Fairy Tale Ball

This past Thursday was the Fairy Tale Ball at the girls school. This was a big event for the girls and they have looked forward to it for a long time. Lizzie told me a couple of week ago that she needed a new princess dress for it. So, Grandma obliged and got them new dress up dresses. Also, the girls invited some of the church staff to come and watch.

They got to wear their dresses to school; which by itself is exciting. When it came time, the kids lined up with their partner. Each set was announced and bowed/curtseyed and then sat at the table where they ate lunch.

After lunch, they got up and danced with their partner for a couple of songs and then danced like crazy kids. The kids had a blast and I had fun watching.

On our way to school

Gracie being announced

Lizzie being announced

Lizzie's partner seating her

Gracie eating lunch

Lizzie eating lunch

Gracie and her dance partner dancing crazy

Lizzie dancing with her partner

Gracie and her teacher Ms. Tammie

Lizzie and her teacher Ms. Tarrin

The girls dancing

It was a really fun time for the girls.

  

Saying Goodbye to Aunt Betty

Last night my aunt Betty passed away. Before, I mentioned her diagnosis of cancer. She took a turn for the worse early last week and stayed with us for a few more days. This past weekend, Wes and I took the girls to Oklahoma to say goodbye. By the time we got there, Betty was heavily sedated to keep her comfortable. We spent time with her on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We read scripture to her and prayed.

Betty with Lizzie at 6 months

 Betty was a special lady. She took all of her nieces and nephews in like grandchildren. She treated her great-nieces and nephews like great-grandchildren. I have many memories of spending time with Betty. She was a teacher by calling and an excellent story teller. I remember sitting on her knee and listening to all the stories she told. When the girls were old enough, they sat on her knee and listened to her tell stories. I'm happy that they were able to know her for a while. Betty had many occupations in her lifetime, one of which she was a paramedic and had stories of helping people in rural Oklahoma. For every job Betty had, she had stories to tell.

Betty and my mom a couple of years ago

During the time of waiting in that hospital room, we had many little mercies. A former student came by and told us that Betty was her favorite teacher. A chaplain came by and told us that grieving can take many forms. Nurses that treated Betty as human and would stroke her hair even though they had never met her. Feeling the presence of God while we prayed. Knowing that He would embrace Betty.

Me, Betty and my sister, Laura

The girls always loved rides on Betty's walker

Our family will miss Betty so much. She has been such a presence in my life and in the life of my family.  I hope the girls have fond memories of her. In our prayer this morning as a family, we talked about how we can use those good memories to comfort us when we are sad.  We love you Betty.

Yoga Play Date

Today we had a play date with our twin club, it was a blast. Our good friend Amy hosted it at her house and our awesome teacher Ms. Cheryl taught. The kids all loved it and had a blast.

Our besties, Reese and Riley

Listening to Ms. Cheryl

Downward Dog

Reaching up high

Getting ready for cobra pose

Practicing our bow pose

Cat/Cow

Cheryl and the girls

A little after yoga tea

After yoga, we played for a bit at Amy's. We got hungry for lunch and then hung out at Chick-fil-A for about 3 hours! It was a fun afternoon!

Valentine's Day

Today was Valentine's Day. The girls have been excited for this day for weeks! Gracie has asked every day when it is.

The girls thought that Valentine's day was such a special occasion they should wear princess dresses. I talked them in to wearing heart skirts and shirts instead.

On our way to school (after our friend Kathy gave them cookies)

Gracie getting ready to open her Valentines

Playing with her new treasures

Lizzie taking a break from opening Valentines

How did they know she loves masks?

It was a fun day for the girls. After school, we had fun playing with Reese and Riley. After dinner, the girls enjoyed eating as much candy as possible before they got caught.

Our Saturday

Yesterday was a fun day for us. We started out a breakfast at the new bagel place. Wes was meeting some guys from church. The girls and I tagged along.

After church we did some shopping for Wes. We walked by the Build-a-Bear and I finally talked Wes into actually letting the girls do it. The girls make me go in that store every time we pass. They were so excited. Of course I wasn't prepared, so I had to take pictures with my phone.

Washing our friends after stuffing

Our new friends

After that, we did a little more shopping and went to look at boots. The girls love looking at cowboy boots. They both wanted "cowboy dresses". We didn't find any but got a couple of cowboy hats.

For dinner, I had a Groupon that needed to be used at Toby Keith's restaurant. So, that's where we headed next. While we waited for dinner, the girls danced on the dance floor with Wes. They all had a blast.

It was fun day for all of us. One that we all needed!

Knee Socks

I have a bit of an obsession with the girls and knee socks. I love how the girls look in them. Their little knees sticking out are so cute.....

