understand the existential crisis of losing a Foofa.

Within an hour of sharing our loss, not one, but two of those ladies contacted me offering to send Roo a replacement. And many others mourned Roo's loss with us. They understand.

So today, it was with great joy that we received and opened a very special package postmarked California. Check out the video of Roo receiving Foofa's sister in the mail accompanied by an unexpected note from DJ Lance Rock (the keeper of the Yo Gabba Gabba crew). This was the highlight of Roo's week. And it's been a very exciting valentiney kind of week.

We Got Foofa!

Foofa from Christel on Vimeo.

Valentine's Day is AWESOME

Em and Roo learned the true meaning of Valentine's day at their playgroup this week. SUGAR! They are now officially in pink.puffy.heart.love with Valentine's day.

First up, a cookie decorating station.

Em used every last sprinkle on the table. Go long or get out.

Cuppycake time! Roo spent about 45 minutes with the top of her sprinkles and chocolate icing cupcake. It was true love.

In between cookies and cupcakes and gorgeous cakes made by incredibly talented moms (with triplets!)...

... the kids scarfed down fruits and veggies and pizza and sparkly punch.

Man! I love our playgroup.

We didn't just eat, though. All the kids decorated cute little bags to hold their Valentine's and exchanged love notes. And they played...

and played and played.

Because, that's what it's all about.