A few months late as usual, but here are some pics from Halloween 2016!
We had two sets of costumes - Olaf (the snowman from Frozen) and Elsa (one of the princesses from Frozen). Obviously we have to have two identical sets, because god help us all if I try to force uniqueness. We find it's not a good idea to offer something to one kid unless you can offer the same thing to the other kid. One is ALWAYS better than the other. So on Halloween, we gave them a choice. They both chose Olaf, and were very excited. We practiced saying "trick or treat" and "thank you, happy halloween" and they had it all down! Of course, actually going to a stranger's house is a different story. Way scarier. So both Alexis and Amelia were pretty shy at first. Eventually they warmed up though, and had a blast. When we got home, they got to binge on candy, then we went to bed and took away the rest of the candy. I told them the next day that "you ate it all!" I think this is probably the last year that trick will work.
On Tuesday Alexis and Amelia went to their first day of preschool. They were very excited, as you can see! They especially loved their new lunch boxes and wouldn't even put them down in the car.
Standing waiting for doors to open:
Playing with trains! Preschool is fun!
Showing Penny the preschool toys:
Unfortunately, the girls did NOT like it once mom and Penny (their beloved nanny) left. Amelia was very very sad, and therefore Alexis was very sad. I know this, because Amelia keeps telling me, "Amelia sad. Amelia cry at preschool." And because everyone told us.
So Penny and I came back early and played with them for a few hours, which they enjoyed. When I got there, they both kept saying "mommy came back! Mommy came back! Pick me up at preschool!" Which is heartbreaking, because they apparently thought I might not come back? Poor kids.
On Thursday, Penny stayed with them during the day. It went much better, but Amelia was still a bit sad. Apparently kinda traumatized from us leaving her there. Doh!
We just came back from Pinecrest. This was Alexis and Amelia's third trip - it's our summer tradition and we don't ever plan to miss it! We were there for more than a week. It was fun, despite illnesses and the fact that Alexis and Amelia discovered that it's super fun to climb out of their portable cribs at night. Not fun for mom and dad.
Overall, much fun was had, as you can see!
Watching tablets while grown-ups unload and baby-proof the cabin:
Playing on the beach:
We swam and watched uncle Micah's drone:
Amelia was very upset when it was time to get out of the water. But Mikayla was a good little distraction!
Uncle Micah made a fun game out of finding tree stumps, and the girls spent a lot of time searching for the (abundant) stumps at Pinecrest. They liked to practice being a tree when they found a stump:
Back at the cabin was fun too. Mikayla and Bernadette trying to hide from the bees:
Playing with flags on the deck:
Trying to get Lisa to come outside?
Sibling love:
Amelia discovered a love of puzzles:
All the kids liked connect 4:
Baths were a crowded event - we saved lots of water:
A few days into the trip, poor cousin Mikayla got sick. Alexis did too but wasn't as affected by it. Then one by one all the kids got sick, and finally Boris got sick towards the end.
Mikayla sleeping it off:
Cooper got sick around the time he fell in love with uncle Micah. Poor Micah was doomed after that - never a free minute away from this guy (unless he was clinging to nanna!). Cooper especially loves holding ears apparently:
Although Mikayla tried to take care of Cooper too:
Towards the end of the trip we went on a boat! Cooper was sleepy, but still enjoyed it.
The girls got a special trip back from the marina with uncle Micah:
And of course, no trip to Pinecrest would be complete without ice cream from the snack shack:
Both Alexis and Amelia really started talking a few months ago. Amelia talked a bit more, but I think it's because we just didn't understand what Alexis was saying some of the time. There were sentences coming out of her mouth, we just didn't know what they were. Now all of a sudden she's pretty darn understandable. Check out her story, telling us about how uncle Micah's airplane (Micah let the girls help fly his little drone, and we took a video of it. They are obsessed with said video and now like to talk about it all the time).
I have been feeling guilty for not posting more often on the blog, especially since I'm hoping to use this as my "baby book" for Alexis and Amelia's big events. I keep meaning to catch up, but after 8 months, it's time to declare blog-bankruptcy. So I'm starting fresh. Wiping out my blog debt and starting to post again from today. Sorry that you may have missed a lot (and sorry Alexis and Amelia if you are reading this one day - your last 8 months were awesome. Promise).
Today is the 4th of July! We went to the parade in Danville and it was great! Uncle Chris arrived early and set up tents for us, so we had a great spot. Lexie and Amelia loved it and sat happily through the first hour or so. Then it started getting a little boring/scary. They loved the horses and fire trucks and blowing bubbles provided by Uncle Micah.
And they looked adorable in their 4th of July dresses (thanks Aunt Laura!):
Pigtails!
Chasing Cooper for a hug
There were tears too.
But all was well when Uncle Micah gave drone flying lessons!