Who could resist the cuteness of little girls in knee socks?

What a couple of cute and smart little girls..... We love them so much.

One-on-One

When you have twins, its hard to have one-on-one time. From day one, there are two babies to take care of and give equal attention. Every twin mom I talk to has the same concern, is enough individual attention give to each child?

That being said, every time I have the opportunity to spend one-on-one time is a treat. Luckily, I've had that time. It presents itself through a trip to the doctor, snuggle time before sister wakes up, a trip to the store or any number of different ways. It may be for just a few seconds or a couple of hours. During those times, the girls individual personalities really come out.

Sweet Gracie

Gracie loves to sing, dance and just be creative. Coloring, drawing or cutting makes her happy. Also, she has her own dance moves and makes up songs. Its fun to see what she will come up with next. She makes up karate moves and "super power" moves. As I tell everyone, she is self taught. She loves to watch others to learn from them.

Lovely Lizzie

Lizzie is a chatter box. She loves to talk, a trait she gets from Grandma. She loves learning and wants everything to be orderly. She is cuddly and loving. She will come up to give you a hug and a kiss. Also, she likes to take care of people. When Wes goes to work or we leave my parents, she tells them, "don't go fast, or go through red lights, look both ways, don't get hit by a car or get a ticket".

Both girls are so independent and sweet. Wes and I really blessed to have such good girls. We are thankful every day, even on the days when we are most challenged by their independence. 

Family Time

This past weekend, the girls and I went Oklahoma to visit family. We went for two reasons, one to see the family and two to help move my aunt Betty to a nursing home. She was diagnosed with cancer right before Christmas. Her prognosis is not good and we as a family are grieving. My aunt has always been special to us. She was more like a grandmother than just an aunt.

Betty with her "kids" at Christmas time

Waiting on Grandma between errands

Gracie playing with the Molly while waiting for Grandma

Crazy Cousins eating yummy Mexican

Putting on a puppet show

The girls had fun playing with their cousins. They had a few questions but there will be more to come.

Our New Favorite Show

As a kid, one of the shows I remember watching is Mister Rogers Neighborhood. It was one of my favorites. I love watching him and going into the "Land of Make Believe" with Trolley. I was so excited when I learned that they were making an animated version "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood".

After the first time of watching, the girls were in love. I knew they liked it but didn't realize how much or what impact it was making on them. The first time I realized it was after Lizzie got really angry with Gracie and hit her. After timeout, I was talking to her about why she did it and how she could handle it in the future. Then she quoted Daniel Tiger, "When you feel so mad that you want to ROAR, Take a deep breath and count to four. 1…2…3…4…" Now I hear this several times a week.


After watching an episode of Daniel writing a letter to his dad, Gracie wanted to send one to her dad. She got some paper and wrote on it, folded it up, licked it and told me to put it in the mail box. "Making something is one way to say “I love you.”"


Sharing is big in my house and we hear this one A LOT. "You can take a turn, and then I'll get it back."

It cracks me up when I hear this one, "When you have to go potty, STOP… and go right away.  Flush, wash…and be on your way!"

The girls will watch the same episode over and over again. They love it. Its funny to hear them quoting a little tiger. 

Christmas 2012

What did the Potters do for Christmas? We traveled to Oklahoma City and spent 9 days with my family. Our time there was good and bad. My aunt has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Christmas Eve was her first chemo treatment. We took turns spending time with her during her treatment. The week was rough for her. We spent a lot of time trying to help her through this.

My aunt Betty with her "kids"

We did have some bright spots to keep our spirits up. Because we were expecting some snow on Christmas Day, we exchanged gifts with my sister and her family on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, the snow was not as much as expected but it was nice. The girls loved all their presents. Poor Lizzie was sick most of the week with a cold.

Grandma reading "The Night Before Christmas"

Christmas morning, playing with the Dora House in Papa's t-shirt

Gracie playing in the snow! She loved it.

Lizzie and Gracie playing

Sydney, my niece, has been growing her hair out for a while to donate. She finally had it long enough to get it cut! She was so excited to have it cut and even more excited she was helping someone receive a wig.

Before we left to get it cut

Getting ready for the chop!

So cute!

The final activity our Christmas break was to spend time with my dad's family. Each year, we celebrate Christmas the weekend after Christmas. We had a good time even though we missed my aunt who couldn't make it.

The girls playing with baby Dawson

Kassidy, Angie, Gracie, Lizzie, baby Dawson

My dad and two of his brothers

My cousin Chris and Dawson

Wes and the girls

The week was full of mixed emotions with concern over my aunt and then the joy of Christmas.We will remember this Christmas for a long time.