The Fall

I think my first blog entry was about how I deserved the "Mother of the year" award for being a negligent mom while trying to get that perfect Christmas picture. You'd think I would have learned from my mistake. So it's a beautiful February evening. We're all in short-sleeved shirts, the sun is setting, the girls are playing outside at the sand table. I take a few pictures and then think....hey I should video tape this. So, I get the camera, am shooting and I am expressing how beautiful the weather is...blah blah blah....then I pan over to Lola, who is climbing onto this flimsy plastic chair...and in true America's Funniest Home Video form, she leans back, way back, and tips over onto the rocks. Which, speaking of rocks, I've always felt guilty to watch my kids walk barefoot on those sharp point rocks. I really think we need a small patch of grass out back. Yes, we live in a desert, but grass is so much gentler on those falls!

The Chef

Madeline has declared that when she's a grown-up, she wants to be a cook. She helps nanny cut fresh parsley to be set out to dry, she's made meatballs, cracked eggs, scambled them....and now she likes to chop garlic. Although, she does say that it makes her eyes cry. Is she really half Italian???

Taking a Yittle Ride

Mads has had difficulty in pronouncing the letter L. Lola has been Wowa. We sing, "Twinkle, twinkle, yittle star." She has known how to corectly pronounce L, but would have to stick her tongue way out to do so. Anyway....she now self corrects and can say most L words correctly. Tonight she decided to wheel herself around the house on Lola's little elephant toy.

Pumps

Madeline can now hoist herself onto the swing and pump all on her own to great heights!

Lola's Coming Into Her Own

She's such a sweet girl...loves to cuddle, read, draw and paint. If Madeline thinks it's cool, then Lola is right there! Tonight Lola had a cream filled cookie and knew, without coaching how to eat it....to pull the cookies apart and dig her finger along the cream center. Yum!

Missing the Girls

Jeff and I took our first true vacation (without children). We had an amazing time and the saying is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I for sure needed this break, but I did miss some Madelinisms.....

1) Lola is evidently really tired and Mads comments to Maria and Uncle Chris, "This baby can't keep her eyes open."

2) Chris is getting Mads in the car and asks if she can buckle herself into her carseat. Madeline replies, "How old do you think I am???? I am only 3!"


I couldn't believe how much a child can mature in 5 days. Madeline can now write her name. It's interesting though....she writes upside down. One would never know, unless they catch her in the act!

And Lola has joined the fam in being a yogi...she now does downward dog on command.

It was fun to escape with Jeff and visit Erica and Ashley...but it's nice to be home with our girls!